On the heels of a tough and trying season, the spirit of the 2023 Annual Conference was one of excitement and hope as South Georgia United Methodists gathered to worship and pray, conduct the business of the annual conference, and elect delegates to the General and jurisdictional conferences.

As Bishop David Graves led his second regular annual conference session in South Georgia on June 4-6 in the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center, he focused on this year’s theme, “When They Prayed,” based on Acts 4:31.

“If ever there was ever a time for this Scripture in my lifetime, it is right now,” said Bishop Graves. “A time where God’s people would come together and pray, where the Holy Spirit would begin to speak the Word of God with boldness, and where the place would shake — all because they had gathered.”

Bishop Graves encouraged those in attendance to be poised, purposeful and prophetic as they move forward as God’s people and pray bold prayers.

“Friends, God is looking for those who want to be bold and courageous in these days to proclaim the Good News of Christ in ways we’ve never seen before,” said Bishop Graves. “I believe the best days of the Church are in front of us, but we have to do the work. We have to meet God where God is already at work.” 

Along with Bishop David Graves, who preached the Opening Worship Service, worship leadership was provided by Bishop Sharma Lewis, resident bishop of the Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church, in the Ordination Service, and the Rev. Dr. Derek McAleer, retired South Georgia clergy, in the Memorial Service. The Revs. Rebecca Duke-Barton and Michael Culbreth preached at the morning worship services. 

In her sermon focused on Acts 13, Bishop Lewis challenged the ordinands to be set apart for ministry as servants of God and to recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit.

“Ordinands, you should desire to be set apart for the work of ministry,” Bishop Lewis said. “You shouldn’t desire to blend in with this world, but to recognize that God has gifted and called you. For such a time as this you are to make a difference in The United Methodist Church. My prayer for you is that you recognize that there is no limit to what God can and will do through you in this unusual season.”

Delegates elected

Because of the pandemic and then scheduling challenges, the 2020 General Conference was postponed and will now meet April 23-May 3, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Judicial Council ruled that conferences may hold elections to fill vacancies in its delegation due to the lapse in time between election and service. Lay and clergy who were elected in 2019 and who remain part of the South Georgia Conference continue to serve on the delegation. 

General Conference Delegates — Clergy
The Rev. Doreen Smalls (previously elected in 2019)
The Rev. Dr. Scott Hagan (previously elected in 2019)
The Rev. Alaina Harrison (previously elected in 2019
The Rev. Dr. Jimmy Asbell

General Conference Delegates — Laity
Richard Shinhoster (previously elected in 2019)
Allison Lindsey
Patsy Thomas
Karen Forrester

Jurisdictional Delegates — Clergy

The Rev. Dr. Ben Martin (alternate to General Conference)
The Rev. Michael Culbreth (alternate to General Conference)
The Rev. Tony Crosby
The Rev. Stephen Grantham

Alternates:

The Rev. Dr. Ben Gosden
The Rev. Precious Hawkins

Jurisdictional Delegates — Laity

John Ray (alternate to General Conference)
Denise Rooks (alternate to General Conference)
Dana Goshorn
Scott Cleaveland

Alternates:

Scott Lewis
Mark Allen

 In the business session, members:

• were led in prayer moments by the Revs. Precious Hawkins, Ted Goshorn, and Teresa Edwards;
• were challenged by Mr. J. Knapp, conference lay leader: “South Georgia, it is time to put this ‘disaffiliation distraction’ behind us and focus on the mission and ministry to which we have been called. We have an opportunity to live into a new and reinvigorated vision of the South Georgia Conference. Our Conference is still here, still strong, and still making disciples for Jesus Christ!”
• celebrated Fully Connectional and Evangelistically Fruitful Churches;
• heard two John Wesley prayer moments led by the Rev. Dave Hanson;
• heard an exciting update on the Bishop’s Priorities with Mrs. Anne Bosarge, the Rev. Abra Lattany-Reed, Dr. Ben Martin, and Dr. Ben Gosden. This update included disrupting and dismantling racism, clergy mental health, resourcing the local church for ministry, and church planting & revitalization;
• celebrated with three individuals who received denominational awards: Frances Asbury Award from Higher Education and Ministry: the Rev. CJ Harp, Valdosta State University Wesley Foundation; One Matters Award from Discipleship Ministries: the Rev. Jerry Hudson, Bemiss United Methodist Church; Harry Denman Evangelism Award from the Foundation on Evangelism: Mr. Johnny Updike, Georgia Southwestern University Wesley Foundation;
• approved one resolution lifting up church evangelism and church initiative in the South Georgia Conference;
• heard a report about the future of the South Georgia Conference, a future that is Christ-centered, connectional, collaborative, compassionate, and kind. Bishop Graves has put together a conversation group to help foster the conversation of how we’re going to “keep dancing,” and how we’re going to keep going forward together as the South Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church;
• received a special offering totaling more than $8,000 for church planting and revitalization, $2,140 for clergy mental health, and $2,740 for the Fund for Special Relief.
• approved a budget of $5,472,651 for 2024, which is a reduced budget of 29% compared to last year’s budget so that more funds will be used for local church ministries.

Three persons were ordained into the Order of Elder. Ten clergy were recognized during a retirement recognition service, and two were recognized for achieving their 50^th anniversary in ministry. Thirty-six clergy and clergy spouses who died in the past year were remembered during the memorial service.

“There was a beautiful, peaceful, and loving spirit among us,” said Bishop Graves in reflecting on the three days of holy conferencing. “We have had wonderful worship and tremendous preaching. I heard so many people say there was just such a wonderful spirit here. People have come away inspired and encouraged. Most importantly, we turned the page this week, and we are moving forward. We are going to be focused on making disciples, and we are going to be focused on changing our communities. There was a spirit of empowerment as we came away from this annual conference. Thanks be to God for what all happened here in Tifton!”

With vibrant and meaningful worship sessions, prayer moments woven throughout, and powerful messages, South Georgia United Methodists said they saw hope.

“I know firsthand the tremendous amount of work that always goes into planning the annual conference session, but the wind of the Holy Spirit caught this one and the flames took off,” said J. Knapp, conference lay leader and part of United Methodists of Thomasville. “Annual conference was positive, inspiring, prayerful, and productive.”

Bishop Graves agreed.

“God’s presence was in this place. Even in the midst of all we have had going on, the majesty of God’s greatness and faithfulness prevailed,” the bishop said. “I’m thankful for the people of the South Georgia Annual Conference, for being here and for their participation. We saw God at work, and we are excited about what God has next for South Georgia United Methodists.” 

— Kelly Roberson, assistant to the bishop and director of conference ministries/communications