Over the past two years, I’ve had a front-row seat to something encouraging. At Immanuel Church in Lakeside Park, Kentucky, we’ve watched God change lives. We’ve welcomed hundreds of guests, celebrated more than 70 baptisms, received more than 70 new members, and prayed with well over 100 people as they made decisions to follow Jesus. A big part of that is because of how the Global Methodist Church has positioned itself as a denomination. The GMC is not trying to control the local church, they are allowing their churches to thrive.
As I look beyond Immanuel and observe the broader Global Methodist Church, other churches are in position to experience this type of fruitfulness. While no one can predict the future, I believe our movement is well positioned to make a significant kingdom impact in the years ahead.
Here are five reasons why I believe the GMC is positioned to thrive.
1. Local churches are being championed.
If a denomination is going to thrive, its local churches must be healthy, vibrant, and strong. The GMC leadership “get’s that.”
The posture of our leadership has consistently reflected that conviction. In my experience, bishops, conference superintendents, and presiding elders aren’t seeking to manage the day-to-day ministry of local churches. Instead, they seek to encourage, equip, and strengthen congregations so they can fulfill the mission Christ has given them.
I’ve come to believe that healthy denominations understand a simple truth: strong local churches are the engine of the mission. When local churches thrive, communities are reached, disciples are made, and the gospel advances. That’s why investing in the local church isn’t just good leadership, it’s good kingdom work.
2. We genuinely expect God to move.
One of the greatest strengths I see is a growing expectation that God is still at work. As I spend time with pastors and congregations across the Global Methodist Church, I notice our conversations are centered on God, not personal preferences or how things used to be. People are asking, “How do we align ourselves with what God is doing?” They want to be part of advancing His Kingdom.
Prayer matters. The Holy Spirit matters. Evangelism matters. We expect God to move because we believe He is still building His Church.
3. There is a genuine desire for connection.
Churches are stronger together. No one wants to be the lone boat drifting at sea. We were created to be part of a fleet, moving together, encouraging one another, and advancing Christ’s mission side by side.
One of the things that has encouraged me most about the Global Methodist Church is seeing that spirit of connection grow. Pastors want to learn from one another. Churches want to encourage one another. Leaders are sharing ideas, praying together, and celebrating what God is doing across the connection.
When churches see one another as partners rather than competitors, everyone becomes stronger. That’s the beauty of connectionalism at its best.
4. We are rooted in historic Christian faith.
I heard growing up, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The historic Christian faith isn’t broken. The truth of God’s Word doesn’t need to be reinvented. Every generation simply needs to rediscover it, believe it, and faithfully live it.
The Global Methodist Church isn’t trying to invent a new Christianity. We are standing on the foundation that has sustained the Church for two thousand years: the authority of Scripture, the historic Christian faith, the centrality of Jesus Christ, and the rich Wesleyan tradition that calls us to both holiness and mission.
When we stay rooted in God’s Word and centered on Christ, we position ourselves for lasting fruitfulness.
5. We are focused on the mission.
Perhaps what gives me the greatest hope is that our conversations consistently return to the mission. How do we reach people for Christ? How do we plant churches? How do we make disciples? How do we reach our communities? How do we raise up leaders? How do we help people know Jesus and grow in Him?
Those are the questions that matter. Those are the questions that keep the Church moving forward.
If we continue to champion local churches, depend on the Holy Spirit, strengthen our connections, remain rooted in the historic Christian faith, and stay focused on making disciples, I believe the Global Methodist Church is well positioned to flourish, not for our own reputation, but for the glory of Jesus Christ and the advancement of His Kingdom.
That’s a future worth praying for and worth building together.
Rev. Dr. Mike Wooton 
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