Worship, Youth, Lay Leaders Call Conference to Live the Way of Love
The second day of the 2026 Arkansas Annual Conference began with worship, prayer, and a challenge to conference members to remain focused on Christ’s call to love, serve, and disciple others.
Drawing on the conference theme, The Way of Love: Flowing as One, worship leaders opened the morning by praying that God would “stir the waters” of the annual conference and help participants move beyond division toward unity in Christ. Conference members were reminded that they are God’s beloved children and are called to walk together in love, justice, mercy, and service.
The morning’s first address came from Sadie Ledbetter, chair of the Arkansas Conference Council on Youth Ministries, who celebrated a year of growth, leadership development, and spiritual formation among young people across the conference.
Ledbetter highlighted the success of Refuge, Veritas, and other youth events that have connected hundreds of students with Christ and one another. She also reported that the Youth Service Fund raised more than $13,200 and distributed $6,400 in grants supporting ministries across Arkansas.
“The next generation of leaders in this conference are here,” Ledbetter said. “They are capable, faithful, and already doing incredible things.”
Reflecting on her own journey of faith, Ledbetter spoke about growing up in the United Methodist Church, serving as a youth delegate, and discovering the power of connectional ministry. She encouraged conference members to return home and intentionally support young people in their churches.
“When you leave annual conference, I implore you to return to your home church and say yes to your youth,” she said. “Say yes to supporting their calling, including them in church leadership, and saying yes to being the connection that allows them to have a voice and a reason to call church their second home.”
Conference Lay Leader Kathy Conley followed with an address centered on kindness, compassion, and resisting the world’s distractions. Wearing a playful costume inspired by her grandson, Conley used humor to illustrate how easily people can lose sight of what matters most.
She challenged conference members to remember the faith experiences and relationships that shaped them and to continue sharing the story of Jesus through acts of service, mercy, and love.
“Open your eyes, see the needs around you, and ask God to help you look with a compassionate heart like Jesus,” Conley said. “Then allow Him to help you work toward understanding and kindness in all that you do.”
Conley urged United Methodists to be a positive witness in a divided world, reminding listeners that simple acts of kindness can transform lives and communities.
“We can be the loving distraction from the chaos of the world in such a time as this,” she said.
Later in the morning, conference members received reports celebrating ministries across Arkansas, including the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas, disaster response ministries, age-level ministries, and discipleship efforts in local congregations. Clarendon First United Methodist Church received the One Matters Award for its focus on disciple-making and eight professions of faith during the past year.
Sandy Cook of Forrest City United Methodist Church received the Laity Evangelism Award for her service through the St. Francis County Care Center.
The morning concluded with a blessing for survivors of sexual assault and abuse led by Bishop Laura Merrill, Sarah Argue, and Rev. Michael Maddox. The prayer acknowledged the pain experienced by survivors while affirming God’s compassion, justice, and healing presence.
Together, the morning’s worship, testimonies, and reports reflected a common message: the church is strongest when it remains rooted in love, invests in future generations, and continues to serve others with compassion and grace.
Board of Ordained Ministry Celebrates Clergy Leadership, New Ministry Milestones
The Arkansas Annual Conference celebrated the call, preparation, and service of clergy leaders Tuesday morning during the Board of Ordained Ministry report, recognizing new ministry candidates, honoring trailblazing women in ministry, and celebrating those who continue to answer God’s call to serve.
Conference members approved updates to the local pastor mentoring process designed to strengthen support and accountability for clergy entering ministry. The changes align conference practices with the Book of Discipline and establish cohort-based support for newly licensed local pastors during their first two years of ministry.
Leaders recognized the many individuals who support ministry throughout the conference, including members of the Board of Ordained Ministry, certified lay ministers, lay supply pastors, and local pastors serving congregations across Arkansas.
A highlight of the morning was a celebration of the 70th anniversary of full clergy rights for women in the Methodist tradition. The recognition honored generations of women who answered God’s call to ministry and helped shape the life of the church.
Rev. Katie Pearce reflected on significant milestones in Arkansas Methodist history, including the ministries of Fern Cook, Avern Hunter, Dorothy Claiborne, Maxine Allen and other women who broke barriers and opened doors for future generations of clergy leadership. She also recognized women who were the first female pastors appointed to their congregations and those who served in leadership roles where women had not previously been represented.
“As we celebrate 70 years of full clergy rights for women, there are still plenty of firsts yet to be achieved and plenty of stained-glass ceilings yet to break,” Pearce said.
The conference also recognized a new class of Licensed Local Pastor School graduates:
- Rebecca Cox
- Riley Harris
- Crystal Jolly
- Danny Rainwater
- Keith Renard
- Michael Robinson
- James Sawyer
- Donna Shepherd
- James Weatherall
- Tasha Weeks
- Dr. Margarette Williams
Conference leaders celebrated additional milestones in clergy formation, including the completion of the Course of Study program by Jeremy Hopper and Benny Scroggins. Melissa Maskell was recognized as a new associate member, while Grace Rogers and Lydia Sullinger were commissioned to begin the residency process leading toward ordination.
The conference also introduced the 2026 class of ordinands. Alyssa Kuebler, Annie McGregory, Aaron Miller, and Laura Todd will be ordained during Tuesday evening’s Ordination Worship Service. Todd joins the Arkansas Conference from the Cumberland Presbyterian tradition and has completed the requirements to become a United Methodist elder.
The morning concluded with the presentation of the 2026 Barnabas Awards, which honor individuals who encourage, mentor and support those responding to God’s call to ministry.
Nancy Meredith and Melanie Churchill received the Lay Barnabas Awards for their faithful service supporting clergy candidates, local pastors and conference leadership. Rev. Dr. Rebekah Miles received the Clergy Barnabas Award in recognition of her decades of mentoring, teaching and encouragement to clergy across Arkansas and beyond.
As conference members prepared to honor retiring clergy later in the day, the Board of Ordained Ministry report served as a reminder that God continues to call, equip and send faithful leaders to serve the church and the world.
Faithful Servants Honored as Arkansas Conference Celebrates Retiring Clergy
The Arkansas Annual Conference paused Tuesday morning to celebrate and honor clergy entering retirement, giving thanks for decades of faithful service and ministry across the state.
During a worship service centered on themes of covenant, calling and renewal, conference leaders reminded attendees that retirement marks not an end to ministry but a new season of service and discipleship.
“We are renewed, not retired from grace, but refreshed for a new expression of love and service,” worship leaders proclaimed during the opening liturgy.
Bishop Laura Merrill offered special gratitude to retired clergy who provided leadership and support during recent years of transition in The United Methodist Church.
“I want to say a particular word of gratitude this year for all clergy, in particular those who are retired, who stood in the breach for us during disaffiliation,” Bishop Merrill said. “You gave and served in extra ways when most of you retired for a reason. Your gift of faithfulness has blessed this conference.”
Those recognized as entering the retired relationship included Revs. Lane Chambers, Paul Coy, Steve Delano, Pam Estes, Jeff Hampden, Edna Hargraves, David Hoffman, Gary Maskell, Ken Pearson, Beth Perdue, Michael Roberts, Betsy Singleton Snyder, Paul Strang, Tom Sullinger, and Beth Waldron.
The service featured reflections from several retirees who shared stories of their calls to ministry, memorable moments from their years of service and hopes for the future of the church.
One pastor recalled answering a call to ministry despite a lifelong fear of public speaking. Another reflected on discovering a passion for teaching and preaching after years of sensing God’s call. Several spoke about the joy of baptizing children, sharing the gospel in their communities and walking alongside people through life’s most significant moments.
Many emphasized the importance of relationships formed throughout their ministries and the strength found in serving alongside others in the church.
“I’ve discovered that every generation has to figure it out for themselves,” Rev. Michael Roberts reflected. “This calling goes so much better when it’s done in community, when you have those in your life who share in the calling and who are there to forgive, to challenge and to comfort.”
A highlight of the service was the traditional passing of the mantle, symbolizing the transfer of leadership and responsibility from one generation of clergy to the next.
“The responsibilities and the dedication of the older generation will be caught up and carried on by the young,” participants declared. “May we inherit a double share of your spirit.”
The congregation joined together in singing “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” before offering a final blessing over the retiring clergy.
As the service concluded, Bishop Merrill encouraged retirees to continue embracing their calling while embarking on a new season of life and ministry.
“Today we give thanks for the time of these friends in ministry who have led our church with love and grace,” Bishop Merrill said. “As a new generation comes forward to serve, we send you forth.”
2026 Retiring Clergy
- Rev. Paul Coy
- Rev. Pamela Estes
- Rev. Jeffery Hampton
- Rev. Edna Hargraves
- Rev. David Hoffman
- Rev. Gary Maskell
- Rev. Beth Perdue
- Rev. Michael Roberts
- Rev. Betsy Singleton
- Rev. Paul Strange
- Rev. Tom Sullinger
- Rev. Beth Waldrup
Rev. Paul Chilcote Calls Conference to Rediscover Love, Community and Mission
Rev. Dr. Paul Chilcote challenged members of the Arkansas Annual Conference Tuesday afternoon to reclaim the Wesleyan movement’s historic emphasis on love, community, and mission as the church seeks to navigate a changing world.
Drawing on the conference theme, The Way of Love: Flowing as One, Chilcote encouraged attendees to deepen their connection with God and one another while embracing their calling to share Christ’s love beyond the walls of the church.
“We stand at a juncture right now where God is helping us as Methodists rediscover our first love,” Chilcote said. “As I travel the church, I am seeing a rebirth of love in our church.”
A noted Methodist historian, theologian, and author, Chilcote framed his presentation around three foundational elements of the Wesleyan tradition: a message of grace and love, a method of growth in community, and a mission for the world. He described these principles as essential to understanding both the church’s past and its future.
Throughout the presentation, Chilcote emphasized that God’s love is the foundation of Christian faith. Rather than beginning with human brokenness, he argued that Wesleyan theology begins with God’s creative and redeeming love.
“We do not begin with sin,” Chilcote said. “We begin with love in creation.”
Using what he called the “four-chapter gospel,” Chilcote described the Christian story as creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. He urged conference members to see themselves as partners in God’s ongoing work of healing and renewing the world.
“The point of Christianity is not simply to go to heaven when you die,” he said. “It is putting the whole creation to rights.”
Chilcote also highlighted the central role of the Christian community, reminding participants that faith is nurtured and strengthened through relationships. Drawing on the Wesleyan tradition of small groups and communal discipleship, he encouraged churches to cultivate practices that help believers grow in love and grace together.
“The primary purpose of the church is to teach us how to love,” he said.
He pointed to prayer, Scripture, and Holy Communion as foundational spiritual practices that connect believers to God’s transforming grace. These practices, he said, are not merely religious obligations but opportunities to encounter God’s presence and be shaped for faithful living.
Chilcote concluded by describing the church’s mission as a movement of love that extends beyond congregational life into communities around the world. Using the image of a hurricane fueled by warm water, he compared the church to a force empowered by God’s grace and sent into the world to share hope, peace, and reconciliation.
“My prayer is that the United Methodist Church might become like a hurricane of love in the life of our world,” he said. “Always on the move, doing God’s work wherever it goes.”
Following the presentation, conference members gathered in breakout discussions focused on loving like Jesus, walking together, and participating in God’s mission of love. The conversations invited attendees to reflect on Chilcote’s message and consider how local churches can embody deeper love, stronger connections, and faithful service in their communities.
As the conference continued, Chilcote’s message echoed a theme that has surfaced repeatedly throughout the gathering: the church’s future depends not on institutional strength alone, but on its willingness to live out the transforming love of Christ.
Conference Honors Faithful Churches, Celebrates New Initiatives During Afternoon Business Session
The Arkansas Annual Conference spent Tuesday afternoon celebrating faithful ministry, recognizing congregations engaged in community outreach, and reflecting on both the challenges and opportunities facing the church in the years ahead.
Conference members received reports from the Board of Trustees, Church and Society, One More Question, campus ministries, and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women while also honoring churches that have closed during the past year and celebrating the 70th anniversary of women’s ordination in The United Methodist Church.
A significant moment came as Board of Trustees President Rev. Maxine Allen led the conference in recognizing congregations that have closed since the last annual conference session. Churches named included Viola, Marvell, Parkin, Eli Lindsey, Lexa, Madison, the Vietnamese Van Buren Mission known as New Bethel, Winthrop, Trinity in Star City, Huttig, and Zion United Methodist churches.
Following a prayer led by Bishop Laura Merrill, Allen challenged conference members to view church properties as opportunities for future ministry.
“For every church we close, there should be a closure for good,” Allen said. “We must plant a ministry of mercy, a community gathering spot, a youth center for neighborhood kids, a seniors’ daycare respite. May we boldly go where we have never gone before.”
The trustees also announced the official launch of the Arkansas Conference United Methodist Property and Casualty Insurance Program in partnership with GuideOne Insurance. Conference leaders reported strong participation from churches across Arkansas and highlighted potential savings for local congregations.
The session also highlighted ministries focused on justice, outreach, and community engagement. Through the Peace with Justice grant program, several congregations received support for innovative ministries addressing social concerns and community needs.
The 2026 Peace with Justice grant recipients included Benton First United Methodist Church, Geyer Springs United Methodist Church, Hays Chapel United Methodist Church, Magazine United Methodist Church, Oak Forest United Methodist Church, and Springdale First United Methodist Church.
Conference members also heard updates from the One More Question initiative, a program designed to help congregations build stronger relationships with their communities. Since its launch, the initiative has trained more than 100 clergy and laity from churches across Arkansas to engage in neighborhood-based ministry and community partnership development.
Conference Outreach Specialist Samantha Menley announced the development of “One More Question 2.0,” an expanded curriculum that will continue helping churches move from program-centered outreach toward relationship-centered community engagement.
“Our goal is to teach, train and resource congregations who want to design outreach ministries not for, but with their community,” Menley said.
The afternoon session also celebrated the impact of campus ministries throughout Arkansas. A video presentation featured students sharing how Wesley Foundations have helped them grow in faith, discover community, and discern calls to ministry and service.
Members received a report from the Commission on the Status and Role of Women, which analyzed participation during Monday’s conference sessions. The report noted near parity between women and men in leadership and speaking roles while also encouraging attendees to continue introducing themselves fully when speaking so conference participation data can more accurately reflect the diversity of the body.
The session concluded with a celebration of the 70th anniversary of full clergy rights for women in The United Methodist Church. Through a video presentation and personal reflections, conference leaders honored generations of women who answered God’s call to ministry and helped shape the church’s witness.
Bishop Merrill reflected on the legacy of Arkansas clergywomen and specifically remembered Rev. Elma Joyce Harris Scott, the first Black woman ordained in Arkansas Methodism, whose ministry opened doors for future generations of women leaders.
“I am proud to be United Methodist,” Bishop Merrill said. “I rejoice in this celebration today with you.”
As conference members prepared for the evening Ordination Worship Service, the afternoon session served as a reminder that the church’s mission continues through faithful stewardship, courageous leadership, and a commitment to sharing God’s love in communities across Arkansas.
New Elders Ordained, Church Called to Be Messengers of Hope
The Arkansas Annual Conference concluded Tuesday with a celebration of calling, commitment and hope as clergy and laity gathered for the Ordination Worship Service in Horner Hall.
The service marked a significant milestone for new clergy leaders as the conference ordained new elders, commissioned provisional members, and recognized ministers entering new phases of service within The United Methodist Church. Throughout the evening, worship centered on God’s faithfulness and the church’s continuing mission to share hope in a world marked by division, uncertainty, and hardship.
Bishop Mande Muyombo of the North Katanga Episcopal Area in the Democratic Republic of Congo delivered the sermon, urging conference members and those entering ministry to become “messengers of hope.”
Drawing from Romans 5:1-8, Bishop Muyombo acknowledged the challenges facing both society and the church, including conflict, political polarization, mental health struggles, and the lingering effects of division within The United Methodist Church. Yet he reminded worshippers that Christian hope is rooted not in circumstances but in God’s faithfulness.
“Hope is not wishful thinking,” Bishop Muyombo said. “It is confident certainty about the future. It is rooted in God’s faithfulness to keep His promises.”
Speaking personally about growing up amid poverty, violence, and instability in the Congo, Bishop Muyombo testified to God’s sustaining presence through difficult seasons. He challenged ordinands to carry that same message of hope into the communities they serve.
“No matter how desperate our church members may be, we are called to be messengers of hope,” he said.
Bishop Muyombo also expressed gratitude to Arkansas United Methodists who remained committed to the denomination during recent years of change and uncertainty.
“I am the product of your prayers, your mission, your sacrifices, and your presence,” he said. “You invested in the church not only in Africa but all over the world.”
During the service, Bishop Laura Merrill ordained three new elders in full connection:
- Alyssa Kuebler
- Annie McGregory Meek
- Aaron Miller
Laura Todd was recognized as an elder in full connection after transferring from another Christian tradition into The United Methodist Church.
The conference also commissioned Grace Rogers and Lydia Sullinger as provisional members preparing for ordained ministry and recognized Melissa Maskell as an associate member.
One of the evening’s most moving moments came during the laying on of hands, when clergy surrounded the ordinands in prayer and blessing. The act symbolized the church’s support and the continuation of a ministry lineage stretching back through generations of Methodist leaders.
Bishop Merrill reflected on that connection, reminding ordinands that they are part of a long tradition of faithful service extending from John Wesley through centuries of Methodist witness.
“We are not alone in this venture tonight,” Bishop Merrill said. “We have come from grace, and we are bound for grace.”
The service also celebrated the 70th anniversary of full clergy rights for women in The Methodist Church and reaffirmed the ministry of all baptized Christians. Clergy and laity alike were invited to remember their baptism and recommit themselves to lives of discipleship and service.
As the conference prepares for its final day, the ordination service offered a visible reminder that God continues to call, equip, and send leaders into the church and the world. Through worship, prayer, and the promises of new clergy, conference members were reminded that the church’s future is built not on fear or uncertainty but on the unshakable hope found in Jesus Christ.