Conference Superintendent Welcomes the New Year with Gratitude and Hopeful Expectation
Pastor Oconer welcomes the members of New Horizons GMC into the GMC family during the launching of GMC Nueva Ecija in July 2024, Cabanatuan City, Philippines. Photo by Sherwin Ronquillo.
MANILA, Philippines — The churches and workers of the Mega Manila Annual Conference of the Global Methodist Church were greeted with a circular letter from Conference Superintendent Luther Oconer, reflecting on the past year’s accomplishments and expressing hopeful expectation for 2025.
In his December 31 letter, Pastor Oconer celebrated the steadfast faithfulness of God throughout a year marked by both challenges and triumphs. He expressed deep gratitude for the dedication of pastors, deaconesses, lay leaders, and mission partners, as well as the strengthening fellowship among congregations.
Key milestones of 2024 highlighted in the letter included the successful Annual Conference led by Bishop Scott Jones, the launch of the Global Methodist Church in Nueva Ecija, and the addition of new pastors and congregations from Rizal, Aklan, and Mindanao. The establishment of the Empowering Academy to train church leaders and the sending of four scholars to Truett Seminary were also celebrated as investments in the future of ministry in the region.
“Our small conference continues to live out a ‘mega’ vision for ministry,” Pastor Oconer wrote, emphasizing the reach of the conference’s mission, which extends across the Philippines and into the Middle East, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe.
“Even though we are one of the smallest conferences in the GMC connection, God has gifted us with a “mega” vision for ministry. For he has allowed us to reach new people for Christ not only across the Philippines, but also the Middle East, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, showing us His desire for all nations and every heart. ”
One of the highlights of 2024 was God’s gift of partnership with Pastor Brad McKenzie, presiding elder of the Piney Woods district in Texas, during a visit to San Jose, Ibajay, Aklan with Pastor Oconer in February, 2024. With Pastors Luwin Manikan, Kevin Pedrosa, and Ulysis Ambucay. Photo by Gabriel Tan.
The year concluded with transformative youth camps across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, where young people encountered Jesus Christ and were filled with the Holy Spirit.
Looking ahead, Pastor Oconer encouraged churches and workers to enter 2025 with hope and trust in God’s faithfulness. “Let us press on together, ever faithful to the call of Christ,” he urged.
The letter serves as both a celebration of God’s work in 2024 and a rallying call for the coming year, reminding all members of the Mega Manila Annual Conference of their shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness around the world.
The letter is shown below.
December 31, 2024
To the churches and to my fellow workers in Mega Manila,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
As we step into a new year, my heart overflows with gratitude for God’s steadfast faithfulness to us as a conference. The past year has been marked by both challenges and blessings, but through it all, the Lord has been our refuge and strength. We give thanks for the breakthroughs and milestones achieved by our churches, the unwavering dedication of our pastors, deaconesses, and lay leaders, and the countless lives touched and transformed through the ministry of the Global Methodist Church. This past year, we also witnessed a deepening of fellowship among our church workers and congregations. The bonds we share have grown stronger, reflecting the unity and love that Christ desires for His Church.
I am blessed to count you all as family. Together, we have celebrated victories, supported one another through trials, and committed ourselves to the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ and spreading scriptural holiness across the globe. A significant highlight was our successful Annual Conference in February 2024 through the wise leadership of Bishop Scott Jameson Jones. This gathering was a time of spiritual renewal and strategic visioning, setting the tone for the months ahead. In July, we reached another milestone with the launch of the Global Methodist Church in Nueva Ecija and the joyful inclusion of new pastors and congregations from Rizal, Aklan, and Mindanao. These additions have further expanded the reach of our mission. Another key moment in July was the establishment of the Empowering Academy, an initiative designed to train and equip pastors and lay leaders for effective ministry. In August, we celebrated the sending of four scholars to the Pastoral Studies Program of Truett Seminary, a significant investment in the future of our ministries in Mega Manila.
We are also profoundly grateful for our mission partners from the United States, whose generosity and support have blessed many of our churches. Their partnership is a powerful reminder of the global unity we share in Christ. Then, in September, despite being a small conference, we made a meaningful impact at the Convening General Conference, showcasing how God uses even the smallest among us for His great purposes. This, in a way, demonstrates who we are as a conference. Even though we are one of the smallest conferences in the GMC connection, God has gifted us with a "mega" vision for ministry. For he has allowed us to reach new people for Christ not only across the Philippines, but also the Middle East, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, showing us His desire for all nations and every heart.
Most recently, our post-Christmas youth camps in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao brought immense joy and spiritual renewal. Many young people encountered Christ in transformative ways, their faith deepened, and baptized in the Holy Spirit. As we enter 2025, let us do so with hearts full of hope and trust in God’s continued faithfulness. While there is still much work to be done, we are confident that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion. I eagerly anticipate journeying with all of you as we embrace the exciting opportunities ahead. Let us press on together, ever faithful to the call of Christ. There is more!
On behalf of my whole family, blessings and a joyous New Year to all!
Pastor Luther Oconer
Conference Superintendent