On his parents’ 72nd anniversary, Dean Prentiss, superintendent of the Greater Southwest District, reflects on their lifelong commitment to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.
DEAN PRENTISS
Superintendent, Greater Southwest District
What an honor and privilege it is to be asked to write an article for MIconnect, with a due date of February 13 — a very special day indeed.
The vision of The United Methodist Church is to form “disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.” The General Board of Church and Society says our vision encourages United Methodists to embody the following principles:
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- Love Boldly: Passionately love God and, like Jesus, embrace and include people of every age, nation, race, gender, and walk of life (inspired by Matthew 22:37-39 and John 13:34-35).
- Serve Joyfully: With a Christ-like heart, journey alongside the most vulnerable, offering care and compassion with joy (inspired by Psalm 100:1, Nehemiah 8:10, John 13:14-15, and 1 Peter 4:10).
- Lead Courageously: Follow Jesus’ example by resisting and dismantling all systems of evil, injustice, and oppression, striving for peace, justice, and reconciliation (inspired by Joshua 1:9 and Ephesians 6:10).
Bishop Tracy Smith Malone calls this vision a “catalyst for transformation.” We are fundamentally changed when, in the name of Jesus Christ, we practice loving boldly, serving joyfully, and leading courageously. God reshapes our hearts when we try, sometimes fail, and try again to live this vision, one day at a time, and then another, and then another, and then another . . .
until you wake up on February 13, 2026, and realize you have been trying to live this vision, for better or for worse, for 26,298 days.
That’s in part the story of my mom and dad, who celebrate their 72nd anniversary. Hugh and Phyllis Prentiss were married on February 13, 1954, at Hazel Park First Methodist Church, with Rev. Claire Wolf presiding. As they stood at the altar on that Saturday at 7:30 pm, they could not have known or imagined the blessings and challenges that were to come. All they could do was take a deep breath and make a vow to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously, and then trust that God would show them the way.
It would not always be easy. Life is complicated. It helped to have good friends in good churches. The people of Troy First United Methodist Church, Cass Community United Methodist Church, and Wesley Park United Methodist Church would help. They prayed together, laughed and cried together, learned together, and dreamed together.
Seventy-two years after making those vows, they can say the journey has been blessed. They are still growing. They are still striving to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously. It is worth the time and effort to make this vision a catalyst for transformation.
I encourage all of us to commit to living into our vision: Love Boldly. Serve Joyfully. Lead Courageously. By God’s grace, uplifted by the Spirit, imagine how much our lives and the world can be changed by the love of Christ after 5 days, 70 days, or 26,298 days!
If you would like to send my parents a note or card in celebration of their anniversary, please mail it to:
Hugh and Phyllis Prentiss
1120 32nd Street SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
The ministry of our district superintendents is made possible thanks to generous financial gifts from local United Methodist churches in Michigan through Ministry Shares. Thank you! Learn about the impact of Ministry Shares on mission and ministry in Michigan and around the world.
Last Updated on February 25, 2026