Starting and Sustaining II: Together in Ministries of Compassion, Justice & Inclusion
Wanting to connect the church and community? Wondering how best to sustain and grow a vital ministry? Looking for another approach after good plans don’t work in the same way? Connect with other seekers and innovators. Be inspired by stories, renew spiritually, and imagine bold new ideas.

Presenter(s)
Keynote speakers include:
- Rev. Jon Reynolds, Brighton First UMC
- Rev. Jefferson Boye Knight from Liberia
- Lydie Kadibwa Negoie from Midwest City Missions
To learn more
Have questions? Please contact:
George Marck
Questions about our Conference related missionaries and itineration:
Audra Hudson-Stone
gmsecretary@michiganumc.org
Conference Secretary of Global Ministries
Alex Plum
plumalex@gmail.com
WHAT
Gather with creatives, community organizers, and change makers. Hear stories from mission trip leaders and local ministry experts about how they started and restarted. Ask questions, reflect, and imagine what might be next in your setting.
Sessions will include:
- A conversation with Rev. Jon Reynolds and Rev. Jefferson Boye Knight on a new model for working together on mission trips based on a recent trip to Liberia
- A conversation with Lydie Kadibwa Negoie from Midwest City Mission on how to do local missions based on the Wesley model of Do No Harm, Do Good, and Stay in Love with God
Workshops will include:
- Update by Jody Pratt on the recent VIM jurisdictional conference and VIM mission to Peru
- Updates by Valerie Mossman-Celestin on recent developments in Haiti
- Hear from Corrina Olesen, youth minister at Troy: First UMC on her recent trip to Liberia
- Next steps with Seed to Harvest
WHO
All are invited. Sponsored by the Michigan Conference Board of Global Ministries.
WHEN
Saturday, September 27
9:00 am registration and refreshments.
9:00 am - 2:00 pm worship, stories and workshops.
COST
In person registration costs:
- Early registration before September1
- Individual $35
- Groups of 3 or more, $30/person - After September 1
- Individual $45
- Group of 3 or more, $40/person - Walk-ins
- Individual $55
- Groups of 3 or more, $50/person
Virtual option - $10
- Portions of the event will be streamed live on the Conference Facebook Page on Saturday, September 27. Join on Facebook from 9:00am-11:00pm to watch the opening welcome, music with Wesley students, devotion from the Clergy Assistant to the Bishop, real life stories about Starting, Sustaining and Pivoting ministries from mission trip leaders and local experts.
WHERE
- Pre-event evening TBD
- Main event at First UMC, 400 S. Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
- Lodging block will be posted here.
Last Updated on July 24, 2025