Asbury Representatives to Serve in the Global Methodist Church

October 24, 2024

Asbury alumnus Dr. Michael Powers ’74, Provost & Chief Academic Officer Dr. Sherry Powers ’77, and Professor of New Testament Dr. Suzanne Nicholson will be serving in new positions in the Global Methodist Church (GMC). Dr. Michael Powers will serve as Conference Superintendent (previously President Pro-Tempore) of the Mid-South Annual Conference; Dr. Sherry Powers will serve as a lay member of the Commission on Ministry and Higher Education; and Nicholson will serve on the Commission on Discipleship, Doctrine, and Just Ministry, in addition to her position as Elder in the GMC.

“Participating with brothers and sisters in Christ across the Mid-South Conference and around the world in this new expression of our Wesleyan heritage known as the Global Methodist Church is a great honor and brings tremendous joy to my heart every day,” Dr. Michael Powers said. “This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.”

In September during the GMC’s first General Conference in San José, Costa Rica, Nicholson served as a delegate to vote on the GMC’s Constitution, Book of Doctrines and Discipline, plans for the episcopacy, and educational requirements for clergy. From two dozen candidates, the delegates elected six bishops, including two female representatives, two African representatives, one African-American representative, and one Caucasian representative.

“When we say ‘global,’ that’s not just a nod. That’s our DNA,” said Nicholson, who recently edited a new book, Cooperating with the Holy Spirit: Theological and Practical Reflections on the Asbury Outpouring, set to release in February 2025. “We’re not meeting in the U.S., and that says something. It says this really is a global church and the conference is a picture of Revelation 7, with people from every nation, tribe, people, and language before the throne and before the Lamb.”

The Global Methodists plan to have their next General Conference in Africa in 2026, though arrangements have not been finalized.

“It is a joy to be elected to serve on the Ministry and Higher Education Commission,” said Dr. Sherry Powers. “This provides an opportunity to combine my love for higher education and ministry in the church. I am grateful to have a role in the work of this commission of the GMC as we make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.”

According to their website, “Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, the Global Methodist Church envisions multiplying disciples of Jesus Christ throughout the earth who flourish in scriptural holiness as we worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly… In that spirit, faithful Methodists have been praying and working to discern God’s will for a new church rooted in Scripture and the historic and life-giving teachings of the Christian faith.”

The Asbury University School of Christian Studies offers seven majors and six minors for traditional undergraduate students, including Youth Ministry, Bible-Theology, Intercultural Studies, and Pastoral Ministries. The Online program offers a major in Leadership and Ministry. Learn more.