As the school year begins, many families find themselves in a season of transition. New teachers, new routines, and new challenges can bring excitement but also a bit of anxiety. In these moments of change, it's comforting to remember that we don’t walk this path alone.

In Joshua 1:9, God says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." This promise to the 12 tribes so long ago gives insight to God's character. He is a God that is with us wherever we go. This is especially meaningful as families, young people, professors, teachers and helpful grandparents face the transitions of a new school year. Just as God was with Joshua as he stepped into uncharted territory, He is with our children, our families, and our church as we navigate this season.

Through Jesus Christ, we have the assurance that God is with us, guiding us, strengthening us, and giving us peace. Whether it’s the first day of kindergarten, the last year of high school, first year of university, or last year of graduate school... Christ is our constant, the unchanging foundation in EVERY new beginning.

As followers of Jesus Christ, let’s support one another, pray for one another, and encourage each other through these transitions. And let’s trust that God, who began a good work in us, will carry it on to completion.



On the Adventure,

Supt. Ben

Women with the Free Methodist Church are entering the path to ordained ministry each year, enriching our leadership pipeline.

PreacHer Sunday is a joint initiative of the Advocates for Women in Leadership (AWL) and the Strategic Catalyst for Love-Driven Justice.

Visit https://buff.ly/45nYY6f to get more information about PreacHer Sunday, connect with AWL to access resources, explore their vision and mission statements.

Financial Health Resource offered through FMCUSA and FMFinancial:

Training is available at no charge (including a connection with a FMFinancial advisor)!

Feel free to visit: Online Training | NAE Financial Health. You can create an account to access the treasure trove of resources! By creating an account, you gain access to exclusive resources tailored for your needs.

fm nextgen news updates and request for church leaders who work with youth and/or college-aged individuals:

Zach Fleming has stepped aside from his national position as Executive Director of FMYC and Youth Ministries to focus on his local church ministry. 

Brian Kono is serving as Interim NextGen Director. He has been tasked with helping reimagine how we rally around the Gen Z and Alpha segment of the FM family and support those who lead ministry efforts with them.

There will NOT be a large FMYC event for high school students next summer. Before the end of October, they hope to announce what efforts will be in place instead.

Church leaders who lead and work with youth and/or college-aged individuals are encouraged to sign-up for updates and support efforts to maintain strong connections. They can subscribe to the NextGen Ministries contact list by clicking here.

Light and Life Park, a Free Methodist 55 plus community in Lakeland, Fl has an opening for a full time Park Administrator. 

Details are available at https://lightandlifepark.org 

Calling the church to fasting and prayer is a vow every Free Methodist elder takes at their ordination. We, your bishops, are calling all to a month of fasting and prayer that will begin on Tuesday, September 3. Here's all the information you need to know to connect with this united effort:

OUR THEME AND FOCUS 

"Seeking Together" is our theme as we unite in seeking the face of God around four weekly themes: Turning to God/Repentance, Awaken Your Church, The Next Generation, and Leaders in the Church/Society. We highly encourage the participation of as many Free Methodists as possible to give your voice to prayer and join the chorus as we seek God together.

HOW IT WILL BE COMMUNICATED

Each day a video with Scripture, a devotional thought, and prayer will be presented from our Superintendents and other FM leaders. Included with their prayer will be prayer prompts for you to use to engage your own voice in added prayer. As you watch the video and pray, you will be joining others in our family who will be doing the same.

HOW YOU CAN RECEIVE THE DAILY VIDEOS AND PRAYER PROMPTS

1. Here are the ways you can be sure to receive all the daily videos and prayer prompts:1. Receive it by email in your inbox. To do so, subscribe to the email list. Here's the link to use to subscribe: fmchr.ch/seekingtogether 
2. Visit our FMCUSA Facebook page daily for the prayer videos and prompts. Here's the link so you can be sure to like and follow that page: https://www.facebook.com/fmcusa
3. Visit our National Prayer Ministry Facebook page daily for the videos and prompts. Here's the link so you can be sure to like and follow that page: https://www.facebook.com/npmfmc
4. Visit the web page each day that is set up specifically to house all the videos and prayer prompts. Here's the link: https://fmcusa.org/seekingtogether

Here you can download a couple of graphics that you can use to promote this effort to your churches, encouraging our members and attendees to add their voice to this chorus of prayer and join us in fasting for the church. You can view and download the accompanying Fasting Guide here. Please share this information and links with them as well.

Questions? Email info@fmcusa.org and our communications team will do their best to provide you with answers.

May the Lord hear us as we storm the throne of grace with our requests for the Lord to visit us and ignite a Spirit-fueled movement "by calling on the God in whom we believe - the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not" (Romans 4:17).

We also pray that every local Free Methodist Church would be a House of Prayer for the Nations. Thanks for your participation.

Blessings to you,

Keith Cowart, Kaye Kolde, Kenny Martin

The Board of Bishops of the FMCUSA