August 8, 2023
Dear WCA Family,
It is bittersweet that I share the news with you that I have informed our Global Council that I will be resigning as president of the Wesleyan Covenant Association effective September 1, 2023. On that day I will become the President pro tempore of the new Florida Provisional Annual Conference of the Global Methodist Church.
It has been a humbling experience to lead the WCA. I feel honored to have been afforded this opportunity, and I pray my tenure has moved us forward toward completing our ultimate mission. I depart knowing that 6,200+ churches in the United States have been able to be safely voted out of their annual conferences and hopefully another 1,000+ will join them before year’s end. We have dramatically furthered the education process in Africa by helping our brothers and sisters there to understand the denominational issues. I truly believe that they are ready to depart the UMC for the Global Methodist Church.
None of this was accomplished by me but by an extraordinary array of leaders around the globe. Our U.S. regional chapters quickly got up to speed in the summer of last year and went into overdrive assisting what will be well over 7,000 churches to disaffiliate. Our Vice President for Africa Strategy, Simon Mafunda, and his dedicated team across the African continent have ministered tirelessly to help people understand all that is coming.
Our friends in Europe have toiled to depart the UMC and others in the former Soviet Union are working their way toward freedom. Our friends in the faith in the Philippines were some of the first GMC churches in existence when the denomination launched on May 1 of last year. All these people are my heroes! They have led selflessly with significant sacrifice “to contend for the faith once for all entrusted to us.” We owe them a debt of gratitude. What a privilege it has been to be a small part of this.
The Global Council has already begun a search process for my successor, and a new president should be ready to take over the reins on September 1. When that person is chosen, we will share that announcement later this month. Please add the Global Council to your prayer list as they work to ensure the WCA has strong leadership in the days ahead.
I want to be clear that the WCA’s mission is not over yet. Our brothers and sisters outside the United States have had no pathway out of The United Methodist Church. The Council of Bishops President has unfairly and wrongly prevented that from happening. The WCA, Good News, and UMAction are continuing to work hard to help correct this wrong at General Conference next May. Quite frankly we need your prayers and your financial support to stand by the people who have stood by us for so long. Please don’t let your membership lapse, and please consider continuing to financially support our mission.
I will continue to be one of the biggest cheerleaders of the WCA as my successor works to bring the mission to completion. Thank you for the opportunity of a lifetime. God bless you!
All God’s love,
Jay Therrell
President