Ministerial Education & Guidance

The Ministerial Education and Guidance (commonly called the MEG) is responsible for qualifying, guiding, counseling, and mentoring candidates for ordination as they prepare for ministry. In addition, the MEG is responsible for pastoral accountability, disciplinary actions, and partnering in restoration. As with all Free Methodist Church leadership, the board is composed of an equal number of ministerial and lay (non-ordained) leaders.

2020 Year-End Report

One of the unique things that a conference is responsible for is developing and qualifying leaders for ministry. The leaders that are developed today can tomorrow be Lead Pastors, Superintendents, or Bishops. That is why the Ministerial Education and Guidance Board continues to be one of our main priorities as a conference. The Ministerial Education and Guidance (MEG) is responsible for qualifying, guiding, counseling, and mentoring candidates for ordination as they prepare for ministry. In addition to that, the MEG is responsible for pastoral accountability, disciplinary actions, and partnering in restoration. 

Even with COVID-19, we have seen the Lord’s faithfulness with more leaders being called to ministry. Our MEG has done a wonderful job interviewing 11 candidates for elder and 12 conference ministerial candidates (CMCs). You will be able to celebrate and hear more from each of these amazing leaders at Annual Conference 2021. 

This next year we are focusing our efforts on the process. You may have heard that the denomination has now hired a Director of Pastoral Formation, Steve Tungate. In partnership with Pastor Tungate, we hope to make the process more clear, more adaptive, and more formative. Especially during the time of COVID, our leaders need support. So, we have continued our relationship with WiLD Leaders as they have quickly moved to online meetings. We have also continued our relationship with Azusa Pacific Seminary and have an official Memorandum of Understanding which gives any FMCSC member a 50% discount for 5 courses in their Seminary. We hope with this option, we lower the cost barrier of education. 

Looking to the future, we hope by Annual Conference 2022 we have an entirely new process to celebrate with you.

Helpful Resources

2021 MEG Report

The full report of incoming, ongoing, and discontinued conference ministerial candidacies.

 

2020 Board Information

The previous year-end report and board member listing.

 

2021 Board Members

Alvarez, Joe

Riverside, California Avenue Christian Fellowship

Ashmore, Jan

Rancho Cucamonga, Cucamonga Christian Fellowship

Browne, Heather

Garden Grove, Living Spring Church

Coleman, Cheri

Rancho Cucamonga, Cucamonga Christian Fellowship

Cornell, Liz

Rancho Cucamonga, Cucamonga Christian Fellowship

Helmers, Cecilia

Garden Grove, Living Spring Church

Helmers, Gary

Garden Grove, Living Spring Church

Hudson, Kanesha

Long Beach, Light & Life Christian Fellowship - West

Jackinsky, Lisa

Azusa, Foothill Community Church

Jamieson, Marla

Rancho Cucamonga, Cucamonga Christian Fellowship

Latchison, Charles

Long Beach, Light & Life Christian Fellowship - West

Lopez, Sandra

Paramount, Chapel of Change

Loster, Shelby

Rancho Cucamonga, Cucamonga Christian Fellowship

Marshall, Donna

Los Angeles, Los Angeles Community Church

Marshall, Jr., Robert

Los Angeles, Los Angeles Community Church

Mendoza, Anabel

National City, Emmanuel FMC

Mendoza, Joe

National City, Emmanuel

Monroe, Brian

Azusa, Foothill Community Church

Moras, J. Guillermo

Rancho Cucamonga, Cucamonga Christian Fellowship

Oriero, Serena

Riverside, California Avenue Christian Fellowship

Prior, Glen

Murrieta, Centerpoint Church

Ramage, Nikki

Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Free Methodist Church

Roth, Kelly

Azusa, Foothill Community Church

Van Etten, Robin

Rancho Cucamonga, Cucamonga Christian Fellowship

Venter, Fraser

Rancho Cucamonga, Cucamonga Christian Fellowship

Warth, Brian

Paramount, Chapel of Change Christian Fellowship

Williams-Quezada, Michelle

Escondido, The Foundry

Event Information

Annual Conference is an exciting time to celebrate what God is doing throughout the Free Methodist Church and we want you to be part of it. Find out how you can make the most of the Annual Conference Experience.

Get Ready

Find out how to plan either an in-person or online watch party with your church leadership team and get details about the event.

Vote Online

If you are a voting member of the Free Methodist Church in Southern California, it is both your honor and responsibility to vote for our church leaders. Find out how.

Watch Together

Each day during the week of May 12-15, 2021, check in and join us for Annual Conference. You will also have access to session archives from here.

Boards and Committees

Free Methodists are a diverse group of believers, hailing from all walks of life. Our leadership across the Southern California conference mirrors that diversity through a commitment to an equal mix of clergy and lay leaders (non-clergy), the empowerment of traditionally underrepresented people, and the engagement of communities across the broad socioeconomic spectrum that makes up Southern California.

Superintendents

Superintendents provide for vision alignment and implementation, leadership development, and guidance for the administration and growth of the church.

Board of Administration

The standing administrative committee of the conference, established to create and manage policy of the entire conference within the limits of the Book of Discipline.

Nominating Committee

Responsible for preparing for the annual conference a list of nominations for positions vacated by either resignation or expiration of terms.

Ministerial Education & Guidance Committee

Responsible for qualifying, guiding, counseling, and mentoring candidates for ordination as they prepare for ministry.

Ministerial Appointments Committee

Responsible for appointing qualified ministers to ministries and monitoring progress and growth.

Kingdom Ministry Group

Develops sustainable and vital Free Methodist Societies by sponsoring church planting projects and caring for societies requiring revitalization.

Finance Committee

Reviews and recommends action on all matters concerning financial actions of the local church and the conference at large.

The Management Group

Provides oversight for The Management Group, a for-benefit corporation of the FMCSC that provides bookkeeping and administrative services for eligible ministries.

Membership

We like to say that “it’s good to belong.” Within the Free Methodist Church, our elders are members of a ministerial tradition that seeks to disciple effective church leaders and grow ministries.

Incoming Leaders

Join us in welcoming our new Ministerial Candidates and incoming Elders for 2021.

Ministerial Members

Meet our elders serving throughout Southern California and beyond.

Memorials

We remember those who have gone on to be with Christ and celebrate their impact on the Kingdom of God.

Greetings from Special Appointments

Not every elder is appointed to a traditional church ministry. Hear from elders who serve in unique ministries around the world.