Incoming Leaders

The Free Methodist Church is committed to raising up new leaders within the church that seek to build new congregations, grow ministries that impact communities, and train the next generation of leaders serving with them.

Lopez, Benny

Paramount, Chapel of Change

I was raised in a christian home. My father was a minister and my mother was a faithful woman of God. In my childhood years, the Holy Spirit would constantly tug on my young heart, visiting me in dreams and bringing thoughts of God. As a teenager, I ran from God’s prompting but, thankfully, he never stopped pursuing me in His love. Having lived with an older brother who had lived a reckless lifestyle, I noticed that God had transformed his life. My brother then began to minister to me over and over again. Of course God’s relentless love would not leave me alone and at the age of 20, I surrendered my heart to Jesus and have never needed to look back since!

How did the Spirit guide you to your current ministry and what has God called you to do through your ministry?

I was raised in a christian home. My father was a minister and my mother was a faithful woman of God. In my childhood years, the Holy Spirit would constantly tug on my young heart, visiting me in dreams and bringing thoughts of God. As a teenager, I ran from God’s prompting but, thankfully, he never stopped pursuing me in His love. Having lived with an older brother who had lived a reckless lifestyle, I noticed that God had transformed his life. My brother then began to minister to me over and over again. Of course God’s relentless love would not leave me alone and at the age of 20, I surrendered my heart to Jesus and have never needed to look back since!

How did the Spirit guide you to your current ministry and what has God called you to do through your ministry?

I was raised in a christian home. My father was a minister and my mother was a faithful woman of God. In my childhood years, the Holy Spirit would constantly tug on my young heart, visiting me in dreams and bringing thoughts of God. As a teenager, I ran from God’s prompting but, thankfully, he never stopped pursuing me in His love. Having lived with an older brother who had lived a reckless lifestyle, I noticed that God had transformed his life. My brother then began to minister to me over and over again. Of course God’s relentless love would not leave me alone and at the age of 20, I surrendered my heart to Jesus and have never needed to look back since!

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.