The bicentennial included a world conference of mission leaders and scholars. Sponsored by Global Ministries, in collaboration with Candler School of Theology of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, the conference was called “Answering the Call: Hearing God’s Voice in Methodist Mission Past, Present, and Future.” The conference celebrated Methodism’s mission heritage and looked to the future of Methodist mission.

It was held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, at the Emory University Conference Center Hotel, April 8-10, 2019. The dates for the conference were chosen to coincide closely with the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Missionary Society on April 5, 1819, formed to support the work of John Stewart, a free African-American, among the Wyandotte Native American people of Ohio.

Opening Banquet

The “Answering the Call” Methodist mission bicentennial conference opened with a celebratory banquet at 5pm on Monday, April 8th. The banquet was a time of celebrating Global Ministries’ 200 years in mission, complete with worship, remarks by United Methodist dignitaries, and the conference’s first keynote address by Rev. Dr. Arun Jones of Candler School of Theology, Emory University. The opening banquet, along with the rest of the conference, was held at the Emory Conference Center Hotel.

Conference Coverage

You can read more about the conference by viewing the following news stories about it:

“Bicentennial of Methodist mission – a time for connection and reflection” by Christie House

“200 years of answering the call to mission” by Linda Bloom

Additional Information

Information about conference schedule, keynote speakers, panel presenters, and sponsors can be found on the drop-down menu above. If you have questions about the conference in the meantime, please contact Dr. David Scott at dscott@umcmission.org.