Hello beautiful people of South Georgia,

When we started the appointment process for this year, I joined the appointive cabinet in checking off every pastor under appointment in South Georgia. There are more than 600 pastors who have appointments. Then I thought about all the congregations in the South Georgia conference. There are well over 100,000 clergy and laity who identify themselves as United Methodist in our area alone. Wow! What an awesome witness you are to the glory of God. There are so many of you who are dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ and who share the love of Christ every day of your life. What a difference you are making in this world today. Below are some of the pictures I see as I allow my mind to take a panoramic view of our conference.

• Clergy preaching and teaching the gospel throughout the week
• Mission teams around the world from Africa to Japan
• Sunday school teachers helping to shape disciples of all ages
• Children in our Sunday school and during the children’s sermon learning about the will of God
• Clergy and laity visiting the sick at home and in the hospitals
• Midweek ministries where people gather for dinner fellowship and learning
• Dedicated choirs and praise bands who practice every week to assist us in having  meaningful worship experiences
• Children serving as acolytes, singing in the choir, participating in day care and making mission baskets for the needy
• Youth gathered in colorful rooms that capture their creative and exploring spirit
• Ushers and communion stewards who assist in our worship experiences
• Food pantries and soup kitchens for the hungry
• Shelters built especially for the homeless
• Churches and houses being built for those who need a helping hand
• Individual care given to those with special physical and emotional needs
• People being healed and restored through counseling and medical assistance
• Generosity being expressed through financial giving and service
• Those who cook, sew, write, clean and make phone calls to support important ministries
• Those who visit the jails, prisons, hospitals and nursing homes to express love and support

Jesus said in John 14:12, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these …”

I recently saw a car sticker that read, “Get rich quick – count your blessings.” When I start counting my blessings, I think about the people called United Methodist in South Georgia, where I see amazing disciples of Jesus Christ growing a Christlike world.

Thanks for the wonderful works of God through you. Thanks for making the world a better place.

Until next time remember, God’s will for us is good. We must do the rest.

With love,

Bishop James King

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