Connection Begins with an Invitation

I remember when I was appointed to my first church and how disconnected and isolated I felt. During my first week, my phone rang. Rev. John Cordes invited me to a nearby diner for lunch, along with his exceptional lay …

OCDEL Functional Assessment for Preschools & Childcare Programs

The New Functional Test Although C-26-01 does not use the phrase “functional test,” that is effectively what itadopts. OCDEL will look beyond the name of the program and examine questions such as: If these characteristics are present, OCDEL indicates that …

Intentional Discipleship 

“Over this next year, I am going to require that every local church develop a plan for forming disciples.” – Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, 2026 Annual Conference Discipleship is the process in which we learn about about, grow closer to, and …

Three Questions?

In April 2001, I was appointed by the first Korean-American bishop, Hae-Jong Kim, to plant a new Korean-American church in the Greater Pittsburgh area. This ministry was intended to serve Korean immigrants, second-generation Korean Americans, and intercultural families. Before my …

Balcony Time

I like a good dramatic story. I like stories of success where people had a chance encounter or a surprise discovery that will forever change the way they do business, ministry, relationships, etc. So believe me when I tell you …

Eastern PA and Greater NJ United Methodists Respond to Food Insecurity 

While SNAP benefits have been restored across EPA & GNJ, food insecurity continues to rise across our communities. Congregations throughout the Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey Conferences are stepping forward with compassion and purpose—living out Jesus’ call to “feed my sheep.” From …