When Allison Vandenbergh and I finally met face-to-face at last year’s New Room Conference in Birmingham, we were both completely fan-girling over each other. After years of taking online classes, summer Zoom Bible studies, and multiple digital conversations with one another, we were finally in the same room—and we talked like we were trying to make up for lost time!

Allison, an Asbury Seminary graduate, has faithfully and effectively served children and families in south Georgia since 2011. Her church was among those that joined the Global Methodist Church at the start, and like many of us, she was asking important questions:

How do we represent our new denomination well?

We are now teachers and leaders on a new team. How do we coach one another and our congregational teams to work well together representing this new denomination?

What do those of us serving from the middle and second chairs need to adjust or strengthen so we exist to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe?

In the middle of our excited conversation—probably talking over one another, grinning from ear to ear—we decided to stop wondering and start building. Right then and there, the R3 Gathering was born. We received the blessing of the leadership of both the North Georgia GMC Conference and the South Georgia GMC Conference and began sharing everywhere we could.

The R3 Gathering is for local church staff and laity serving children and families in the Global Methodist Church in Georgia. We’ll meet March 12–13, 2026, at beautiful Camp Kirksey in south Georgia for a collaborative, practical, and Spirit-led time together beginning the afternoon on Thursday through late afternoon Friday.

R3 stands for Ruts, Roots, and Rhythms.

Ruts – Think of the ruts made by the pioneer wagons that went before us since John, Charles, and even Susanna Wesley. Think playbooks, structures, policies, and systems that help us move forward as a team. Together, we’ll draft ministry playbooks tailored to our local churches—clear, actionable guides that reflect the team we’re now on.

Roots – The holy habits that ground us, expressed in the scriptures, historically practiced to abide in Jesus, set apart for His purposes on purpose. As Global Methodists, we are committed to spreading scriptural holiness. We’ll define and design developmentally appropriate faith milestones that help disciples of all ages and stages abide in Christ and grow deep, lasting roots.

Rhythms – The patterns that sustain healthy ministry. We’ll lay groundwork for professional networks, measurable effectiveness, and practical strategies that empower those serving faithfully from middle and second chairs in their local church contexts as Global Methodists.

Everything we teach, practice, and create will be immediately usable—ideas you can implement within the next week, month, or quarter. It will be practical. It will be resourced. And it will wholeheartedly support this new movement we’re grateful to call the Global Methodist Church.

And yes—we’ll worship, sing, dance, laugh, and tell stories of God’s goodness and faithfulness.
We’ll engage in prayer stations you can easily implement at home.
We’ll enjoy table life with some holy guacamole.
We’ll share resources, design together, receive some GMC swag, and most importantly, grow in Christ and in friendships with one another.

There’s still time to join us.

Register HERE and bring a friend – we can’t wait to see you.

“Your statutes, Lord, stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days.” Psalm 93:5