July Greetings from the District Superintendent

Let me begin by welcoming all of you to a new Conference year. Some of you have welcomed new pastors, while others are rejoicing in the return of your appointed clergy.

I welcome Revs. Angie Long to Memorial in Fernandina Beach, Arlinda Burke to Isle of Faith, Mike Mosley to Asbury in Orange Park, Will Clarke to Trinity DeLand, Elvis Soto to St. Paul in Jacksonville, Daiane Soto to Highlands, Tamyra McLaughlin-Seavers to Avondale, Carolyn Westlake to the two-point charge of Community and Edgewater, Daniel Weikert to Fleming Island, and Lay Minister Greg Hodges to First Micanopy.

I also want to welcome Marissa Carnevale to the North East District. Marissa has been hired as the new Administrative Assistant to the NE District Superintendent and will begin with us on July 20^th. There will be future opportunities to formally introduce Marissa to you all but meanwhile, I want to celebrate her and the fact that she would be joining us soon.

This new era calls us to share the timeless Gospel in new ways in a changing world. Jesus commanded us in Matthew 28:19, “Go and make disciples of all nations…”

We are living in a time of unprecedented change. The way people communicate, build relationships, seek truth, and engage with faith has shifted dramatically. While our methods of ministry continue to evolve, our mission remains unchanged: to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Evangelism in this new era is not about louder voices or larger programs. It is about authentic relationships, intentional presence, and lives that clearly reflect the love of Christ. People today are often skeptical of institutions, yet they are still searching for hope, purpose, belonging, and grace. They may not walk through our church doors first, but they are watching how we live, how we serve, and how we love.

As we learned through our strategic teaching series, The Four Pillars of Church Vitality, during the last Conference year, the early church grew not because it had impressive buildings or sophisticated technology, but because believers embodied the Gospel in their everyday lives. Acts 2 reminds us that they devoted themselves to Scripture, genuine fellowship, generous living, and prayer. These same practices remain the foundation of effective evangelism and church vitality today.

Our congregations across the Northeast District have a unique opportunity to engage their communities in fresh and meaningful ways. Evangelism happens when churches become places of radical hospitality, where strangers become neighbors, neighbors become friends, and friends become followers of Jesus Christ. It happens through community service, compassionate listening, digital engagement, neighborhood gatherings, children’s ministries, mission projects, and simple conversations over coffee. Every member is called to be a witness—not merely by speaking about Christ, but by living Christ before others.

As United Methodists, we believe God’s grace is for everyone. That conviction compels us to meet people where they are rather than waiting for them to come to us. Evangelism begins with listening, continues through loving service, and culminates in inviting others into a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. It is by seeing people, all people, as children of God to be loved not as projects to be fixed.

Paul reminds us in Romans 10:14–15 (NLT): “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how can anyone go and tell them unless they are sent? That is why the Scriptures say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’”

As we move forward together, let us remember that evangelism is not the responsibility of a select few—it is the joyful calling of every believer. Every conversation, every act of kindness, every invitation to worship, every prayer offered for a neighbor, and every expression of Christ’s love becomes a seed planted in God’s kingdom. We may not always see the harvest immediately, but God promises that His Word will accomplish His purpose.

My prayer is that our churches will not be known as White churches, Black churches, or Hispanic churches. My prayer is that they will not be known as conservative churches or liberal churches. Instead, may all of our churches be known as LOVE Churches—a miniature Kingdom of God on earth, where everybody is somebody; where Jesus Christ alone is Lord, not the pastor or any church officer; where love is our watchword; and where eternal life in God’s Kingdom is our goal.

Friends, the Gospel has not changed, but the opportunities before us have never been greater. Together, let us embrace this new era with courage, creativity, and unwavering faith, trusting that the Holy Spirit is already at work in our neighborhoods, our communities, and our world. Let’s join the Holy Spirit in the work that has already begun.

Grace & Peace,

Rev. Dr. Simon Osunlana District Superintendent