Freeman Blog

IGRC delegates Bob Freeman and Bunny Wolfe shake a package of flower seeds in celebration of rural churches at the 2008 General Conference in Fort Worth, Texas.

Photo by Paul Black

Fellow members of the IGRC,

I send you greetings from the warm and sometimes cold 2008 General Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. I heard a saying and it really summarizes my experience here at General Conference. The saying is “The journey in your life brings happiness and not the destination”

Truly, the time spent in preparation and time spent here at General Conference has been a time for me to rejoice in knowing and experiencing the happiness of Christ in preparing for this years conference. Now that our delegation is on site and having completed over 70% of our work the destination of ending this year’s conference brings sadness to my heart. For I have built and found new friends across the world who desire to reach the world with the Gospel for the glory of God.

So the destination of ending is not joyful but, knowing my journey back home excites me and brings me joy.

Delegates came this year pregnant with expectation that this year’s conference would birth a new way of reaching the world with the Gospel. The College of Bishop’s cups overflowed with a vision that God is calling us to hold fast to our Wesleyan heritage by doing no harm, doing good and to love God.

We are very proud to be called “the people of the United Methodist Church” who are seeking to rebuild war savaged communities around the world with the Gospel of Christ and the Love of God in our deeds. Truly, this conference changes everything. Changes the way we look at one another and how we see the world.

John Wesley said “the world is his parish” at General Conference we see the results of one person who stood for the Lord and truly God has honored him.

Thank you Illinois Great Rivers for electing me to come and represent our conference for the issues that face our church.

Blessings,
Bob Freeman