Atlantic Connexion

Nov 27, 2025 | Atlantic Connexion, District News, Events, General Board, General Conference, Kingswood University

River Valley Wesleyan (Darren Clark) had an exciting Sunday breaking in their new portable baptismal tank with two candidates declaring their public profession to choose Jesus and follow Him all of their days – PTL!
  • The South Shore Network under the effective leadership of AJ Plaizier celebrated 13 people accepting Jesus for the first time on the weekend of November 16th which included two additional Fisherman Services in Wedgeport & Clare. AJ shared, “These are sacred days. This weekend we had over 1,100 people in worship.”
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Flourishing in Ministry
(Optional 24-Hour Retreat After Ministerial)
January 29-30, 2026 (Made for More Ministries)
Resilience is our capacity to adapt, change, and respond to life’s challenges. This will be the theme of our very first Flourishing in Ministry Retreat, where we’ll explore, nurture, and expand this ability together in a warm, welcoming, and uplifting environment.


A Week of Gratitude Ahead for our Maine Churches!



The 155th Session of the General Board for the North American General Conference was convened by GS Wayne Schmidt this past week at Indiana Wesleyan University. The lion’s share of time was devoted to review and recommendations of Memorials in preparation for General Conference in May 2026. All the DS’s were invited to join the General Board for a full 24 hours in exploring these submissions as the Committee on Memorials prepared to vote in recommending or not recommending the proposed legislation.

  • A spiritual highlight of our days together included a powerful and anointed devotional by Steve DeNeff. Jeff Clark & Trent Dailey also shared an exciting update on the launch of the Praying on Offense movement unleashing lay leaders in marketplace influence. The Praying on Offense App is now fully launched – more on this in a future Connexion. CLICK HERE to download the app and get started in your Spirit-directed 1-3-2 strategy for one space, three people, and the two sides of prayer. WesLife will post a detailed update in the days ahead of action taken by the General Board.

The most significant decision resulted in the vote for Dr. Jim Dunn as the sole advance nominee for consideration at General Conference as our next General Superintendent.

 
Dr. Jim & Wendy Dunn
Dr. Dunn currently serves as President of Oklahoma Wesleyan University which has experienced an encouraging season of growth and renewal under his leadership. He has offered leadership as a local church pastor and then in a variety of roles in church administration since his nomination from the floor and election 2004 as General Director of Spiritual Formation which later merged to form the Department of Church Multiplication & Discipleship. Prior to becoming President of OKWU he was the Director of Church Relations with Wesleyan Investment Foundation for several years.
  • The week of meetings in Indiana began on Monday morning with the semi-annual Wesleyan Education Council (WEC – bottom picture) with all Trustee Board Chairs and University Presidents.
A recent highlight of Kingswood University was delivered in the New Brunswick Legislature by MLA Tammy Scott-Wallace. CLICK HERE for the one minute congratulatory word offered for President Ricky Christman, the burning of the mortgage, and the 80th anniversary of the institution.



This session of the General Board was marked by key updates for a variety of position papers in process addressing Wesleyan perspectives on gender identity (Chris Bounds – top), race & reconciliation (Wayne Lewis, President of Houghton University – bottom left), and immigration (Zach Szmara, Founder & President of Immigrant Connection – bottom right).
  • If you are unfamiliar with Immigrant Connection, it now serves nine denominations & other ministries. Their work with The Wesleyan Church only constitutes 9% of its engagement and has impacted more than 55,000 immigrants from 172 countries. This ministry is a powerful compliment to CMAD’s Wesleyan Diaspora Network which is capably led by Justin Bradbury. The head of Wesleyan Seminary, Executive Vice President Yamil Acevedo said it so well, “See the immigrant beyond a missional object but as a co-labourer in the Kingdom of God.”



Dr. Craig Dunn shared his final report with the General Board as CEO of Wesleyan Investment Foundation. He will continue as CEO of the Wesleyan Pension Fund and in an official advisory capacity to new WIF CEO Norwood Davis (effective January 1, 2026). Following a moving citation presented at the Tuesday evening honours banquet by Pacific Southwest DS Mike Skor, GS Wayne Schmidt presented Craig and Tammy a rustic-framed and meaningful image capturing the heart of his ministry to the Church. All DS’s and the General Board were present and offered a heartfelt standing ovation on behalf of TWC family.
  • WIF is now 80 years old and stewards more than $2.5B of funds for advancing Kingdom interests. Craig is completing 25 years of service as CEO following in his father John’s footsteps who also provided the same length of leadership of WIF. The 50-year Dunn dynasty has provided a rich and fertile ground for fruit-bearing in the Kingdom for God’s glory. Craig said it best, “The bigger we got the more churches we could serve and the more souls could be won.” Amen, good sir. May the ethos of your family dynasty continue to beat in our hearts for the 21st century harvest ahead.


Port Maitland Wesleyan (Barry Vernon) partnered with the Baptist church in the village last week to bless the elementary school with a pizza party. Barry shared, “We fed around 180 students and staff plus had enough left over to bless another business in the village, Rose Valley trucking (around 30 employees that were working yesterday). One kid said that is was the best day ever. Wanted to share the exciting day that we had. And yes, we had to wear hair nets so our picture looks a little funny :)!”


Operation Christmas Child @ Westchester Wesleyan

Westchester Wesleyan (Sharon Simoneau) prepared a donation of 29 Samaritan Purse Christmas Shoeboxes this month. Sharon shared, “We’re a small church with big hearts!”


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  • When you are not just managers of institutions but are midwives of resurrection, it means walking with people at the pace grace requires. (Emily Vermilya)
  • Cynicism is just my bitterness trying to sound smart. (David Drury)
  • Clarity is charity. (Chris Bounds)


Three Forgiveness Posts (David Drury)
CLICK HERE for A Great Resource to Share


Advent Is Coming THIS Sunday!

CLICK HERE for an excellent FREE Advent Kit offered without cost from Headquarters in partnership with rebranded contributions provided by Tidal (Jim Clements).

“The Greatest Gift” used these scriptures and themes as jumping off points for a team of Hispanic pastors to create original sermon outlines in Spanish and for a team of Wesleyan Children’s pastors to create lessons and slides for children that can accompany the adult series. Thank you, Tidal team for generously sharing raw materials for the creation of this free Advent series!

One of our own ministerial team members has also offered the following items for use at no charge. These are two original Christmas plays for use in the local church authored by Brian Gilroy (Island Wesleyan).

World Hope International Canada is responding to the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa with our partner organizations who are on the ground.  As of November 9: 45,200 pounds of food, 1,700 cases of water, 180 hygiene kits, and 80 tarps have been delivered.  Partner organization Medic Corps has distributed almost 16,000 pounds of food thus thus far, with operations expected to scale up in the coming days.
  • Thank-you for helping to be 💛 Hope in Hard Places through your prayers and giving. Churches and individuals who would like to give can CLICK HERE.
We invite you to journey with World Hope International Canada through this season of watching and waiting. Reflecting on the truth that Jesus came and that Jesus comes. CLICK HERE for your free 5-week Advent Devotional.


CLICK HERE to take the Influencing Faith Study Survey
(Thanks to Rev. Rick Hiemstra – EFC Director of Research)

Maine Regional Disciple-Maker Conference
Planning Continues!