The Kerusso – July | 2025
Special Vision Edition – # 1 of 5
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Over the next five weeks, look for a “Special Vision Edition” of the Kerusso. Each issue will delve into one of our current denominational priorities, which are the specific areas and initiatives through which we aim to further our overall organizational mission. Each week will focus on our progress and future goals for our 5 current priorities.
The Evangelical Methodist Church: Who We Are, and Where We Are Going Max Edwards, IGS
Our faith family came into being to hold tightly to things that were being lost or jettisoned in other Christian movements. A clear belief in the inspiration and authenticity of the Bible is of non-negotiable importance. Along with that come a set of Wesleyan/Arminian theological beliefs expressed in our basic tenets of faith. It was a humble meeting of pastors and laymen in Memphis, Tennessee, on May 9, 1946, in which these fundamentals were firmly set. The prayers and conversations of that assembly led to a strong sense that God was ordaining the formation of the newly named “Evangelical Methodist Church.” This next year, we will celebrate 80 years of ministry in the EMC. 80 years of preaching truth 80 years of training disciples – 80 years of serving the needy and the broken – 80 years of sharing the gospel with others around the world – The MISSION of the EMC is laid out in the opening paragraphs of the Constitution of our Discipline. We’ll explore that more on page 2. Our mission drives and fuels our current denominational priorities. Through them, we help fulfill the mission by focusing on specific goals and targets. The PRIORITIES for this quadrennium were established in late 2022 and early 2023, and can be expressed through the acronym P.E.A.C.E. - Planting Churches Educating Ministers Aspiring to Holiness Connecting People and Churches Equipping Leaders