Event Information

Annual Conference is an exciting time to celebrate what God is doing throughout the Free Methodist Church and we want you to be part of it. Find out how you can make the most of the Annual Conference Experience.

Attend Annual Conference

If you are attending in person, you’ll find everything you need to enjoy a wonderful day together.

Watch Online

Watch live with us on May 14, 2022, or watch at any time through our archived video links.

Voting

If you are a voting member of the Free Methodist Church in Southern California, it is both your honor and responsibility to vote for our church leaders. Find out how.

Standing Rules

Our standing rules provide a structure for how we do business and make decisions at Annual Conference. Read the complete set of rules online.

Boards and Committees

Free Methodists are a diverse group of believers, hailing from all walks of life. Our leadership across the Southern California conference mirrors that diversity through a commitment to an equal mix of clergy and lay leaders (non-clergy), the empowerment of traditionally underrepresented people, and the engagement of communities across the broad socioeconomic spectrum that makes up Southern California.

Superintendents

Superintendents provide for vision alignment and implementation, leadership development, and guidance for the administration and growth of the church.

Board of Administration

The standing administrative committee of the conference, established to create and manage policy of the entire conference within the limits of the Book of Discipline.

Nominating Committee

Responsible for preparing for the annual conference a list of nominations for positions vacated by either resignation or expiration of terms.

Ministerial Education & Guidance Committee

Responsible for qualifying, guiding, counseling, and mentoring candidates for ordination as they prepare for ministry.

Ministerial Appointments Committee

Responsible for appointing qualified ministers to ministries and monitoring progress and growth.

Kingdom Ministry Group

Develops sustainable and vital Free Methodist Societies by sponsoring church planting projects and caring for societies requiring revitalization.

Finance Committee

Reviews and recommends action on all matters concerning financial actions of the local church and the conference at large.

The Management Group

Provides oversight for The Management Group, a for-benefit corporation of the FMCSC that provides bookkeeping and administrative services for eligible ministries.

Membership

We like to say that “it’s good to belong.” Within the Free Methodist Church, our elders are members of a ministerial tradition that seeks to disciple effective church leaders and grow ministries.

Incoming Leaders

Join us in welcoming our new Ministerial Candidates and incoming Elders for 2022.

Ministerial Members

Meet our elders serving throughout Southern California and beyond.

Annual Conference Delegates

Our delegates vote for leaders, provide feedback during decision making, and are an essential part of Annual Conference each year.

Memorials

We remember those who have gone on to be with Christ and celebrate their impact on the Kingdom of God.

Greetings from Special Appointments

Not every elder is appointed to a traditional church ministry. Hear from elders who serve in unique ministries around the world.

Memorials

Conference Membership
Pray Without Ceasing

While Annual Conference can sometimes feel like a rock concert, there are also moments of quiet and peace where one can find opportunities to listen to the Spirit.

Each year we remember those who have gone on before us and celebrate their service to Christ and to his church. Join us as we continue to pray for their families and those with whom they served.

Hal Conklin

December 11, 1945 – May 21, 2021

Hal was a long-time member and leader at Santa Barbara Free Methodist Church, as well as our denomination. Surrounded by his family, he passed peacefully into the presence of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Hal devoted his life to his family, to building up communities, and to developing leaders in every context in which he worked. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Hal was the former Santa Barbara mayor, council member, environmental pioneer, arts advocate, and all-purpose civic visionary.

In person, Hal bubbled over with effervescent delight; he didn’t get angry so much as he got amused. He didn’t tell old war stories — drenched in the minutia of Santa Barbara’s backroom politics — so much as he lived them, and he could recount them — decades later — with detail, astonishment, and glee.

Matthew 25:21 – ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

Les Moaalii (CMC)

February 20, 1969 – August 3, 2021

Pastor Les, along with his wife Connie, were pillars within the Chapel of Change leadership serving on the Leadership Council, as a worship leader, a men’s ministry leader, as well as other roles that promoted the Kingdom of God in this generation.

He was the backbone to COC’s worship, feeding the flames of our revival. Les was also one of the original pioneers of So. Cal. Christian hip-hop as a founding member of the celebrated group Priesthood. He rocked Jesus on small and big stages around the world. His worship will live forever through his celebrated songs such as Thug Worship, Sprinkle Me Luv and others. He was truly a gift to this world and a standup Kingsmen.

Donald Crandall (Elder)

May 22, 1934 – November 21, 2021

Donald Crandall was ordained with the Free Methodist Church in 1959 and came to the Southern California conference in 1967 His first appointment was to the San Bernardino church, and he continued to serve as a pastor in different churches for 31 years.

As a retired minister in the conference, he continued doing ministry, especially in the area of providing food for the hungry. One of his positions included serving as Executive Director of The Parent Foundation, an organization that was providing food and other services to those in need.

Evan Collins (Lay Leader)

November 6, 1937 – February 1, 2022

Evan Revere Collins Jr. passed away peacefully at his home in Santa Barbara, California on February 1, 2022, at the age of 84. He was born in Massachusetts, graduated from Dartmouth College and Tuck School of Business, and lived in New York and Arizona before settling in Santa Barbara in 1995.

In addition to his career in Finance, he served as a dedicated board member and financial advisor to The Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara, The Free Methodist Foundation, Azusa Pacific University, Santa Barbara Symphony, and Tri-State United Ways of Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. As President of Butterfield Foundation, Evan will be remembered for his work to set up free medical clinics, comprehensive medical records for migrant populations and the homeless, and Christian adoption centers in Oklahoma. 

During his time in New York, Evan was an accomplished sports car racer, winning two national titles and setting numerous track records. He was a car aficionado with a love of classic cars and a skilled mechanic. 

Evan is survived by his wife, Juanita Christensen Collins; sister, Marta Collins Cahn; 4 children, Evan R. Collins III, Elizabeth Burnette, Randell Collins, and Lindsay Emmerson; 8 grandchildren; and 1 great grandchild.

Benjamin “Benny” Lopez (CMC)

April 1, 1969 – April 12, 2022

Pastor Benny was born on April 1 1969 at Long Beach Memorial Hospital he transitioned into eternity at the same hospital on April 12, 2022.

His Father was John Lopez and his mom is Alejandra Lopez. He has four Brothers: David, Sam, Danny & Moses and two sisters Evelyn & Lisa. Benny was married to Sandra Lopez and they have three kids Cassandra, Benjamin Jr (BJ) and Rebecca.

He planted El Camino Downey in Downey CA and started pastoring in 1995 in Downey until he came to Chapel of Change in Paramount on August 2013 and at CoC he was presented as Pastor over our Spanish Ministry.

Pastor Benny made it his life mission to preach and teach the word of God. He also loved media and produced media content for Chapel of Change.