Local Church

Susie and Ed Keefer pose with Miriam, age 4, in Kinshasa, Congo, in 2013. Shortly afterward, Miriam went home with the Keefers to the United States. The matching outfits were a gift from Dr. Rebecca Yohadi. Photo courtesy of Susie Keefer.

From mission volunteer to adoptive mom

When Susie Keefer traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2010, little did she know it would be the first of many mission journeys.

Mission and Ministry

The Rev. Jonathan Baker and Donna Baker are overwhelmed as water gushes forth from a well in Wembo Nyama, Democratic Republic of Congo, in 2016. The local people had been praying for water for decades. New Covenant United Methodist Church in The Villages, Fla., and its Lake Deaton United Methodist Church campus in Wildwood, Fla., raised the money for this first well in the Sankuru Province of Central Congo. Photo by the Rev. Jim Divine.

Calling led couple to ministry in Congo

The Rev. Jonathan Baker, former conference council on ministries director, and registered nurse Donna Baker shared their skills with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Local Church

The Rev. Dale Cohen (right) leads a discussion about the differences between solitude and loneliness with singer-songwriter Bay Simpson during Crafted Conversations at the Singin’ River Brewing Co. in Florence, Ala. Cohen is senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Florence.

Songs spark spiritual conversations at brew pub

Once a month, a United Methodist pastor hires a songwriter for an evening of music and contemplation at Singin’ River Brewing Co. in Florence, Alabama. Those discussions get deep sometimes.

Bishops

Bishop Richard Byrd Wilke, who with his wife, Julia Wilke, developed the popular Disciple Bible Study, died on Easter, April 20, 2025. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Bishop Wilke, beloved Bible study creator, dies

United Methodist Bishop Richard Wilke died Easter Sunday. He and his wife, Julia, developed the popular Disciple Bible Study series. He also was a voice for LGBTQ inclusion.

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