The Rev. Adam Hamilton, senior pastor of the largest United Methodist church in the U.S. and Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, was honored for leadership during a convention on growing The United Methodist Church.
“For 36 years, this leader has guided Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, building not only a thriving congregation, but a ministry whose influence has extended throughout the United Methodist connection and around the world,” said the Rev. Susan Arnold, the executive director of congregational development and connectional ministries in the Holston Conference.
“Countless leaders have found encouragement through his teaching,” she said. “Countless churches have been strengthened through his resources.”
The awards were presented Aug. 4 during the RISE UP conference hosted by United Methodist Discipleship Ministries. Hamilton that night was at his campaign headquarters in Kansas awaiting the results of the primary election, which he would go on to win.
He made a video appearance at the awards ceremony to accept the Connectional Leadership Award.
“It’s been my greatest privilege and honor to be a pastor in The United Methodist Church,” Hamilton said. “I’m excited to be a pastor in The United Methodist Church taking our Methodist values to Washington, D.C.”
Other award recipients:
- The Multiplier Award went to the Rev. Ricardo Torres of Vida Nueva United Methodist Church in Green Bay, Wisconsin, for developing leaders and launching new church expressions.
- The Next Generation Impact Award went to Epiphany United Methodist Church in Loveland, Ohio, for innovative faith formation for Gen Z, millennials and young families.
- North Shore United Methodist Church of Glencoe, Illinois, received the Turtle Award for taking faithful risks and learning from new ministry models.
- Boehm’s United Methodist Church in Willow Street, Pennsylvania, was awarded the Small Church Impact Award for showing how a small church can make a big difference.
- The Resilient Church Award went to Centro Familiar Cristano and the Rev. Patricia Gandarilla of the Michigan Conference, for demonstrating extraordinary courage in the face of change, embracing renewal in service to the community and showing how God can bring new life through faithful adaptation.
Patterson is a reporter for UM News. Contact him at 615-742-5470 or newsdesk@umnews.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.
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