About 180 people from around the world gathered in San Salvador, El Salvador, Aug. 13-17, for the World Methodist Council conference, to share information about their member churches and celebrate the theme "The Kingdom of God is Justice and Joy."

The council comprises Methodist, Wesleyan, and related Uniting Churches, representing over 80 million members in 138 countries.

Revs. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer, Tercio Junker, and Megan Tobola represented the NIC at the World Methodist Council meeting.

“It's inspiring to gather with so many Methodists from around the world whose passion and commitment for justice, peace, and joy is evident,” says Rev. Grandon-Mayer.

The United Methodist Church sent approximately 50 delegates, including three from Northern Illinois Conference: Rev. Megan Tobola, a member of the WMC nomination committee; Rev. Fabiola Grandon- Mayer,  NIC's director of connectional ministries and a former WMC officer; and Rev. Dr. Tercio B. Junker, who served as the meeting's worship director.

Participants heard and shared about the different programs and initiatives around the world, as well as reports from the different committees that promote peace, collaboration, understanding, spreading the gospel, and preserving heritage.

An important part of the meeting was a visit to the Roman Catholic cathedral and house of St. Oscar Romero, a martyred archbishop. He is known as the “voice of the voiceless” for defending human rights before he was assassinated while he was preaching in 1980. 

The World Methodist Council gave the 2026 Peace Award to Dr. Humberto Martin Shikiya from the Evangelical Methodist Church in Argentina for his courageous, creative, and consistent efforts to promote peace and justice in Colombia.