By Rev. Dr. Troy Lynn Carr
The Spirit of the living God moves in seasons of restoration. From March 18–21, 2026, that movement was felt deeply in Charlotte, North Carolina, during the Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR) National Meeting. As the Chair of the Pacific Northwest Conference Commission on Ethnic Ministries (COEM), I find it a profound privilege to witness the fruits of our commission’s intentionality. Although I was not personally present in Charlotte, the transformative reports flowing back to the Greater Northwest (GNW) Area reveal a delegation that found not just a conference but a reimagined call to ministry.
Under the visionary leadership of Rev. Dr. Byron Harris, Pastor of Vancouver Heights UMC, the GNW Area BMCR has transitioned into what is being called “BMCR 2.0.” Dr. Harris—who serves as both our Area BMCR’s President and the Secretary of the Western Jurisdiction BMCR—brings a seasoned background in African American congregational vitality to his current pioneering work in his cross-racial appointment. His leadership honors the sacred inheritance of those Black leaders nurtured through BMCR—a lineage of excellence that includes our own Episcopal leader, Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth. Having been formed and mentored within the halls of BMCR, Bishop Bridgeforth now serves our area innovatively, re-energizing our ministries and bringing a refreshing sense of curiosity across the entire connection.
The support provided by COEM for sending our delegation to Charlotte was not an act of charity but a strategic and theological investment in equity. We recognize that when we invest in the development and presence of our Black leaders, we are investing in the transformative health of the whole Church. Pastor Grace Ncabani, a member of the caucus, reflected that this support played a crucial role, ensuring that she and the other delegates were fully present during the event, unburdened and spiritually available to engage in the prophetic work of the connection. Our delegates participated in essential voting processes for leaders and policies, fostering a profound sense of agency and belonging.
The voices of those in attendance carry the weight of this inspiration. The delegates attested that Golden Neal, a lifelong Methodist in the PNW who attended the BMCR national meeting for the first time, found a unique joy in the experience. His journey was marked by a holy curiosity that led him to discover a space where his identity and faith were celebrated in tandem. Delegates noted that BMCR has been reimagined as a sanctuary for learning and rejuvenation—a space where every story matters and every presence strengthens the whole.
Rev. Dr. Byron Harris related that what stood out most for him was the “Call to Action” during Plenary Session III. Featuring Bishop Trimble and Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo, the session presented an open letter from the Interethnic Strategy Development Group, outlining a forward-looking plan for ethnic clergy representation. For Dr. Harris, this moment was a powerful reminder that BMCR remains the “conscience of the church,” calling us to a prophetic mandate to address the pressing issues affecting migrants, immigrants, and communities of color. He further noted that the “Call to Action” confirmed our work in the GNW aligns with a larger global mission of justice and representation.
Beyond the formal sessions, the “organic architecture” of the conference—the spontaneous lobby conversations and shared meals—bore witness to the power of connectionalism. Dr. Harris shared how an informal luncheon with a delegate from a distant region led to the development of new ministry plans that promise to have a lasting impact on the church. These are the moments where the “Jesus Way” of impacting the world becomes reality: through relationship, dialogue, and shared vision.
For those in the GNW who have yet to experience this movement, the message is clear: come with an open heart and mind. The delegation returned from Charlotte inspired and influenced to impact the world with renewed vigor. When we make equitable investments in our ethnic leadership, we strengthen our local churches and communities with a legacy rooted in our ancestors and reimagined for our future.
Rev. Dr. Troy Lynn Carr chairs the Commission on Ethnic Ministries for the Pacific Northwest Conference of The United Methodist Church. She also serves as pastor at Gresham United Methodist Church in Gresham, Oregon.
