Korean Ministry Plan Wins Continuation

A move to continue the Korean American National Plan was overwhelmingly approved May 5 by the United Methodist General Conference.

"I have been a United Methodist pastor for 22 years, but this is probably the year I will most remember," said the Rev. Brandon Cho, director of the plan. "This is the year of working together as one team. The Korean National Plan is not just an ethnocentric plan for the Korean community, it is everyone’s ministry in the United Methodist Church."

Developers of the five ethnic initiatives of the church proposed to the General Conference worked together as a team and supported each other’s plans. The plans are:

  • Native American Comprehensive Plan
  • Asian American Language Ministry
  • Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century
  • Korean American National Plan
  • National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry

By a vote of 870 to 42, the conference approved continuing the Korean plan with a budget of $3.2 million, which is included in the budget of the Board of Global Ministries.

In other action the conference also approved continuing the Asian American Language Ministry Study with a budget of $1.6 million and the National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry with a budget of $3.8 million. Funds for those initiatives are also included in the budget for the Board of Global Ministries.

*Gilbert is a staff writer for United Methodist News Service.

News media contact: (412) 325-6080 during General Conference, April 27-May 7.

After May 10: (615) 742-5470.


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Church History
The Methodist Church’s 1956 General Conference meets from April 25 to May 7 in the municipal auditorium in Minneapolis. On May 4, the first Friday of the legislative assembly, the delegates voted to make women eligible for full clergy rights. “Now it is up to us to prove in clear and deep witness to the whole church our consecration and our loyal devotion to the work of the Kingdom of God,” said Margaret Henrichsen, a General Conference visitor, after the vote. In 1967, she became the first U.S. woman appointed district superintendent. Photo courtesy of Archives and History.

Why the 1956 women-clergy vote matters

Seventy years ago, the Methodist Church supported full conference membership for women clergy — a decision that would have a resounding impact when The United Methodist Church formed in 1968 and even today.
General Conference
Emily Allen, a veteran lay delegate from the California-Nevada Conference, delivers a report during the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. on May 3, 2024. Allen has been elected to serve as the interim General Conference secretary beginning July 1. She will lead the planning of The United Methodist Church’s international legislative assembly, scheduled May 8-16, 2028, in Minneapolis. Photo by Larry McCormack, UM News.

Bishops elect interim General Conference head

Emily Allen will lead the planning of The United Methodist Church’s international legislative assembly, next scheduled in 2028.
General Conference
The skyline of Minneapolis, which is scheduled to host the 2028 General Conference. The Commission on the General Conference, meeting online April 17-18, voted to shorten General Conference to May 8-16, 2028. The group is also taking steps to protect delegates amid heightened immigration enforcement. Photo by Lane Pelovsky, courtesy of Meet Minneapolis.

Planners shorten GC2028, discuss Minneapolis

Organizers are pressing forward with holding the 2028 United Methodist General Conference over eight days in Minneapolis. The group is also taking steps to protect delegates amid heightened immigration enforcement.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2026 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved