SPIRIT ABLAZE: A podcast of the Northeast GMC

Devotional for May 29, 2025 with Rev. Steven Taylor

When revival happens—when God breathes new life into His people—what does it look like? What should we do? In part II of his Awaken series based on Ezekiel 37, Rev. Steven Taylor offers ways to prepare for the revival we're asking God to bring.
“I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.”  Ezekiel 37:14 (NIV)

Devotional for May 22, 2025 with Rev. Steven Taylor

Have you ever stood in a season of life so dry and barren that it felt like all hope had been scattered like bones in a desert wind? That’s exactly where God took the prophet Ezekiel—not to a lush garden or a bustling temple, but to a valley filled with bones...where revival begins. Join Rev. Steven Taylor as he challenges us to examine our own dry places, and how we can begin to call upon the Lord for revival.
"Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live."  Ezekiel 37:5 (ESV)
 
 

Devotional for May 15, 2025 with Rev. Steven Taylor

In Hebrews 10:19–25, we are reminded of both our foundation and our responsibility. Because of Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice, we have bold access to the throne of God. As the writer says, “Let us draw near… Let us hold fast… Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds.” Join Rev. Steven Taylor in this week's devotional and be inspired to continue to fan into flame this incredible gift of God.

Devotional for May 8, 2025 with Rev. Steven Taylor

Worship honors God and builds up the people of God. It's not a performance...it's a full-body, whole-heart expression of love and reverence for the One who gave everything for us. Join Rev. Steven Taylor as he embellishes on Revelation 5:12 and reminds us that passion for God's presence leads to passionate worship!
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain—to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” Revelation 5:12 (NRSV)

Day 27 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey" with Rev. Steven Taylor

Greetings and good morning in the name of Christ.
Y buenos dias y bon dia a nuestros amigos y amigas en España.
My name is Stephen Taylor, and I am the conference superintendent of the Northeast Conference for the Global Methodist Church. Welcome to Day 27 of 27 Days of Prayer as we prepare for our annual conference gathering on May 8th through the 10th in Cortland, New York.
We have arrived! There are over 180 churches in our annual conference, ranging from the southern tip of Maryland and Delaware all the way up to the northern part of Maine. From Lake Erie on the west to the Atlantic Ocean on the east. And our conference includes 12 states plus Washington, D.C. And covers 150,000 square miles and contains over 50 million people.
And so I want to thank you for your faithfulness over the past 27 days in praying for the Global Methodist churches that serve such an incredibly large region. And as we prepare to come together in just a few days, that the Holy Spirit would just be poured out on us. What I love about our Northeast Annual Conference is the rich Wesleyan history in the history of revivals that have occurred across our region. It seems like everywhere we go as we visit different areas of our conference, there's evidence that Francis Asbury was here. He preached in so many places across our region and sparked revival in some of those places.
The other thing that I love about our conference is how we are coming together from so many former connections to become unified and one throughout our region. It is a testament to our presiding elders and the work that the Spirit is doing in our churches and through our pastors. And so let me just encourage you to continue to be unified together as we come together in just a couple days in Cortland, New York.
And so, I would ask you to pray...
For churches and the people of our conference today. That we would faithfully live into our shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to spread scriptural holiness across the globe. I want to specifically thank the presiding elders and Bishop Gregory and others who have been providing these daily reminders and daily invitations, to enter into prayer and fasting for this annual conference gathering.
And I'm eager to see many of you at our annual conference in May. And I encourage you to use these days of preparation to continue to hear God's word and pray together as we prepare to fan the flames that the Holy Spirit has kindled in us all.
And so here's today's focus scripture passage from 2 Timothy 1, 6-8.
"For this reason, I remind you to fan into flames the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God." 
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Today’s Prayer Focus
Although Paul is in prison, he is not defeated. Even though he feels the time of his departure is near (2 Timothy 4:6), he is confident his missionary work will continue through faithful co-laborers like Timothy. Before this, Paul had made Timothy part of the covenant community of faith by the laying on of hands. Now Paul encourages this young protégé to “fan into flame the gift of God” that he had received, to take his place, without timidity, in the covenant community. Paul encourages us to do the same in our age. Center your prayers this day on our part in God’s plan for the Northeast Annual Conference. Pray that we would be a people of the covenant, faithful to the covenant in good times and bad, whether our role be large or small. Pray that we would be a people willing to freely and heartily yield ourselves to the Lord’s pleasure and disposal.
Today’s Suggested Prayer (Wesley Covenant Prayer, from Our Great Redeemer’s Praise, Copyright © 2022 by Seedbed. #710.)
I am no longer my own, but thine.Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.Put me to doing, put me to suffering.Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,exalted for thee or brought low for thee.Let me be full, let me be empty.Let me have all things, let me have nothing.I freely and heartily yield all thingsto thy pleasure and disposal.And now, O glorious and blessed God,Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,thou art mine and I am thine. So be it.And the covenant I have made on earth,let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.
You can find this prayer, and all the other prayers of these 27 Days, on the Conference website, northeastgmc.org.
May the Lord richly bless your faithful prayers. Amen.

Day 26 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey with Rev. Les Towsey

Greetings in the name of Christ.
My name is Les Towsey and I am the Presiding Elder of the all the new church starts in the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church. Welcome to Day 26 of 27 Days of Prayer as we prepare for our Annual Conference gathering on May 8-10 in Cortland, NY.
We have many churches and groups of people all in process of starting churches in the Northeast Conference. There are 13 new churches that have started since our last Annual Conference. They are located in many of the states in our conference. I want to highlight New Life church in State College. It started with nothing but one man’s dream and the moving of the Holy Spirit. It is now an affiliated GM church with an appointed GM pastor. We celebrate what God is doing in State College. What I love about all these new churches is their heart for reaching new people for Christ and the commitment to do the challenging ministry of church planting. We are so blessed as a conference to again see 13 new churches get started in the past year. There are 4 churches getting started in July, and we have one house church meeting. There are disaffiliated churches who are discerning about affiliating with the GMC, and I have a list of people who want to start churches all over the North East. I am also sure there may be some church plants I don’t even know about, please contact me if you are planting, or thinking about planting a church.
Please pray for all the church starts today and encourage your churches to pray for us as well, that we would faithfully live into our shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
We are eager to see many of you at Annual Conference in May. The church planting and strategy team will have a table at conference where we can meet and answer any question you may have. We encourage you to use these days of preparation to hear God’s Word and pray with us as we prepare to fan the flame that the Holy Spirit has kindled in us all.
Here is today’s focus Scripture passage from Galatians 5:16-25:
"16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions  21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Today’s Prayer Focus
Just as a good tree cannot bear bad fruit (Matthew 7:18), so a life that walks by the Spirit will not veer toward the desires of the flesh. The Apostle Paul urges the church in Galatia to submit to the Spirit’s leading in their discipleship journeys. This will yield the fruit of the Spirit. Center your prayers this day on those fruits of the Spirit that seem to be absent or in short supply in your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to not only show you where those areas are, but to show you how to bear fruit in them.
Today’s Suggested Prayer (“The Spirit’s Work,” from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, ed. Arthur Bennett, The Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh, UK, 1975; alt.)
O God, the Holy Spirit,have mercy on me.When you first hovered over chaos,order came to birth,beauty robed the world, fruitfulness sprang forth.Move, I pray, upon my disordered heart;take away the infirmities of unruly desiresand hateful lusts.Lift the mists and darkness of unbelief;brighten my soul with the pure light of truth;make it as fragrant as the garden of paradise,rich with every good fruit,beautiful with heavenly grace,radiant with divine light.Deepen in me the lessons of Christ;write them upon my heart, that my walk besin-loathing, sin-fleeing, Christ-loving.In the name of Christ. Amen.
You can find this prayer, and all the other prayers of these 27 Days, on the Conference website, northeastgmc.org.
May the Lord richly bless your faithful prayers. Amen.

Day 25 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey" with Rev. Richard Morris

Greetings in the name of Christ.
My name is Richard Morris, and I am the presiding elder of the Pennsylvania Southwest District in the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church. Welcome to Day 25 of 27 Days of Prayer as we prepare for our annual conference gathering on May 8th and 5th in Cortland, New York.
The 10 churches of the Pennsylvania Southwest District are located in the southwest central part of the state of Pennsylvania. What I love about our district is the variety of ministry settings, from the very rural to small town to inner city. Our churches are Bedford Methodist, Bellwood Cross of Calvary, First Church Greencastle, the Harrisonville Churches, Hicks Memorial Methodist Church, Second Avenue Global Methodist, Tyrone Good Shepherd, and Warriors Mark Methodist Churches. Pray for us today that we would faithfully live into our shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to spread scriptural holiness across the globe. 
We in the Pennsylvania Southwest District are eager to see many of you at annual conference in May. We encourage you to use these days of preparation to hear God's Word and pray with us as we prepare to fan the flame that the Holy Spirit has kindled in us all.
Here is today's Focus scripture passage from Acts 2, verses 1-4.
"1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
This is the Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.
Today’s Prayer Focus
This is what we desire. This is what we have been praying and fasting for these past many days, for God to pour out His Spirit on all flesh. This is what Peter said was happening at that first Pentecost long ago as described in the second chapter of Acts. Center your prayers this day on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Pray for the Holy Spirit to come with a mighty wind and with tongues of fire on the people of the Northeast Annual Conference this week. Ask for power so that we can, like the first disciples, boldly go and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
Today’s Suggested Prayer
Here is today's suggested prayer. Let us pray.
Come, Holy Spirit. As you hovered over the waters of creation, ready to form the earth and the world with the speaking of the word, so hover over the people of the Northeast Annual Conference, poised and ready to move, as this new movement of your church takes its next steps.
Come, Holy Spirit, as you breathe life into the dry bones of your people so that they could once again stand tall, so breathe upon us in the Northeast Annual Conference that we, too, may be fashioned into a great army ready to do your will. 
Come, Holy Spirit. As you came upon your disciples gathered together in one place, with the sound of a rushing wind and with tongues of fire, so send your power upon the Northeast Annual Conference, as your disciples gather together in one place, so that we might pour out into the streets and proclaim your mighty works with boldness.
In the name of Christ, come, Holy Spirit. Amen.
You can find this prayer, and all the other prayers of these 27 Days, on the Conference website, northeastgmc.org.
May the Lord richly bless your faithful prayers. Amen.

Day 24 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey" with Rev. Brendan Hock

Greetings in the name of Christ. 
My name is Brendan Hock and I am the Presiding Elder of the Pennsylvania Southeast (Hershey) district in the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church. Welcome to Day 24 of 27 Days of Prayer as we prepare for our Annual Conference gathering on May 8-10 in Cortland, NY.
The five churches of the Pennsylvania Southeast district are located in the eastern part of the state of Pennsylvania. What I love about our district is our congregations' complete commitment to be faithful to the Lord. Their faithfulness has taken them down some roads they never guessed they would have been called to walk, but their spiritual bond with each other as a church family and their openness to the witness of the Holy Spirit has been so refreshing to me as I’ve met with them and heard their stories. I also love the pastors in our district. In their sacrifice, God has blessed them with a renewed sense of call, and their desire to lead faithfully and lead well as Spiritual Shepherd’s is inspiring to my heart. Even though we are really spread out geographically, I love connecting with the pastors each Saturday in prayer and lifting them up to the Lord as they prepare for worship.
Our churches are: Church of the Great Redeemer in Jim Thorpe, Limeville Church - Gap, John Wesley Covenant in Wind Gap, Grace St. Paul’s Church in Jim Thorpe and Halifax Community Church, in Halifax, PA.  And we also have five additional churches in our district who are seeking to be part of the Global Methodist Church, but who currently remain in exit negotiations and so we keep each of them in prayer. Pray for us today, that we would faithfully live into our shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
We in the Pennsylvania Southeast (Hershey) district are eager to see many of you at Annual Conference in May. We encourage you to use these days of preparation to hear God’s Word and pray with us as we prepare to fan the flame that the Holy Spirit has kindled in us all.  
Here is today’s focus Scripture passage from Acts 1:6-14: 
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” 12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
This is the Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.
Today’s Prayer Focus
After appearing to them in resurrection glory, the disciples wish to know when Jesus will restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus says it is not for them to know this. Moreover, he also tells them they are thinking too small. Beyond just Jerusalem, beyond just Judea and Samaria, the Holy Spirit power they will receive will make them witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” Center your prayers this day on the outward growth possible with the Holy Spirit. Pray that what Holy Spirit gives you will be fanned into a great flame that will spread across the globe like wildfire.
Today’s Suggested Prayer
God of all Creation, you anointed your Son and sent himto preach good news to the poor,to give sight to the blind,and to set at liberty the oppressed.Anoint this Northeast Annual Conference with your Holy Spirit,so that we may, with his power,fan into flame this great gift of the Gospel;and be his witnesses, not just in our hearts,but in our homes,and in our churches,and in our communities,and to the ends of the earth.Do this so that all may see,and all be set free, in the name of Christ. Amen.
You can find this prayer, and all the other prayers of these 27 Days, on the Conference website, northeastgmc.org.
May the Lord richly bless your faithful prayers. Amen.

Day 23 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey with Rev. Josh Wargo

Greetings in the name of Christ. 
My name is Josh Wargo and I am the Presiding Elder of the Pennsylvania East York district in the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church.  Welcome to Day 23 of 27 Days of Prayer as we prepare for our Annual Conference gathering on May 8-10 in Cortland, NY. 
The ten churches of the Pennsylvania East York district are located in the South Central part of the state of Pennsylvania.  What I love about our district is the strong commitment to Biblical truth, the Pennsylvania Dutch culture, and being located right between Harrisburg and Baltimore.
Our churches are Dover Bethany, Christ Jacobus, Bethany York, Emmanuel Windsor, Highmount Community, Bethlehem Stonepile, Christ Yorkana, Mt. Nebo Delta, Saginaw Community, and New Jerusalem. Pray for us today, that we would faithfully live into our shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to spread Scriptural holiness across the globe.
We in the Pennsylvania East York district are eager to see many of you at Annual Conference in May.  We encourage you to use these days of preparation to hear God’s Word and pray with us as we prepare to fan the flame that the Holy Spirit has kindled in us all.  
Here is today’s focus Scripture passage from Joel 2:28-29
28 “And afterward,    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.Your sons and daughters will prophesy,    your old men will dream dreams,    your young men will see visions.29 Even on my servants, both men and women,    I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
This is the Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.
Today’s Suggested Prayer
Father, Son, Holy Spirit, pour out your blessing upon your people.God, may we prophesy;may we dream dreams, may we see visions,and may we be followers of Jesuswho make new followers of Jesus.God, you have led us here to be the people called Methodistsin the northeast United States.May we continue to spread scriptural holiness across the land.May we share your message of hopeand your promise of forgivenessin the Gospel of Jesus Christ.Lord, we thank you for calling us, for equipping us,and for showing us our mission field.Lord, as we prepare for this Annual Conference,may you continue to speak to us,may you continue to challenge us,may you continue to convict us, Lord.May you meet us in the means of grace,that we can become the men and women you have called us to be.We say this in your name. Amen.
You can find this prayer, and all the other prayers of these 27 Days, on the Conference website, northeastgmc.org. 
May the Lord richly bless your faithful prayers. Amen.

Day 22 of "27-Day Prayer & Fasting Journey" with Rev. Max Furman

Greetings in the name of Christ.
My name is Max Furman and I am the Presiding Elder of the Pennsylvania Northwest (Williamsport) district in the Northeast Conference of the Global Methodist Church.  Welcome to Day 22 of 27 Days of Prayer as we prepare for our Annual Conference gathering on May 8-10 in Cortland, NY.
The eleven churches of the Pennsylvania Northwest (Williamsport) district are located in the North Central part of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  What I love about our district are the pastors, dedicated supply speaker, and the people in the churches they minister with. As pastors and the supply speaker, we get together monthly by way of the marvels of modern technology. Through this, we have strengthened our bond as partners in ministry. Though separated by many miles, we are certainly one in the Spirit and one in the Lord.
Our churches are Antes Fort, Genesee Community, God’s County, Keating Summit, Middle Ridge, Oriole, Oval, Pine Creek Valley, Ulysses, Wingate Faith, and our newly planted church, New Life.   Pray for us today, that we would faithfully live into our shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
We in the Pennsylvania Northwest (Williamsport) district are eager to see many of you at Annual Conference in May.  We encourage you to use these days of preparation to hear God’s Word and pray with us as we prepare to fan the flame that the Holy Spirit has kindled in us all.  
Here is today’s focus Scripture passage from James 5:16-18: 
16  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 17  Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.  18  Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
This is the Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.
Today’s Prayer Focus
The second Northeast Annual Conference begins in less than a week. Our task over these past many days of prayer and fasting has been to ask for a rain of God’s blessings when we gather. For many of us coming from other denominations, previous denominational gatherings were dry and barren, sources of tension, and a dreaded annual ritual. Center your prayers this day on a fresh spirit of anticipation and eagerness for all participants in this Annual Conference. Pray for God’s outpouring of his Spirit to wash away those arid, fruitless years of the past. Pray earnestly for God’s refreshing, healing rain.
Today’s Suggested Prayer
Send your rain, O God.When your people hungered in the wildernessMoses prayed;and you rained bread from heaven.When the land was parched because of sin,Elijah prayed for rain;and the heavens filled with clouds and wind.Send your rain, O God.Forgive us our sin, heal us,so that the prayers of the righteous be powerful and effective.Pour out your blessings upon the faithful who will soon gatherat the Northeast Annual Conference.Wash away lingering resentments and dread from the past,so that these steps into your promised futureare taken on well-watered, fertile ground.In the name of Jesus, send your rain, O God. Amen.
You can find this prayer, and all the other prayers of these 27 Days, on the Conference website, northeastgmc.org.
May the Lord richly bless your faithful prayers. Amen.