A Loving Farewell to Ms. Jessie Mansfield as She Steps Away from the Administrative Work of the Conference

“During the initial meeting to organize the Global Methodist Church in Kentucky on October 28, 2022, one of our first decisions was to find an efficient, faithful administrative assistant to coordinate the work,” shared Rev. Dr. Mike Powers, the first Conference Superintendent of the MidSouth Annual Conference. Dr. Powers goes on to say, “Within a day, with no resources, salary, or job description, Jessie Mansfield asked, ‘How can I help?’” And like that, before the MidSouth was anything, not even a provisional annual conference just yet, Jessie’s “How can I help?” became what is now the central position of the Administrative Assistant to the Conference.

What began as 10 to 15 volunteer hours a week quickly became a 40+hours-a-week job with long nights as the conference took shape. Before any of the roles that now exist came into existence, Jessie filled the gap. Rev. Dr. Matt Seel looks back, remembering, “…How quick and dedicated she was to this early movement. She didn’t hesitate to jump in and help. She always led with grace and dignity. She was also always quick to respond to questions and help in any way she could!”

When there was no process, she worked with everyone on the ground to create one, and as leaders were raised up, she equipped them with all they needed and passed the mantle of that work to form a new area within the emerging conference. Jessie’s faithful passing of the mantle led to the formation of our leadership positions, committees, and teams, and eventually to what is now the MidSouth Annual Conference.

Her dedication to this work is evident in many ways, but one specific occurrence was during the MidSouth’s first official Charge Conference season. We’ve seen her wonderfully at work at our annual conference gatherings and events, though this time for Charge Conference, she worked quietly from her home for hundreds upon hundreds of hours across several months, with few people knowing, as she sifted through stacks of PDF forms to manually enter each church’s information. Her main concern was not how many hours it was taking but ensuring that she was caring for each church’s information with the respect it deserved. All the while, she would graciously come to anyone’s aid along the way. Dr. Ben Bowman shares that, “In the beginning of the formation of our new denomination, there was uncertainty and chaos because of the traumas of the past. Jessie came to every event, was present and available, and her willing spirit calmed that uncertainty as churches disaffiliated, as congregations found a new home, and as people found a fresh way to experience the Holy Spirit and serve our heavenly father.” She spoke many times of how incredible it was to see it all forming, and the book she wanted to write about it… We hope one day you will write that book and tell us the story of who we are.

Her passion has been to cheer everyone on and remind us all of why we are here in the first place, that what we are doing as the denomination and annual conference is meant for the work of the local church, and coining the powerful lyrics from Mitch Wong’s song “House of Prayer,” that we keep our faithfulness in this remembering of who God is and calls us to be as the Church. Jessie’s humility meant that many never knew she holds a Master’s Degree in World Mission and Evangelism with a focus on children in crisis from Asbury Theological Seminary, alongside numerous hours of international missionary work as a leader in multiple countries, even into the places where she has experienced the heartache of saying goodbye to friends who died for their faith in those countries hostile to Christians. Her humility also meant many never knew she was only a couple of courses away from qualifying for clergy status, while wholeheartedly embracing her calling as laity, and demonstrating the pastoral mantle she was charged with in that capacity. Jessie’s work in this way has touched many lives, and it has been a true love offering in response to her genuine desire to assist God’s people in the ministry they’ve been called.

As an annual conference, we join Dr. Powers in thanking you, Jessie, for your partnership in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the thousands of ways you poured your life into the churches of the MidSouth Annual Conference over these 3+ years. And with the highest of regards that our current Conference Superintendent, Rev. Todd Chancey, offers, “We wish Jessie God’s speed as she discerns her next calling in service to the Kingdom of God. Our Annual Conference will always be grateful for her faithful service as a foundational pillar of stability and a vital source of administrative leadership during the formative days. Jessie’s dedication and steady guidance helped shape our conference in meaningful ways. Our prayers continue for Jessie as she steps into this new season of ministry.” 

Our prayers indeed go with you, Jessie. In grief, we say goodbye; in joy, we send you on, thankful for all you have blessed us with. Sister, you are dearly loved.