During the 2024 Annual Conference, we will focus on ReNew as we seek fresh perspectives, foster innovation, and strengthen our communities through personal and collective spiritual growth. To help us lean into a time of renewal, our guest speakers will be Rev. Dr. Paul W. Chilcote, author of Multiplying Love: A Vision of United Methodist Life Together, and Rev. Dr. Michael Beck, Director of UMC Fresh Expressions and Co-pastor of Compassion UMC and St. Mark’s UMC in Florida.

Rev. Dr. Paul W. Chilcote

Rev. Dr. Chilcote is a Research Fellow at Wesley House in Cambridge, England. Previously, as a third-generation ordained elder, he pastored United Methodist churches, helped launch Africa University in Zimbabwe and Asbury Theological Seminary in Florida, and taught historical theology and Wesleyan studies at the Methodist Theological School, Ashland Theological Seminary and Duke Divinity School.

He conducted his seminary and advanced studies at Duke University Divinity School where he completed his PhD. in historical theology and Wesleyan studies under renowned Wesley scholar, Dr. Frank Baker, as his final doctoral student. He continues to be involved in theological education on three Continents, having taught at Wesley College (England), St. Paul’s United Theological College (Kenya), the Methodist Theological School (Ohio), Duke Divinity School (North Carolina), and having helped launch two new institutions – Africa University (Zimbabwe) and Asbury Theological Seminary (Florida). Prior to a return to Florida in 2017, he served as Academic Dean and Professor of Historical Theology & Wesleyan Studies at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ohio.

He is the author or editor of thirty books, including Praying in the Wesleyan Spirit, Recapturing the Wesleys’ Vision, A Faith That Sings, The Methodist Defense of Women in Ministry, Making Disciples in a World Parish, Early Methodist Spirituality, Active Faith, Living Hope, and Singing the Faith, and Multiplying Love: A Vision of United Methodist Life Together. He will soon release a new companion volume to Multiplying Love, entitled Cultivating Christlikeness: Loving As Jesus Loved.

He is a frequent speaker and workshop leader in applied Wesleyan studies, particularly in the areas of theology, spirituality, and Christian discipleship. He served as the President of The Charles Wesley Society from 2003-2011. He has been a Benedictine oblate of Mt. Angel Abbey in Oregon for nearly twenty-five years.

He and his wife, Janet, a retired United Methodist pastor, have five daughters and seven grandchildren.

Rev. Dr. Michael Beck

Rev. Dr. Michael Beck is a spiritual guide who helps people heal, love, and unleash imagination to create better lives, organizations, and communities. Michael and wife Jill have led a series of revitalizations over the past 16 years. They are co-pastors of Compassion/St Marks UMCs, and a network of fresh expressions led by laity that gather in tattoo parlors, dog parks, burrito joints, and digital spaces. They direct a holistic recovery housing program called Open Arms Village. Michael also teaches as an adjunct professor at several seminaries. He coaches, trains, and educates leaders internationally across a broad theological spectrum and has consulted with hundreds of churches, districts, denominations, networks, synods, and dioceses.

Beck earned a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary Orlando and a Doctorate in Semiotics and Future Studies at Portland Seminary with his mentor Leonard Sweet. He’s the author of thirteen books and is considered a global thought leader in the missional church movement.

Michael serves as the Director of Fresh Expressions for the Florida UMC, Director of the Fresh Expressions House of Studies at United Theological Seminary, and Director of Fresh Expressions for The United Methodist Church. Michael has a passion for helping laity and clergy cultivate new forms of church. He helps church leaders across the globe follow Jesus in fresh and exciting ways.