Jay Gallimore, Michigan Conference President

When people learn that I was a pastor in Michigan, I’m often asked, “How did you survive?” I love that question because I get to tell them about how I thrived, because of the gracious administration, pastors and people in Michigan Conference. I’m especially grateful for the man who was my conference president for 16 years.

A yearly ritual at camp meeting is the ordination of pastors. When I moved to the Michigan Conference I had already been approved for ordination and had been commissioned in the Potomac Conference (1996) where commissioned ministers participate in the ordination services. I asked Jay how he felt about me participating in the ordination services of my male colleagues. He said I’d be welcome to join the other pastors on the platform and that in the Bible it was the church members who “laid their hands” on those who were being set apart for a special work.

Jay communicated to me through his words and his actions that he believed that God called women to pastoral ministry. With Jay’s support I served for 15 years as a very engaged member of the conference executive committee and Jay gave me numerous opportunities to thrive as a spiritual leader.

Even though Jay and I had different views on the ordination of women we had mutual respect for one another and didn’t let that difference define our relationship. His attitude and actions have kept me loving my Church even as we walk together sorting things out.