7,000 Churches and Counting: The Global Methodist Church Is the Fastest Growing Denomination in America
The Global Methodist Church has surpassed 7,000 congregations worldwide, nearly doubling in two years as conservative Methodists flee the UMC.
Global Methodist Church Surpasses 7,000 Congregations as Conservative Methodists Continue Historic Growth
The Global Methodist Church (GMC) announced on February 19, 2026, that it has officially surpassed 7,000 member congregations worldwide, marking another milestone in the denomination's explosive growth since its founding in May 2022.
The conservative denomination, which now includes at least 4,500 pastors, reached this figure just four months after surpassing 6,000 congregations in October 2025. In January 2024, the church had roughly 4,200 congregations, meaning it has nearly doubled in size in just two years.
GMC Bishop Mark J. Webb celebrated the announcement, stating that the milestone reflects the faithfulness of God and the willingness of His people to follow the Holy Spirit's calling.
This reflects the faithfulness of God and the willingness of His people to follow the Holy Spirit's calling. We remain committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ.
Bishop Mark J. Webb, Global Methodist Church
The GMC was established as a theologically conservative alternative to the United Methodist Church (UMC) amid decades of division over LGBT related policies, including debates over blessing same sex unions and ordaining non celibate homosexual clergy.
Many of the GMC's congregations are among the 7,673 that formally disaffiliated from the UMC. However, the denomination has also attracted new church plants and congregations transitioning from other denominations, signaling organic growth beyond the initial wave of departures.
By May 2024, the UMC General Conference voted to amend its Book of Discipline, though changes allowed regional bodies and local congregations to continue enforcing traditional restrictions on marriage and ordination.
Conservative Methodist Movement Reaches Major Milestone With 7,000 Churches Worldwide
The rapid expansion of the GMC stands in contrast to the declining membership figures reported by many mainline Protestant denominations in recent years. The denomination's growth trajectory suggests that theologically conservative Christians are actively seeking church homes that uphold traditional biblical teaching on marriage, sexuality, and Scripture.
The GMC's Kenya Annual Conference alone ordained 5 elders and 22 deacons between 2024 and 2025, performed 30 baptisms, and saw 44 confirmations and 170 new professions of faith, underscoring the global reach of the movement.
The Crusader's Opinion
Let this be a lesson to every denomination that thought it could compromise the Word of God and keep its flock. When the United Methodist Church chose to bow to the spirit of the age rather than stand on Scripture, millions of faithful Christians walked out the door. And they did not wander into the wilderness. They built something stronger.
Seven thousand congregations in under four years. That is not decline. That is revival. The world keeps telling us Christianity is dying. The numbers tell a very different story. When you preach the truth without apology, people will come. When you water it down, they will leave. Every church leader in the West should take note.
Take Action
- Visit GlobalMethodist.org/find-a-church to find a Global Methodist congregation near you and support their mission.
- If your church is still within the UMC, start a conversation with your pastor and congregation about where your church stands on biblical teaching and whether disaffiliation is the right path.
- Share this story on social media to encourage fellow Christians that faithful churches are growing, not shrinking.
- Support persecuted Christians around the world through www.TheShepherdsShield.org and Open Doors.
- Pray daily for Christian unity across denominations and for the continued growth of churches that uphold the authority of Scripture.
