The Great Plains Conference was formed in 2014 by combining the former Kansas East, Kansas West and Nebraska United Methodist conferences.
The conference has 17 districts, 960 local congregations, 180,000 lay people and nearly 800 active elders, deacons, associate members and local pastors.
The Great Plains United Methodist Conference uses the United Methodist cross and flame logo with the words "Great Plains United Methodists" to demonstrate a focus on the people of Kansas and Nebraska whom the conference serves.
The United Methodist Church is divided into five jurisdictions nationally. The Great Plains Conference is in the South Central Jurisdiction.
There are 12 annual conferences in the South Central Jurisdiction. The Great Plains Conference is comprised of Nebraska and Kansas. It was created Sept. 1, 2012.
Bishop Scott Jones was named bishop of the Great Plains Area on July 19, 2012. Jones was elected bishop in 2004 and served the Kansas Episcopal Area from 2004 to 2012, when Nebraska was added to his area of leadership.
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. was elected in 2016 and was assigned to the Great Plains until 2023, when he started a new assignment with the Central Texas and North Texas conferences.
Bishop David Wilson was elected in 2022 and was assigned to the Great Plains Conference effective Jan. 1, 2023.
The main office for the Great Plains Conference was relocated to 1207 SW Executive Drive, Topeka, KS 66615, in 2018.
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