PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Surrounded by the support of the United Methodist connection, the 2026-28 class of Global Mission Fellows (GMFs) was commissioned on July 26 at Wesley Methodist Church in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, marking the beginning of two years of service in communities around the world.
The commissioning affirmed the calling of 49 young adults who will serve in 26 nations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, addressing systemic injustice through placements in fields such as education, healthcare, community development, migration, agriculture, communications, and peacebuilding.
The service included church leaders, missionaries, family members, and Global Ministries staff who gathered to celebrate the fellows, pray for their ministries, and send them forth in blessing. “These fellows are part of a worldwide church that accompanies them in partnership and shared purpose as they learn, grow, and lead,” said Roland Fernades, general secretary of Global Ministries, UMCOR, and Higher Education and Ministry.
“We know God has brought them to this place,…and we are grateful for all those who have journeyed with them,” said the Rev. Dr. Judy Chung, executive director of Missionary Service for Global Ministries, of the new class of fellows. “We are also grateful for those who will receive them and will be sharing in this journey with them.”
Among those commissioned was Warren Enrile of the Philippines, who will serve as a migrant intake and communications associate with Sin Fronteras in Mexico. In this role, Enrile will accompany migrants as they navigate complex legal and humanitarian challenges, helping provide support while advocating for the dignity and rights of people on the move. His ministry will embody the church’s commitment to welcome the stranger and stand alongside displaced peoples.
Also commissioned was Victoria Matthew of Nigeria, who will serve as a nurse at the Moheto United Methodist Mission Health Centre in Kenya. Her ministry will focus on expanding access to quality healthcare while supporting the holistic well-being of patients and families. By combining professional nursing skills with compassionate presence, Matthew will further the UMC’s ministry of extending care within underserved and under-resourced communities.
For Brian Kibunja of Kenya, mission will take root in the fields of Senegal, where he will serve as an agriculture fellow. Working alongside local partners, Kibunja will contribute to agricultural initiatives that strengthen food security, promote sustainable farming practices, and improve livelihoods. His placement reflects Global Ministries’ commitment to addressing hunger on the continent of Africa through sustainable agriculture.
For Constance “Connie” Csoros of the United States, the commissioning carries special meaning as she begins her ministry in Cambodia, the same country where the commissioning service was held. Csoros will serve at Susanna Wesley House, living and working alongside young women pursuing higher education. Education has long been a cornerstone of Methodist mission, and Csoros’ ministry in supporting women in leadership development builds on that foundation.
This new class of GMFs will not only build on the church’s historical mission work; they will address urgent needs facing some of the world’s most vulnerable communities in this moment in time: support that offers compassion to people on the move; healthcare that addresses issues of access and dignity; agricultural practices that connect sustainability with self-sufficiency; and educational pathways that create opportunity and formation.
“Mission is about becoming available. Women and men who have said, ‘Lord, here I am. Send me,’” remarked Bishop Israel Painit of the Davao Episocpal Area in the Philippines, a former Global Ministries missionary, in his sermon during the service.
“The miracle is not that God calls; the miracle is that people still answer, and without fear. Thank you for your willingness to serve where God leads you.”
To watch a recording of the commissioning service and access photos, biographies, and giving opportunities for the 2026-28 GMF cohort, visit this page.
Sara Logeman is the senior manager of content and marketing for Global Ministries and UMCOR.
