Candidates for ministry in the Iowa Annual Conference  have the opportunity to participate in a candidacy retreat as part of their candidacy process. All candidates who enter the process as of January 1, 2018, are required to attend a candidacy retreat though any candidate in process is welcome, regardless of when they began their candidacy journey.

While at the retreat, candidates will explore and discern their calling, work on their candidacy statement, hear from a ministry panel, meet others at a similar stage of the process, connect with Board of Ordained Ministry members, as well as Conference staff. 

There is a fee of $25 to attend the candidacy retreat. Candidates who are unable to meet the financial expectations should appeal to their local churches for assistance. Limited scholarships are available through the Board of Ordained Ministry when other resources are not available. Application should be made through an email request sent to Director of Ministerial Services Lisa Steel at [email protected].

Please contact Ann Trimble-Ray at [email protected] with questions.