Bishop Laurie Haller visits the Iowa Conference Center

Bishop Laurie Haller, new resident bishop for the state of Iowa, together with her husband, Rev. Gary Haller were able to tour the Iowa United Methodist Conference Center during a visit last week. 

"I am honored and so excited about the opportunity to be a part of ministry here with the good people of Iowa," said Bishop Laurie. "I have heard so many wonderful things about United Methodism in Iowa, and now I have the opportunity to be here and lead this conference into the future that God has for them, and I can't wait to see what's going to happen."

Bishop Laurie was able to get a tour of the city of Des Moines, the Iowa Episcopal Residence and meet with Bishop Julius C. Trimble, First Lady Racelder Grandberry-Trimble, the Bishop's Appointive Cabinet and the conference center staff.

"It's a great thing for me to be here and I am looking forward to traveling around Iowa and getting to know every corner of the state just to see how God is at work," she said.

Over her years in ministry in the Michigan Area, Bishop Laurie was appointed to rural, county seat, downtown, inner city, and large suburban churches and served as a district superintendent. 

From her blog, Leading from The Heart, Bishop Laurie writes:
"It wasn’t too far into my ministry career that I heard other whispers, 'You have the qualities to be an episcopal leader in The United Methodist Church. Would you think and pray about it down the road?' I have always sought to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit in my life and believe that the many opportunities God has given me in The United Methodist Church have prepared me for the process of electing episcopal leadership in 2016. In a time when the need for outstanding episcopal leadership in The United Methodist Church is critical, I bring these gifts:

• A steadfast and abiding faith in the love of Jesus
• A patient, non-anxious and grace-filled temperament
• Administrative and organizational skills
• Visionary strategic thinking
• Experience in leading and managing staff
• Success in many fundraising campaigns
• Effectiveness in making disciples and growing vital congregations
• A passionate desire to engage in ministries of mercy and justice
• A deep appreciation for the ethnic and theological diversity of The United Methodist Church
• A commitment to build bridges and reconciliation by bringing people together to the table of the Lord

The apostle Paul’s words to the Romans are my personal prayer and my prayer for the Church (12:11-13), “Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers,” Bishop Laurie Haller writes.

The newly elected Bishop will begin ministry in Iowa on September 1.