The Rev. Matthew A. Laferty, director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome, visited the headquarters of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference of The United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA, on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, where he met with Rev. Margaret Johnson (first row right), assistant to Bishop Laura Merrill, and Rev. Donna Pewo (front left), OIMC director of connectional ministries. They discussed OIMC’s history, the ministries of the Conference, and Native American spirituality.

First established in 1844, OIMC encompasses 79 predominately indigenous/Native American United Methodist congregations in Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas.

Director Laferty was accompanied by Mr. Caleb Siems (second row left) who is an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.