LAKELAND — “It’s nice to feel you’re in a whole new place after 19 years,” said Tom Drick, music minister at Pine Castle United Methodist Church in Orlando.

For nearly two decades Drick has served his Orlando church as its diaconal minister of music, but at the Dare to Share Jesus 1999 Annual Conference Event, he will be among 42 people ordained, commissioned or licensed June 5 at the Lakeland Center. For them, it marks a new beginning and the next step in their call to ministry.

Drick will be ordained a deacon in full connection, which allows him to assist with communion and baptisms.

“I’m really excited because I feel God calling me to be more in servant ministry,” Drick said. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to minister to the families, and I’ve known a lot of families over the years.”

According to David Dodge, executive director of the conference’s Division of Ministry, individuals were previously ordained as deacons, then went on to become elders. Now, he says, individuals can be commissioned as ministers and apply to the order they are ultimately pursuing, deacon or elder, at the end of three years.

“The order of deacon used to be a stepping stone. Now, it’s a separate track,” Dodge said. “An elder is…a pastoral role, ordained to administer the sacraments and subject to itinerating [appointment process]. A deacon is called to extend Jesus Christ’s ministry in the world, assists with sacraments and does not itinerate.”

Dodge says this year is also the first time local pastors will be licensed at the conference event. “The Board of Ordained Ministry and the cabinet are trying to provide a higher degree of recognition than in the past,” Dodge said, “because they [local pastors] play an important part in the pastoral process.”

The following individuals will be ordained, commissioned and licensed at the annual conference event and are recommended for: