Is there a conflict between discipleship and grace? Is discipleship a form of legalism? These questions are addressed in the article Discipleship or Grace, Must it be One or the Other? that appears in the Fall 2011 issue of Knowing and Doing published by the C.S. Lewis Institute. To read the article, click here.
We were saddened to learn of the recent death of Ken Buck, a long-time GCI elder who in recent years pastored the Brighton church in England. The following announcement is from his wife, Hilary. Ken died on October 13, peaceful, dignified and in control, at home after what was a short illness. He was assured [...]
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ: Followers of Jesus (the Bible calls them disciples) are called to participate in what our Lord Jesus is doing through the Holy Spirit to fulfill the Father’s mission to the world. Jesus summarized this calling in what often is referred to as The Great Commission (Mat 28:16-20). Rather than [...]
Many pastors, particularly those who are bivocational, are pressed for time in their sermon preparation. For an article from ChurchLeaders.com that helpfully addresses this challenge, click here.
This report is from Hector Barrero, national director for GCI in Colombia. Our annual retreat/seminar in Colombia was held recently at a beautiful retreat center near Bogota. Members from several congregations participated. We were blessed to have Heber Ticas, pastor of the GCI church in San Fernando, CA, as our guest speaker. Our theme was [...]
Tori Emerson submitted this report about Generations Ministries’ NW Connections Family Camp. Despite an unseasonably rainy and cool summer in the Pacific Northwest, God blessed us with a sunny and warm weekend for the NW Connections Family Camp weekend, held at Schafer State Park near Elma, WA. We had new friends and old join us [...]
We sometimes make evangelism more complicated than it is. For simple ways to engage your congregation in God’s work of evangelism, click here. Note also the following story told by Brian Allen, executive director of the Joliet, IL Christian Youth Center (thanks to GCI pastor and church planter James Newby for submitting the story). Social services [...]
GCI members in Switzerland recently gathered in the town of Zug for a few days of study, prayer, praise and fellowship. The theme for the retreat was Our Identity in Christ. Your Swiss brothers and sisters send their love and warmest regards to their worldwide family.
Living Hope Christian Fellowship, one of GCI’s congregations in the Atlanta area, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. The video below tells their story.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, During the recent ministerial conference in Canada, Dr. Elmer (he asked us to call him “El”) Colyer, gave us a wonderful presentation on “participatory, trinitarian, Christian faith” (click here for El’s bio). El’s use of the term “participatory” refers both to the divine life and love shared by the [...]
Dear friends, As you know, I have been recovering very well from the four “Tumor kills” which I had done for my Carcinoid Cancer in my liver. My strength was in the high 90th percentile of how I felt when I was “normal” – meaning, before the cancer. As I believe I stated though, I [...]
In September, missionaries from Grace Missions of U.S. Generations Ministries led a two-week mission trip to the southern part of Africa. The trip was a follow up to a trip held last year to help the GCI church in Moruleng, South Africa install a septic system at their new church building. On that trip, the [...]
Joseph Tkach recently announced a change in the oversight of GCI churches in Mexico. Until recently, this oversight was provided by Hector Barrero who is director for GCI in Colombia and mission developer in Latin America. The new superintendent of GCI churches in Mexico is Lorenzo Arroyo, who will add this assignment to his work as [...]
Please pray for Michael Wyatt-Paige, who pastors two GCI congregations in Phoenix. Michael recently had extensive oral (dental) surgery and will be unable to speak for a day or so. Please pray for his recovery so he can return to serving the congregations.
Curtis May, director of the Office of Reconciliation and Spiritual Mediation (ORM), submitted this report. We held our bi-annual ORM Chapter Leaders’ Conference in Columbus, OH on October 7-9. I feel that this conference was one of the best we have had. It seems that ORM is entering a new phase. Kimberly Brummett, Director’s Office Program [...]
Gary Moore, national director for GCI in Canada submitted this report. Wendy, Kylie and I had a wonderful weekend at the retreat sponsored by the Vancouver congregation in Penticton, Canada. The fellowship was truly uplifting, and the setting both beautiful and peaceful. A focus on Christ permeated the occasion. It was a special treat to [...]
GCI pastor Al Nelson sent the following update concerning the flood damage that he and his wife Arlene experienced in their Vermont home as the result of Hurricane Irene. Thank you to everyone for your prayers. We are greatly blessed. We are gradually making progress in cleaning up. We had a lot of help from [...]
November 13 is the International Day of Prayer. This year the theme is Hearing Their Cry. For information and resources, see http://www.idop.org/.
The following update concerning Felix Johnson is from his wife Melba: Felix is home from surgery. He was on his way home about 1:00 PM. Everything went extremely well! He feels fine and is resting comfortably–can’t keep him in bed. Our family thanks you very much for your prayers. God gave Felix favor with all [...]
Janna Jones, the daughter of GCI pastor Jim Kissee, gives the following update: I would like to thank everyone for the prayers, thoughts and cards. I have been so touched and encouraged by the cards that I have received from all over the U.S., plus from England and Australia. Your taking the time to do [...]
OMNIA was the theme for SEP Rockies, the Generations Ministries camp in Colorado. OMNIA is the Latin word for everything, and the theme expressed the truth that Christ is everything. This theme was derived from Col. 1:27: “God has chosen to make known the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope [...]
Philippine members gathered at Teachers Camp, September 21-25, for Festival 2011 with the theme, Growing Together in His Love. The celebration began with an evening service. Andrew Teng, pastor of Glory to the Lord Fellowship (GCI Quezon City) encouraged the audience to know that God loves them, to receive God’s love, to offer it and walk [...]
The following report is from mission developer Hector Barrero. About 40 people recently attended a two day seminar led by GCI in Lima, Peru. Those in attendance included members from Piura, a city in northern Peru near the border with Ecuador. Another group came from La Huaca, Cajamarca, also in northern Peru. Others in attendance [...]
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, As I look over the list of activities and events that we update you on this week, I notice that the reports come from so many different places. When you check the various links (and see the note below concerning links) you can read about a convention we just [...]
Convention 2011 in Ghana took in two locations on September 8-11. The theme was “Come Celebrate the Triune God.” Pastor Jonathan Hammond from the New Ashongman congregation spoke on Thursday on the sub theme “Come celebrate the Lord.” A message concerning evangelism from Francis Ablordeppey was followed by an outreach to the surrounding area. A guest speaker was [...]
Church planter and blogger Josh Reeves (http://joshreeves.tumblr.com/) has posted a helpful list of 100 ideas for reaching out with God’s love to serve and connect with the community. Go to http://dl.dropbox.com/u/7105292/Posted%20Resources/100%20Ways%20To%20Engage%20Your%20Neigbhorhood.pdf
This update is from mission developer Rod Matthews. This summer, a conference for the GCI ministry in New Zealand was held near Wellington. It has been two years since the group met, so everyone appreciated and enjoyed this one. Pastoral Director, Dennis Richards wisely chose to use the occasion as a time when the ministers [...]
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, As you know, I often close my Weekly Update letter with the reminder that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. It is through prayer – both individually and corporately – that we go forward, together. There are many ways to pray of course, [...]
Here is a sermon from Dishon Mills, the GCI church planter who is forming a team to start The Redeemed of Christ Church (ROCC), a new GCI church located in Randolph, MA (near Boston). The sermon, titled Living on Mission with God, examines our calling to participate in God’s mission, and what that looks like [...]
The following report is from Mohan Jayasekara, GCI director in Sri Lanka. I am amazed at what God has done through the work of GCI in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is a tiny island with a population as large as that of Australia. It has seen the end of a bitter separatist terrorist war that [...]
Kayla Shallenberger and Carrie Smith, two young GCI members from the United States, are on an extended mission trip in Malawi, Africa. They are teaching at a school in Blantyre, which is operated by the GCI church there. You can follow their progress on Kayla’s blog and Carrie’s FaceBook page.
Thirty-one people representing five congregations gathered in Phoenix, AZ for a Ministry Development training presented by Ted Johnston to the SW GCI District (Nevada/Arizona/New Mexico). The two Phoenix congregations hosted the event. Ted (pictured at left) presented the seminar, “Becoming a Missional Church.” He challenged us to participate in the Father’s mission through Jesus’ ministry [...]
The following update on Karen is from Doug Johannsen. Betty and I visited Karen this week. We found her in a regular room. She will probably be sent home later this week. Her breathing appears to have returned to the level it was before this episode. Karen asked that I express her heartfelt thanks for all [...]
The following praise report is from Marj Friddle. Dear family and friends, I have very good news. The wound (staph infected area) is now totally healed much to the surprise of the nurse who came today. It healed in three weeks, though I was told it usually takes at least four to six weeks. We [...]
The highlight of this year’s Irish Autumn Harvest Festival (held Sept. 11-17), was the ordination of two members of GCI’s churches in Ireland. James Henderson (director for GCI in the UK) was accompanied by Anthony Goudie and Irish Deacons and Deaconesses in ordaining James Joseph (Joe) Casey as an elder (first picture) and Alando (Alan) Bata as [...]
SEP UK was held for two weeks this August in the stunning environment of Loch Lomond, Scotland. Despite torrential rains, the nearly 100 campers displayed a relentless positive energy. Almost a third of the campers had never been to SEP before. For the first time in recent memory, there was a surplus of staff applications. Sixteen camp [...]
The new Equipper discusses being missional churches. It features the following video on reaching out with God’s love to the unchurched community.