Archives
Working with cohabitating couples
Pastors often ask about how to counsel and otherwise work with couples attending their congregations who are cohabiting (living together outside of marriage). For an example of how one pastor handled this issue, see the Leadership Journal article at http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2012/winter/finallydo.html For current research concerning unmarried co-habitation see the blog post at http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/cohabit.htm If you would like to [...]
GCI members in the heart of San Francisco
San Francisco Community Fellowship (SFCC), is a dynamic GCI congregation in the heart of San Francisco, CA, near the top of Mission Street. The congregation’s motto is, “Bridging a multi-cultural community to Jesus Christ.” With persistence and patience, SFCC has been doing just that – reaching out with God’s love and life to the surrounding [...]
Prediction addiction
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I can relate to the cartoon above. I am a moderate gadget person. I enjoy my smart phone and am slightly envious of my wife’s sleek flat screen television in her craft room. But I still hold on to the old-fashioned tube kind in my den. Technology is changing [...]
Bulante-Heimsoth engagement
On February 12, Dee Bulante, pastor of the GCI congregation in Portland, OR, gave a sermon on marriage. Then he showed a video of himself expressing his love for member Lisa Heimsoth. After showing the video he proposed to Lisa. She said “YES!” The wedding is planned for Sunday, March 18. Bart Baril, the pastor [...]
Growth of school in Thailand
This update is from John Halford, editor of GCI’s Christian Odyssey magazine. On February 14 I joined GCI southeast Asian mission developer Rod Matthews and Malaysian pastor Wong Mein Kong in opening the Ambassador Kindergarten School in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This is the latest development in the remarkable Christian education enterprises of Chogait and Amphorn Garmolgomut. [...]
Resources for making disciples
Below are links to two helpful resources from Verge. They address key skills and approaches related to our active participation with Jesus in multiplying and maturing his disciples: Article: http://www.vergenetwork.org/2011/06/27/4-skills-to-make-and-multiply-disciples/ Video: http://www.vergenetwork.org/2012/02/06/how-to-disciple-people-video/
GCI Malawi report
GCI pastor and district pastoral leader Rick Shallenberger recently traveled to Africa on behalf of GCI President Joseph Tkach. For a report on his time in Zambia, click here. For a report on his time with church leaders in Malawi, click here. Rick’s report on his visit to Malawi continues below. It was a joy [...]
GCI Philippines update
50th anniversary celebrations 2012 is the 50th anniversary of Grace Communion International in the Philippines. Plans have been underway since last year to celebrate this “jubilee year” in events held throughout the year. Happy 50th anniversary GCI Philippines! Leadership conference Jerome Manriquez, area superintendent for Mindanao, recently visited Zamboanga to conduct a conference with about 15 [...]
Naomi Biswas
In the last Update, we asked for prayer for Naomi Biswas. She is feeling better, though she is up and down and the cause of her breathing problems is still undetermined. She is resting, and will be having further tests. She still plans to go to Bangladesh with her husband John for the GCI Asian conference. [...]
Jason Richards
The following update on Jason Richard’s condition was sent on February 11 by his grandfather, Martin Manuel. It updates us on what was reported last time. It is with smiles on our faces and joy in our hearts that we report that Jason returned home today feeling good and strong. The doctors are not sure [...]
Big Sandy members honored
This report is from Sonny Parsons, senior pastor of the GCI church in Big Sandy, TX. Greetings from Big Sandy! At the Chamber of Commerce banquet here last week George and Sarah Strub were named Big Sandy’s “man and woman of the year” because of their leadership and service in the community and their church. [...]
Death of Ina Moore
The following is from Gary Moore, GCI national director in Canada. I’m saddened to announce the death of my mother, Ina (Donna) Moore on February 10 at age 86. My Mom lived in Toronto and was a member of the Toronto East GCI congregation. She died at the Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto where she was fighting [...]
GCI Mozambique report
Click here to watch a video report from GCI South Africa national leader Tim Maguire concerning GCI’s churches in Mozambique, Africa.
GCI Malawi report
GCI pastor and district pastoral leader Rick Shallenberger recently traveled to Africa on behalf of GCI President Joseph Tkach. For a report on his time in Zambia, click here. Following is Rick’s report on a Q&A meeting he held with pastors and other leaders in Malawi. Next week, he will share more about Malawi, introducing [...]
Free preaching webinar
A free webinar (web-based seminar) on preaching is being offered on March 15 from 1:00-4:00pm (U.S. EST). For information and registration, go to http://preachbettersermons.com/.
Tammy Tkach visits Tucson
Tammy Tkach visited Grace of God Fellowship in Tucson, AZ, on January 29. She gave a sermon entitled “Our Relationship with Jesus, Part 2.” She showed how eternal life, which is knowing God through his Son, Jesus, is a close, affectionate relationship. And that relationship needs to be our main focus, the centerpiece of our [...]
Real love
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Unlike the man in the cartoon above, we don’t view love as an esoteric theological concept. For us, love is real and living, for as the Bible tells us, God is love (1 John 4:16). How sad then that some preachers and teachers declare that God does not love [...]
Roy Page retires, Craig Minke installed
After over 47 years of faithful service as a GCI minister and church pastor, Roy Page retired at the end of January. Roy and his wife Sheila have faithfully served several congregations in Canada, most recently those in Vancouver and Prince George. At the end of his final service as pastor in Vancouver, Roy called [...]
Birth of Charly Maduka
Santiago Lange, GCI national director in Germany, and his wife Elke are pleased to announce the birth of their third grandchild, Charly Maduka Jr. Charly was born on February 1 at the city hospital in Worms, Germany. The baby and his parents Charles and Sarah Maduka are all doing fine.
Naomi Biswas
Please pray for Naomi Biswas, wife of John Biswas, the leader of the Bengali Evangelical Association. Naomi is quite ill with a problem with her lungs and breathing. She has been off work and is going for further testing later this week. Please pray that she will regain full strength and be able to resume [...]
GCI Zambia report
GCI pastor and district pastoral leader Rick Shallenberger recently traveled to Africa on behalf of GCI president Joseph Tkach. Following is Rick’s report on his time in Zambia. On December 30, 1991, the president of Zambia, Frederick Chiluba, declared his country a Christian nation. Since that day, crime has dropped, people have become more concerned [...]
Carlton Green
The following prayer request is from Rand Holm, a GCI pastor in Southern California. Following a minor heart attack last Saturday night, GCI assistant pastor Carlton Green was treated at Valley Presbyterian hospital in Van Nuys, CA. Doctors performed an angiogram and found two blocked arteries. One was able to be completely cleared and a [...]
Paul and Shana Curd
Paul and Shana Curd, who lead GenMin’s Connections Family Camp in Washington state, seek your prayers on behalf of their family. Paul’s mom, Kay Curd, passed away recently following a long illness. Paul and Shana request prayers for energy and endurance as this has been an exhausting journey for the family. Cards may be sent [...]
Online donation system improved
The GCI IT Department announces improvements to the GCI online donation system. Individuals (members and others) who wish to make a donation or view their personal donation records, may now do so by going to a new donor services panel online at www.gci.org/go/donate (if a person does not already have a login name and password, they may [...]
US pastoral internship program
This report is from Greg Williams who coordinates the GCI US Pastoral Internship Program on behalf of Church Administration and Development. In Matthew 9, Jesus exhorts his followers with these words: “The fields are ripe and ready for harvest. Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send laborers into the field.” This exhortation forms [...]
Steve and Elaine Elliott
Many of you reading this will remember Steve Elliott who has spoken at GCI conferences in the US and the Philippines. He has been a great friend and consultant to us. We just learned that Steve’s wife Elaine has been diagnosed with a moderately aggressive form of breast cancer. The doctor discovered the lumps while [...]
Jason Richards
Following is an update on Jason Richards, grandson of GCI pastor Martin Manuel (the last update is at http://update.gci.org/2012/01/jason-richards-2/). This update is from Martin’s daughter Doreen, wife of GCI pastor Rocky Ray. I am requesting prayers for Jason. He has been admitted to the ICU after suffering an undetermined event. He has not had a cardiac arrest.
Black History Month
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, February is Black History month in the USA, in which we acknowledge the contribution that African-Americans have made to this country (a similar celebration is held this month in Canada). For example, the recently released movie Red Tails tells a little known story of African-American aviators who were a part [...]
The spirit of prophecy
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Richard Frankel, one of our pastors in the Chicago area, sent me this cartoon (reproduced here with permission). I just had to share it with you. The cartoon highlights how some preachers distort the Gospel. The Gospel means Good News and good news is supposed to make you feel [...]
Milo Umlas commissioned
The GCI congregation in Pampanga, Philippines rejoiced on January 22 as national director Eugene Guzon ordained Milo Umlas an elder and commissioned him as the congregation’s new senior pastor. Milo was joined on stage for the ceremony by his wife Nona, their three children, Milo’s parents, and the rest of the congregation’s pastoral team. Milo [...]
ACCM classes
A valuable resource for ministry equipping is Ambassador College of Christian Ministry (ACCM). This online program offers classes in biblical studies and Christian ministry both for credit toward a diploma or non-credit (by audit) – in a flexible format and at a reasonable cost. Many GCI senior pastors in the US take ACCM classes to fulfill [...]
Thanks to Scott Wertz
Employees at the GCI home office in Glendora held a party on January 11 to say goodbye to Scott Wertz and his wife Barbara, and to celebrate Scott’s nearly 40 years of service to GCI as an employee in the GCI home office, most recently as the manager of both records and postal services. Scott recently [...]
Anthony Mullins commissioned
GCI elder Anthony Mullins recently relocated from Atlanta to the Denver area where he will split his time between serving GCI’s newly started Ground Zero Church as co-pastor and ministry coach, and serving GCI Generations Ministries (GenMin) as leader of GenMin camps and mission events. A special service was held on January 22 to commission [...]
NAE: Loving the Least of These
As a member of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), GCI is frequently updated on NAE initiatives, including the one highlighted here. Your congregation may find this of interest. Out of concern for the poor, the NAE recently asked some Christian sisters and brothers to share their knowledge and experience regarding the relationship between the [...]
Teens serve homeless
Teens from New Hope Christian Fellowship (the GCI congregation in the Eagle Rock area of Los Angeles) served on January 20 at the Pasadena Bad Weather Shelter. This outreach is coordinated by New Hope members Ron and Cora Grassmann (Ron served formerly as the landscaping manager at Ambassador College). About 20 teens served about 150 [...]
Ed Stetzer blogs about GCI
In a recent LifeWay Research blog post about relating to those outside orthodoxy, Ed Stetzer mentions his positive encounters with GCI and describes our miraculous journey into orthodoxy.