Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
GCI African Missions Director Kalengule Kaoma sent a report from our national festival in Benin City, Nigeria, which took place August 12-15. Attendance reached 262 from 15 congregations across Nigeria. The theme was based on Ephesians 4:2: “Bearing With One Another In Love.”
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Kalengule wrote, “Dressed in their beautiful attire, brethren appeared magnificent in the sanctuary as they joined their voices in songs of praise and worship to our God.”
The group rejoiced with the Igbineweka family of the Benin City as Peace Osaruese and Eunice Osafueko, son and daughter of the Igbinewekas, were baptized on August 13.
On August 15, Paul Osa Igbineweka was ordained as a deacon.
Ontario, Canada: Camp Connections 2010
Camp Connections 2010 began July 16 with staff training. Staff heard messages about teamwork, health and safety training, and loving each other and the campers in preparation for our Ontario Camping Association visit (which we passed with flying colors! We are excited about that as it means we will be able to advertise more widely on the web).
The first session of camp began on the 17th with the arrival of 30 campers, ages 11-22. Second session we had 46 campers, which we consider a full house. More and more campers are bringing friends!
Special moments included a visit from Dennis Lawrence, our camp director, for a couple of days. Dennis was not able to be with us this year for health reasons, but it was great to have him there for a short time. We were excited to have eleven campers make first-time commitments to Jesus Christ. Camp closed with the baptism of a young lady from Montreal. We were able to celebrate that with campers, staff, parents who were coming to pick up their campers, as well as the day camp that shares the property with us.
We already have our first registration for 2011! To see pictures, check out our camp video at www.camp-connections.org
Wisconsin Dells
From Pastor Doug Johannsen:
You’re all invited to our annual Dells Celebration at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, from September 30 to October 3, 2010. Dr. Mike Feazell will be our guest speaker this year. Our theme is “On To Maturity.” Join us on this four-day journey as we examine four major areas of life that reflect maturity in our walk with Jesus.
Step 1: Reserve your room at the Kalahari by Sunday, August 29, 2010. The Kalahari is the premier family resort in the Dells featuring the world’s largest indoor water park and a new theme park. Phone 1-877-525-2427 for reservations.
Hut – $109.00 per night plus tax, 1-4 people only.
Lodge Suite – $129 per night plus tax, 1-4 people only.
Combination Suite (lodge and hut) – $238 per night plus tax, sleeps up to 8 people.
Village – (lodge and two adjoining huts) – $347 per night plus tax, sleeps up to 12 people.
You must call the Kalahari Resort no later than August 29 to reserve your room. After August 29, the low prices we’ve negotiated will no longer be available! Let the reservation personnel know you are with Grace Communion International or Worldwide Church of God. The Kalahari reservation number is 1-877-525-2427.
You may also book your room online. First, go to: https://res.kalahariresort.com/V1Web/GroupComments.aspx
Then enter: Group ID 14215 Password: 244 Contact Password (Optional): Leave this blank. Click on “Make Reservation” and follow the prompts.
Step 2: Register with Grace Communion International/Worldwide Church of God Headquarters online at: www.wcg.org/go/wisconsin. Follow the prompts and pay with your credit card.
Or you may download a registration form, fill it out and mail your registration with a check to:
Grace Communion International
P.O. Box 5005
Glendora, CA 91740-5005
If you do not have Internet access, contact me, Dells Coordinator Doug Johannsen, and I will mail the forms to you.
Doug Johannsen
14210 Uranium St NW
Ramsey, MN 55303
Phone: 763-576-1086
Step 3: Come celebrate Jesus with your family and friends. Enjoy good food and activities! The Kalahari is a very family activity oriented facility with a huge water park and a new theme park!
If you have any questions, contact Pastor Doug Johannsen at doug.johannsen@gci.org or by phone at 763-576-1086.
Higher Ground
Some have asked about the band that played worship music during the conference in Orlando. The band is named Higher Ground, and they regularly serve at the GCI Community Life Fellowship congregation in Altadena, California.
The band members serving at the conference were Mike Hale: vocals and worship leading; Kathy Killebrew: vocals; Al Killebrew: keyboards and vocals; Sue Braden: vocals; Nathan Braden: drums; Linda Willhoite: vocals; Terry Willhoite: bass guitar and vocals; and Buddy Nuanez: guitar.
Mike Hale also moderates our Trinitarian Worship Blog, at http://trinitarianworship.blogspot.com
Pathways Camp 
Pathways Camp director Jay Richie reports that Pathways 2010, held July 17-23 near Jackson, Ohio, served 124 campers with 56 staffers this year. The group shared worship and fun, learning together about the life we share in union with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The camp curriculum is available at http://genmin.gci.org/Web%20Documents/Elation!%202010%20Curriculum.pdf).
A highlight of this year’s camp was an outreach event in cooperation with Jackson County Family Services. Pathways senior campers hosted a block party for 15 disadvantaged 8 to 12-year-olds to show them Jesus’ love in an environment of fun, fellowship and laughter. The Family Services manager said he hopes to send some of these kids as full campers next year.
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Prayer Requests and Updates
Dennis Lawrence
Pastor Dennis Lawrence reported that is recovering well from his two surgeries last April and May. However, he is now undergoing an even more aggressive chemotherapy regimen with all the resulting side effects. He wrote: “I’m in good spirits, and the medical staff is encouraging. They speak in terms of cure and successful management of this. My family and the churches, and so many around the world, have been so encouraging and helpful through prayer, cards, emails and their presence to offer whatever might be needed. I can only thank everyone for that, and God for his grace.”
Edith Rostant
Pearl Charles, wife of Trinidad and Tobago pastor Clifton Charles, asked for prayer for her mother, Edith Rostant, who has recently suffered two strokes. Pearl wrote, “We have prepared ourselves for however this turns out. She has had a full, active life and will be celebrating her 86th birthday in October, God willing. We deeply appreciate all she is to all of us and we are very much inspired by her focus as she sings and prays during all the health challenges.”
Verna Meyer
Kansas City, Missouri, pastor Ray Meyer requests your prayers for his 90-year-old mother, Verna Meyer. Verna is in intensive care with a major urinary tract infection, pneumonia, colitis and low blood pressure, and the doctors are concerned about sepsis setting in. Verna’s condition is very serious, and the next day or two are critical. Please remember her and the Meyer family in your prayers.
Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.
Love from my family to yours,
Joseph Tkach
