Report on the Ottawa conferences

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Last week I was in Ottawa, Canada, for two conferences. Pastor Bill Rabey did a super job coordinating both.

First was the International Mission Developers’ Conference, attended by 25 elders and wives from Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, North and South America (see picture below). We discussed the advance of the gospel through GCI in many nations of the world.

Following that was the Canadian National Conference for pastors and elders and spouses. It was led by Canadian director Gary Moore and included presentations on Trinitarian Theology from Dr. Elmer Colyer (his presentations will eventually be placed on our website). In a church service after the conference, we ordained Fraser Henderson as an elder. It was particularly special because his parents, who had attended the Canadian conference, were present.

mdconference — Mission Developers’ Conference

This issue of Weekly Update includes the following:

A very moving video that tells the story of the 87 congregations in Mozambique, Africa that have recently affiliated with us.
Reports from GCI Generations Ministries camps in North Carolina and Louisiana.
Information about the commissioning of a new GCI pastor in the Philippines.
The launch of a new website for GCI Church Multiplication Ministries.

We have a number of urgent prayer requests this week. First, please pray for the family and friends of Angelica Recendiz. Her son Hector Espinoza, who committed his life to Christ at our Southern California camp, was killed a few days ago in a gang-related shooting (click here for details). Please also pray for the friends and family of Fred Bailey, one of our retired pastors. I was saddened to learn of his death (click here for details). And please pray for Marj Friddle, wife of retired pastor Jim Friddle. Marj entered the hospital this week to be treated for colon cancer (click here for details). Also click here for a corrected address for Jana (Kissee) Jones (we’re praying for her healing from thyroid cancer).

You’ll note in some of the posts that comments appear from Weekly Update readers. You may comment on any of the posts by using the “ADD A COMMENT” feature below each one. Comments are posted at the discretion of the moderator. To comment on my cover letter, click on the letter heading at the top of the page. That will take you to the Weekly Update blog, where comments may be posted.

Let us join in prayer with those who grieve and suffer, as well as with those who rejoice. And let us pray for God’s direction and power in all aspects of the gospel work to which we are called. Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith.

Love from my family to yours,

Joseph Tkach

August 17, 2011

Announcements

Philippine pastor commissioned

GCI News

Report on Mozambique churches

Prayer & Updates

Church Development

Events

Resources For Pastors

GCI Links

From the President

Report on the Ottawa conferences

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Last week I was in Ottawa, Canada, for two conferences. Pastor Bill Rabey did a super job coordinating both.

This issue of Weekly Update includes the following:

A very moving video that tells the story of the 87 congregations in Mozambique, Africa that have recently affiliated with us.
Reports from GCI Generations Ministries camps in North Carolina and Louisiana.
Information about the commissioning of a new GCI pastor in the Philippines.
The launch of a new website for GCI Church Multiplication Ministries.

Love from my family to yours,

Joseph Tkach

The current version of this update is available online at update.gci.org where you may view and print the update.

You are receiving this email because you subscribe to the Weekly Update from Grace Communion International. If you no longer wish to receive this, please contact church.administration@gci.org. To send articles and photos, write toWeeklyUpdate@gci.org

Report on Mozambique churches

87 churches in Mozambique, Africa recently affirmed their affiliation with GCI. Here is a video telling the inspiring story (click the arrow on the picture below):

Report on Y.E.S. camp in Louisiana

Youth Extreme Summer Camp (Y.E.S.), the GCI Generations Ministries camp in Louisiana, was held last month at Chicot State Park in Ville Platte, LA. Participants included 110 campers and 65 staff.

The theme for the camp was “Planning a Road Map with Jesus.” Chapel messages helped campers understand that Jesus is always with them, including through life’s struggles and challenges. Campers were encouraged to journey in life with God’s grace as their “Roadmap.”

New activities this year included a game called “Do You Love you Neighbor?” Classes for teens helped them live as the dearly loved children of God that they are. The boys’ class was named “The Distinguished Gentlemen’s Class.” The girls’ class was named “Classy, Not Sassy Ladies Class.” Pre-teens enjoyed Insect Day at the Louisiana State Arboretum.

To watch a video of this year’s Y.E.S. camp, click on the arrow on the image below:

Report on Higher Ground camp in North Carolina

Higher Ground, the GCI Generations Ministries camp in Swannanoa, NC just celebrated its 10th anniversary with a camp session that included 145 campers and 70 staff. The camp theme was “Oasis”, with chapel messages focused on how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are an Oasis of Love, Family, Friendship, Life, Light and Safety. The emphasis was on God’s love and purpose for all humanity, and how we first Belong, then Believe, and then Become. Here are a few quotes from participants:

“This was, by far, the greatest week of the year. I’m going to be telling Higher Ground stories for years to come!”

“From the first chapel, I knew this was going to be different. The message was clear and carried throughout the whole week – God loves you…NO MATTER WHAT!”

There were several memorable activities this year. One was a camp-side game of capture the flag. Another, involving the boys, was to watch Pastor Bill Winn working a forge – pounding red-hot metal into the shape of a sword. Sparks flew and burned brightly against the dark night as the boys remained completely silent. As the flames died down and the steel cooled, Pastor Bill recounted what the Holy Spirit did in shaping Jesus “blow by blow” during his earthly life and ministry. He then told them of a similar work the Spirit is now doing in their lives – shaping them into the fullness of what God has made them to be in Christ.

Enrollment for Higher Ground in 2012 is already full, though a waiting list is being kept.

New CMM website

Randy Bloom, director of GCI Church Multiplication Ministries (CMM) announced last week the launching of CMM’s new website. The web address is the same as the old CMM website: http://cmm.gci.org/.

The new site provides a wide array of resources useful to church planters and to congregations and church districts that want to actively support the starting of new GCI churches. Many of the resources posted on the site are also useful in ministries within established churches. Check it out!

Death of Hector Espinoza

Hector Espinoza, age 18, was killed last week in a gang related shooting. Hector was a new member of Communion De Gracia, the GCI Spanish-speaking church in San Fernando, CA pastored by Heber Ticas.

Though Hector had a troubled past, he was turning his life around. He was a first time camper this summer at SEP SoCal, where he surrendered his life to Christ. His mother Angelica Recendiz said that he came home with great peace and joy.

Please pray for Angelica and the rest of Hector’s family, including his sister Adriana, who was admitted to the hospital just before camp suffering from lupus. According to their youth pastor, Hector was a tremendous support to Adriana. He would sleep in the hospital and encourage her with assurance that everything was going to be okay. Three of Hector’s cousins attended camp with him this summer: Reyna Flores, Ernesto Flores and Armando Recendiz.

Cards and words of support can be sent to the family at this address:

Angelica Recendiz

10631 Lindley Ave. #136

Northridge, CA 91326

Hospitalization of Marj Friddle

Marj Friddle, wife of GCI retired pastor Jim Friddle, had surgery this week to treat colon cancer. Her doctor told her that the cancer in her colon is apparently related to the breast cancer she battled in 2001. Please pray for Marj’s healing and for encouragement for Jim and the rest of the family. Cards and notes can be sent to:

Marj Friddle

7404 Stillwater Dr

Bayonet Point, FL 34667-2293

Death of Fred Bailey

Retired GCI pastor, C. Fred Bailey, died at age 70 on August 3 at his home in Southaven, MS. The cause of death was apparently heart failure.

Fred was born on July 26, 1941. He graduated from Ambassador College in Pasadena, CA in 1973. Upon graduation, he married Diane Yoho. They entered the field ministry as a trainee couple in June of that year, serving in the Oakland and San Francisco, CA churches. In 1974 they transferred to Nashville, TN. They served their first full pastorate in Evansville, IN. They also pastored in Springfield, MO and Richmond, VA. Fred retired in 2004. Fred’s wife, Diane, preceded him in death in 2006. Fred and Diane ministered capably and faithfully in all the church areas where they served. They were respected and loved by all who knew them.

Philippine pastor commissioned

GCI Philippines director, Eugene Guzon; and Mindanao area superintendent, Jerome Manriquez recently commissioned Ted Natividad as the new pastor of the Zamboanga City, GCI church. Pastor Ted assumes this responsibility from Pastor Joven Jaralve who is moving from the area.