Celebrating freedom

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This week, Americans celebrate their national holiday, the 4th of July. On that day in 1776, a group of courageous men put their lives on the line by declaring independence from the British Empire. The Founding Fathers of the United States were men of remarkable vision, but even they could not have realized they were laying the foundation for what has become the most powerful, richest and arguably the most influential nation the world has ever seen. The United States is by any standards blessed. Never before have so many people experienced such a high standard of living and enjoyed so much freedom. I do not say that to boast. I am simply stating a fact.

The preamble to the Constitution of the United States says this: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Two and a half centuries later we still need to make progress towards that “more perfect union.” But let’s not join the doomsayers who seem to delight in pointing out anything and everything that is wrong about America, and then prophesy that we are about to be punished by an angry God, “in a few short years.” This is an unhealthy mindset based on a distorted understanding of the gospel. It also has the effect of undermining incentive to do what we can to make things better. What is the point if the nation is doomed?

Aren’t you thankful that our denomination has repudiated that approach? It does not mean we have to go to the other extreme and become Pollyannaish. We need not be blind to our nation’s faults. But as one of America’s greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln once said, “He has the right to criticize who has the heart to help.”

There is much to celebrate; much to be thankful for. (For one thing, Americans pay less for gas, and have among the lowest personal taxes of any other developed nation!) Let’s be grateful for the freedoms we have, and mindful of the price paid, in the past and today, to secure them. Although many of the Founding Fathers were not traditional Christians, they were God-fearing men, with a passionate belief in freedom. They did not get it all exactly right, but they set a course that has allowed America to develop as a nation with a deep commitment to liberty and justice. The gospel took root, and has continued to work its way through our culture – like yeast in the dough that does its work over time, sometimes unseen; often unappreciated. It is the yeast of freedom in Christ that led some to rise up against tyranny. Later others rose up against the terrible bondage of slavery. Today others rise up against sex trafficking, drugs, inner city poverty and other evils that still afflict us.

Those who are so addicted to preaching the Gospel of Gloom often quote the apostle Paul to reinforce their arguments. However, I wonder if Paul came back today, he might be pleasantly surprised. Not only at the astonishing technical progress – I have sometimes travelled farther in one day than he did in his lifetime. He would also see a society where widows and orphans have some support, slavery has been abolished, and women have rights and hold some of the most important positions in the government. These things would have been unimaginable when he wrote his epistles. Although such things are not the main thrust of the gospel, they are by-products of the Christian way of life. Perhaps Paul might actually be encouraged by the progress, although, of course, there is still a long way to go.

I am encouraged to see how many of our congregations are actively involved in community outreach programs and activities. They do this not just as a way “to get more people,” but because it is the right thing to do. Other congregations are generously supporting our summer camps and helping plant new churches both in this country and around the world. As the church of Jesus Christ who is Lord of all, we believe in the common good. So we can speak a word of hope to our government and to all society even while proclaiming that we live in a fallen world that needs the transforming grace of God.

Let us focus this 4th of July on our blessings, including the opportunities we have to serve God in a nation that at least tries to be “One nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.”

With love in Christ’s service,

Joseph Tkach

P.S. NAE president Leith Anderson said it well: “Our generation is facing a long process of moral conflict, judicial disagreement and political haggling.” We see this with regard to several issues, including national debt, international trade and various social issues. One particularly controversial social issue is same-sex marriage. I am often asked what GCI teaches about this and related topics. I encourage people to read our statement at www.gci.org/aboutus/FAQ#homosexuality and two papers published by others:

NAE’s position paper at www.nae.net/resources/news/714-open-letter-on-marriage-and-religious-freedom.
Why We’re Gendered Beings…Theological Reflections on Sexual Identity, a paper by Gary Deddo posted at www.trinitystudycenter.com/topical/gender.php.

In some countries and in some states in the U.S., same-sex marriage has been legalized. GCI elders sometimes face this issue and they should know that GCI does not require them to perform any marriage when their conscience would prohibit them. However, in a few countries the laws do not give elders such freedom. Questions about specific situations can be addressed to the appropriate pastoral supervisor.

Southern Asia and South Pacific update

This update is from Rod Matthews, GCI mission developer in Southern Asia and the South Pacific.

SEP India

This report is from Daniel Zachariah, GCI’s pastor in Hyderabad, India.

Jesus places a special value on children. His love for them was undeniable when he took them up in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them, saying, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).

Encouraged by his example, we had the unique privilege of loving and blessing many children last month. We held a residential camp where 27 children, ages five to fourteen, attended from May 11 to 13. Several children from nearby villages joined the camp. We had them all take residence in our church premises for the three days. Members volunteered to provide food for all the children on these days. The picture at right shows a few of the children enjoying a meal.

From morning until bedtime, they were tirelessly and enthusiastically involved in all the activities. Stephie, Celina, Saritha and Prasanna were our residential counselors, teaching them Bible lessons, songs, crafts, dance and games.

Vanuatu Building Project

This report is from Rex Morgan, GCI’s national coordinator for Vanuatu and the New Zealand office manager.

In 2010, New Zealand member and builder Les Evans began construction of a building at Rory, the Vanuatu village on the island of Malekula where our main congregation is located. Les previously supervised the construction of a new meeting hall and a large concrete water tank to give the church facility water self-sufficiency. The new building was originally planned to include a workshop for fabricating furniture for sale to provide additional income for the church community. It was also to be used for tool storage, a community function room, the church library and a place for visiting ministers to stay.

A perennial problem has been the lack of building materials in this remote location. Fiji pastor, Isei Colati, went to Vanuatu in late 2011 as a guest speaker at their family festival, with the added goal of taking a further step toward completing the project but, alas, the same problem prevented any progress.

In a review of its purposes, it has become obvious that making furniture for sale isn’t feasible because of difficulties in getting quality raw materials and then finding a market on Malekula and nearby islands which are remote from the capital, Port Vila. But the most pressing need is for a place for visiting ministers to stay to save the church considerable accommodation and transportation expenses. Vanuatu pastor William Davies, who lives on the neighboring island of Espiritu Santo, will be able to use it on his bimonthly trips to Rory, and Rex Morgan and other visitors can use it during the annual festival.

Amazingly, further research has shown that it is less expensive to purchase the materials needed to complete the building from hardware stores in Fiji and have it shipped to Malekula in Vanuatu, so Isei Colati has organized this. The cost of $3,500 for needed materials is exactly half of the amount put aside by the congregations in New Zealand for “Vanuatu Outreach” in 2012. The Fiji church has kindly offered to help pay for another trip to Vanuatu by Isei Colati to help organize the project. The members are now assessing gardening and farming ideas to help the church community become more financially self-sufficient.

Short-term mission trips

Through Generations Ministries, GCI in the U.S. facilitates short-term mission trips to locations in the U.S. and abroad. This post provides information about these trips in a short article and a video interview. For further information, click here or email Anthony.Mullins@gci.org.

The value of short-term mission trips

The article below is from Charles Fleming, GCI’s Caribbean region missions director and a member of the Generations Ministries mission event resource team.

I have found that people often misunderstand what short-term mission trips are about. One misunderstanding is that a mission trip must be a hard-core, deeply sacrificial event. However, the reality is that mission trips are as varied as the people travelling and the people in the host community.

Over the past 15 years, I have been privileged to make mission trips to dozens of places. Some have, in fact, been hardship trips where we worked in difficult and even dangerous places. Others have been less intense. However, in all cases visitors and hosts alike came to know God better and understand themselves and others better while making a practical difference in the lives of people in the host community. From this experience, I have learned that successful short-term mission trips have the following characteristics:

In the same way that God, in love, adapts himself to our needs, successful mission trips adapt to the needs of the host.
They accommodate the interests and experience base of the visiting mission team.
They also make practical, lasting contributions to life in the host community.
Most importantly, they build relationships of mutual respect and care between visitors and hosts.

As the pictures here show, successful trips combine fun, learning and hard work. I hope you and your family will consider going on a short-term mission trip. Through Generations Ministries, GCI in the U.S. sponsors several short-term mission trips and other events each year – some within the U.S. and some that travel internationally.

Mission trip to Cleveland

The video below tells the story of the short-term mission trip conducted by GCI’s congregation in Youngstown, Ohio to help the Cleveland congregation conduct a Vacation Bible School as an outreach to the neighborhood where the church meets.

http://youtu.be/UsooYwTrGQE

Beth Holm

This prayer request is from GCI pastor Rand Holm, concerning his wife Beth. Rand and Beth live in Southern California.

I humbly seek your prayers for my wife Beth. Recently we headed out the door to walk our dog, Kali, around the block. I was outside with Kali, several steps away, as Beth came out the door. She lost her balance and fell straight down on the hard concrete, hitting her left hip, elbow and shoulder. I was just out of distance for being able to help break her fall. She hit really hard.

Thank God, no bones were broken. I feel devastated for her and so bad that she is in a lot of pain once again. Please ask the Lord to help her through this and heal the trauma of the fall. In the past, falls that were not this bad have created a pain cycle that lasted for about ten days.

Thank you so much for your prayers for this precious child of God.

-Rand

Cards may be sent to:

Beth and Rand Holm

599 Rio Grande Circle

Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-1555

Colorado Springs fires

Please continue to pray about the wildfires burning in and around Colorado Springs, Colorado and elsewhere in the western United States.

As reported last week, we have several members and friends of GCI in the Colorado Springs area where the wildfires are of epic proportions. Some of our members there have had to evacuate their homes and all are affected by the smoke and by rattled nerves.

Bonnie Albrecht

This follow up to a previous prayer request is from Bonnie’s son, Charles Albrecht.

I just talked with my parents, sharing with them that many in the church are praying for them. They are most grateful!

Mom is still in and out of tremendous pain and they are still trying to figure out why she is having such difficulty walking. She had a spinal tap today and they hope to have the results soon. They found a stress fracture in each leg from when she fell and they also found that she has an infection. These could certainly be contributing to her pain.

This situation has kind of crashed around them over the last couple of weeks, but they are making it. Their faith and the prayers are definitely helping. Thankfully my Aunt Marie is nearby – she’s been a big support as have my dad and sister Kathryn.

Please pray for relief and healing for mom and that the doctors find the source of her problems.

Death of Wilmer Thompson

We recently received a note from Mrs. Jo Ann Thompson that her husband, Wilmer G. Thompson, age 82, passed away on April 22, 2012 at the Martinsburg Veterans Administration Hospital due to complications of Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Wlimer was a GCI elder who served as assistant pastor of Grace Family Fellowship in Maryland.

Broadnaxes receive 25-year honors

At a worship service last Sunday in Columbus, Ohio, GCI president Joseph Tkach presented a service plaque and watches to Jeffrey and Karen Broadnax to mark Jeff’s 25 years as a full-time employee of the church.

Jeff was first hired part time starting in 1983. He worked while attending Ambassador College, Pasadena, California in several roles: landscape and building maintenance, Imperial School graphics, the summer camp at Orr, Minnesota, and as an instructor at the college.

In 1987, Jeff was hired to work full-time in the church travel department. Later that year he began work as a ministerial trainee in the Pasadena West-PM church. In 1989, he was ordained an elder and named the congregation’s assistant pastor. In 1990, transferred to Big Sandy, Texas where he served as an associate pastor. Then in 1993, he transferred to the New York City area to serve in the Manhattan-Westchester congregation, where he became the senior pastor in 1996. In the years that followed, he became the senior pastor of the congregations in Middletown, New York; Hillsdale, New Jersey and White Plains, New York.

In addition to his work pastoring churches, Jeff has been active in GCI’s summer camp programs, serving for several years as director of the New Heights camp in Connecticut.

In 2010, Jeff and Karen and their children moved to Columbus, Ohio where Jeff now serves as the senior pastor of GCI’s congregations in Columbus and Chillicothe, Ohio. Jeff also serves as eastern region coach for GCI’s summer camps in the United States.

Howard Blakeney graduates

Congratulations to Howard Blakeney who pastors GCI’s congregation in Marion, South Carolina.

Howard recently graduated summa cum laude from Cathedral Bible College in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with a Bachelor of Theology in Ministry degree. Howard is currently enrolled in the Masters of Theology program at the same college.

Church Development resources on GCI.org

The GCI.org Church Development web page has been updated. It now provides a catalog of the media, programs and other resources provided by the Church Administration and Development (CAD) team to help existing churches to develop, and new churches to start.

The resources linked on the page (pictured below) are designed to help pastors, pastoral teams, ministry leaders and ministry workers share actively in the ongoing ministry of Jesus. The page is easily accessed by clicking on the Church Development tab found at the top of any of the pages at GCI.org.