Friends and fellows servants

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In his first letter to the church at Thessalonica, Paul admonished his readers to “honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work.” The reason, he explained, was because “they work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance” (1 Thessalonians 5:12 NLT).

It is an all too human tendency for members of an organization to develop a distorted view of those in charge. They either ridicule and despise them, or they put them on a pedestal. In religious organizations it is more often the latter, and this can develop an unhealthy approach to leadership.

Churches often fall into the trap of regarding their leaders as spiritual giants. Jesus warned against this, cautioning his disciples: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:25-26).

As many of you will remember, our denomination has not been immune to this. As GCI’s current President/Pastor General, I have intentionally tried to take the focus off me as the “Grand Poobah.” I think that this has been successful, as it seems that just about everyone treats me as a friend instead of some kind of spiritual superhero. I have encouraged all in leadership positions to have this approach. We see ourselves as your friends and fellow servants, called to share together in Jesus’ ministry to the world.

Jesus himself set the precedent for this. At the Last Supper, he told his disciples, “I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father” (John 15:15 MSG).

God has blessed us with many loving and dedicated men and women in ministry. So that we can know each other better, next week we begin a new regular feature here in GCI Weekly Update. It will introduce one of our pastors or pastoral teams in a short Up Close and Personal article. I have asked Rick Shallenberger to coordinate this feature. He pastors one of our churches in Cincinnati, Ohio, has travelled widely, and is an experienced writer and editor. Rick will be featuring our entire worldwide ministry, so don’t be surprised if you hear from him, whether you are in Arkansas, Aberdeen, Argentina or Angola.

This week, I’d like to get the ball rolling by introducing our Mission Directors (MDs) and their wives. These men, often with the active participation of their wives, fill a vital role for our denomination by working closely with me around the world to oversee our pastoral ministry and otherwise facilitate our mission of living and sharing the gospel. The MDs work in teams, with some also serving as National Ministry Leaders in their home nation/region. I am blessed to have colleagues with such a rich diversity of ministerial experience. Here is a group picture of some of them, with individual pictures below, grouped by team.

• MD team serving Africa: Gary and Wendy Moore, Tim and Marissa Maguire, and Kalengule and Nsama Kaoma (James Henderson, pictured below, is also on this team):

• MD team serving Asia, the Philippines, Australia and Oceania: Rod and Ruth Matthews, Eugene and Lulu Guzon, and John and Heather McLean:

• MD team serving the Caribbean and Latin America: Charles and Carmen Fleming, and Hector and Paolina Barrero:

• MD team serving Europe: James and Shirley Henderson, and Santiago and Elke Lange:

• MD team serving the United States and Mexico: Dan and Barbara Rogers, Lorenzo and Rita Arroyo, and Greg and Susan Williams:

Because the needs of the regions served by these teams vary, the MDs have no “one size fits all” job description. However, all of them form important links that connect our churches to our denomination and to the broader Christian world. Their priorities include supervising pastoral leaders, succession planning, ensuring biblically sound teaching, facilitating the spiritual formation and equipping of pastors, and providing guidance and coordination in evangelism. They organize regional conferences and they respond to requests from churches who ask to join our fellowship. They also make themselves familiar with the resources for education and evangelism provided by other denominations, linking these when appropriate with our own resources.

Although these MDs occupy significant leadership positions, they see themselves as servants. They realize that God has called them to help, encourage, support and facilitate the work of their fellow ministers, so that our denomination can successfully accomplish what God gives us to do.

I am privileged to work alongside these dedicated men and their wives, and to know them as close friends. I also have come to know so many of you as friends as I travel. So it is a joy to introduce friends to friends. I hope you’ll enjoy the new Up Close and Personal feature where we’ll share information about more of our GCI friends and fellows servants around the world.

Yours in Christ’s service,

Joseph Tkach

Daniel Leon’s outreach

Daniel Leon, a member of GCI’s New Hope Christian Fellowship in Los Angeles and veteran of GCI camps and mission trips, has partnered with Hayden Betts to form D&H Tractors. The work of this volunteer organization was profiled in a Pasadena News Now article (see below) and mentioned in The Garden, an Academy Award-winning documentary film (see the film trailer at www.dandhtractors.org).

D&H Tractors is building a tractor that will be used by the South Central Farmers Co-op. This group of community farmers/gardeners previously farmed a 12-acre tract in South-Central Los Angeles. There hundreds of inner-city families gained self-reliance, produced food for their families and learned lessons of hard work and community unity. Sadly, the co-op lost access to the garden when the property was sold. However, 120 acres of land became available to the Co-op in Shafter, California, some 100 miles north of Los Angeles. This property cannot be farmed effectively without machinery; hence, Daniel and Hayden’s vision to build and then donate a working tractor for the co-op’s use.

Daniel and Haden are building the rather sophisticated tractor from scratch. They have partnered with local businesses to acquire (and sometimes build) the parts. They are also using donated space and equipment to assemble the tractor. So far, they have spent hundreds of hours on the project.

Joseph Tkach with Daniel — Joseph Tkach visits Daniel at work on the tractor

Members in Muslim countries

This update is from Eugene Guzon, GCI National Director for the Philippines and one of the Mission Directors serving Asia, the Philippines, Australia and Oceania.

Beginning on July 20, Muslims around the world celebrate Ramadan, a month of spiritual reflection, increased focus on the Muslim faith, charity toward the poor and the avoidance of fighting with others. However, Ramadan this year is being marked by political uncertainty and violence in many Muslim countries in the Arabian Peninsula and in North Africa. In particular, violence is rampant in Syria and Bahrain. Even in Dubai, which is more stable politically and peaceful, people have been arrested on charges of anti-government activity.

This is the situation faced by many of our GCI members living in primarily Muslim countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Due to the violence and political unrest in Syria, the Philippine Embassy began to evacuate thousands of Filipinos who are working there. In the Philippines, we just had another round of oil price increases as a consequence of the political unrest in the Middle East. It is amazing how the world has become like a small village. Our lives are interconnected and we are impacted by what is happening thousands of miles away.

dubai trip — From left: Cesar Dela Paz, Eugene Guzon, Jerry and Lal Ortiguero, Joana Dela Paz

I was in Dubai and Abu Dhabi recently. Pastor Cesar Dela Paz picked me up at the airport and we had a chance to meet and have some personal and ministry updates. Our days were full with birthday celebrations, a house blessing, a worship service, meetings with leaders, and a time of prayer, sharing and planning concerning how the Dubai church can be empowered and mobilized for discipleship and ministry. We also planned for a retreat or special celebration this coming November.

Our members in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and other Emirates are a cross section of the guest workers and professionals there. Some work as professionals in private and government offices, and some work as domestic helpers. It is a blessing that some are able to have their families with them, however, many face difficult working conditions.

One of our members recently tried to flee the country where she was working due to the harsh working conditions but was caught and detained. She is now receiving legal help, hoping to get back to the Philippines soon. One of the inspiring things that happened to her was that despite being a rather timid person, in the detention center she became bold in leading Bible studies and offering counsel and encouragement to those detained with her.

Our worship services in Dubai are held on Friday afternoons. The service I attended on July 6 was typical, attended by about 40 members. For the past several years, the congregation has had to transfer their service to other venues due to increasing costs. There is also speculation that the government will be imposing new restrictions on Christian worship services, allowing them only in specified locations. This would make it even more difficult for some of our members to attend services due to the distances involved. Not all of our members there have cars and transportation otherwise can be cumbersome and expensive. In the meantime, they are still able to worship freely and regularly in a hotel in downtown Deira in Dubai.

Let us continue to pray for our members in Dubai and other Emirates. Please also pray for those scattered in other countries in the Middle East like Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. These countries are more conservative in their religious practices, and some also are politically in transition right now. Our members there are facing even greater challenges to practicing their faith and, depending on where they live and work, also are concerned about their personal safety. Please also pray for greater peace in the Middle East and the Northern African regions and that during Ramadan, God will lead many Muslims to know of his unconditional love for all people and of the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.

Colombian members interviewed

Sonia Orozco, pastor of GCI’s church in Barranquilla, Colombia and several members from her congregation joined recently with Hector Barrero (Colombian GCI National Director) for a radio interview in which they discussed how the church is like an extended family.

Colombia members — Barranquilla members who participated

Worship Workout

This update is from Jeff Chandler who pastors the GCI church in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

We recently launched a new service/outreach project named Worship Workout. It’s being held at Fitness Bootcamp Unlimited. About 26 people attended the first session.

I opened the session with prayer, which was followed by a 35 minute “Full Body & Soul” workout accompanied by Christian music. I then asked everyone to have a seat on the floor and gave a 10 minute message about our physical and spiritual health. We then ended in prayer.

It was a CRAZY GOOD and we now are praying that it grows and that some who attend will move on over into our church congregation.

Australia Pastors Conference

Here is a group picture from the recent GCI Australia Pastors Conference. Click here for additional pictures on Facebook (you must be signed into FaceBook to view these).

Ministry coaching

GCI Church Administration and Development (CAD) provides ministry coaches to new church pastors and church planters. In addition, CAD helps existing pastors link up with a GCI certified ministry coach. If you are interested in being trained to serve as a coach, or in having a coach of your own, email Randy.Bloom@gci.org.

To learn more about coaching, watch this video in which GCI pastoral intern Steve Dobritch and his coach Pastor David Botha discuss their impressions about the coaching process:

http://youtu.be/boU_KIeccWc

Developing relationships with unchurched neighbors

Here are links to eight videos that, taken in order, paint a helpful picture of ways to develop relationships with your unchurched neighbors. Thanks to GCI elder Cliff Higgins from San Jose, California for providing these links.

1. What is a Missional Church?

2. Building Blocks – Loving Your Neighbor

3. Rediscovering the Art of Neighboring Taking the Great Commandment Seriously Part 1

4. Rediscovering the Art of Neighboring Part 2

5. Rediscovering the Art of Neighboring Part 3

6. Are Your Neighbors The Clampetts? What do we do?

7. From Adversaries to Relationship

8. Personal Journey Towards Neighboring

Death of Hector Cruz

This update is from Lorenzo Arroyo, GCI’s Mission Director for Mexico.

I am saddened to report that Pastor Hector Cruz died on July 26 in Mexico City. He went into the hospital for dialysis and there contracted pneumonia. Alfredo Mercado, who is GCI’s National Leader for Mexico and pastor of the GCI church in Guadalajara, officiated at Hector’s funeral on July 28.

Hector and Gena Cruz — Pastor Hector Cruz and his wife Eugenia

Hector Gerardo Cruz Rangel was born on Sept. 10, 1949, in Mexico City. He was much loved by his congregation in Mexico City where he served as pastor since 1994. His wife, Eugenia, preceded him in death in March of this year. Hector is survived by two sons, Gamaliel and Natanael, and by two grandchildren. Our hearts and prayers are joined with the family in their time of grief.

Hector’s son, Natanael Cruz Sanchez, has been appointed to succeed his father as pastor of the Mexico City church. He is the third generation in his family to be ordained in ministry. Natanael worked closely with his father and at age 25 is a well-respected leader in the church. Our prayers and support are with Nathanael as he receives the pastoral leadership baton.

Dulcinea Reneé debut

Dulcinea Reneé, who is 16 years old, attends GCI’s church in Bellevue, Washington with her family. She recently completed her debut music album, Good Things. It was released to about 450 radio stations and charted during its first week of radio play. Congratulations Dulcinea!

To read a review of Good Things click here; to listen to tracks from the album, click here.

Serge Volpe graduates

We are pleased to announce that Serge A. Volpe, a GCI elder serving in White Plains, New York, was recently awarded a Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology degree with High Distinction (4.0 GPA) from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Serge’s thesis, which received top honors, is entitled When Black Meets White in the Heart of Worship: A Case Study of Musical Changes in a Multiracial Church. Serge’s primary research question is: “What happens when African-American musical styles are introduced into the liturgy of a multiracial church where the liturgy had previously primarily consisted of European-American musical styles?” His thesis is available on ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Database or from the Digital Commons Database of Liberty University.

Barbara Miller ordained

On July 8, District Pastor Tim Brassell ordained long-time GCI member Barbara Miller as an elder and commissioned her to serve as an assistant pastor in GCI’s Washington DC (West) congregation, which is pastored by Brian Carlisle. Barbara is married to Dusty Miller.