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.
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.
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.
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 Thingsclick here; to listen to tracks from the album, click here.
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.
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.
Sonia Orozco (in the middle) with Hetor Barrero (at right)Barranquilla members who participated
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.
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.
Dubai members
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.
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.
Pastor Hector Cruz and his wife EugeniaPastor Natanael Cruz
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.
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:
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 visits Daniel at work on the tractorDaniel welding tractor frame
