This update is from district pastor Heber Ticas, the senior pastor of Comunion De Gracia, the GCI Spanish-speaking congregation in Sun Valley, California. Heber is also shepherding the start of a new congregation in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.
On October 14, Comunion de Gracia (Los Angeles church plant) celebrated its first anniversary service with 109 in attendance. The first year has been filled with surprises. We have encountered the joy of seeing people come to faith in our Lord but we have also shed tears as we encountered those in bondage to alcohol and drug abuse, children suffering because of the breakdown of the family and wives suffering as they see their spouses imprisoned. We thank Almighty God for the comfort and peace of knowing that he is in control.
On November 18, we had an outreach event to the community. We also served dinners on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The ministry team continues to create connections with the community. Our growth strategy includes both “attractional” and “incarnational” approaches: attractional through “big day” events such as our Christmas celebration; incarnational through missional groups that live and share the gospel in the midst of the community life.
Thanks for being “Christ’s Ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20) and being His shining lights (Matthew 5:15-17) in breaking up the darkness of your local community. May He continue to empower yr congregation in making a difference in peoples lives and reconciling them to the Lord. God bless. Richard and Joyce Frankel, Christian Fellowship Church Chicago North and Kenosha.
Congratulations for making it through this past year and making a difference in a lot of broken lives. Just what Jesus was doing in the Gospels.
What a fast and fulfilling year for Communion De Gracia. May growth and blessings for those called and their families continue in your second year.