We are pleased to announce that GCI elder and former long-time headquarters employee Monte Wolverton is engaged to marry Kaye Minor. The wedding is planned for August. Congratulations Monte and Kaye!
Year: 2013
Joel Irusta
Joel Irusta, pastor of GCI’s congregation in Greensboro, North Carolina, tells of a family history that many only dream about. “My paternal grandparents were Basque immigrants from the old country. As far as we know, my dad was the first person on his side of the family to be born outside of Spain. Early on in the US, the Basque people were treated harshly; but through hard work they gained the respect of others and today are accepted. Growing up with exposure to this different culture and language, along with a strong work ethic, continues to influence who I am. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized that everyone didn’t have grandparents who spoke and lived differently. My maternal grandparents owned a cattle ranch that was literally out ‘in the middle of nowhere’ in the foothills of Idaho. On that ranch we (my siblings and cousins) rode horses, helped brand cattle, gardened, fished and played and played. We hiked the hills for hours at a time. Camping and fishing were regular parts of our summers.”
Joel grew up in Boise with an older brother and younger sister. “My dad was a self-employed auto mechanic and my mother didn’t work outside the home. It was a simple life with a lot of family gatherings and activities. My dad taught us that common sense and thinking about others first was the most important education. My mother loved her life as a wife and young mother and made our childhood fun.”
After graduating from college in the mid-70s with a B.S. in chemical engineering, Joel went to work for a large engineering/construction firm. During that time he saw a telecast by Herbert W. Armstrong about hell and was intrigued. “Hell was a subject that troubled me because I just couldn’t accept a God who would punish people forever. At the same time, my mother who also was listening to HWA wanted to send for some literature but was afraid that the church would pester her once they had her name and address. So I sent for the literature myself and told her I would ‘let them have it’ if they bothered me because they promised not to. Together, we studied and began attending church services and were baptized. My dad was vehemently opposed to the church and what we were doing but we kept going. Eventually my sister joined us. The rest, as they say, is history.”
Joel’s job transferred him to North Carolina (his current home) to work constructing a new R.J. Reynolds tobacco processing plant. “I worked there as data processing manager, lead programmer-analyst and computer trainer. I met my wife Karen in North Carolina, so we decided to stay and raise our family there. I went to work for a small consulting firm and ended up going out on my own in the IT field where I’ve been self-employed for over 20 years. I blame my dad for that longevity!”
Joel and Karen have been married now for 28 years and have two children. “Our daughter Hillary participated in GCI’s Pastoral Internship Program and is now my associate pastor in the Greensboro church. She is also a student at Wake Forest School of Divinity working towards an M.Div. degree. Our son Jared who is a graphic designer is married to his beautiful wife Remmie. They are an active part of our lives and a joy to see grow. Our 16-year-old niece Katie lives with us and keeps us hopping with all the normal teenage drama and excitement.”
Since first joining WCG/GCI, Joel has served in some way. “I worked with the widows and single adults, I taught YES and YOU lessons and served in other areas as was needed. I became a deacon and then an elder. When the doctrinal changes hit, and through a series of circumstances over which I had no control, I found myself the pastor of the Greensboro congregation! Many told me that they definitely saw God’s hand in making it happen. Feeling overwhelmed, I went to seminary and earned a Master of Arts degree in Theology with a concentration in Christian Ministry. That was one of the smartest things I’ve ever done! Serving as pastor has been a joy and pleasure—something I feel I was meant to do.”
Karen serves right alongside Joel. “My wife serves with me in her own pastoral service—we do most things together and make a great team. She serves as the church treasurer. She grew up in this congregation, so she knows well the people here. As an introvert, she does her best work in one-on-one relationships with the ladies in the church. She listens, encourages and nurtures many.”
Joel says being a pastor is sometimes like being a father. “It has moments of triumph and moments of defeat. I really enjoy being involved in the spiritual formation of disciples of Jesus. Being pastor puts me on the front-line of that formation. Each person is different, so it’s a joy to get to know them personally and join them in their journey of transformation. Teaching has always been a joyful experience for me—something I look forward to each week.”
When asked about a most memorable moment, Joel mentions his son’s marriage. “I had the wonderful opportunity last October to officiate at the wedding of my son and daughter-in-law. It was a beautiful outdoor fall wedding—one of the most perfect days ever. It was a joy to have my handsome son and his beautiful bride stand before me and commit their lives to each other.”
Joel shared what many may not realize. “I am a confirmed introvert and comfortable being so. Many in our extroverted culture think there is something wrong with us introverts. But we are just fine and doing quite well! God has gifted us as we are. Being an introvert allows me to observe and learn things about others that extroverts might miss. That knowledge helps me join others in their spiritual journey. I’m honored to do so. Being an introvert, I sense God’s presence in little ways and places. When I’m preparing a sermon and the Holy Spirit brings the pieces together, I’m in awe. When having a deep one-to-one conversation with someone, I sense God’s presence and again I’m in awe. When someone says just the right thing at the right time, I realize that it came from God.”
This ties in with Joel’s chief passion in life, which is to know Jesus and make him known. “He entered into my life as a child and has been with me every step of the way! In him life is a beautiful, messy experience that makes sense.”
Joel loves to call GCI his home. “That’s what I enjoy—that feeling of belonging and being home. The people I serve are beautiful and a delight to spend time with. Our journey together in GCI has been an exciting move of the Holy Spirit. I look forward to our continued journey—seeing our younger leaders leading us into the future.”
Chicago church 50th anniversary
In early July, Shepherd’s Community Church (South Holland, Illinois), along with Pastor Willard and Brenda High, hosted a celebration of the 50th anniversary of GCI’s Chicago Southside and Hammond, Indiana congregations. Over 400 people attended the 3-day-long Jubilee Celebration, traveling from throughout the US. Guests included Dr. Joseph Tkach, Ms. Helen Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. Allan Barr, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Abels, Curtis and Jannice May, Mr. Frederick Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. James Tate and Mr. Albert Atlas.
The celebration began Friday evening with a Meet & Greet. Saturday festivities began with a worship service that included video greetings from the Schmedes and Perkins families, a presentation of the history of the Chicago Southside and Hammond churches and several musical selections by the Shepherd’s Adult Choir (pictured at left). The service concluded with remembrances and words of encouragement from some of the guests.
During the service, recognition was given to Jesse and Audrey Bellamy, Eugene and Juanita Dumas and Dolphus and Barbara Williamson. All had served the Chicago Southside church for most of its history. Assistant Pastor Barbara Williamson was recognized for her recent ordination—she is the congregation’s first female elder.
Over 320 people attended a dinner dance on Saturday evening. A highlight was the awarding of Mary Lee Bellamy Scholarships to four attendees for outstanding academics and community service. The Jubilee Celebration then ended on Sunday with a gospel/jazz brunch with music from the congregation’s worship band and vocal selections from guests.
NAE update
Here are excerpts from a recent National Association of Evangelicals Update.
Supreme Court Rules on Marriage
On June 26, the Supreme Court issued two sharply divided decisions affecting marriage—deeming Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, which provided that for federal laws “marriage” refers to the union of one man and one woman, unconstitutional, and ruling that California’s Proposition 8 defenders did not have legal standing. The NAE put together a brief summary of what the rulings mean. (learn more)
Contraception Rule Misses Mark
The Department of Health and Human Services issued final rules on contraceptive coverage in the Affordable Care Act. The NAE has closely followed the policy’s development and advocated for strong religious freedom protections for those who object on religious grounds to include contraception in their company health plans. NAE President Leith Anderson said, “The final rule still leaves many religious employers unprotected. The government should not compel any of its citizens to violate their consciences.” (read more)
Political Engagement Among Evangelicals in 10 Years
Evangelical engagement in U.S. politics has ebbed and flowed through the years, especially rising to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s with the growing concern about protecting human life and strengthening families. Since then, the evangelical agenda has broadened and evangelical engagement in social justice issues has blossomed. But with disillusionment in the political process on the increase, what will become of evangelical engagement in the future? (read more)
Upgrade Anti-trafficking Office to Bureau Level
Past and current members of the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, including NAE President Leith Anderson, wrote a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry and Senate and House leadership encouraging support for legislation that would upgrade the State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons to a State Department Bureau. (read the letter)
NAE Commends President Obama on Proposed Nuclear Policy
In mid-June, President Obama pledged to pursue new negotiations with Russia and other countries aimed at reducing the risks of nuclear proliferation, terrorism and war. The NAE applauds the proposals as important steps toward reducing these threats. (read more)
Event Spotlight: Pray4Reform Evangelical Day of Prayer & Action
Following Senate passage of bipartisan immigration reform legislation, attention now shifts to the House of Representatives. On July 24, evangelical leaders will gather in the nation’s capitol for a day of prayer and action on immigration reform, including a press conference, worship service and meetings with congressional representatives.
Ambassador reunion planned
A reunion of alumni of Ambassador College, Pasadena is planned for 2015. Though a date has not been selected, reunion planners are seeking to contact the 3400 people who began attending Ambassador College in Pasadena between 1947 to 1974. If you are interested in learning more about the reunion, please email Cledice Decker (cledeck@att.net) and provide her with the following information:
- Your name (your current name and the name you used while at college, if different)
- Name of your spouse
- The year you entered Ambassador College, Pasadena
- The year you graduated (if you did)
- Your email address or mailing address
Octogenarian members honored
Philippine mission trip
In April, eight members representing several of GCI’s Philippines congregations participated in a short-term mission trip to the Philippine city of Borongan. The team was led by Pastor Ronald Hernandez.
The mission team conducted several outreach meetings (one of the groups is pictured above) where they shared the gospel and taught those attending how to make soap and fertilizer. As a result of these meetings, at least six children and three adults committed their lives to Christ. Plans are being made to disciple these new believers.
GCI Philippines national director Eugene Guzon and missions director Rey Taniajura frequently state that it is GCI’s aim to engage the churches of GCI in the Philippines in missions through training followed by short-term mission trips like this one.
Disaster relief in West Virginia
In this update, Linda Nichols-McCarty, an elder in GCI’s church in Ripley, West Virginia, reports on the work her congregation did in helping the community of Spencer, West Virginia recover from recent flooding.
The clean-up in Spencer continues. The first floodwaters hit on June 13th; another came on the 18th. The two nearby dams could not control the 7.5 inches of rain that fell in about 45 minutes. Many members from our congregation helped in the clean-up.
Following the first day of flooding, many elderly people rescued from an apartment building were brought to a temporary shelter wet and in muddy clothes. We helped them get dry clothes and some food. We also gave them lots of hugs and words of hope. We made many trips that first day to various places, taking care of basic needs like medications, dry clothing, snacks and meals.
I met one family that lost their home and all their possessions. My husband and I own rental apartments and one was vacant. So I got air mattresses, bedding, towels, toiletries and we told them they could stay in the apartment for as long as they needed it. The wife begin to cry and said she had never experienced such love. I replied that many times through disasters like this, God’s love is pronounced and magnified.
Many members in our small congregation rolled up their sleeves, waded through mud, carried ruined items to the street to be hauled off—acts of love and concern for the many in need. I thank God that we could be of service in this way. God is so good to allow us to be included in the love that he is. Our little congregation has been blessed to help people in need as far away as Uganda and as close as our next-door neighbors.
Disaster relief in Haiti
This update is from GCI Caribbean mission director Charles Fleming.
Below are pictures of a house in Haiti being built by member, Serge Jacques. Construction is being supported with money from the GCI Disaster Relief Fund. The house replaces the one Serge lost in the terrible earthquake that devastated Haiti several years ago. He often hosts GCI Bible studies and other gatherings in his home.
Though incomplete (due to difficulty in obtaining building supplies) the house is significantly better than the one it replaces. Our pastor in Haiti, Joseph Franklin, pointed out some of the home’s features, which the Jacques family now enjoy:
The Jacques are now lodged in two bedrooms+living room+porch+unfinished flush toilet. They send their thanks. Once again we are reminded that God’s love opens the way for even tragedies, like earthquakes, to transform the way we live.
Thanks to the generosity of donors to the GCI Disaster Relief Fund following the earthquake in Haiti, we are able to continue providing appropriate support for this and other ongoing GCI relief projects in Haiti. If you would like to help GCI prepare to help others in similar disaster situations, wherever they may occur, your congregation is welcome to send funds to: GCI Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 5005, Glendora, CA 91740.
The Rock summer camp
This update is from GCI pastor Linda Rex. She reports on the recently held US Generations Ministries summer camp named The Rock.
My daughter and I recently returned home from spending more than a week at The Rock summer camp held in Westfield, North Carolina. The camp provided many opportunities to be challenged with something new and “out-of-the-box.” High ropes, giant swing, rock wall and an evening banquet all challenged the campers. God’s Spirit was actively at work throughout the camp, bringing healing, comfort and deliverance to many.
The highlight of each morning was the camp chapel service, where the campers met to share positive moments through shout-outs, singing praise songs and to hearing God’s word for the day. The theme for the camp was “Built on the Rock.” At the first chapel service, camp chaplain Rocky Ray talked about the way God knew and planned for each of us before the world began, giving his Son, Jesus Christ to be our Savior. At another chapel service, Jeff Broadnax, a regional coach for Generations Ministries, gave a message that looked at how Jesus is the foundation for our lives, including our relationships with God and with others. As co-chaplain, I gave a chapel message reviewing how God prepared the ground and Jesus is the foundation. I noted that we need to build our lives on this foundation using the quality building materials that God provides: faith, hope and love.
To illustrate these chapel messages, campers and staff built two small houses; one on a foundation of sand and the other on a foundation of concrete. Camp director Stephen Webb then gave a chapel message about the storms of life that God allows to come our way and how they show if our lives are built on sand or on the rock of Christ. Following his message the campers went outside where Rocky Ray blasted the two houses with a pressure washer. The one built on sand fell, but the one built on concrete stood firm.
On Friday, campers and staff shared moving testimonies about how God had worked in their lives during the week. The consensus was that God had shown his love and power throughout the week. Campers were encouraged to be positive influences in their world, building up their friends, families, communities and country. Built on the foundation of Jesus Christ and bound together in the Spirit, they are and will be transformers of their world.
For more information about this camp, click here.
