Good news from all over

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Happy New Year to all of you! And thanks to those who sent me cards, letters and emails on my 62nd birthday. Also thanks for the positive comments about the recent Advent-themed Speaking of Life videos.

My prayers are with all who are experiencing the record-breaking cold in the US. Betty Johannsen found a way to blow a stunningly beautiful bubble in the extreme cold. Her husband, GCI pastor Doug Johannsen, photographed it and his picture is now being used on a local TV station’s Facebook page:

I pray that everyone experienced great joy in celebrating our Lord’s birth. John Biswas invited me to speak at the Christmas service of his congregation in San Bernardino, California. Most of the service (pictured at right) was in the Bengali language although most of those attending there are fluent in English.

A new year always brings with it great expectations. Though 2013 left much of the world in a terrible mess, we do hope for better in 2014, though the likely reality is that in the year ahead some things will stay the same, some will get better and others will get worse. Of course, “better” or “worse” depend on one’s point of view. And everyone has a particular point of view, which may or may not be based on fact.

Though much of what we see going on in the world saddens us, I find joy in seeing what God is doing, often behind the scenes, to ensure the eternal future of all human beings. That sense of joy is greatly magnified as we join in what Jesus is doing as his co-ministers. Let me share some of what I’ve experienced recently.

Though I’m unable to travel to the Philippines to help with the typhoon recovery work there, I feel a personal involvement in having contributed financially. I’ve also found joy in hearing reports from the many people in our fellowship who are serving there on the front lines.

I’ve also experienced great joy in hearing about the growth of our summer camps. 2013 was a successful camp year in every way. Our team is planning an even more ambitious program for 2014. I cannot overemphasize the positive impact these camps have in the lives of thousands of young campers and hundreds of staff members. Please pray for the camp currently going on in Australia (you can follow them at https://www.facebook.com/pages/GCI-Youth-Australia/143788422338178?ref=hl).

Every day I’m reminded that our denomination, though small, makes a significant impact around the world. Hector Barrero, our mission developer in South and Central America, told me about his recent visit to GCI congregations in Honduras and El Salvador. Our members there are enthusiastically involved in the work of Jesus in their communities despite many limitations. Kalengule Kaoma, our mission developer in East, West and Central Africa, told me about his recent visit to Uganda where he met several groups who are interested in joining us. He also learned of two pastors who are interested in planting GCI churches in the area. We wait to see what God will do next!

Susi Albrecht, who works in our home office, told me about the volunteer work her father, GCI elder Hermann Birawe is doing in Zurich, Switzerland. Although Hermann struggles with health issues, he is working with some Syrian children (pictured at left) who are refugees from the ongoing civil war in Syria. Because Hermann lived through a war himself some 70 years ago, he connects with and understands these children in a deeply personal way. Susi told me that his work with these children is a very bright spot in her father’s life. Isn’t God amazing? Not only does he help those who need it, but he blesses those who provide it. Truly, all are included in the love of God!

In this troubled world, people like Hector, Kalengule and Hermann are bright spots. They remind us that no matter our situation, we can shine as lights in a dark world. Our works do not save us, but because we are saved, we can work. And when we work by faith in the grace of our Lord, the glory of God shines forth so that all may give him glory. Let’s work together in 2014, fulfilling our calling to share with Jesus in the ministry that he will be doing in and through us.

Your brother in Christ,

Joseph Tkach

PS. Beginning in this issue, we’re publishing a two-part article from Gary Deddo titled “Jesus’ Acceptance.” It helps us understand what we mean when we say You’re included. I encourage you to read it and to share it with others.

Mike Swagerty

Mike Swagerty’s career track made a radical turn at a young age. He explains: “I have never been convicted as an arsonist, but as a child I am afraid I was a budding pyromaniac. At age eight I started a fire on our farm that nearly burned down all the houses and out-buildings. Needless to say the punishment that was forthcoming basically got me over my ‘fire bug’ ways.” Mike has replaced pyromania with playing cards. “I love to play cards, especially bridge. I have belonged to a Thursday night bridge group for many years.”

Mike, who pastors GCI’s church in Sacramento, California, lives about 100 miles from where he grew up. “I grew up on a peach farm about 11 miles southeast of Modesto. I never moved from birth until college from that farm. After being accepted to college and being ordained a minister at graduation, I simply moved wherever HQ told me to go. My first assignment was in Toledo, Ohio and my last transfer was to Sacramento in 1991.”

At age 15, Mike started listening to The World Tomorrow radio broadcast. “I remember the question on the broadcast that caught my interest: ‘Why were you born?’ This led to booklets, 58 Correspondence Course lessons, magazines and then applying to college after my graduation from high school. I became a baptized member of GCI during my freshman year at Ambassador College in 1964.”

Mike and his wife Sandy will celebrate their 46th wedding anniversary in May 2014. “I met Sandy while we were in college in Pasadena. Funny that we didn’t even date until we were seniors. Our final week was a real whirlwind. We got married on a Sunday. We graduated and I was ordained the following Friday. By Monday we were headed for Toledo, Ohio, our first pastoral assignment.”

Mike and Sandy have two sons. “Terry, our first, was born while we were finishing our stay in Toledo. He was only three weeks old when we traveled to New Jersey. Our second son, Robert, was born in New Jersey. Terry is now 44 and Robert is 40. We have four grandchildren—a boy and a girl from each son. The boys are Jakob and AJ,and the girls are Trinity and Maddie.”

When asked what he enjoys most about being a pastor, make replied: “There’s almost nothing I don’t enjoy—even the paperwork. But my greatest love is sharing the lives of people. I have met so many interesting people over the years and I never get tired of hearing their stories.”

Mike has several stories of his own. “The one that stands out is a baptism in a stream. I was in my suit and didn’t have a bathing suit. So I took off my socks and shoes, and my coat and tie, and rolled up my pants. I was baptizing a lady and her adult daughter. The bottom of this stream was covered with round stones that had moss growing on them. The footing was treacherous. Just as I bent over to lower the daughter into the water, my foot slipped and the whole crotch of my pants tore from one end to the other, leaving me just a bit exposed! Not to be defeated, I tied my coat around my waist like an apron and we finished the baptism. Funny thing, the mother was a seamstress and we went back to her house where she sewed up my pants!

Sandy is a big part of Mike’s ministry. “Besides helping me with office work, visitation and all the normal things pastors’ wives do, Sandy has hosted a women’s small group at our home for 18 years. She has been involved as a singer on the worship team for our entire 22 years here. She has been very much involved with Connecting and Bonding, which is an outreach to ministers’ wives led by Jannice May. Sandy is a prayer warrior, never missing the opportunity to add to her considerable prayer list. She also works as a cashier at Target, where I refer to her as “Mother Teresa,” as she is always a good listener, comfort giver, and prayer partner for all who come through her line.”

When asked what he loves about GCI, Mike shared, “The fellowship and the many friends. We have folks scattered all over the world that we consider friends. I know of no other church denomination that can say this.”

When asked about his passion, Mike said, “My passion right now is to pass along my faith to the next generation. I am very active in the lives of my children and grandchildren. In the last two years I have found a real interest in summer camp. I am part of the team preparing to start a new GenMin camp at Lake Tahoe.”

Mike feels closest to God “in the early morning, and especially in the beauty of his creation. I love my morning time spent with God at around sunrise each day.”

SE Asia update

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

Thailand

We are saddened by the recent death of Moo Lah Shi, the long-time, faithful pastor of GCI’s congregation of Karen people in a refugee camp in Thailand. He is greatly missed. Malaysian senior pastor, Wong Mein Kong and I recently visited the Karen congregation (pictured below), which has about 30 members. In Moo Lah Shi’s absence, a faithful member named Goro who is in his 80s coordinates the meetings, even though he lives about 100 miles away.

We arrived at the church building just inside the camp boundary to a warm welcome of smiles and sign language, since only a couple of the members speak English. Though we expected only a discussion of the group’s plans for the future, we were treated to a worship service. Sharing communion reinforced our shared heritage and long association. It was a delightful gathering.

The Karen congregation’s future depends on the vagaries of the difficult political situation, including plans for refugee resettlement. Most importantly, however, is what God has planned. Seeking to follow God’s lead, we are arranging to have a Karen-speaking Christian teacher from Myanmar, who is a friend of GCI, visit this group, helping them as a translator. Our prayers are with the health and capacity of Goro to provide for their pastoral care in the interim. In my message, I reminded the congregation that people around the world are praying for them and they are never forgotten. Their appreciation was evident.

Bangladesh

The Spirit’s work in the lives of people in southern Bangladesh is especially encouraging in a country with exceptional challenges. In November I joined National Director John Biswas, in travelling to our mission base in Sathsimulia. We were joined by GCI members Geoff Sole from the UK and Pastor Chris Starkey from Canada.

On the way, we visited rural schools in Malihara (pictured at right) and Batajor. These and 11 other schools are run by our Bengali mission, which is named the Bengali Evangelical Association (BEA). A visit from BEA director John Biswas along with other international visitors was, for them, a big event. These schools are tuition free to the students. In each case, the head teacher is paid a small salary from BEA’s donation-raised funds.

Upon arrival at our mission base at Sathsimulia, we were given a royal welcome. The scheduled events included the official opening of a new community building (pictured below) that has recently been completed. The local community joined in the dedication, with over 300 people sharing in a light lunch of celebration. The building is a much-needed replacement for an older wooden building that had to be demolished. It will be used for church meetings and classes for nurse’s assistants and gospel workers. Donations from the GCI home office and from church members all over the world helped fund the project.

The next day, a worship service held in the city of Barisal confirmed the establishment of a new GCI congregation there. About 40 of us met in a rented hall (pictured at right). The international visitors gave messages translated into Bengali. In the afternoon, Geoff Sole chaired the first Life Club meeting to be held in Bangladesh. Over 20 attended.

On our return trip to Dhaka we visited another of BEA’s rural schools. In these visits, the generous hospitality of our hosts was overwhelming. Despite their poverty, we were given more fine food than we could consume.

Taking the gospel to Bangladesh involves serious challenges and necessitates a sensitive, discerning and respectful approach. The BEA mission center trains and sends nurses’ assistants into the surrounding communities to provide health care and advice as an expression of the love of God for every human being. The gospel workers are trained to be ready to share the gospel with interested people and to use discernment and wisdom as a reflection of God’s respect and love for all people.

The rural congregations and the associated schools for children are an investment in the future of the families and local communities as well as the entire nation. Over 1500 people attend these rural congregations. The program of gifting families with a goat for milking and breeding has raised the health and living standards of the people.

Interest in and respect for what BEA does in this area is spreading steadily–much like what Jesus said about the kingdom in Matthew 13:33. We are learning that effectiveness is not dependent on size. Thanks for your prayers.

Jesus’ Acceptance, part 1

Here is part one of a two-part article by Gary Deddo. For part two, click here.

Christians often joyfully proclaim that “Jesus accepts everyone” and “does not judge anyone.” Though there is gospel truth in these affirmations, I find that people assign to them a wide range of different meanings. Unfortunately, some of those meanings seem to differ from the revelation of Jesus that is given to us in the New Testament.

In GCI circles, we often use the phrase, “You’re included.” That simple statement conveys an important point. But it too can be (and has been) understood in a variety of ways. What exactly are we included in? Answering this and related questions calls for care as we, in faith, seek to sort out the related issues so that we are accurate and thus faithful to the biblical revelation.

Jesus certainly did welcome all into his presence and offered himself and his teaching to all who came toward him. In fact, he told his listeners that he would draw all persons to himself (John 12:32). Indeed, we find no instances where Jesus rejected someone, turning away from or refusing someone who was seeking him out. More than that, Jesus received and even shared meals with the sorts of people who were being rejected by many of the religious leaders of his day.

What stands out in the biblical record is the fact that Jesus welcomed and interacted with lepers, the lame, blind, deaf and dumb. He interacted socially with women (some with questionable reputations) and did so in ways that ignored religious regulations of the day. Jesus also spent time with adulterers, with Jewish tax collectors working under Roman direction, and even with fanatical anti-Roman political activists.

Furthermore, Jesus spent time with the Pharisees and Sadducees, religious leaders who were his most severe critics (including some who plotted his execution). The apostle John tells us that Jesus did not come to condemn, but to save and rescue people for God. Jesus said, “whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37). He also instructed his disciples to love their enemies (Luke 6:27), forgive those who wronged them and bless those who cursed them (Luke 6:28). Jesus also extended forgiveness to his executioners at the moment of his crucifixion (Luke 23:34).

What comes across in these examples is that Jesus came to benefit all—he was “on the side” of everyone, he was “for” everyone. He is God’s grace and God’s salvation for all. The rest of the New Testament outside of the Gospels summarizes what we see lived out in Jesus’ life. Paul indicates that Jesus came to atone for the sins of the ungodly, the sinners—those “dead in their sins” (Ephesians 2:1).

The attitude and acts of Jesus clearly demonstrate God’s love for all human beings and his desire to be reconciled to all and to bless all. Jesus came to give life and to give it abundantly (John 10:10 NRSV). God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). Jesus came as a ransom to free captives of sin—their own and the evil done against them.

But there is more to the story—a “more” that should not be viewed as contradicting or in tension with what we just surveyed. Contrary to the view of some, there is no necessity to think that there are contrasting or conflicting aspects within Jesus’ heart, mind and purposes. There is no need to see some sort of internal balancing act, now tipping one way then correcting and tipping the other. There is no need to think that Jesus is trying to accomplish two divergent things at the same time such as love and righteousness or mercy and holiness. Such imagined tensions might exist within us in our fallenness, but they do not exist within the heart of Jesus or his Father.

Jesus, like the Father, welcomes all people. However, he does so with a particular purpose in mind. His love has direction to it. He engages all who will listen to reveal something that is generally hidden. He came to give something in particular—to serve all in a way that points in a particular direction, that has a certain goal or end in mind.

Rather than an end point, his welcome to all is the starting point of an ongoing relationship. That relationship is one of his giving and serving and of our receiving what he offers. Jesus does not offer any old thing or serve us in any old way (including the way we might prefer). Rather, he offers us only the best that he has—and that is himself. And in offering himself he gives us the way, the truth and the life. Nothing more. Nothing else.

Jesus’ attitude and acts of receiving and welcoming call for a certain response to his self-giving. In essence, it calls for receiving what he offers. In contrast to that receptive response, there is the response of rejecting what Jesus offers, which means rejecting Jesus himself. By Jesus drawing all people to himself he is looking for the response of reception. And as Jesus indicates, that response requires a certain attitude, a certain approach toward him.

Jesus thus announced to his disciples that in his presence the kingdom of God had drawn near. All of the kingdom’s blessings are available in him. However, Jesus immediately indicated what response that truth and reality calls for: “Repent and believe in the good news” of the kingdom’s arrival. A refusal to repent and put faith in Jesus and his kingdom amounts to a rejection of Jesus and the benefits of his kingdom.

A willingness to repent requires an attitude of humble receptivity. And that is what Jesus is looking for in extending his welcome, his acceptance. For it is only through humility that we are able to receive what Jesus has offered. And note that Jesus offers his gift before any such response is made. In fact, it is the offer of the gift that calls forth the response.

Repentance and belief are thus the responses of reception to what Jesus has already offered. Those responses are not behaviors or attitudes that pre-condition Jesus’ offer, or determine to whom he makes the offer. Jesus’ offer is for the sake of its reception—not for the sake of its rejection. Of what benefit would such rejection be? None.

The receptive attitude Jesus is always looking for in response to his offer of himself is indicated in a variety of his sayings: “For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10 NRSV). “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Luke 5:31). “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:15). We must be like the soil that “receives the word” of the sower “with joy” (Luke 8:13). “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).

Receiving what Jesus offers, and so benefitting from what he gives, requires acknowledging that we are lost and need to be found, that we are ill and need a physician to heal us, that we come to Jesus to receive with empty hands, not hoping to make an exchange with him. For like a child we do not presume to have anything that he needs. This is why Jesus indicates that it is the “poor in spirit” who are receiving the blessings of God and his kingdom, not those who regard themselves as spiritually rich (Matthew 5:3).

Christian teaching has summarized this attitude of receptivity to what God in Christ freely offers to all his creatures as one of humility. This is an attitude that admits that we are not self-sufficient but must receive life from our creator and redeemer. The opposite of such a trusting and receptive heart has been called pride. In the context of church teaching, pride is an attitude that asserts autonomy from God, a trust in oneself, a confidence in one’s own adequacy, even in the face of God. Such pride is offended by the suggestion that one needs to receive anything significant from God, most especially his forgiveness and mercy. Pride then results in a self-righteous refusal to receive anything essential from God, particularly those things you think you can provide for yourself. Pride insists on paying its own way, getting what it deserves. It insists that it does not need grace or charity from God—that it can provide itself with life sufficient for its own purposes. Pride refuses to “be beholden” to anyone or anything, including God. Pride says nothing really needs to be changed in us. We are fine just as we are. In contrast, humility recognizes that one cannot give oneself life. Instead, it admits its need not only for help, but for the transformation, renewal, restoration and reconciliation that only God has to give. Humility acknowledges our inexcusable fault and our utter helplessness to renew ourselves. We need total grace from God or we are lost. Our pride needs to be put to death that we might receive life from God himself. Receptivity to receiving what Jesus has to offer and humility are inseparable.

In the end, Jesus welcomes all in order to give them himself. His welcome is thus purposeful. It leads somewhere. His purpose necessarily includes what reception of him requires. Jesus tells us that he has come to enable the worship of his Father (John 4:23). This is his most comprehensive way of indicating the purpose of his welcome and acceptance of us. Worship is a way of indicating a total response to who God is as the only one who is worthy of our ultimate trust and loyalty. Jesus’ self-giving leads to a true knowledge of the Father and a receptivity to his Holy Spirit. It results in worshipping God alone through the Son and in the Spirit, that is, to worshipping God in truth and in spirit. For in offering himself to us, Jesus gives himself to be our Lord, our prophet, priest and king. In doing so he reveals the Father and sends us his Spirit. He gives of himself according to who he is, not according to who he is not, nor according to our wishes or imaginations.

And this means that Jesus’ way involves discernment—it does sort through and notice the kinds of responses made to him (and to all that he offers). Jesus recognizes those who are rejecting him and his word and so those who are rejecting a true knowledge of God and right worship. He discriminates between those who are receiving and those who are not receiving. However, this discrimination does not mean that Jesus has a different attitude or intention other than that which we surveyed above. There is no reason to suppose that Jesus’ love is diminished or contradicted by his acts of discernment. Jesus does not condemn those who reject his welcome and invitation to follow him. But he does warn them concerning the consequences of such rejection. Jesus’ acceptance and love calls for a particular kind of response, not giving no response or any sort of response.

Next time, in the second part of this article, we’ll look more at that response.

Arnold Clauson

Here is an update on the health situation of GCI district and church pastor Arnold Clauson. This information is from his daughter Rachelle who is helping with Arnold’s care.

Though Arnold’s energy level is quite low by our standards, he recently experienced some improvement. He is receiving frequent dialysis, treatment for his cancer and supplementation to deal with his anemia. Thanks for your continued prayer for his healing and for strength and comfort for his wife Trish and their daughters. Cards may be sent to:

Arnold and Trish Clauson
109 Melrose Circle
Denison, TX 75020-2697

Death of Miles Johnson

We are saddened to learn of the death of GCI elder Miles Johnson who served at New Covenant Fellowship, GCI’s Glendora, California congregation.

According to Miles’ pastor, Neil Earle, Miles died of a heart attack one month short of his 82nd birthday. Miles is survived by his wife Marcia, one daughter, two sons, two grandsons and one great-granddaughter.

Cards may be sent to:

Mrs. Marcia Johnson

1338 N. Bender Ave.

Covina, CA 91724-1007

Death of Gervaise Amundson

We are saddened to learn of the death of Gervaise Amundson, wife of GCI pastor Don Amundson of Austin, Texas.

Gervaise went home to the Lord on Christmas Eve at around 8:00 p.m. She had been in hospice care for three days following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Her last meal was some ice cream that Don fed to her. It was one of Gervaise’s favorites.

Cards may be sent to:

Don Amundson
8114 Shenandoah
Austin, Texas 78753-5735

Exponential 2014

GCI Church Administration and Development recommends Exponential 2014—a conference for pastors and ministry leaders who want to learn about church planting and renewal—with an emphasis on participating in what Jesus is doing in their local communities. In 2014, Exponential will be held in two locations:

Orlando, Florida on April 28-May 1
Los Angeles, California on October 6-9

The theme for this year’s conference, Seek + Save, is based on Luke 19:9: “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” It will take a fresh look at evangelism. In doing so it will rethink and challenge some old paradigms, helping us rediscover Jesus’ timeless truths.

The conference features plenary sessions conducted by internationally known church planters and ministry leaders. Also featured are pre-conference intensives and more than 125 workshops—all related to church planting and church development.

To register and for more information go to www.exponential.org. Here is an informational video:

Dave Ferguson on Exponential 2014 Theme from Exponential on Vimeo.

Abner Washington’s 90th birthday

GCI retired pastor Abner Washington, who lives in the Indianapolis, Indiana area, recently celebrated his 90th birthday. GCI president Joseph Tkach sent a video greeting card to Abner—it’s embedded below. Congratulations Abner. May God bless you with many more!

On YouTube at http://youtu.be/aFUm6BMu5Bs.

Jeff McSwain ordained

We are pleased to announce that Jeff McSwain (at center in the picture at right) was ordained a GCI elder on January 5. The ordination occurred during the worship service of Celebration Christian Fellowship, GCI’s Raleigh, North Carolina area congregation.

The ordination was performed by Dan Rogers, director of Church Administration and Development (at right in the picture) and Greg Williams, associate director (at left). The audience included Jeff’s family and several GCI pastors and pastoral interns in Raleigh for a GCI Pastoral Internship Program conference.

Jeff is now serving on the team that leads GCI’s internship program, working part time while he finishes his PhD in theology at St. Andrews University in Scotland.

To learn more about Jeff, including several You’re Included interviews, go to http://www.gci.org/category/people/jeff-mcswain.