GCI Update

Guarding against a cruel hoax

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

joeandtammyIt will soon be April Fools’ Day. Surfing the internet will give you ideas for jokes to play on family, friends and coworkers—such as waiting for a coworker to leave the office, then placing a sticky note on their desk regarding a missed call from a “Mr. Baer” with a call back number to the local zoo. If you prefer a female name you could use “Ella Font.” Or try the non-gender-specific name, “G. Raffe.” On second thought—maybe not. We should have pity on the poor zoo office staff!

Providing that no one is hurt physically or emotionally, April Fools’ jokes can be fun, reminding us that we are gullible creatures who all-too-easily can be taken in by ridiculous ideas that seem plausible. Sometimes I wonder if an entire generation is falling prey to a hoax that is far more serious and dangerous than any April Fools’ Day joke. Liberals and materialists are conning a growing number of people (20-somethings in particular) into believing that the institution of marriage is outdated. This idea is no joke—it’s a terrible lie.

Only 26 percent of the Millennial Generation (sometimes called Gen Y)—those born between 1980 and 1995—are married, compared with 48 percent of Baby Boomers at the same age. That is not stopping the Millennials from having babies. In 2012, nearly half of the children born to Millennial Generation women entered the world without the benefit of marriage. This has drastically increased the risks to children and their mothers as indicated by extensive surveying conducted by the US Bureau of Justice (summarized at www.heritage.org/research/reports/2004/03/marriage-still-the-safest-place-for-women-and-children). Here are some of the conclusions drawn from the survey data:

  • married women with children suffer far less abuse than single mothers
  • married women with children are far less likely to suffer from violent crime in general or at the hands of intimate acquaintances or strangers
  • children of divorced or never-married mothers are 6 to 30 times more likely to suffer from serious child abuse than are children raised by both biological parents in marriage
  • never-married mothers experience more domestic abuse
  • never-married mothers experience violent crime at more than twice the rate of mothers who are or had at one time been married

Just when the materialists would have us believe that traditional marriage and sexual fidelity are outdated…here comes the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) with a rather dire warning:

The CDC has issued a report detailing its findings in attempting to trace the increasing difficulty in treating gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can cause severe discomfort, serious medical problems (such as sterility) for both genders and in very rare cases, death. The overriding conclusion of the researchers is that the world is now sitting on the precipice of losing the ability to fight a major bacterial infection. Worse perhaps, is that it may mark the first of many others to come. Gonorrhea infections typically only last for a few weeks or months, in most cases the immune system eventually wins over (after the disease has caused sometimes irreparable damage). The same cannot be said for some other bacterial infections that may also soon become untreatable. For that reason, scientists around the world continue to scramble to find alternatives. In the meantime, the CDC is predicting that the spread of treatment-resistant gonorrhea is imminent, and because of that the country (and the rest of the world) will soon begin to experience widespread outbreaks (posted at http://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-03-cdc-gonorrhea-verge-untreatable.html).

At the risk of being considered “old fogies,” we as preachers and teachers have the responsibility to uphold Biblical family values and moral standards.

As stated in GCI’s standard wedding ceremony, marriage is a divine institution ordained of God. Family values are thus not just matters of conservative political rhetoric. Nor are they merely theological “good ideas.” Though biblical, family values are not exclusive to Christians—most world religions uphold them as matters of common good. As the statistics cited above and at right indicate, we as a society ignore these values and related moral standards to our peril.

Let us in GCI work together to reinforce with our people (young and old) the importance of family values, including traditional marriage and sexual fidelity. But—and please note that this is very important—I said reinforce, not enforce.

Sadly, many churches overreact to sex-related sin by placing it in a category of special evil. But Scripture doesn’t do that—sexual sin is no worse (nor better) than other categories, though sexual sins do have a unique potential for consequences that can negatively impact lives for multiple generations.

I realize that people within our fellowship make mistakes—sometimes serious ones. Sometimes this happens before conversion and sometimes after. But whatever the particular circumstance, let us be a denomination that is a safe place—a place where single parents and their children find loving acceptance, friendship and family-like support, which so often is withheld by our society at large (sadly, even by some Christians). Of course, accepting those who have sinned, is not the same as condoning the sin.

So please—no hell-fire-and-brimstone sermons against promiscuity. But do lovingly encourage your members of all ages to uphold and reflect biblical family values and related moral standards. Let’s help our people guard against the cruel hoax that is so much more serious than a harmless April Fools’ Day joke.

Your brother in Christ,

Joseph Tkach signature

 

 

 

Walter Deptula

The newspaper article below tells about Walter Deptula, pastor of GCI’s congregation in Nacogdoches, Texas. Walter attended Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas, in the early ’60s where he first began tuning pianos. (Note: click on the article to enlarge it.)

Deptula

Tom Kennebeck

Tom and Sandy Kennebeck
Tom and Sandy Kennebeck

Tom Kennebeck, pastor of Northland Community Church, GCI’s congregation in Orr, Minnesota, grew up in Fountain City, Wisconsin, which Tom says is “a small town in southeastern Wisconsin nestled between towering limestone hills and the mighty Mississippi River. As the oldest of six boys I loved to play outdoors, fish and hunt with my grandpa.”

Tom became part of GCI/WCG in the early ’60s. “I grew up in a home where my Mom was a WCG member and my dad was Lutheran. I believe one of my mom’s favorite scriptures was Proverbs 22:6, ‘Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.’”

Tom remembers working on the Bible Correspondence Course when he was about 10. “I was in the upper bedroom reading about the story of Abraham and his son Isaac. It was at that point I yearned for a faith like Abraham’s. I wanted to know God better.” Tom was also interested in being part of “the one and only true church.” “I did not want to be on the wrong side with God. As I grew in faith along with my denomination, I discovered this ‘truth’ was not true after all, and I came to understand that our relationship with God is founded in Christ and Christ alone. I learned about the God who loves us, and everyone, unconditionally. The journey has been fascinatingly wonderful.”

During his sophomore year of high school, Tom’s dad accepted a job in central Florida. “It was in Florida that my mother and brothers were able to take turns going to a WCG congregation. After graduating from high school I was accepted to Ambassador College in Big Sandy in 1973. After my first semester as a sophomore I was involved in a serious bicycle accident during one of our training exercises. In the spring of that year I discontinued college and entered the work force. In 1989, I accepted a job in the maintenance department at Ambassador University and during that time was able to graduate with the class of 1995. I continued to work at Ambassador until 1999 when I was offered the job of facilities manager at our SEP camp in Orr, Minnesota. My wife and family moved there and then in 2002, when the camp was sold, we moved into the nearby town of Orr.”

Tom and Sandy met at a GCI church convention in Wisconsin Dells in 1978. “We got married in February 1979. We just celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary. We have two sons, Mitch (married to Simie Regnier) and Chris and a daughter Brandee (married to Ben Zacharias). We have 5 grandchildren: Esra and Zek from Mitch and Simie; Noah, Gavin and Lillie from Brandee and Ben.

Speaking of his wife Sandy, Tom says, “She is my best friend and the biggest supporter of what we are doing in ministry. She is a great planner and organizer. I believe her relationship with God is very transparent and true. I am so proud to be a part of her life and to have her a part of mine.”

At the close of the camp in Orr, Tom and Sandy said though they realized one chapter in their life was closing, their journey was to take another turn. “I felt a strong passion and I believe my wife and family supported the decision to remain in Orr. I believe it is not so much where we go, but that God is with us and doing his work in and through us wherever we are. Our relationship with the community grew; I became involved with a couple of the different denominations in town with a desire to serve in the church as a leader. My ties with GCI were strong because it is a part of our journey and I felt the strong desire to be a part of what God is doing with GCI. Our GCI district pastor visited us and we started a house church, which led to launching a GCI congregation in Orr in 2005.”

Tom has grown to love being a pastor. “What I like the most is working with people, sharing the love and life of who we are in Christ. I like relational reconciliation and counseling couples for marriage. I enjoy coming to see people become excited about God and how God involves them in his life and ministry.”

Speaking about GCI, Tom says, “What I enjoy most about being part of GCI are the friendships and the incredible journey we have been on. I appreciate the wonderful HQ staff and leadership.”

When asked about his passion, Tom said, “I’ve always liked to travel. I remember taking trips out west with my family at a young age. Shortly after my bicycle accident, several months of therapy and a lot of encouragement and help from a friend, I decided to embark on a 2,000+ miles bicycle road trip, from Texas to Wisconsin Dells to my home, which was north of Orlando. I was six weeks on the road with many flat tires, broken spokes and a lot of sunshine and beautiful sunsets. I met a lot of nice people, slept in some peculiar places and had a lot of time to think. It is during times like that when I feel closest to God. I’ve come to understand that life is a journey, sharing with one another the life and love of our triune God.”

Seminar in Colombia

This update is from Sonia Orozco de Vengoechea, pastor of GCI’s church in Barranquilla, Colombia.

Colombia dancingWe held our annual seminar in early March. It lasted for four days and was attended by 58 adults and 8 children. We met in a hotel in Santa Marta Colombia where we enjoyed worship services, meals and social activities (including much dancing!).

Our guest speaker, Regional Pastor Héctor Barrero, taught us from Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi to continue in our divine calling without fainting. We returned home refreshed and determined to continue serving in the work of our Lord.

Colombia group poolside

Church development in Tacloban

During a recent trip to Tacloban, GCI Philippines National Director Eugene Guzon, accompanied by SEND International Executive Director James Aberin, visited the ministry center that GCI is helping with to assist survivors of typhoon Yolanda. During the visit the men discussed GCI and SEND partnering to develop the ministry center into a church congregation. The leaders also discussed starting a youth camp in the area this summer to help young people heal emotionally by finding comfort and purpose in Christ and a sense of community. The camp start-up is being assisted by the Jon Whitney Foundation.

Eugene thanks those who have helped in the relief efforts, including GCI Philippines, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Bahamas and Thailand. As Eugene noted, “Typhoon Yolanda disrupted people’s lives and destroyed much of the region. Nevertheless, this has led to a new beginning—new opportunities to experience God and to share his love.”

James_Aberin
From left: James Aberin, Erwin Torregoza (GCI construction foreman), Eugene Guzon and Gerardo Palanas (GCI outreach ministry coordinator).

On loving your unchurched neighbors

GCI pastor Tom Smith recommends the video below. It’s a 13 minute-long presentation given by Jen Hatmaker to a LifeWay Women’s Forum. Jen encouraged her audience of women’s ministry leaders to establish genuine relationships with people by following Jesus’ commandments in Mark 12:30-31: love God and love your neighbor. This is helpful advice for us all.

Watch on YouTube at http://youtu.be/aPIKtKo-spE

Small church myths

Grasshopper MythGiven the media emphasis on megachurches (and the myths often promulgated), pastors of small churches can become discouraged, asking themselves, “Is there something wrong with my church? With me?”

Karl Vaters addresses this question in The Grasshopper Myth. He notes in his book that being the pastor of a small church is not a reason to be unsatisfied in pastoral ministry. For a helpful review of Vaters’ book, go to www.stuffpastorslearn.com/2014/01/11/the-grasshopper-myth-review/.

Here is a video of an interview with Vater:

Arnold Clauson

Arnold and Trish Clauson
Trish and Arnold

Since our last update on GCI pastor Arnold Clauson, he has continued to battle cancer. Below is an update on his condition from his wife Trish. Please continue to pray for them both and for their daughters.

Arnold had a PET scan on March 15, which showed that he continues to have cancer in his bones. However, the cancer has not spread to any  vital organs. Apparently this is very unusual. A primary concern at this point relates to the tumors growing in Arnold’s skull. These are pressing against his brain enough to reduce Arnold’s speech to one word answers. It has been advised that he have an MRI leading possibly to radiation to shrink the tumors, not only to release the pressure but to avoid any life-threatening neurological interference. This will all likely take several days while he continues with dialysis.

Though Arnold cannot speak or move, he is alert and aware of his surroundings. My constant prayer is that God show him great mercy. Knowing that he is imprisoned by his body and mind is extremely hard for me to witness. Thankfully, he is not in constant pain and is handling whatever mental, emotional and physical pain he may be feeling with much grace and faith. This is quite remarkable to me.

Thanks again for all the prayers, support and cards of love. They help more than you know.

Cards may be sent to:

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