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Year: 2016

David Orth

Please pray for David Orth, associate pastor of GCI’s congregation in San Antonio, Texas. He recently had a heart attack. Here is David’s report:

David in 2012
David recovering in 2012

On September 5, I returned to the hospital following another heart attack (I had one in 2012). The doctors found a blockage and inserted a stent. I returned home three days later. Then on September 15 I had a follow-up visit with the doctor. Finding problems, he sent me back to the hospital for another angioplasty, which showed that the damage to my heart had worsened. I returned home on the 16th, wearing a “life vest” that monitors my heart 24 hours a day. If I happen to have another heart attack it will automatically shock my heart to get it restarted. In 30 days they will re-evaluate my condition. If it does not improve, I could continue wearing the vest, or have a pacemaker-defibrillator installed.

God is good—he is my healer, I continually give praise to him for all he has already done and will do in my life.

Thanks to you all for your concern and prayers.

David Orth
4326 Parkwood Dr
San Antonio, TX 78218-5028

Ordinations in Texas and Africa

We are rejoicing in the recent ordinations of several elders in GCI congregations.

In Dallas

Joe and Megan Brannen
Joe Brannen with his wife Megan

Joe Brannen was ordained an elder in GCI’s Dallas (Central) Texas congregation on September 18. Joining the congregation’s Lead Pastor, Gabriel Ojih, in conducting the ordination ceremony were Associate Pastor Mike Urmie and Regional Pastor Michael Rasmussen. Joe’s family members and friends came from Oklahoma. Michael Rasmussen offered encouraging remarks following the ceremony, sharing a the story of Joe’s journey and commending the congregation on their “Outside the Walls” missional posture.

In Africa (Togo and Ghana)

Kalengule Kaoma, GCI Mission Developer in Africa, announced the ordination on September 18 of five elders serving GCI congregations in Africa—two serve in Togo and three in Ghana. Here are their pictures:

ordinations

Joseph D’Costa’s wife

Here is an update concerning the earlier prayer request for Joanna D’Costa, wife of GCI Pastor Joseph D’Costa.

Joseph and Joanna
Joseph and Joanna

After being given a clean bill of health following her recent stroke, Joanna stayed in the hospital to undergo physiotherapy for knee and ankle problems. This helped a lot and she was discharged on September 23. In order for Joanna to rest, the couple has moved to the home of their daughter in Bangalore where they will stay for several weeks.

Joseph reports that Joanna is recovering well—gaining strength and getting exercise. She will have a final check-up next month and it is expected that she and Joseph will be able to attend the south Indian festival at the end of October.

Joseph sent this message: “Please pass on my deepest thanks to GCI members all over the world for their prayers, love and encouragement. May God bless them abundantly.”

Cards may be sent to:

Joanna D’Costa
Post Bag Nol 3786
Marathahalli
Bangalore 560 037
INDIA

Deben Sam

deben-samHere is an update related to an earlier request for prayer for Deben Sam, GCI’s ministry partner in Nepal.

Deben is out of the hospital and recuperating at home. He is still experiencing dizziness and is unable to walk very far or sit up for long periods. The doctors have prescribed complete rest.

Deben is most grateful for the prayers of so many people around the world. He appreciates your concern because he has a way to go to recover completely. He also appreciates your prayers for the children in Nepal who are being cared for in Christian orphanages.

Seminar in Peru

GCI’s congregation in La Huaca, Cajamarca, Peru, recently held its annual seminar. Mission Director Hector Barrero was the featured speaker, hosted by the congregation’s leader, Juan Carlos Florian, who is a prosperous farmer and a mayor in the region. Among seminar participants were 60 adults and 25 children. The focus of the seminar was a study of the book of Colossians. As seen in the pictures below, the atmosphere was one of great joy and celebration. The food was delicious and plentiful.

eating

worshiping

Children’s Ministry training in Ohio

“When you take a child by the hand, you take a parent by the heart.” With this thought in mind, GCI Generations Ministries recently hosted a Children’s Ministry Training seminar in Cincinnati, Ohio. Fifteen children’s ministers attended from GCI congregations in the area.

becky-jarrett

The seminar was led by children’s ministry expert Becky Jarrett (standing in the picture above), who facilitated interactive discussions on these important topics:

  • Clarifying the “win” in children’s ministry
  • Partnering with parents
  • Creating the environment
  • Community outreach
  • Partnering with volunteers
  • Storytelling

According to GenMin National Coordinator, Anthony Mullins, “The feedback has been very good and we hope to provide this kind of high support to other GCI congregations in the future.”

Is your church friendly to visitors?

Many churches have friendly members, but are they friendly to visitors? In a recent post on his blog, LifeWay president Thom Rainer offers “Six Reasons Why Your Church Members May Not Be Friendly To Guests” (click here to read the post)—it offers some good food for discussion on the importance of extending hospitality to visitors.

six-reasons-why-your-church-members-may-not-be-friendly-to-guests

Ingrid Mandel

Retired GCI pastor Willi Mandel requests prayer for his wife Ingrid who fell a few days ago, breaking her right hip. She has already had hip replacement surgery for her right hip, and the same surgery is scheduled for her left hip, which has given her problems for the past two years. Recovery/rehabilitation following these surgeries will take her about two months

Cards may be sent to:

Ingrid Mandel
747 Tanner Drive
Kingston, ON K7M 9G7
CANADA

Spiritual formation retreats

GCI congregations in Denver, CO and Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN (Twin Cities) recently held spiritual formation retreats facilitated by Odyssey in Christ, a GCI affiliate ministry led by Dr. Larry Hinkle. Here are reports from each retreat:

Denver

retreat-2
Experiencing the Trinity retreat

The Denver North congregation participated in a retreat (Experiencing The Trinity) led by Larry Hinkle with assistance from two Denver pastoral couples: Bill and Donna Rae Wells and Mark and Joanne McCulley. According to Mark, “The Spirit of God was evident in our midst, helping us love one another more deeply and openly, and open ourselves to the grace and healing our Lord Jesus Christ brought us.” Another participant said, “This was a whole new beginning for me in my spiritual life. I can’t wait to see what’s next!” Another spoke of a much closer personal relationship with the Triune God after learning and practicing the spiritual exercises that are part of the retreat.

Twin Cities

Members from Twin Cities congregations met near Farmington, MN, for a retreat (A Deeper Walk) led by Larry Hinkle with assistance from Dr. Charles Fleming (GCI Caribbean Mission Developer) and his wife Carmen. Participants learned how our western world, including its theology (in large part due to the Enlightenment “age of reason”) has emphasized head knowledge and neglected matters of the heart. The retreat addressed this neglect by teaching spiritual disciplines practiced by the early church. These disciplines involve using our head knowledge to awaken our hearts to greater intuitive, creative, emotional, and imaginative awareness of the love of God for, with and in us. Neglect of either head or heart distorts and inhibits our relationship with God as well as with one another. As one of the retreat presenters noted, “Grace without truth is not grace. Truth without grace is cruel.”

retreat
A Deeper Walk retreat participants

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