Looking forward to transitions in 2018

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

GCI Vice President Greg Williams rightly calls 2018 a year of transitions. One of the biggest comes in April with the move of our Home Office from Glendora, CA, to Charlotte, NC. It’s a transition we have talked about for several years, but the timing never seemed right until recently.

In purchasing a building for our new Home Office just outside Charlotte, and in the sale of our building in Glendora (just completed), there have been several “blessed coincidences”—ones GCI Treasurer Mat Morgan and I view as God’s guiding hand. Our Triune God has blessed us with a beautiful building in Charlotte that is partially furnished (with furnishings nicer than those in Glendora), saving us on furnishings and moving costs. Here are some pictures of the Charlotte building (click to enlarge):

Another transition for us in 2018 involves the retirement of several long-time denominational leaders and pastors. We’ll be sharing information about those retirements during the year, but you’re probably already aware that I’ll be retiring at the end of 2018, and Greg Williams will take my place as GCI president. My decision to retire was made with much prayer and counsel. When I retire, I won’t stop doing ministry—Tammy and I plan to continue participating in what Jesus is doing, and that keeps us looking forward expectantly to what lies ahead.

As I began planning my final year as GCI President, I recalled how I came into this ministry position in the first place. I was director of Church Administration and my father (Joseph W. Tkach, Sr.) realized he was losing his battle with cancer. We spent many hours talking about the transformation God was bringing about within Worldwide Church of God (WCG), and how that transformation was not complete. Dad shared that just before WCG founder Herbert W Armstrong (HWA) died, he told Dad there were changes that were needed, including looking at some of our doctrines. But because of his ill health, HWA did not have the time or energy to mentor my dad, nor did he give him a lot of details concerning the changes HWA felt were needed. However, he did tell Dad to follow the lead of the Spirit. That is just what Dad did, leading WCG through many changes during his tenure as president.

It was during those changes that Dad became ill and named me as his successor. Like HWA before him, he told me that WCG needed to continue on the path of transformation. However, he also said that he would not determine what those changes should be. You may recall that Dad’s health deteriorated quickly, so there wasn’t a lot of time for him to mentor me. Dad told me to surround myself with reliable, wise counselors, and never forget that it is Jesus who is the real leader of his church. I’ve tried to follow that advice throughout my 21 years as president of WCG, which became GCI.

It gives me joy knowing that God has given me ample time to mentor Greg Williams as he prepares to become GCI’s next president (click here for Greg’s bio). I gave Greg the same challenge Dad gave me—to surround himself with wise counselors, and to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. I also told him that I do not believe GCI’s transformation is complete, and reminded him that we are to grow in grace and knowledge (2 Pet. 3:18), heeding God’s challenge given through Isaiah:

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? (Isa 43:18-19a)

God continues to do new things in GCI. Our challenge is to discern what those are, embrace them, then live them out. I know Greg is committed to doing so.

Various changes have already been made in GCI administration in anticipation of the transitions ahead. Under Greg’s leadership, the Church Administration and Development (CAD) team in the US has been restructured. We now have five regional pastors serving as administrators/supervisors over their respective regions. Alongside Greg in the Home Office is Pam Morgan (CAD operations coordinator) and Michelle Fleming (CAD communications and training coordinator). The CAD team also includes Anthony Mullins (coordinator of Ministry Coaching, the Intern Program and the Pastoral Resident Program), Heber Ticas (coordinator of Church Multiplication Ministries), and Jeff Broadnax (coordinator of Generations Ministries). Ted Johnston (who, like me, is retiring at the end of this year), serves as CAD publications editor and assists Greg with special projects related to our ongoing transitions. This restructured CAD team works beautifully, in a highly collaborative way!

Internationally, Greg is already working with our denominational leaders around the world, helping them form working groups to maximize the effective use of resources and talents. We’re also refining and enhancing Grace Communion Seminary (GCS) and Ambassador College of Christian Ministry (ACCM). These two educational arms of GCI are of great importance to our current and future transitions as we identify, equip and send a new generation of leadership for our denominational ministries and congregations. In these ways and more, it’s clear that God is doing something new that will benefit GCI for many years to come.

Though the realization that 2018 will be a year of transitions in GCI will excite many of us, some will be apprehensive. Throughout my 21 years as GCI president, there have been many challenges and uncertainties, yet God has led us through them all. For that I give him, and you, my thanks and I encourage you to look forward with hope and expectancy. I see 2018 as an exciting year, and throughout the year I plan to share some of the lessons I’ve learned as GCI president, along with insights and dreams concerning GCI’s future. I ask that you join all of us here in the Home Office in praying for smooth and successful transitions.

Looking forward with anticipation,
Joseph Tkach

PS: Next week’s cover letter here in GCI Update will be from Greg Williams. Throughout this year, Greg and I will be sharing this duty as part of our transition plan. See you in two weeks!

GCI-Africa: reports & prayer requests

Here are reports on recent GCI activities in Africa.

Malawi

With help from a member in France, a much-needed bicycle was provided recently to Mr. Chafa, who takes care of the GCI congregations meeting in Bunda and Ntuwasweka, Malawi. Mr. Chafa had been walking over six miles each week from his home in Bunda to Ntuwasweka to serve the people there.

South Africa

GCI-South Africa recently conducted a youth camp (SEP) with assistance from GCI congregations and a camp in Canada.

Kenya

GCI pastors in Kenya gathered recently for a conference where they had a time of refreshing apart from their pastoral responsibilities. The group exchanged stories of the successes and challenges encountered in their respective mission fields. Presentations were given on themes relevant to their calling. Following the conference, they joined GCI’s Nairobi congregation for a worship service. Finances permitting, the group plans to meet at least twice a year.

Here are GCI prayer requests from three nations in Africa:

Ghana: Please pray for God’s intervention in our favor regarding three cases in court. People are trying to take over several parcels of land we acquired several years ago. We have documents covering each parcel, yet people are invading and trespassing.
Burundi: Please pray that God will give us favor so that we are not discriminated against because we are a small and relatively newly registered church in Burundi. The Government of Burundi appointed a new commission in charge of denominations. The commission consists of Bishops from denominations that have existed for a long time in Burundi. These denominations have modern church buildings and large development projects. The commission is requesting that the government close denominations that do not have these things and that request will be reviewed soon by the National Assembly. Please pray that God intervenes.
Zambia: Please pray for our jubilee celebrations.

Shoebox mission trip

Crossing Borders, a GCI Generations Ministries’ mission organization, recently returned from a trip to Mexico, where they distributed about 1000 shoeboxes full of gifts to needy children. Crossing Borders’ director Lee Berger noted that the children responded with “broad smiles, tears of delight and giggles of glee.” He also mentioned that the parents’ faces lighted up upon seeing their children being blessed with boxes full of “necessities and fun stuff.” Besides the shoebox gifts, Crossing Borders also presented handmade blankets and quilts, totes full of supplies for infants, bracelets and other special presents.

In his report on the trip, Lee stressed that Crossing Borders’ goal is to help each shoebox recipient understand “that they are special and unique to God… innately worthy of his personal touch.” Though it may seem that distributing shoeboxes assembled prior to the trip by various congregations and other donors is impersonal, Lee pointed out that each shoebox is unique, being assembled individually with a personal touch. One group of shoeboxes even included a picture of the donating congregation (see picture, above left). Each shoebox is prayed over by the senders, then put into the hands of a specific child in Mexico. “We’ve come to realize,” Lee noted, “that, even with 1000 boxes, God can direct each one to go exactly where it needs to go—and he does!”

Lee gave an example: On one occasion, a girl opened a box that was labeled to be for a girl, but it was packed with what were obviously boy’s items. Noticing this “mistake,” they tried to trade out her box for a girl’s box. But it turns out that the girl’s father was out of work and depressed, and the little girl had been wanting to find a way to cheer him up. She told us that this box of boy’s stuff was the perfect present she could give her dad. God knew and provided!

January GCI Equipper

Here are links to the articles and sermons in the January 2018 issue of GCI Equipper:

From Greg: Celebrating Jesus’ headship in GCI
Looking forward, in faith, to the transitions coming in 2018, Greg Williams reassures us that Jesus is head of his church, GCI included.

On Leadership: Confidentiality
Rick Shallenberger addresses the vital topic of maintaining confidentiality.

Kid’s Korner: Start with a thankful heart
Lance McKinnon encourages us to minister out of a heart of thankfulness.

RCL sermons for February 2018
Here are the Revised Common Lectionary-synced sermons for February:
– Sermon for February 4
– Sermon for February 11
– Sermon for February 18
– Sermon for February 25

In case you missed the sermons for January, here they are:
– Sermon for January 7
– Sermon for January 14
– Sermon for January 21
– Sermon for January 28

Death of Mark Bannier

We were saddened to learn that Pastor Mark Bannier died on December 21.

Mark pastored GCI’s Macomb, IL, congregation. Suffering headaches following brain surgery, it was determined that he had contracted meningitis. As a result, his heart gave out.

Mark is survived by his wife, Josie, who served alongside him in ministry. Mark is also survived by a son, Lyle, two sisters, a brother and several extended family members. Pastor Bill Ritzman (Des Moines, IA) officiated at Mark’s celebration of life service.

Cards may be sent to:

Josie Bannier
2504 Amelia St
Burlington, IA 52601

Death of Lois Quillen

We were saddened to learn of the recent death of Lois Quillen, wife of retired GCI Pastor Bill Quillen. The following information was provided by Lois’ daughter, Barb (Quillen) Egbert.

Lois Eleanor (Walker) Quillen passed away on January 1 at age 87. She and Bill had been married for 63 years. Lois, who had been orphaned at a young age, was preceded in death by three siblings and an infant son. Lois is survived by two daughters, Beth Thomas and Barbara Egbert (wife of Jeb Egbert), five grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

Bill and Lois pastored numerous GCI (then WCG) congregations, including Des Moines and Iowa City, IA; Glendale, CA; Missoula and Kalispell, MT; Las Vegas, NV; Kingman, AZ; and Victoria, TX. After retiring, they moved to Frisco, TX, then to Huntington Beach, CA, to be closer to family.

Lois filled many roles in her life—wife, mother, grandmother, pastor’s wife, SEP camp staff member, and friend. She was widely known for her graceful gift of loving every person who crossed her path. She knew no stranger, and “adopted” many into her family.

Cards may be sent to:

Bill Quillen
8933 Amador Circle #1315A
Huntington Beach, CA 92646-8737

GCS registration open

Registration is open for the Spring 2018 semester at Grace Communion Seminary (GCS) and closes January 16. The first lecture in each course will be posted on Tuesday, January 16, with remaining lectures posted each Monday, January 22 through March 19. No assignments are due during the Holy Week break, March 26 – April 1. All work is to be completed by April 16.

To register, go to https://www.gci.org/go/gcsspring18.

Here are the courses offered this semester (with course instructor noted):

BI520 New Testament Survey (Mike Morrison)
CH502 Church History: The Second Millennium (Neil Earle)
CM504 Practice of Ministry (Ted Johnston)
CM511 Homiletics (Dan Rogers)
TH501 Nature of God and Jesus Christ (Russell Duke)
TH505 Doctrine of the Trinity (Gary Deddo)

Conference videos

Videos of the primary presentations at the 2017 GCI Denominational Conference held last August in Orlando, FL, have been posted at https://www.gci.org/media/conference2017.