Know Your Enemy

Dear GCI Family and Friends,

My pastor recently gave a sermon about Jesus the great shepherd from John 10. He emphasized how Jesus loves us, pursues us (even leaving the 99 to come after us), and saves us. Then he emphasized how important it is for us to listen and recognize the voice of our shepherd. Thank God we have this wonderful shepherd in Jesus.

In this same passage, Jesus says that there is a thief. This thief’s motives are to steal, kill, and destroy. The apostle Peter makes a similar reference in his letter to the church.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8 NIV)

If our enemy is on the prowl and seeking to devour and destroy us, it behooves us to understand his tactics, and then to be sober-minded and alert. Deception, division and distraction are his best and most-often-used tools.

Deceit

The apostle John, who identifies the devil as a thief, gives us more insight.

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44 NIV)

The devil is a liar and deceiver. In the garden of Eden, he beguiled Eve and caused her to doubt God. Satan embedded the notion that God is holding back and cannot be trusted, when in fact he is the one who cannot be trusted. He is the liar who twists God’s words.

He continues to gaslight humanity by planting the seeds of disbelief. How can there be a good, loving God when there is so much evil in the world? Why would an invisible, distant God be concerned about my personal choices and moral behavior, when self-expression and personal happiness are the higher good for me? Why did a good God let my loved one die when he could have intervened? The emotional doubt and moral dilemmas have worked well to keep many people in a state of disbelief.

Division

For those of us who have tasted and seen that God is good and live as believers, we are still at risk to the devil’s tactics. One he loves to use is division — separation by differences of opinion or feeling, disagreement, dissension, contention. In other words, the opposite of unity.

At the root of division is the presence of sinful pride. This wrongful, self-centered, sense of superiority is what caused the archangel Lucifer to fall and to become Satan.

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! … For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne … I will sit also upon the mount … I will ascend above the heights…I will be like the most High. (Isaiah 14:12-14 NIV)

It is the seed of pride that causes us to esteem ourselves above others and to think more highly of ourselves than we should. (Lucifer, drunk with pride, thought he could displace God.) It is this arrogance that alienates us and erodes the communities of our families, neighborhoods, and churches. It is the handiwork of the destroyer.

Distraction

Unified believers are prey to the devious tool of distraction. We live in an age where “busyness” is given an elevated status. You must be important because you are so busy. Full calendars and constant action have been the primary metrics for success.

Jesus imparted words of wisdom throughout his brilliant Sermon on the Mount that give us timely knowledge that can help us in the 21^st century.

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? (Matthew 6:24-25 NIV)

In essence, he is saying that being overly anxious about our physical existence and physical needs can easily dominate our life. Our time and attention can be fully occupied with the pursuit of money and goods, which chokes out the flow of our relationship to our God and Savior. Serving God, seeking his kingdom and righteousness, is the chief master we attend to, and then we can rest assured that all the physical needs will be met.

Conclusion

I very seldom talk about the devil. I believe the advice given in the book of James that tells me when I submit myself to God, the devil’s only option is to flee far from me. However, I find it helpful to know that the tools of deceit, division and distraction are the methods by which the enemy can gain a foothold. So as Peter exhorts, let’s be alert and sober-minded, and as my pastor says, let’s listen to the true voice of the good shepherd.

In the Shepherd’s Fold,
Greg

Devotional—Embrace His Missional Power

From the dawn of creation, the triune God has demonstrated a passionate mission for all humanity created in his image. God fully trusts and empowers us, his body, with this mission — let us truly embody that mission.

This redemption song of God echoes through the ages, centered on the perfected humanity of Jesus. We can embrace the beautiful verses of this eternal song in the first chapter of Ephesians — the blessings he has given his people to empower his mission.

Let’s sing his mission anthems and rhythms in communion and worship and live out his inclusive mission to all people in our lives and fellowships.

How can we live life together to exemplify the Trinity’s mission to all humanity, making the gospel relevant to our diverse communities?

Perhaps this is the missing ingredient to make Ordinary Time truly extraordinary. Therefore, let’s embrace Christ’s promises and power for the church and join his missional journey without fear or favor.

I pray that you will know that the blessings God has promised his holy people are rich and glorious. And you will know that God’s power is very great for us who believe. That power is the same as the great strength God used to raise Christ from death and put him at his right side in heaven.

God put everything under his power. And God made him the head over everything for the church. The church is Christ’s body. The church is filled with Christ, and Christ fills everything in every way. Ephesians 1:18b-20, 22-23 International Children’s Bible (ICB)

Prayer:
Lord, may your overwhelming love of redemption and mission motivate us through this time. We embrace the honor and urgency of our adoption as your cherished children. We are thankful we can live your mission in boldness to be co-heirs and coworkers in your redemptive and inclusive mission to all people. Amen.

John Newsom, Pastor
Queens, NY, US

Healthy Church—Neighborhood Camps

Ladson, SC, US

Our congregation organized its annual Summer Camp in June, drawing in a majority of returning campers from the previous year. Nineteen enthusiastic participants relished three days filled with enjoyable activities, fostering both existing bonds and forming new friendships. Guided by the central theme of “Being an Everyday Hero,” campers delved into exploring the fruits of the Spirit. They creatively demonstrated the transformative power of these virtues through small skits, showing how ordinary individuals can embody heroism in their daily lives.

In addition to this focus, campers engaged in a diverse array of activities, such as a stimulating field trip, engaging games, and a day filled with refreshing water-based activities. The culmination of the camp experience occurred on Sunday when the campers shared with the congregation their reflections and anticipation for future camps.

Mary Robinson, Love Avenue Champion
Ladson, SC, US

Appleton, WI, US

This year, we had 12 campers ages 6-9 participate in our Good Neighbor Day Camp. The campers enjoyed their time participating in story time, STEM projects, rock painting, watercolor painting, air hockey, and foosball. Each day ended with water games outside.

We are blessed with a good relationship with the elementary school across the street from our church building. The school officials distributed our flyers to the appropriate grade levels promoting our day camp before the summer break. They also gave us permission to use their field for various activities. All the campers wished that the event was longer.

Becky Deuel, Pastor
Appleton, WI, US

Surrey Hills, OK, US

Camp Surrey was incredible this year. We had 72 campers from kindergarten to 7th grade and 73 staff members! Our theme was “Survivor,” and the camp was filled with team challenges, crafts, performing arts, rock climbing, kayaking, and so much more!

It was a wonderful 3-day experience followed by a phenomenal family day where mini-campers performed the dance they learned throughout camp! We had about 200 in attendance.

This year was a blessing in the number of staff that volunteered. Their hearts to love on these kiddos and to take the time off work and away from their lives to join Jesus in what he’s doing in the lives of these neighborhood kiddos is inspiring. It sure made for a great all-camp photo!

We are looking forward to next year’s camp, “Glow.” We are grateful for the prayers and support.

Ceeja Malmkar, Associate Pastor
Surrey Hills, OK, US

North Luzon, Philippines

For four days in July, SEP Camp — North Luzon welcomed 76 campers and 50 staff. The theme was “Woven,” based on Colossians 2:2-4.

Watch the camp slideshow. And view more photos here: SEP – North Luzon 2024

Healthy Church—Connect Groups

GCI has many resources on the Faith Avenue and connect groups. Check them all out here.

Below are just a few we hope you find helpful.

Connect Group Facilitator’s Guide

From the On Being series, the Being the Church curriculum

Discipleship Pathways, select the “Believe” tab

Church Hack—Connect Groups

Read on for examples of what it can look like in the local church.

Richardson, TX, US

We believe the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are in a divine relationship and this relationship is foundational to our understanding of God’s nature and how God interacts with the world. I believe that we can experience this aspect of God’s kingdom here on earth when we are in relationships, and it is easier to relate in smaller gatherings. I believe connect groups are a key to staying healthy as a church.

Our face-to-face community connect groups are currently following a curriculum, called Rooted Network. One group meets weekly on Tuesdays in a member’s home; the other group meets bi-monthly after Sunday services. We found that food adds excitement and fun, whether assigned or potluck.

The members of the group have a copy of the study guide to follow with personal daily devotionals. When the group meets, someone is assigned to facilitate. The strongest impact has been going through a guided personal daily devotional. We meditate on them and journal in our quiet time, and then share in a safe group, celebrating together our experiences and encounters with God with a common theme. The regular devotionals and group sharing enhances so much the awareness of God’s reality in us. We are able to feel God and to affirm each other of our experiences. This enhances our worship, our personal disposition, how we relate to others, and how we interact in our communities and workplace.

Jared Santibanez, Faith Avenue Champion
Richardson, TX, US

Steele Creek, NC, US

In June and July, Pastor Dishon Mills and I facilitated the Bearing Fruit small group with members of Grace Communion Steele Creek. We convened over Zoom, and five members who live near one another gathered and dialed in from one member’s home.

Pastor Dishon taught the group how spiritual formation involves bearing inward fruit through the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), how we bear fruit in community through the gifts of the Spirit (Romans 12), and outward fruit through the activity of the Spirit (Acts 2:42-27). The outcome of inward, outward, and community fruit development is equipping for ministry and mission, a new humanity, and jubilee.

We discovered our spiritual gifts by taking a gift assessment and reading about our gifts in Discover Your Gifts and Learn How to Use Them by Alvin J. Vander Griend. We also learned spiritual practices like Contemplative/Imaginative Prayer, the Examen of Consciousness, and creating a Rule of Life

Psalm 1:3 says that we who love God’s teachings are “ . . . like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers.” This team-based, pastor-led expression of healthy church equipped members as the Lord’s orchard. We spread the aroma of his kingdom, and the fruit we bear in and through him allows our neighbors to taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8).

Afrika Afeni Mills, Faith Avenue Champion
Steele Creek, NC, US

Pasadena, CA, US

We have two virtual connect groups that meet over Zoom every week, and this started during COVID. One participant said her trust in the Lord has grown as we continue studying who Jesus is. Others have said we wish we could have this connect group every day because this is life truth that we need to be reminded of every day because we tend to forget. We observe participants changing the way they think and diligently studying God’s word.

If this is the fruit of Zoom meetings, I trust that face to face will have an even greater impact because we can extend fellowship, pray, and bond in person. Our congregation is praying that God may send us new contacts and start building relationship and from there, have another in-person connect group.

There are many opportunities, so we need to be ready where God will lead us and be intentional in sharing Jesus who the world needs to know. My husband, Saddie, and I are on-site managers for a housing complex with almost 40 residents. We are hoping and praying to have a connect group here in the fall. Please join us in this prayer.

Angie Tabin, Pastor
Pasadena, CA, US

Meet Linda Sitterley

“I enjoy seeing the transformation in people’s lives as they gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a child of God.”

Get to know Linda Sitterley, pastor of GC River Road in Oregon, U.S.

To read her full profile, click the image below or here.

GCI Testify

Discover the transformative power of Christ’s love in our new series GCI Testify. Join us as members from our global fellowship share testimonies of their experiences with Jesus through GCI congregations and ministries. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of the Spirit in and through GCI.

Watch the entire series here.

From Equipper—Healthy Church Elements

Join us! We invite you to read this article from Equipper. It’s an important reminder during Ordinary Time of our priorities.

Subscribe to Equipper today!

The healthy church path we are on is lit by the light of the world, who is a lamp to our feet and path.

By Kalengule Kaoma, Superintendent, Africa

The August 2024 golden Jubilee celebrations in Grace Communion International (GCI) in Accra, Ghana, have lately occupied my mind. Fifty years of living and sharing the gospel in Ghana have helped us take note of traits of a healthy church. In addition, GCI – Africa has celebrated at least 200 collective years of participation in the gospel and reflecting aspects of Healthy Church. This article is a reflection on some elements of a healthy church I experience in GCI Africa. There is much variety and beauty throughout GCI Africa. I liken it to the amazing array of color seen when light goes through an optical prism.

Let me highlight some healthy church elements GCI Africa has been emphasizing.

Missions

The apostle John quoted Jesus referring to himself as the light of the world. In his Gospel, Matthew indicated that Jesus envisioned his plans to build a church. Both of these records of Jesus’ conversation with his disciples point to the mission he would do in the world through his body, the church. Like light going through a prism, Jesus’ disciples went in many different directions and reached many different groups in a variety of ways.

Jesus’ mission is an expression and act of love — love to redeem, save, and serve the lost. He invites people to himself. Those who respond are placed in the church, his body, so that they can go out and participate with him by reaching out to others.

In GCI Africa, we refer to missions as the Love Avenue. It is a place where Jesus meets people at their points of need. This is where the Holy Spirit washes, heals, and restores all kinds of people to a loving relationship with the Father. Mission fields are found in families, neighborhoods, workplaces, villages, wherever people are and wherever Jesus goes. In this ministry, Jesus promises to mend broken hearts. He turns situations, attitudes, and lives around. The hearts and minds of people are filled with joy even in the midst of trials and the hardships of life.

People who respond to the invitation of Jesus are added to the body (church) of Jesus Christ. These become coworkers with Jesus. They are charged to represent Jesus as ambassadors of the kingdom of God.

Opportunities for growth

On the heel of the missional responsibilities of a healthy church is the teaching ministry. The strands of light coming through the prism encourages the church to make disciples, followers, and friends of Jesus. People who join the missional journey of and with Jesus join a class to discover who Jesus is. In these discipleship classes, people not only learn about who Jesus is, but also about the Father and the Holy Spirit. The light of the world shines into the hearts of people enabling them to know their place in the Father, Son, and Spirit. There is an intense yet gentle illumination of the light which allows people to see a warm relationship developing between them and the triune God. This pathway is echoed by the apostle Peter when he urged Christians of his time to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 NIV).

Our Lord and Master, Jesus, commanded the apostles to go into all the world to make disciples and teach them to obey his teachings (Matthew 28:18-20). This growth solidifies a believer’s faith, which is firmly anchored on the Rock, Jesus Christ. In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul wrote about the connection of faith to love. Christ Jesus, the rich soil of love in which faith grows, deeply dwells in our hearts by faith. (Ephesians 3:17). GCI – Africa refers to this growth pattern as the Faith Avenue. This is an Avenue where the word of God is shared among members with the aim of developing a knowledgeable relationship of faith in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. African believers have a thousand reasons to celebrate their growth in faith. The light of Jesus keeps shining from glory to glory.

Warm, obedient response to God

In one of his teachings on prayer, Jesus taught his disciples to include aspects of God’s will to be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Part of what is done in heaven is seen in several books of the Bible, including Revelation 7:11, where it is recorded that “all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God.” One of the elements of a healthy church is exhibited through worship, praise, and thanksgiving to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As members of Grace Communion International in Africa, we are happy to collectively call this response part of our Hope Avenue.

Hope Avenue is an Avenue of mutual relationship with God. Like the beautiful colors coming out of a prism, God meets his people in a variety of ways — right where they are — and they commune through sacraments of praise, worship, prayer, word, offerings, dedications, song, and other divinely guided ordinances. Jesus, the hope of glory, meets with his people in the house and at the table of fellowship. They break bread together and Jesus confirms with deep affirmations his word in the lives of his people.

Everywhere I attend church service in Africa, I join believers in electrifying, lively, exuberant, and exultant praise and worship. During the celebrations in Ghana, we plan to join our voices together and lift one voice of honor to our Father in heaven. This is healthy for a healthy church.

Our response to God’s love includes planning and preparing for before, during, and after the worship service. The ambience, the emotional attitudes, the physical temperature, the dress of the participants, and the heart and mind preparations are all part of our response to honor our living God. What comes to mind is the way King David prepared himself, the priests, and the people to receive the ark of the covenant into the city of Jerusalem. Similarly, King Solomon thoroughly prepared himself, the priests, and the congregation of Israel for the dedication of the temple. God also responded by symbolically filling the temple with his glory. Our positive, warm, and joyful response to God’s love is an awesome element of a healthy church.

I pointed out earlier several elements are indicative of a healthy church. I have highlighted GCI’s approach to encouraging us to examine if we are on the right path towards becoming a healthy church. I am persuaded and of the mind that we are moving in the right direction towards a healthy church throughout Africa. In this world, we are on the path of growth. We are becoming more like Jesus. The path we are on is lit by the light of the world, who is a lamp to our feet and path. Each day is an opportunity to grow toward becoming a healthy church that brings glory and honor to Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We’re Hiring

GCI is hiring!

A full-time position is now open at the Grace Communion International (GCI) Home Office in Charlotte, NC, U.S. We’re looking for a qualified Media Coordinator. See the job description here.

The position is currently available, and applications are being accepted. If you would like further details on the position or would like a GCI job application, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@gci.org or 980-495-3960.

Please share this announcement with qualified candidates who may be gifted for this position at the Home Office.