GCI Update

Anticipation

Watch video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7AhwNKW8Ek

Listen to audio: https://cloud.gci.org/dl/MiscVid/Presidents-Update-December-2024.mp3

GCI President Greg Williams reflects on how the anticipation of the Messiah points us to Jesus, our Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace. As we celebrate His first coming, we place our hope in His promised return as our glorious King.

Watch video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7AhwNKW8Ek

Program Transcript

ANTICIPATION

Anticipation…the feeling of excitement about something good to come. Not just hoping and longing, but a sense of something pleasant and better is going to happen. Anticipation is not anxiety that something bad is coming, waiting for the next shoe to drop. It is expectation for good.

The anticipation of a coming Messiah is a central theme in the Bible and it is the best thing that can happen. The Old Testament contains many prophecies of the Messiah and his coming.

The prophets of Israel foretold the coming of the Messiah for centuries and with much detail. Can you imagine a people like Israel seeing generations come and go waiting to see these glorious promises come to fulfillment in a long-awaited Redeemer? It feels long and heavy.

One passage from Isaiah tells us a lot about the Deliverer to come. Isaiah’s prophecy describes the Messiah as the “Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). What do we learn about Jesus in these prophecies?

Well, the one who was to come and did come truly is a Wonderful Counsellor. He is the Godhead member who lived in the flesh and was tempted in every aspect that we are. Maybe, just maybe he gets us? And maybe we can counsel with him about anything and everything?

He is the Mighty God – not just one who subdued storms, He is the Lord of all creation, who spoke, and the world came into existence. And for me as a church leader it is comforting to know that He is also Lord of the Church. Mighty God over all.

The Everlasting Father? Sounds confusing. Jesus and the Father are one. If you have seen Jesus, you have seen the Father. It is mind-stretching to think about an eternal God who operates outside of time and space and is also One God in Three Persons. This verse is fantastic in that it points to the Holy Trinity as we simultaneously celebrate the incarnation.

He is the Prince of Peace. The true Peacemaker who not only brings the absence of fighting and war but restores people’s internal and external disharmony. Jesus removes all peace-disturbing factors and brings complete well-being for all. He fulfills the Hebrew title Shar Shalom – Prince of Peace.

We, the modern-day church join Israel of old as we pray Come Lord Jesus and we too wait for the glorious Lord to come not as a baby in a manger this time, but as our glorious, ruling King to establish His eternal Kingdom. As we rehearse the anticipation of Jesus’s first coming, our hearts are stirred to ponder and fix our desires or His second coming.

Let me pray for us.

Father Almighty God, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus. Thank you that we have the glorious story of the incarnation of when Mary gave birth to this boy who was not only flesh and blood, but was God incarnate, God in the flesh. Thank you, Jesus, for moving into our neighborhood and becoming one of us.

Thank you for taking our burdens and our sins and all of our struggles on yourself. And thank you God that you are this mighty God, this Prince of Peace, this wonderful Counselor, the One that we worship in this inspiring season. So bless all who are hearing this. May their Advent and Christmas celebrations be the best ever. May we look to you, Jesus, more than we ever have and give You the glory and the honor.

And just like the shepherds did, may we go about our days and over the hills and through the woods, speaking the gospel of Jesus Christ, we pray in Your name, Lord. Amen. 

Come Lord Jesus – Amen!

Devotional—Hope is the Final Word

Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” Luke 21:5-6

The season of Advent centers on hope and points to God’s enduring faithfulness — promises of old find their fulfillment in Christ. In Luke 21, Jesus speaks of the destruction of the temple and the hope of redemption. These words, often mistaken as referring to the Second Coming, likely predict Jerusalem’s devastation in A.D. 70. The temple was a symbol pointing to Jesus. When the reality the symbol was pointing to appears, the symbol falls away.

The temple, once a cornerstone of Jewish faith, was a symbol of permanence and divine connection. Yet, its destruction marked the transition to worship “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Jesus fulfills what the temple once represented: the meeting place of heaven and earth. “Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near” (verse 31).

Worship is no longer confined to a place or people. The kingdom has arrived! Jesus’ kingship transcends earthly symbols, initiating a new era for God’s people.

We’re reminded that no worldly institution, however powerful or evil it seems, is permanent. But God’s kingdom is eternal. This reality fills us with hope.

Advent hope challenges us to remain watchful and faithful, trusting God amidst change and placing our ultimate hope in His eternal kingdom.

Prayer:
Jesus, we are so grateful that in You we find the union of heaven and earth. Your incarnation and the advent of Your kingdom saved our lives! Father, Son, and Spirit, we love you. Amen.

This devotional was adapted from an RCL sermon. Read the full sermon here.

Healthy Church—On Mission

Norfolk, Virginia, US

In the fall of 2023, GC Norfolk hosted a 2-day drum camp for community children. We invited a local organization, Shark City Drum and Dance Corps, to join us and teach the children how to play drums. It was a fun weekend getting to know our neighbors and sharing a meal together. On Sunday, we had a worship service with all who attended.

Our congregation has been supporting Shark City for a few years now, and the drum camp was merely one part of an ongoing partnership. I serve as the chaplain and president of the board for Shark City. Erica, my wife, is the administrative assistant, and she’s a crucial member of the team. Shark City helps young people learn music and dance, to avoid some of the crime and trouble that are readily available on our local streets. GC Norfolk will continue to foster this partnership because Shark City is an important part of our community who, like our congregation, cares about the welfare of our city’s young people.

By Calvin Simon, Pastor
Norfolk, VA, US

 

 

Hmawbi, Yangon, Myanmar

Our congregation holds a weekly Kid Sunday School service. Then at least once every three months, we host a children’s camp. The October camp was attended by 25-30 children. We divided the group into children and youth. It was organized by our members and led by our two Sunday school teachers.

The teachers taught the gospel message, and Christian living. The children memorized Bible verses and learned action songs. The camp leaders emphasized the importance of the children carrying the lessons of camp into their daily lives, encouraging the children to pray and trust in Jesus during both good times and bad.

We provided breakfast and lunch. And we gave the children presents such as cooking oil, toothbrushes, rice, salt, and clothes.

By Chan Thleng, Pastor
Hmawbi, Myanmar

Cincinnati, Ohio, US

At the end of September, GC Cincinnati West hosted a Fall Festival for the surrounding community and neighbors. The day before our festival, Cincinnati was hit with the remaining winds of Hurricane Helena. The severe weather knocked out electricity for random areas in the city. Our outside set-up was destroyed, and everything was soaked. We moved the festival indoors and proceeded. To our surprise, many from the neighborhood came and took refuge in our building where they could enjoy a day with their family, eat a warm meal, and experience the fellowship of the church. Many stayed for hours as conversations were abundant. On a cold, wet day, our neighbors experienced the warmth of Jesus shining brightly though His church.

In October, GC Cincinnati East gathered at the community park and invited the neighbors to come and have lunch with us. We provided a meal and various activities. We showed up with enthusiasm and love for our neighbors. The neighbors who joined us were met with good food, good music, and loving fellowship. We discovered that we as a church needed more fun time together and that we can easily be visible to our neighborhood. We look forward to joining our neighbors at the park more often.

By Julie Frantz, Pastor
Cincinnati, OH, US

GCI Board Update

L to R. Heber Ticas, Rebecca Johnson, Philip Doele, Rose Hamrick, Tommie Grant, Randy Bloom, Greg Williams, Jen Gregory, Chip Brockmeier, and Celestine Olive

Grace Communion International is a family of congregations and members from around the globe. As a body of believers, we live and serve together in Jesus’ ministry as a part of His spiritual body. We do so in the love, grace, and freedom we have as our Father’s beloved children. But we also must function within the legal guidelines required by governmental agencies. Accordingly, GCI is organized and established according to a set of bylaws and is “board governed.” That is, the GCI’s theological foundation, overall mission, financial procedures, and administrative policies are overseen by a board of directors.

The GCI Board of Directors is a diverse group of elders who serve four-year terms. Each of the directors brings an impressive range of gifts and experiences to serve GCI on a voluntary basis.

On behalf of the GCI Board, I want to thank Celestine “Cella” Olive and Jen Gregory for four years of outstanding service as they conclude their terms. (For Cella, it was her second term of service.) They have both served faithfully and graciously as co-stewards of the mission and resources Jesus has given GCI. We greatly appreciate their contributions to the board governance process and pray they continue to experience every blessing Jesus has for them as they continue to serve Him in other capacities.

 

This gives me the opportunity to welcome two new directors to the board: Rebecca Johnson and Philip Doele. As long-time GCI members and elders, they have also served as pastors and bring a wealth of wisdom and experience to contribute to the board dynamics. Read their full bios here.

Please pray the GCI Board of Directors have the wisdom and insight needed to discern the guidance of the Spirit as we seek to faithfully steward GCI resources and journey forward with Jesus.

Randy Bloom, GCI Board Chair

Prayer Guide—December 2024

“The first step toward God is a step away from the lies of the world.”— A.W. Tozer

Step into December with prayer and truth. Download our Prayer Guide here and join us in drawing closer to God.

Would you like to receive this Prayer Guide straight to your email inbox before the first of the month? Sign up here.

 

Singapore | Malaysia 50th Anniversary

For four days in October, GCI Malaysia/Singapore gathered at the Grand Kampar Hotel in Perak, Malaysia. The gathering was a landmark as the members celebrated 50 years of the church in Malaysia and Singapore. The church began with a few members who came together in the early ’70s. Over the years, the church has experienced various challenges but has remained steadfast in the faith.

Approximately 55 members from Malaysia and Singapore attended. Guests included 12 members from the church in Thailand, one member from the United States, and Asia Superintendent Dan Zachariah and his wife, Mary, from India. It was a time of great worship and fellowship.

Four church services were conducted during that time and messages were given by Pastor Dan Zachariah, Pastor Wong Mein Kong, and me. The theme for this year was “The faithfulness of God.” It was a most appropriate theme reflecting the course of the church as a witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ in primarily Islamic and Buddhist countries. One of the highlights of the gathering was the baptism of Mrs. Ho, which was carried out at the hotel’s swimming pool.

Various exciting activities catering to members of all ages were conducted. The young adults had a great time participating in caving and whitewater rafting at Gua Tempurung. The rest of the members also participated in a less physically challenging tour of the caves and a trip to Kellie’s Castle. Others chose a food tour trying various cuisine around Kampar town.

It was a remarkable time, truly reflecting the family that we are in Christ Jesus. As David expressed in Psalm 133:1 “How good and pleasant it is when brethren live together in unity.”

By Devaraj Ramoo, Pastor
Klang, Selangor, Malaysia

 

From Equipper—Celebrating in Hope

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Nuts and bolts of the Hope Avenue

By Linda Rex, Elder

Our journey in GCI towards Healthy Church includes a deeper understanding of our hope in Christ. Our Hope Avenue team ensures that our Sunday services provide a warm welcome, fellowship, worship, and inspired preaching, which refresh us with the hope of Jesus.

Markers of a healthy Hope Avenue

The Hope Avenue team prepares all aspects of the Sunday service, from parking lot to sanctuary to fellowship hall. The Hope Avenue team works together to welcome, include, and integrate into the life of the church, all those who attend. The fellowship and Sunday service enable each person to meet with, in a personal and united way, our triune God. Renewed with the hope of Jesus, those who attend are sent out with this good news. In this way, the Hope Avenue team shares with Jesus in His divine ministry by the Spirit.

Signs of unhealth

Members of a church with an unhealthy Hope Avenue might not notice new guests, or swarm new people at the door and scare them away. Worse, the pastor may bring attention to guests when they prefer not to be noticed. There is limited or no signage in an unhealthy Hope Avenue, and no one offers to help guests find the restroom, children’s room, snacks, or the sanctuary. Guests are often not told they are welcome to join in the pre-service fellowship or study group. Youth and teens are often ignored. Seniors are not always given the support they need as they move from the parking lot to the sanctuary and back.

An unhealthy Hope Avenue worship service is more focused on the content of the service, the speaker, or singers than on relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The service is disjointed and messy because little planning has been done. The music is often more focused on our human experience of God than on worshipping God. An unhealthy Hope Avenue sermon is often teaching a Bible Study rather than preaching about Jesus, who He is and who we are in Him. In an unhealthy Hope Avenue service, communion often focuses more on the items on the table than on the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Read More

We’re Hiring

GCI is hiring!

Two full-time positions are now open at the Grace Communion International (GCI) Home Office in Charlotte, NC, U.S.

The Media Coordinator position is currently available, and applications are being accepted. See the job description here.

The Assistant Operations Coordinator position is currently available, and applications are being accepted. See the job description here.

If you would like further details on either 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 either position at the Home Office.

Save the Date

The Denominational Celebration
will be held
in Dallas, Texas, U.S.
on July 23-26, 2026.

Please mark your calendars. More information will be made available in mid-2025.

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