Kingdom Citizenship

Dear GCI Family and Friends,

Susan and I enjoy visiting the various U.S. Presidential Libraries. Last March we were able to visit Harry Truman’s and Dwight Eisenhower’s on the same day. We learned that Truman and Eisenhower understood that the President of the United States should be the model American citizen. The U.S. President should personally set an example of what is right and good in our country. This notion struck me as simple, yet profound.

If we are citizens of the kingdom of God what are valid indicators of our citizenship? The most comprehensive list that speaks about kingdom citizenship is found in Hebrew 11. Let’s consider these examples from the Bible “Hall of Fame” and the attributes that distinguish them. (Please take the time to read the entire chapter and reflect on the details that cannot be contained in this short article.)

Faith

As good Bible students, we know that faith is the hallmark characteristic.

- Faith as trusting in God beyond our circumstances and challenges.
- Faith as demonstrated by believing in a God who can do immeasurably more than can be conceived or imagined.
- Faith as assurance and conviction.
- Faith as the rock-solid certainty that he who has begun a good work will complete it.

Living as pilgrims and strangers in this world

Setting our eyes on Jesus and his kingdom, “a better country,” is how we walk the same path as those who have gone before. This is in keeping with the words of Jesus when he told the original disciples to be in the world, but not of the world.

All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16 NRSVA

Obedience despite sacrifice and suffering

No matter what we give up in this life or what suffering comes our way, knowing that we are in union with Jesus and included in his eternal kingdom is more than enough.

- Whether leaving the comfort of our physical homes and dwelling in tents.
- Whether waiting on God and trusting for the conception of a child.
- Whether thrown into a cage with lions or a consuming fire and not knowing if we come out alive.

Identity with Christ and the community of the great cloud of witnesses

Because of what we read in Hebrews 11, we move higher in our spiritual comprehension to the connecting thoughts of chapter 12.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of^] the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

No person in the Faith Chapter endured more or suffered more than Jesus himself, a perspective that brings clarity and evokes worship. Just as the people of faith looked to Jesus for rescuing from sin and the weights of this life, we join them in the race we are now running. It is a beautiful image to think about the amazing company of pioneer believers who have gone before us, and the leader of the parade is Jesus.

The bottom line is that Jesus is the Author and Finisher of this race. He has run the race in our stead and put up with everything along the way. All the people of faith who have run the race could only do it one way — by their union with Jesus, following in his steps, their eyes fixed on him.

As kingdom citizens in the 21^st century, we don’t know what we may be called upon to do, nor do we know what suffering or persecution may come our way. But we do know that Jesus is with us every step, and there is a city prepared by God for our eternal home.

Resting in the Author’s finished work,
Greg

Devotional—Checkmate

Checkmate! It’s the word the winning player declares in the endgame of chess when the losing king is trapped and as good as dead. Jesus died. Is our King a losing king?

He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:3–5 NRSVUE

This King of Israel, after being anointed for his burial, enters Jerusalem on a donkey, and the plotters gather to deliver their coup d’etat. He is betrayed, arrested, abandoned, tortured. He stood accused by those in power and did not defend himself against a single charge. On the surface, it appears that evil is winning, and the King is losing.

The soldiers mock the King with a crown of thorns, a scarlet robe, and a staff. Jesus is lifted up on the cross, which resembled anything but a worldly throne. Unlike other kings, who win, who conquer by killing and taking, the King sets the entire cosmos right by giving his life. And in so losing his life, the King draws all to himself. He secures the keys to death by losing his life, entering hades and unlocking it from the inside. Jesus Christ is God’s checkmate!

Prayer:
Abba Father, we thank you for your beloved Son and for giving us an anointing in him through the Holy Spirit. Help us to listen and abide in him, amen.

By Bharat Naker, Pastor
Carina and Logan, Qld, AU

Kingdom Living—Priesthood of All Believers

Citizens of God’s kingdom are convinced that all believers — of every age — are called to participate in Jesus’ mission to the world through the Body of Christ.

Equipping Youth for Ministry

In my region of Southern Africa, we are encouraging our congregations to hold local youth camps during the year, as a Love Avenue activity. The local camps are open to the neighbourhood youth, and they provide the local church an opportunity to engage with their neighbours.

In the Republic of South Africa (RSA), we hold an annual national camp in December. The national camp is only for youth who are members of our GCI fellowship. It is focused on equipping our youth for ministry. This year youth attended from congregations throughout RSA, including Polokwane, Maelula, Bloemfontein, Mohlakeng, Aruka, Johannesburg, Redhill, Mohlakeng. View more pictures here.

The highlight of the camp was the gala dinner at which we announced the Youth Ministries Awards. Awards were presented to winning congregations and runners-up in the following categories: Hope Avenue, Faith Avenue, Love Avenue. An Overall Youth Ministry award went to a congregation (and runner-up) that demonstrated a balanced youth program focusing on the three ministry Avenues of Hope, Faith, and Love. This is confirmed through youth participation in church activities (like worship, media, preaching, scripture readings, offerings, etc.), youth discipleship activities, and engagement with unchurched youth. Awards for Emerging Youth Leader were presented to two individuals who show leadership and initiative.

When we reviewed the entries for the awards, I was impressed by the amount of engagement our youth are having in their churches. Our hope is that some of the energy of the youth ministries will filter into the whole church. My prayer for this week is that 2025 may bring more exciting developments as we continue to grow into healthier churches that are living and sharing the gospel through the ministry Avenues of Faith, Hope, and Love. Amen

By Takalani Musekwa, Regional Director of Southern Africa
Pretoria, Gauteng, RSA

Gathering for Inspiration, Encouragement, and Fun

I am delighted to share an update with you from the Youth and Family Weekend held in January at a recreational camp in Queensland, Australia. We were blessed to have almost 50 young people, including parents and staff, as participants. The campers from Fiji and New Zealand added much enjoyment to the camp. It was rewarding to see the interactions and the developing friendships amongst the group.

The rock-climbing activity took place on Friday afternoon, followed by canoeing and paddle boarding on Saturday morning, basketball in the afternoon, and fun, interactive icebreakers and board games into the evenings. Whilst Sunday was pack-up time, we were able to stay till afternoon tea, giving us another day of activities. It was a blessing that we could avail ourselves of indoor activities such as basketball and volleyball due to the heavy rains that set in on Sunday. We enjoyed discussion time with Pastor Bharat Naker, who gave the two devotionals.

We all came away from camp with some unforgettable memories. I’m grateful for your prayers for the young people and all the preparations. By God’s grace, all went ahead safely and successfully.

By Daphne Sidney, Superintendent of Australasia
Logan, Queensland, Australia

Kingdom Living—Citizens’ Toolbox

Citizens of the kingdom believe that the kingdom of God cannot be understood apart from who Jesus is and his mission.

Enjoy an excerpt from a series on the kingdom of God by Gary Deddo. Read the entire article here.

The centrality of Jesus Christ

… the biblical revelation, in no uncertain terms, identifies the kingdom of God with the person and mission of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ himself embodies and brings the kingdom of God. Why? Because he is the King of all creation. His ministry as mediator between God and creation involves kingship as well as priestly and prophetic elements. The kingdom of God is real and actual in and through Jesus Christ since he reigns wherever he is. The kingdom of God is his kingdom. Jesus tells us so: “I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Luke 22:29-30; NRSV throughout except as noted).

At another time Jesus declares that the kingdom of God belongs to him. He says, “My kingdom is not from this world” (John 18:36). So, the kingdom of God cannot be understood apart from who Jesus is and what his entire mission is about. Any study of Scripture or any theological synthesis of the exegetical material that does not interpret the kingdom of God on the basis of the person and work of Jesus Christ will be off-center. It will end up at a different place than one that operates from this living center of Christian faith.

Working from that center, what can we begin to understand about the kingdom of God? We should first note that it is Jesus himself who announces the arrival of the kingdom of God and makes this a comprehensive theme of his teaching (Mark 1:15). Jesus brings with him the actual presence of the kingdom, not just a message about the kingdom. The kingdom of God is operating wherever Jesus is—because he is the King. The kingdom of God has its reality in the living presence and activity of King Jesus.

Following on that point, then, what Jesus says and does conveys the character of his kingdom. The kingdom he offers has a character identical to his own. Jesus offers a certain kind of kingdom, one that embodies his own character and purpose. Our ideas of the kingdom of God then must cohere with who Jesus is. Everything about it must be redolent of him. It should look, sound, act, smell and carry itself in a way that points us to and reminds us of him so that we get the idea that this kingdom is his — it belongs to him and has his fingerprints all over it. The implication of this connection is that the kingdom of God is primarily about the rule or reign of Christ and not so much, as it has been put, about a realm or a spatial or geographical location. Wherever Christ’s lordship is operating according to his will and purpose, there is found the kingdom of God.

More particularly, his kingdom must have to do with his redemptive purposes and so be bound up with his incarnation, vicarious life, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension and return for us, and for our salvation. That is, his rule as King cannot be understood apart from his revelatory and mediating ministry of also being Prophet and Priest. All three of these Old Testament offices, represented by Moses, Aaron and David are uniquely combined and fulfilled in him.

The purpose of his rule and will is to bring his creation into and under his gracious protection and beneficence, that is, into fellowship, communion, and participation with him by reconciling us to God through his self-offering. The ultimate result of being under his rule is for us to share in his rule and experience all the benefits of his kingdom. And this rule will be characterized by God’s own love for us in Christ and worked out in us by the Spirit. Love of God and love of neighbor in the way Jesus embodied it will be marks of participating in his kingdom. The kingdom of God is a fellowship, a people, a community in communion with God through Jesus Christ and so with each other in the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Prayer Guide—February 2025

Sometimes that’s what prayer is — simply inviting God to join us where we actually are, not because He isn’t already here but because inviting Him reminds us it’s true. —Emily P. Freeman

Join us in seeking God’s guidance and celebrating his presence. Download the guide now.

Celebrating a GCI Centenarian

Join us in wishing a very Happy 100th Birthday to Burniece Chambers!

Mrs. Chambers birthday was Sunday, January 12, and she celebrated with her church family, GC Maumee, in Ohio, U.S. Everyone enjoyed cake while she shared her well-earned wisdom.

Mrs. Chambers began attending GCI in 1964 and was baptized five years later. She says she is very pleased to have stayed with one congregation for her lifetime. (GC Maumee was formerly known as the Toledo congregation.)

Burniece Chambers, “100 & Fabulous,” is pictured below with her pastor, Stuart Mahan.

GCI Home Office Jobs Available

GCI is hiring!

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

New! The Legal Coordinator and Assistant Secretary to Board of Directors position is currently available, and applications are being accepted. See the job description here.

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.

US Black History Month

Black History Month is observed in February in the U.S. The observance matters to Christians because it provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the significant contributions of African Americans to the faith. It is also an opportunity to lament and repent of the Church’s history with racism and injustice. By the observance, we demonstrate solidarity with the Black community, acknowledging their experiences and struggles within the context of Christian teachings. We do this all while highlighting the unifying power of God in the face of racial divisions.

See more information on GCI’s National Advisory Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – GCI Equipper.

The words of U.S. Director Jeff Broadnax in the June 2023 Update remain timely. Read an excerpt below and the entire letter here.

We continue seeking the Lord’s discernment for ways GCI can reflect the unity and diversity of the triune God in a fractured nation. In the U.S., the racial, religious, socio-political divisions have metastasized both in our citizens and within the Body of Christ to the point that even the terms diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) create inner conflict for many. Some in GCI have wondered if the denomination has become political or taken our eyes off Christ to embrace a secular agenda by using DEI language.

The answer to all those concerns is a resounding NO! The Council has only one agenda, his name is Jesus! But Scripture does charge believers to be awake and have the eyes of their hearts spiritually enlightened (Eph. 1:17-19).

God’s desire in Jesus’ reconciling work is to end the hostility of “us vs them” thinking and be committed to making this message known through the church (Eph. 2:15b-16, 3:10).

Share Your Kingdom Experiences

Would you help us highlight our 2025 theme, Kingdom Culture?

Even though we live in the tension of the “already but not yet” — signifying that the kingdom is here now, but not in its fullness — we want to embrace the “nowness” of the kingdom. We want to demonstrate the goodness of Jesus as we bear fruit in every good work. We want to proclaim the goodness of Jesus as we point others toward him in all opportunities.

Through Update, we want to stay connected as a global family and learn from one another. Would you be willing to help us? Send us your pictures and stories of how your congregation is collectively living as citizens of the kingdom! Email elizabeth.mullins@gci.org

You’re Invited—LiLY Women’s Conference

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

2025 LiLY Women’s Conference
April 25-27, 2025
Embassy Suites in Independence, Ohio (in person)

Rose Hamrick, Shenequa Rogers, Salisa Bruce, Julie Frantz, Tanazia Morris, Robyn Dykstra 2024

Theme: As He Has Forgiven You

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

Registration Fee:

- - $75 Early Bird Pricing — Register by Friday, April 4, 2025
  - $85 Regular Pricing — Register by Friday, April 13, 2025
  - $95 Late Registration — After April 13, 2025
  - $50 Special Teen Rate — Ages 13-17

Online registration ends on April 13, 2025.

Hotel Reservation/Cost:

Embassy Suites, 5800 Rockside Woods Blvd. Independence, Ohio

Overnight hotel rate: $132 per night, per suite, 4-person room
(Total with tax is $310.20 for both nights. Breakfast and manager’s reception is included for hotel guests only.)

Click here to make your reservation online.

Group Name: LiLY Women’s Conference
Group Code: LW5
Central Reservations Number: 1-866-344-7548
Deadline for hotel reservations at the special rate is Friday, April 4, 2025.
Register today online at gccle.church/lily

If not registering online, mail your registration fee with checks payable to:
Grace Communion Cleveland
4499 Canterbury Road
North Olmsted, Ohio 44070

(Please include your name, address, phone number, emergency contact name and address, and if you are staying for Saturday night dinner)

If you have any questions, please email us at: LiLYwomensministry@gmail.com

Rosa Hulse
Women’s Ministry Leader
Grace Communion Cleveland

Like/Follow us on Facebook at LiLYWomensConference.

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.