Dear GCI Family and Friends,
Thankfulness is the conscious state of realizing benefits received and feeling a sense of appreciation. These tangible blessings received include kind gestures, positive experiences, helpful services, and generosity. The undergirding factor is that they all involve human connection and relationship. Perhaps, it’s by God’s design?
From childhood, we are taught to count our blessings. In most cases, many, many blessings. In a short time, the U.S. will be celebrating its traditional Thanksgiving holiday. In my family, we have a Thanksgiving ritual of going around the table and one by one sharing our personal stories of gratitude. This time of family reflection is always rich.
I am writing this letter in August, and I simply cannot wait to take my turn around the Thanksgiving table in November. So, I sit here, awake at 3:00 a.m. (recovering from jet lag after my recent trip to Australia). But more than jet lag keeping me up, I am energized and deeply grateful for such a blessed trip.
Being reunited with friends who are 9,000+ miles around the world in the southern hemisphere is a blessing in itself. Superintendent Daphne Sidney and her able staff are always courteous to pick me up with smiling faces and an Australian “Good Day, how are you going?” They provide me with comfortable lodging and pack the kitchen with enough fruit and snacks for a family of five. (I came home five pounds heavier!)
More than these kind acts, Daphne is keen to help me connect to a wide pool of relationships. Knowing that Urvashi Naker (Pastor Bharat Naker’s wife) was leaving on business, Daphne made sure that we shared dinner with the Nakers before Urvashi left. I am grateful that in GCI, connecting is first about friendship.
Read More I got to spend my second day meeting and strategizing with the ACCM staff. Unfortunately, Director John McLean was unable to come into the office. He and Heather joined us for the opening meeting on Zoom. This was my opportunity to show appreciation to John for his 25+ years of leadership over ACCM. I presented a handsome plaque that acknowledged his lifetime of service and commitment. This was a perfect opportunity to honor those who labor among us. It was a blessing to honor John and Heather.
Daphne arranged another dinner to include her husband Bill, New Zealand National Director Dennis Richards and his wife, Sue, and retired Director of Asia, Rod Matthews. This was an opportunity to reminisce with seasoned leaders who have gone before and to collectively acknowledge God’s faithfulness to us. It was especially good to catch up with Rod since his beloved wife, Ruth, died in 2023. Rod spoke of Ruth fondly and the way she eagerly anticipated the wedding supper of the Lamb. I am thankful for the lives of the saints who have gone before and the hope of eternity that Jesus promises. (Read Ruth’s posthumous devotional in this issue.)
All these events culminated in a two-day weekend workshop, Kingdom Culture. This was a time of interactive sharing around the words of Jesus with an emphasis on his kingdom parables. The crowd consisted of several groups of people — Daphne and her staff, the board of directors, pastors who serve as mentors, and the second-year participants in the Christian Discipleship Pathway group. I am grateful for this high level of participation. All too often, we have individualized learning, and then we attempt to report back. It’s not as good as having all groups together. So, it was good that each of these groups were hearing and experiencing the same things.
I have facilitated dozens of workshop weekends, but I must say that the level of learning and sharing was amazing. I saw people become enlightened about the reality of Jesus and how they are called to participate with him. I saw many people encouraged about who they are in Jesus and become empowered to want to take back this experience to share in their home congregations. It was an extra blessing to see new and younger faces in the group, and how comfortable they were to join in. I am grateful for the tangible presence of Jesus and the guiding power of the Holy Spirit.
As I write, this gray-haired president may have his sleep patterns off, but he is deeply appreciative of how God is present and faithful to this little slice of the Body of Christ called GCI. I am also very thankful for our pastors! October is pastor appreciation month, and we hope our pastors feel honored for their service and dedication.
Thankful,
Greg
P.S. Thank you, Daphne, for your care of God’s people in Australasia. Read more about the workshop here.
Dear GCI Family and Friends,