Kingdom Culture Effect

Watch video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hudp-NOJBE0

Listen to audio: https://cloud.gci.org/dl/MiscVid/Presidents-Update-January-2026.mp3

GCI President Greg Williams shares how our 2026 theme of “Kingdom Living” anchors our identity in heaven and gives us a clear purpose here on earth. He discusses how we strive to live as an ambassador for Christ, sharing his message of love and reconciliation with the world.

Watch video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hudp-NOJBE0

Program Transcript

GCI President Update | January 2026

In 2025, we wrote on the theme of Kingdom Culture. The lead letters in Update and the kingdom parables series in Equipper have commanded our attention. We have received a lot of positive feedback, and I think I know why.

Kingdom Culture points to our Kingdom Citizenship. In the context of the New Testament, the apostle Paul tells the church that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20-21). Believers’ identity and loyalty are in God’s eternal kingdom, not in earthly nations or systems. This speaks to our true identity. Being a Kingdom Citizen stands above national identity, tribal identity, or even family identity. It’s not wrong to find worth and value in your people group. But you and I have been created and called to much more. We’re called to identify with the King of kings and to be swept up into his kingdom movement, which is intended for all humanity.

While Kingdom Citizenship gives identity, Kingdom Representation gives purpose. Paul tells the church at Corinth, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (II Corinthians 5:20). As an ambassador, you have the opportunity and responsibility to act and speak on behalf of the King. Whoa! Just as we have received the saving love of Jesus, we now get to share that love and the message of reconciliation and restored relationship. This is compelling! We are called to participate with Jesus as he draws all people to himself.

Identity and purpose are paramount to a meaningful, fulfilled life. Identity provides a sense of self with acceptance and belonging. Purpose provides a clear path ahead with motivation and drive to go there. Identity and purpose are intertwined. A solid sense of identity leads to a clearer understanding of purpose. And a fulfilling purpose substantiates identity. As Kingdom Citizens and Kingdom Representatives, we find both. Kingdom identity and purpose can enhance self-awareness, relationships, decision-making, and general well-being. And more than good mental health, we discover spiritual health in belonging to the King and sharing in his divine purpose.

Jesus began his earthly ministry with a clear proclamation of the kingdom of God. This announcement continued throughout his public preaching. Jesus’ first advent was a pronouncement and teaching about his kingdom. At his first advent, Jesus also revealed God’s love and worked out humanity’s salvation in his life, death, resurrection, and ascension. The coming second advent will be about establishing the eternal kingdom with the promised new heavens and new earth. More than fulfillment, it will be the launch of the eternal reign of Jesus as we join him in the spiritual realm.

Kingdom Culture, for GCI, refers to the values, beliefs, and practices that represent God’s kingdom principles. We practice these kingdom principles within the church community, and they overflow to the neighbors we interact with now. It’s about aligning with God’s will and representing him as if the kingdom is present now. The kingdom is already, and yet there is a reality to come that will blow our minds. We laid the groundwork in 2025 with the theme of Kingdom Culture. Now we enter this new year of 2026, expanding the theme to “Kingdom Living.” May we find identity and purpose as we live as both citizens and representatives of the kingdom of God.

Together we pray, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

Devotional—The Reason

Once, we too were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But—

When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. Titus 3:3–7 NLT

People sometimes wonder why Christians show mercy. What is the reason? Why do we forgive when others hurt us? Are we weak? Are we people pleasers? Are we insecure? No!

We choose to turn resentment into forgiveness, hatred into love, fighting into peace. We have been there, done that and saw that the way of hate does not pay. Moreover, we too are foolish and disobedient.

But we are forgiven because of God’s mercy. How dare we withhold that mercy from others? By the power of the Holy Spirit, the same kindness and love God showed to us when we were the offenders is what we can show to those who wrong us.

Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, please help us to be a conduit of your love and mercy. Help us to extend what we have received from you to others. Lord, let it be a witness to the world and a sweet-smelling sacrifice to you. Please receive our thanksgiving in Jesus’ name, amen.

Margaret Musekwa

By Margaret Musekwa, Webmaster
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

Kingdom Living—Building Relationships

In 2026, we continue focusing on Kingdom Living. Kingdom Living includes prioritizing relationships. To build trust, relationships need patience and faithful presence — for as long as it takes. And it is our hope and prayer that our relationships will flow naturally into discipleship.

Read the story below to learn how Pastor Chan Thleng is doing the slow, good work of building relationships in Myanmar.

What began as a simple follow-up visit became a powerful reminder that discipleship grows best through relationships, patience, and shared life in Christ.

Earlier in the year, Pastor Chan Thleng had introduced GCI’s Healthy Church vision to ministry leaders in southern Shan State of Myanmar. Two leaders, Timothy and Bo Bo Sein, responded with genuine interest. Rather than rushing outcomes, Chan sensed the importance of returning, listening, and building trust. Four months later, my wife and I were invited to join him, and together we set out to see what God was already doing.

Along the way, we were reminded that discipleship often takes place in very ordinary settings. In Yangon, we worshipped with a small house church, mostly women whose husbands were away working. In that simple gathering, we reflected on the gospel as the good news of a relational, triune God who invites us into life with him through Jesus. After worship, practical care was shared through the distribution of rice — a quiet but powerful expression of love and partnership in Christ.

In Hmawbi, we joined a young and lively congregation meeting in a new church building that also served as a family home. Worship, fellowship, and conversations with young men preparing for ministry revealed a deep hunger to serve faithfully. Discipleship here looked like life shared across generations, rooted in relationship rather than programs.

In southern Shan State, meetings with church planters highlighted a longing for healthy theology and sustainable ministry. Many were encouraged by the reminder that ministry is not about striving for God but participating with Christ in what he is already doing. This perspective brought fresh hope and renewed joy to leaders carrying heavy responsibilities.

Another group of leaders travelled long hours simply to spend time together, to talk, and to discern next steps. Their desire was not for quick affiliation, but for shared values, sound teaching, and relationships built on trust. It was a clear reminder that healthy discipleship takes time.

As we returned home, we were encouraged — not by quick results, but by seeds planted through faithful presence, shared stories, and relationships formed in Christ.

Wong Mein Kong, Retired Pastor
Malaysia

Citizens’ Toolbox—Make Disciples

Citizens of God’s kingdom are disciples of Jesus who also make disciples. We are made in the image of a relational God. And we seek healthy relationships of care and trust. But not all relationships lead to discipleship. How can we be intentional when we discern by the Spirit to go deeper?

A discipleship pathway is a framework that guides the intentional discipleship. To learn more, read the full Church Hack here.

100th Birthday Celebration

The Pasadena congregation celebrated our eldest member, Divina Castillo. She celebrated her 100th birthday on November 16. Her husband Rupert died in December 2017. Divina has two daughters and one son, 10 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. She prays for them by name regularly.

Divina’s memory is still sharp. She was with us when we began planting this church in 2012. She is my prayer partner to this day. She is a great blessing to many and never tires of praying for others. We praise God for Divina.

Angie (left) with Sadie Tabin and Divina

Angie Tabin, Pastor
Pasadena, CA, US

Malaysia Gathering

GCI Malaysia celebrated its Festival 2025 at the Grand Kampar Hotel in October. The theme for the festival was “Kingdom Culture – Living in Peace.” About 40 members from Malaysia and Singapore attended.

Retired pastor Wong Mein Kong conducted group discussions on the theme of “Living in Peace.” Members actively participated in the discussions giving their opinions and sharing personal examples. This year Dominique Fun represented the young adults. He spoke on the expectations of young adults and teenagers in the present society.

Prayer Guide—January 2026

The primary purpose of prayer is to bring us into such a life of communion with the Father that, by the power of the Spirit, we are increasingly conformed to the image of the Son.” — Richard J. Foster

This January, we begin the year in prayer — seeking deeper communion with God, living faithfully in his kingdom, and entrusting the year ahead to the Spirit’s guidance.

Walk with us into the new year through prayer. See the full prayer guide here.

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

Register Now—DC26

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

Save your spot and register today!

We would love for you to participate in our time together. This gathering gives our fellowship time to worship, learn, and enjoy being together. The schedule offers steady rhythms of teaching, connection, and shared worship.

Our theme for this celebration is Kingdom Living. Throughout the event, we will explore how God invites us to participate in his life, reflect his goodness, and join his ongoing work in the world. The theme will guide our worship, breakout sessions, and main teachings. It will help us focus on the hope we share and the way we live it out in our daily lives.

Join us for:

- - Daily worship setting a hopeful tone each day
  - Breakouts that explore discipleship, calling, and mission
  - Messages from our leaders, including Greg Williams
  - Interviews with leaders who will share insights and stories
  - Communion that reminds us of our shared life in Jesus
  - Time for meals, fellowship, and personal reflection