Elizabeth Mullins – GCI Update

2026 Denominational Celebration

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.

Home Office Full-time Job

GCI is hiring!

The Grace Communion International (GCI) is still seeking a qualified applicant for a full-time position in the Home Office in Charlotte, NC, U.S.

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 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.

From Equipper—Parable of the Sower

Join us! We invite you to read this article from Equipper.

Subscribe to Equipper today!

By Bill Hall, National Director of Canada
Winnipeg, SK, Canada

Not too many of us in the Western world live in an agrarian society. For instance, although I’m surrounded by farms in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, I am an urban dweller. As a result, we may have some issues trying to understand various parables that have first-century agricultural overtones.

Looking at this parable found in Matthew 13:3–28, Mark 4:1–19, and Luke 8:4–15, we see Jesus’ conversation with the crowd on the lakeside is divided into three parts:

1. Jesus shares the parable.
2. Jesus explains why he speaks in parables.
3. Jesus then explains the parable to his disciples.

In his story he speaks of a sower casting seeds that fell on inhospitable and hospitable ground. Some of the seeds fell on the path and were eaten by birds; some fell on rocky ground and, while sprouting, couldn’t survive exposure to the elements. Other seedlings were choked out by weeds, and finally some seed fell on good soil and flourished into a bountiful harvest.

Reflecting on his words, even with my limited agricultural knowledge, it is obvious that what Jesus is describing in this parable is not how to be a successful farmer. A successful farmer would value every seed and give it the best opportunity to flourish. To do the opposite would be fool-hardy and a waste of valuable seed.

Instead, Jesus is describing something about the kingdom that is ushered into the world with his coming.

N.T. Wright explains that this message, with the interpretation given to the disciples (Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23), had a very prophetic meaning regarding Jesus’ ministry:

The Sower, in other words is not simply an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, a moral lesson about listening carefully. … It is full of the music of the Kingdom, the new song of God after the long silence of exile. It encapsulated Jesus’ challenge to his contemporaries to be Israel, because God was at last ‘sowing’ them again; and the warning that if this final word was not heeded the alternative would be catastrophe. [1]

Certainly, the Gospels give many examples of how Jesus’ words and actions were perceived differently by various individuals and groups. Some celebrated his coming, while to others, such as the religious leaders and the empire that was Rome, he was a threat to the status quo.

In his interpretation to the disciples (after he explains the reason for parables), he is not actually talking about seeds as much as the “type” of soil on which the seeds fell (Matthew 13:18-23).

As people who are reading these words over the shoulder of first-century disciples and their contemporary situation, modern Christians can learn some important lessons.

First, as we reach out into our neighbourhoods with the message of the kingdom, Jesus’ words help to explain why not everyone we develop a relationship with will respond to the kingdom message. The parable also helps to explain that even those who become disciples can get distracted and move on sometimes.

This can be very disconcerting. However, I find in Jesus’ words something very encouraging. The fact is, long before we encounter people in our neighbourhood, the Spirit is already preparing some to be the soil ready to accept the gospel. Could we be that person, in partnership with the Spirit, who plants the seed resulting in them becoming a part of that bigger harvest?

Secondly, I find encouragement from the reflections of David Lose. He calls God the “reckless sower,” because from our perspective God is a farmer who throws seed with abandon where three-quarters of the seed appears to be simply wasted. He adds:

Why does this shift of focus matter? Because as we give our attention to the crazy abandon of this ridiculously wasteful farmer, we get a hint about the character of the kingdom Jesus preaches. It is a place where God’s love and God’s word are scattered with equal abandon, with no regard for how any of it will be received. It’s as if God just can’t help but share love and grace and mercy and will do so recklessly, even wastefully, because God alone knows that grace is never exhausted, and love never wasted. [2]

Let us all participate with God as “sowers” in our own right to share his love, grace, and mercy in our neighbourhoods. More than ever our neighbours need to feel the touch of God’s kingdom in their lives!

[1] (page 86, Twelve Months of Sundays: Biblical Meditations on the Christian Years A, B & C, Morehouse Publishing 2012)

[2] (https://www.davidlose.net/2014/08/matthew-13-1-9)

Members Honored

Pastor Marty Davey shared the following announcement about a member of the GC Jacksonville congregation in Florida, U.S. She assisted two other bystanders to pull a trapped person from a rolled over vehicle.

Our very own Jasmine Daricaud was recognized and awarded by the city of Jacksonville for her bravery. Such an example of God’s purpose, favor, and love!

In Jasmine’s own words,

On Tuesday, I got an award from the city. And I have imposter’s syndrome. In my mind, if someone needs help, you help them to the best of your abilities. So, while I feel this was courageous and a little careless, I don’t feel like it was heroic. My husband’s life was saved [in 2023] because three guys put themselves in harm’s way. So, if I can help someone even a fraction of that, I’ll be eternally grateful.

Read the news report here.

Jeff Broadnax, U.S. Director, shared this announcement about the pastor of GC Cleveland in Ohio, U.S.

I want to take a moment to celebrate our sister and fellow pastor, Tamar Gray! She was selected Teacher of the Year 2024-2025 in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District. Praise God, Tamar. You shine bright for Jesus and are a fantastic leader and teacher. We love you.

In Tamar’s own words,

I have been teaching for more than 40 years, 34 in this district. This is just a huge honor that I know is a blessing from God. I am proud to be a public-school educator alongside many hard-working teachers and staff. As I said in my acceptance speech, I share this with all of those who show up, give 100% and speak into the lives of our kids every day.

Death of Santiago Lange

Santiago Lange died Saturday, April 12, 2025. He was born in 1959 in Cuba and served in GCI for nearly 30 years. He served as a Mission Developer in Europe and National Director in Austria and Germany. Most recently, Santiago pastored the Stuttgart congregation in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

Join us in praying for his wife, Elke, and their family. We share in their grief and in their hope of resurrection. Below is the memorial tribute given by Nestor Rodriguez, GCI Bogota, Colombia member.

In Loving Memory of Santiago Lange: He Fought the Good Fight

We honor a life marked by unwavering faith, courageous perseverance, and deep compassion. He devoted himself wholly to Christ and to living in truth. His relationship with the Lord was not simply a private conviction but the foundation of every word he spoke, every action he took, and every trial he faced. In his life, we witnessed what it means to love God with one’s whole heart, to rely on him steadfastly, and to walk in obedience even when the road was steep and painful.

For three years, he waged a heroic battle against cancer. Throughout countless rounds of chemotherapy, he maintained a remarkable transparency, sharing virtually every detail of his experience in letters and messages that encouraged and uplifted. He never once allowed despair to overshadow hope. Instead, he chose faith-filled words, demonstrating a “never give up” spirit that pointed others back to the power of prayer and the presence of Christ in the midst of suffering. When exhaustion and discomfort weighed heavily upon him, he refused to complain. His attitude remained steadfast: grateful to God for each breath, trusting that God was with him, and confident that no trial could separate him from the love of Christ.

Hospitality was a hallmark of his character. When visitors came from afar, he welcomed them with open arms, seeing in them the image of God. He made his home a place of warmth and generosity. He treated every guest as family, extending kindness and care not only to friends but also to those who found themselves far from home. His open-door heart reflected the biblical call to welcome the stranger; through him, many experienced the tangible love of Christ.

His love for theological discussion was well known to all who knew him. No subject was too difficult, no question too complex. He approached every conversation with humility and curiosity, eager to learn more about God’s nature and eager to share the insights he had gleaned over the years. He spoke with a passion that inspired those around him to dig deeper into Scripture and to grow in their own relationship with the Lord.

He cherished his wife in a way that bore witness to sacrificial love. Countless times, Santiago spoke of how blessed he was to have her by his side. In his words, it was clear that her steadfast love sustained him through every challenge. Their marriage was a portrait of Christ’s love for the Church: self-giving, faithful, and rooted in mutual submission. Through his testimony, we saw a man who recognized that the love of a godly spouse is one of life’s greatest gifts.

He was a lover of life’s simple joys. He delighted in a good laugh, a shared joke, and the fellowship of friends around a fine meal or glass of wine. Even as he faced pain, he found reasons to smile and reasons to celebrate God’s goodness: a well-timed quip, the taste of a favorite dish, lingering conversations by candlelight. In these moments, his vitality shone — reminding us that joy and suffering can coexist when the heart is fixed on Christ.

He had a unique gift for seeing the best in others. Always ready to commend a small victory or to highlight a hidden strength, he lived out Christ’s call to esteem others more highly than himself. No one left an encounter with him feeling insignificant or unseen. He believed that every person bore God’s image and ought to be treated with dignity and honor.

Let us hold fast to his example of faithfulness. Even when the road grew dark, he walked in obedience, truly loving the Lord by keeping his commands. His life reminds us that genuine faith is not measured by comfort but by perseverance. May we be inspired to greet every circumstance—joyful or painful—with the same trust in Christ.

Though his earthly battle has ended, his testimony remains. In the words he often shared, we find our charge: to walk by faith, not by sight; to rejoice always; and to give thanks in all circumstances.

L to R: Denise and Hans De Moei, Santiago and Elke Lange

Meet Elvison Parwar

“My walk with our triune God and experience with church, family, and other relationships have been filled with trials and joy/triumphs.”

Pastor Elvison Parwar of GC Kutunse, Ghana, serves with humility, passion, and a deep commitment to building healthy church culture. Learn more about Elvison’s story here.

Kingdom Citizens’ Toolbox—Invite Generosity

Citizens of God’s kingdom believe that where their treasure is, there their hearts will be also. They do not store up treasure for themselves on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). And through fundraising efforts, they invite others to live generously as well.

Fund-raising is precisely the opposite of begging. When we seek to raise funds we are not saying, “Please, could you help us out because lately it’s been hard.” Rather, we are declaring, “We have a vision that is amazing and exciting. We are inviting you to invest yourself through the resources that God has given you—your energy, your prayers, and your money—in this work to which God has called us.” A Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nowen, page 3

We invite you to read below an excerpt from Greg’s 2016 article, Our Calling to be Fundraisers

When it comes to fundraising, there is a problem: most of us don’t like to talk about money! But are we aware that money is Jesus’ second most talked-about topic in the Gospels? (The first is the kingdom of God.) I’m sure you’re aware that the Bible calls the love of money “a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10), but do you know it also calls money “the answer for everything” (Ecclesiastes 10:19)?

Like most of you reading this, I learned quickly that it takes money to do ministry. Knowing I was called to do ministry, I gradually learned to become comfortable talking about money. I encourage you to do the same.

Understand the importance of “WHY”

Every congregation and ministry need a clear understanding of the “why” of their calling. Every leader then needs to cast and recast a clear and compelling vision that addresses that “why.” The greater the clarity of that vision, the easier it will be to know where and how to expend ministry resources (treasure, time, and talent).

Knowing why we do what we do in ministry makes it much easier for us to ask others to participate through giving.

I have a question for you: If Jesus looked to you as one of his disciples, and said, “Go get a colt,” or “Go secure an upper room where we can share the Passover meal,” would you be able to make it happen? As a pastor or ministry leader in the 21st century, fundraising is a skill that is very much necessary in order to be active in the ministry that Jesus is doing. Fundraising involves securing the resources that are necessary to do what God has called you to do in your community. Surveying the congregation to know who your members know (their existing networks) is a good place to start. Couple that with crafting a clear vision, and you are well on your way to reaching out and giving others opportunity to participate with you in what God is doing in and through your church or ministry.

Would you like to learn more about fundraising? A good place to begin is to read The Spirituality of Fundraising in which author Henri Nouwen points out that fundraising is more about asking someone to participate than asking them to contribute.

By Greg Williams, President
Steele Creek, NC, US

Kingdom Living—Fundraising

Asking people for money is giving them the opportunity to put their resources at the disposal of the Kingdom. To raise funds is to offer people the chance to invest what they have in the work of God. Whether they have much or little is not as important as the possibility of making their money available to God. A Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nowen, page 25

Fundraising is one way that congregations can invite their neighbors to invest in the kingdom. The fundraising examples of the following three congregations are fun and creative. May it spark ideas for your community!

Cape Town, Republic of South Africa

The GCI Cape Town South congregation held a highly successful fundraising event. It was an evening of fun karaoke and line dancing. Everyone who participated seemed to be having a good time.

We are raising funds for a mid-year youth camp. Most of the youth who attend our congregation live in a financially challenged community. Our Youth Ministerial Leadership is determined to ensure that all the young people who attend services can attend the camp in October 2025.

The congregation, the Youth and Young Adults group, and the organizing team would like to express their deepest gratitude and appreciation and extend their sincere thanks to all who attended and donated. The event was well supported by congregation members, family, and friends. Many enthusiastically requested another event and pledged their support for the next one.

By Virginia Young Weber
Cape Town, Republic of South Africa

Cincinnati, Ohio, US

Once a month during warm months (May to October), the GC Cincinnati congregation hosts a community yard sale. They call it “Sell Your Stuff,” and everyone is welcome to buy or sell. If a seller doesn’t have their own tables, they may rent a table from the congregation for $5. They make this request of the sellers: When you’re done for the day, we ask that you donate 10% of what you sell to the church. [Sell nothing, you owe nothing!]

GC Cincinnati also hosts the Westside Women’s Paddle Auction once a month. The proceeds of this fundraiser are used to serve their neighborhood. They select a different worthy cause or need each month. For example, one month the fundraiser was to help a neighbor pay for cancer treatment.

The doors for the fundraiser open to the public on a Thursday evening. Participants can enter a raffle to win a basket or bid on items valued at $10 -$75. Items include new products from local marketers of cosmetics, jewelry, kitchen gadgets, food storage, scented candles and soaps, eco-friendly cleaning products, sauces and seasonings, and more. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase.

Surrey Hills, Oklahoma, US

On one occasion, GC Surrey Hills partnered with a local Italian ice shop to fundraise. Some retailers offer to donate a portion of sales on a specific day or during a set period for a worthy cause or nonprofit. An in-store fundraiser can benefit both the congregation and business.

A congregation could raise a significant amount of funds while also enjoying a social event managed primarily by the retailer. For businesses, in-store fundraisers are a low-cost way to demonstrate that they care about the community. It’s a chance for the business to increase their sales and visibility and to gain new customers. It’s a win-win!

See the flyer below for details about GC Surrey Hills’ Clothing Swap fundraiser. Clothing swaps are another low-stake event that serves the neighborhood and raises funds.

Devotional—Yes, Lord

I am the Lord’s servant; may it happen to me as you have said. Luke 1:38

This was Mary’s response to the angel when she was told she would bear the Son of God. We have recently come through the Easter season, and Jesus’ birth and death have been on my mind. I have thought a lot about Mary’s willingness to follow God into the unknown. What she knew about her culture and how she’d probably be treated would have been enough to cause most people to take a hard pass. Yet, Mary said “yes.”

Almost 23 years ago, I was given the opportunity to be part of a pastoral team. I said “yes.” The challenges I have faced over the years cannot be compared to what Mary endured. Still as a woman, the road has not always been easy. But the hurt pales in comparison to the joy, the excitement, the sense of purpose and meaning my life has had. Having a front row seat to how God has worked, not only in my life but in the lives of others, has expanded my understanding of his nature and grown my faith in ways I didn’t think possible.

If Mary had a do over, I have no doubt she would still have said “yes.” And I would too. Living in the culture of the kingdom of God begins with a “yes.” Then it’s followed by the willingness to go wherever and however God leads. The road will not always be easy, sometimes the unknown is a little scary, but the result will be a life worth living.

Prayer
Lord, help us all have the attitude of Mary, recognizing that we are first your servant. Then give us the willingness to lay down our lives and say “yes” to whatever you ask. Amen.

By Debby Bailey, Pastor
Pikeville, Kentucky, U.S.

Author: Elizabeth Mullins