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.
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
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.
By Margaret Musekwa, Webmaster
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Grace Communion International continues to follow Jesus on his mission to share the good news we have been given and make disciples. By his grace and with the resources he provides, we do so around the globe. It is encouraging to see articles in our publications that highlight the growth and vitality that many are experiencing on this journey.
An essential aspect of Jesus’s ministry within our cultural context is to 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, GCI’s theological foundation, overall mission, financial procedures and administrative policies are overseen by a Board of Directors. This includes insuring publications accurately reflect our mission and GCI doctrines, reviewing and approving the annual budget and financial audit, approving and financing the Ministry Training Centers and overseeing the work of the GCI President as he develops plans and strategies for living out GCI’s vision and mission.
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. An aspect of chairing the board that has been particularly enjoyable for me is having the blessing of working alongside a group of people who fervently love Jesus and gladly exercise their gifts to benefit GCI. We are all friends as well as co-workers. While we review, deliberate and decide key issues related to oversight and governance of GCI, we do so with a full measure of mutual respect, grace, and humor (we like each other and have a good time.)
The board generally meets four times per year. Three meetings are by Zoom and the fourth, a face-to-face meeting, is held each October at the GCI Home office. However, our last meeting was an exception. We decided to meet in Surrey Hills at the location of the Ministry Training Center and the home of GCI Surrey Hills. This gave our directors an opportunity to experience firsthand the fruit of their decision to finance the MTC by meeting at the building and participating in the worship service.
During this board meeting something occurred that made the experience particularly inspiring. The board installed Mike Urmie as the newest board director. As a long-time GCI member and elder he has served in many ministry and pastoral roles. He brings a wealth of experience from the world of business and sales. We are honored to have him join the board of directors.
Also at this meeting we thanked Robert (Chip) Brockmeier and Heber Ticas for their outstanding service on the board as they concluded their terms. 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 and pray they continue to experience every blessing Jesus has for them as they continue to serve him in other capacities.
As the board continues to follow Jesus, oversee the work of GCI and support President Greg Williams, please pray for us. We covet the wisdom of Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we seek to faithfully steward GCI resources. We thank our many GCI members for their financial generosity and support.
May our loving Father continue to bless all of us as we journey together with Jesus.
Randy Bloom, GCI Board Chair
The Denominational Celebration
will be held
in Dallas, Texas, U.S.
on July 23-26, 2026.
Registration for the 2026 Denominational Celebration is open!
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:
Join us in honoring Rick Shallenberger, who retired in January 2025. In addition to being a regional director, Rick was also serving as the Equipper editor.
Rick and Cheryl, your faithful service and love for Jesus’ Church demonstrates your generous and kind hearts. We are very grateful to you both.
We asked Rick to tell us about his journey.
I have had a rich experience in Grace Communion International. I retired as a regional director, but it was only one of the many hats I’ve worn over the 40+ years of ministry. These hats include initially working with youth ministry as a coach, teacher, and mentor, then working full time for GCI as a writer and editor of most of the publications we’ve produced over the years. I served as an elder in Evansville, Indiana when I was called to pastoral ministry. I had always desired to pastor, but I heard the specific call at a Promise Keeper’s conference in Knoxville, TN. As we were leaving, the three pastors I was with asked me if I heard the calling. All three of them were convicted God wanted me in pastoral ministry. Talk about immediate affirmation.
I served as pastor for six different congregations before being asked to serve as regional director and assistant to our current GCI President. All of these hats/responsibilities came with challenges (which I loved to face for the most part) and numerous blessings. My wife and I have friends all around the world because of the opportunities we’ve had to travel, and I’ve had to teach and train. Looking back, I see very little I would change as I believe I’ve been richly blessed. My goal has always been to help others see the truth about who Jesus is, who they are in him, and to help them live in their true identity as the beloved of Father, Son, and Spirit. I know God directed that vision, and I have full confidence he helped me fulfill that vision. And though I was the employed one, my wife is better at sharing that vision than I am. She has the gift of nurturing others in ways that simply amaze me.
I am now in a new chapter of life, known as retirement, and when Cheryl retires, we don’t see that our mission will change. We currently host a small group where we continue to share the truth about who God is and who we are in him.
Retirement has given me new opportunities I am looking forward to exploring. This spring I had a workshop built so I can learn new woodworking skills. I’m still setting it up for efficiency. I’ve done quite a bit of remodeling in most of the homes we’ve owned – basic construction – but now I want to learn more detailed woodworking. My first project was a set of chairs (pictured below).
Once Cheryl retires, besides spending a lot more time with our grandchildren, we plan to travel, build up our garden, and look for new opportunities to expand our horizons. Cheryl wants to take up piano again; I am currently studying Italian for a future trip, and we want to tour this country we live in. We’d like to visit all the national parks and simply enjoy time together enjoying God’s creation.
Join us in honoring Tim Sitterley, who retired from employment with GCI in January 2025.
We are very grateful to you for your love and faithful service to the bride of Christ, Tim.
We asked Tim to share his reflections.
To be honest, I had not spent much time in retrospective thought since retiring from employment with GCI back in January. That old joke that I would be busier now than when I worked full-time proved to be far more accurate than I ever imagined. But the one thing I’ve found I missed from my years as a pastor and then as a regional director was the interaction with an almost endless number of incredible people.
As a senior pastor, I had the opportunity to come to know the members in my congregations at an intimate level few achieve outside of immediate family. Anyone who has ever pastored for any period of time comes to understand why the early church adopted the title “Father” for their clergy. The feelings of love and responsibility for the people God has called you to serve overshadows all other aspects of the job. Young or old, you can’t shake the fact that they all have become your spiritual children. You celebrate with them, and you weep with and for them. You are there for them during some of the most important events in their lives. And you speak encouragement and hope to their family and friends when they have passed on.
When I became the director of the western United States, that familial relationship expanded to a level I could not have imagined. I developed a habit of taking a photograph from the pulpit of the congregations I spoke to, and in looking back at that collection of pictures, I see so many people who have now become an extended part of my life. Whether it was Anchorage, Seattle, Sacramento, or San Diego, these were now my people, and I know I could walk into any of the congregations from my former region and be greeted as a long-lost friend.
The icing on the cake was the international relationships I was blessed to make. From island hopping in the Caribbean in the early days of my employment, to leading “pilgrims” to the Holy Land in the final years, I saw much more of the world than a farm-boy from Pennsylvania could have ever imagined. One of the highlights was the time I was able to spend in the Philippines, and the opportunity to facilitate CORE training with many of our current leaders there and in India. Even today, a good portion of my Facebook posts are in Tagalog, and due to the dateline shift, I start getting birthday wishes the day before my actual birthday.
I will continue to serve in my local congregation as an assistant pastor, worship leader, and musician. I have taken a part-time position working with the local business community. And I definitely don’t miss getting on airplanes at 5:00 a.m. on a regular basis. But I do miss what waited for me on the other end of those flights — people who made my job a joy and a blessing.
New Superintendent of Latin America Installed
Paulina Salinas, of Bogota, Colombia, has been commissioned as Superintendent of Latin America. Heber Ticas passed the baton to Paulina on October 5. (Heber was commissioned as the Vice President of GCI in June 2025.) Get to know Paulina here.
New Superintendent of Africa Installed
Takalani Musekwa, of Pretoria, South Africa, was commissioned as the Superintendent of Africa on December 7. Kalengule Kaoma passed the baton to Takalani upon his retirement. Watch their conversation here.
New National Director of Canada Installed
Gillian Houghton, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, was commissioned as the National Director of Canada on November 30. Bill Hall passed the baton to Gillian; he will retire on December 31.
