Rayong City, Rayong, Thailand
In late October, the members of the GC Rayong congregation took a group trip. Initially, we planned a fun sightseeing trip as a gift to the servant leaders and church workers, to thank them for their service, especially during the recently held Asian Leaders’ Retreat and Team Building Activity. But Sandy and Irma Jane Alisbo proposed that the trip be a Revival Trip instead. So, the trip was opened to all willing to join. Forty people participated, including school and work friends. The seven-day trip was packed with tourist destinations and famous landmarks during the day — from temples to sheep farms, and even waterfalls — and worship and devotional services at night.
The Revival Trip was given the theme “Burn Within,” which served as a reminder that the Spirit keeps our hearts burning as we serve our triune God, no matter how difficult or tiresome our circumstances are. The services included praise and worship, and topics like faith and obedience, and ministry and commitment. Attendees commented that GC Rayong serves as their second family — a home away from home.
By Jessica Joy Pamor, GC Pili Youth Leader
Bicol, Philippines
Note: Jessica lives in the Philippines. She accompanied her sister and brother-in-law, Pau and Jake Orcena, on the revival. Pau and Jake are on the pastoral team in GC Rayong, Thailand.
Masterton, Greater Wellington, New Zealand
Transforming Our Community: Embracing the Healthy Church Vision
I am a young member of GC Masterton. God is moving within the heart of our close-knit community in remarkable ways. We are a congregation of fewer than forty members — primarily Filipino immigrants and overseas workers in the beekeeping and caregiving industries — and we have witnessed God’s faithfulness in profound and transformative ways over the last few months.
Our recent journey has been filled with blessings that testify to God’s unwavering love and commitment to our church. With every step forward, we feel a renewed sense of purpose as God’s partners, working to make a positive impact on each other and on our wider community.
Read More Finding My Place
As someone new to the church, I initially felt unsure of how I could contribute. Yet, I was welcomed with open arms, and the encouragement I received from fellow members inspired me to serve in small but meaningful ways. Embracing the Team-Based Ministry concept has been life-changing. Through my background in media and communication, I’ve been able to support our church’s vision and serve in ways I hadn’t imagined.
The Healthy Church Initiative
Over the past two months, we’ve enthusiastically embraced the Healthy Church initiative, which has equipped us to foster a stronger and healthier church community. This initiative has been instrumental in uniting us around a model of healthy leadership, with a focus on equipping our congregation and strengthening our ministries. As we grow together in this vision, our hope is to reach even more people in our community with the gospel, embodying God’s love in all we do.
Denominational Support and Collaboration
Under the leadership of National Director Dennis Richards and Superintendent Daphne Sidney, GCI New Zealand has partnered with GCI Asia/Philippines to conduct an intensive month-long program to strengthen our church. This initiative has been a vital support for members who have faced job losses and has deepened our understanding of Healthy Leadership principles, including the Team-Based Pastor-Led model. Weekly services, leadership meetings, and even a transformative three-day retreat have been invaluable experiences that have drawn our community closer and sharpened our focus on effective ministry.
A Transformative Retreat Experience
The three-day retreat, held from September 7-9, was a pivotal moment for us. Facilitated by Dr. Eugene Guzon, former Asia Superintendent and National Director of GCI Philippines, the retreat introduced us to the 5 Voices assessment and provided us with fresh insights into the Team-Based Ministry Model of leadership. Through group workshops, personal meetings, and strategic planning, we left the retreat with a clear sense of direction and purpose. In the weeks that followed, Dr. Guzon continued to guide us through leadership development and planning for our 2025 Ministry Action Plan.
Challenges and Opportunities
Building and sustaining the Healthy Church vision has not been without its challenges. Developing a new culture takes time, patience, and dedication, but each small victory reminds us that we are moving forward. We continue to work towards engaging more stakeholders, volunteers, and partners, both locally and overseas, including our extended GCI family in the Philippines.
Investing in Our Youth
One of our dreams is to see a more active youth ministry that connects with our young members and reaches Filipino expats in Masterton and nearby areas. We are taking early steps to make this vision a reality through our Love Avenue engagement. Although we are still building momentum, we are hopeful that our efforts in training, coaching, and prayer will lead to a vibrant youth ministry that nurtures the next generation of believers.
Journey Towards REAL Teams
I have seen the dedication of my friends on the pastoral team in this ministry as they work towards creating a participative and supportive environment for everyone. Their commitment to building a Team Based — Pastor Led ministry is inspiring, and it reminds me that growth takes time, grace, and a shared vision. Together, we are learning, praying, and striving to embody the Healthy Church vision in all aspects of our community life.
Recent Celebrations
We have been blessed with recent celebrations that fuel our hope and faith. We now have a GCI branded GC Masterton signage and a welcome banner at the entrance of our hall, making our presence known to the community. On October 27, we rejoiced in the ordination of Associate Pastor Emmaneul “Manny” Ornejas and the commissioning of our pastoral team. We also celebrated the baptism of three new members — a local Māori couple and the son of our Associate Pastor.
Additionally, special thanks go to Superintendent Daphne Sidney for her pastoral visit, which lifted our spirits, and to National Director Dennis Richards, whose commitment to regular visits, even with his busy schedule, has been a source of encouragement. (And we love watching him enjoy Filipino food!)
Looking Forward
Our prayer is that, as we continue this journey, God will open doors, provide resources, and bless us with a deeper understanding of His will for GC Masterton. We invite everyone to join us in prayer for our congregation as we pursue the vision of a healthy, vibrant church community that brings love, hope, and faith to Masterton and beyond.
“When the leader [or team] gets better, everyone gets better.” — Craig Groeschel
“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” — John C. Maxwell
Thank you for being a part of our journey. Together, let’s pray for a healthier congregation with servant leaders worth following towards becoming the best expression of the church in Masterton. Let us give glory to God!
By Kate Andrea Sotalbo, member
Masterton, Wellington, New Zealand
