Elizabeth Mullins – Page 23

Devotional—Hope is the Final Word

Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said,“As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” Luke 21:5-6

The season of Advent centers on hope and points to God’s enduring faithfulness — promises of old find their fulfillment in Christ. In Luke 21, Jesus speaks of the destruction of the temple and the hope of redemption. These words, often mistaken as referring to the Second Coming, likely predict Jerusalem’s devastation in A.D. 70. The temple was a symbol pointing to Jesus. When the reality the symbol was pointing to appears, the symbol falls away.

The temple, once a cornerstone of Jewish faith, was a symbol of permanence and divine connection. Yet, its destruction marked the transition to worship “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Jesus fulfills what the temple once represented: the meeting place of heaven and earth. ^“Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near” (verse 31).

Worship is no longer confined to a place or people. The kingdom has arrived! Jesus’ kingship transcends earthly symbols, initiating a new era for God’s people.

We’re reminded that no worldly institution, however powerful or evil it seems, is permanent. But God’s kingdom is eternal. This reality fills us with hope.

Advent hope challenges us to remain watchful and faithful, trusting God amidst change and placing our ultimate hope in His eternal kingdom.

Prayer:
Jesus, we are so grateful that in You we find the union of heaven and earth. Your incarnation and the advent of Your kingdom saved our lives! Father, Son, and Spirit, we love you. Amen.

This devotional was adapted from an RCL sermon. Read the full sermon here.

Anticipation

Death of Helen Jackson

Helen Jackson, born December 25, 1936, died on October 30, 2024. She is the wife of the late Harold Jackson.

Her daughter, Sabrina Mayo, shared the following with Update:

For the past five years, mom has stayed very active. She spent time with her grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, attending soccer games, gymnastic meets, cheerleader competition, t-ball baseball games, and family trips. She liked concerts, and musical performances, and was a member of the Deaton Creek Village Singers. She attended adult dance classes, line dancing, art club, tai chi, water aerobics, Pilates, and women’s Bible study club. She enjoyed these past years of life; however, mom was tired and ready to go. She passed on in a peaceful sleep. She will be missed, but I am happy that God answered her prayers.

December 7, 2024 — 11 a.m.
Celebration of Life for Helen E. Jackson
Shepherd’s Community Church
10 W 150th Street
Harvey, IL 60426
Livestreaming will be available.

December 21, 2024
Memorial in Mountain View Chapel — 11:00 a.m.
Internment, Graveside Service — 12:30 p.m.
Mountain View Cemetery
2400 North Fair Oaks Avenue
Altadena, CA 91001

Condolences may be sent to:
Sabrina Mayo
5955 Chimney Rock Dr.
Hoschton, GA 30548

We Are GCI—Susan Williams

Save the Date

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.

Nonviolence Retreat

In October, GC Bellflower in Southern California hosted a three-day weekend retreat centered around the message of the nonviolent gospel as revealed in Jesus. Our guest teachers were Anthony and Linda Bartlett of the Bethany Center community in Syracuse, NY, and our invitation was to come and join others who are open to learning about the nonviolent Bible. It drew more than thirty participants over the course of the weekend (including a few virtual attendees). Half were neighbors from the community, including two followers of Islam.

The interactive teaching sessions took place in the shade of my family’s yard. Sitting in a circle, we were in the company of Jesus to learn from Him the way of nonviolence, His way of being human, which is hope for the world. We rehearsed what has happened before among Christians, the terror of war with its staggering death toll and the continuing threat of wars.

We talked of how violence is an illness between humans, a disease of mutual and mimetic nature, the economics of rivalry, to be cured only by forgiveness and love. We talked of war and the Bible, and how Jesus heals any connection between the two. We shared our stories and prayed for one another. We deconstructed key anthropological elements of the story of Jonah by comparing it to a parallel Japanese account and respected how Jesus can calm our storms of violence and destruction with his word.

On Saturday, our Muslim guests stayed from early morning to late in the night. They represent an eagerness to learn about Jesus and the Bible. We all enjoyed singing and praying; we were, in effect, together with Him, in love and peace like branches on the vine. We were in His house and communion of peace, which is the church.

Pastor Kairis Chiaji Installed

Congratulations to Elder Kairis Colter-Chiaji who was installed as the paster of GC Sacramento this month. We are sharing in your joy and will hold you in our prayers for this new role.

She shared this with our Update readers: “This experience is both exhilarating and intimidating. This isn’t one of those spaces where you can get it wrong without consequences. Not with being a guide for relationships with Jesus. Not with representing the Body of Christ in the world. Not with the impact of being in full-time ministry on family. I will certainly lean heavily on the Holy Spirit for guidance for how I act, think, feel, and lead.”

Praise from Regional Director Tim Sitterly:

“After working with Kairis as part of a three-person pastoral team, it was my pleasure to install her as the lead pastor of GC Sacramento. The congregation, which has recently gone through a change of day and location, is now in very good hands for whatever lies ahead.”

We are also celebrating the following elder ordinations. Please join us in congratulating and praying for them.

- - José Lopez, Sun Valley, CA, US
  - Associate Pastor Manny Ornejas, Masterton, Wellington, New Zealand
  - Goeffrey Davis, Melton, Victoria, Australia

GCI Testify

Discover the transformative power of Christ’s love in our new series GCI Testify. Join us as members from our global fellowship share testimonies of their experiences with Jesus through GCI congregations and ministries. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of the Spirit in and through GCI.

Watch the entire series here.

Healthy Church—Fall Neighborhood Parties

Ladson, SC, US

GC Ladson held our second annual Fall Festival last month. We invited the community to come out for an outdoor movie and a chili cook-off with corn bread. We shared invitations with the local elementary school, who generously offered to email it to all students. We also posted flyers at the housing office and banks of mailboxes in our focus neighborhood.

On Saturday evening, 5-9 pm, neighbors enjoyed our fire pits for warmth and for roasting s’mores. Children also enjoyed arts and crafts and glow-in-the-dark stickers. New this year was a photo booth. We hired a photographer who provided all the fun props and printed the pictures on the spot for guests to take home. It was a big hit!

After working hard on the planning, logistics, and set-up, our Love Avenue team was grateful for the participation of the Hope Avenue team. They attended with the express purpose of connecting with guests. We were thankful to see families return who have attended other events.

By Mary Robinson, Love Avenue Champion
Ladson, SC, US

Grove City, OH, US

Annually GC Grove City hosts a Harvest Party for the congregation and the surrounding neighborhood. They share a variety of games and potluck style meals with their neighbors. This year the weather was beautiful, and they look forward to it again next year!

River Road, OR, US

GC River Road held another Trunk or Treat in October. Many neighbors came out to play, and everyone had a wonderful time.

Pikeville, KY, US

GC Pikeville hosted a church picnic in the park, inviting the neighborhood. With cooler temperatures, fall is a great time to host an outdoor event!

Healthy Church—Renewal

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.

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

Author: Elizabeth Mullins