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Healthy Church—Leadership Equipping

Caloundra, Queensland, Australia

In September, GCI Australia held a four-day leadership conference and family weekend in Caloundra. More than 50 pastors and leaders participated in Healthy Church presentations and discussions. Topics included: transformational change, reviewing Healthy Church indicators by congregation for missional identity, and reviewing indicators based on the Faith, Hope and Love Avenues.

Sessions helped unpack the multi-faceted life of a disciples who make disciples and provided some practical steps for our congregations to be further equipped as disciple-making churches participating with Jesus. The 5 P’s were explained as one helpful model.

      • Proximity — meeting people where they are.
      • Presence — walking beside someone, spending time to build and sow into the relationship.
      • Patience — taking the time to journey with them.
      • Partnership — introducing them to others in our friendship circles or small groups.
      • Proclamation — introducing them to Jesus as the Spirit leads, encouraging their integration into the life and ministry of the church.

Discipleship may take years and is based on walking beside a friend, sharing the love of God, and allowing God to work in our relationships. Small Groups are an ideal place for including new people and a way of introducing them into the life of the church.

To connect with the community and friends, a family activity was organized on Saturday at a nearby park. Many neighborhood children came and enjoyed face painting, games, and ice-cream. The event also provided an opportunity to reconnect with friends who had been previously affiliated with GCI, particularly through S.E.P. At the end of the day, an enjoyable S.E.P.-style dance was held. We hope the doors have been opened for these connections to continue to grow and flourish. We have such a grace-filled message of love, hope and faith to share.

A great highlight was the baptism of two young people. It was wonderful to witness them publicly declare their faith of Jesus. Approximately 120 attended the Sunday service that culminated in a meaningful communion. The weekend was about connecting, equipping, and growing in how to be a disciple who disciples others, that we may truly be a blessing to those around us.

This is an excerpt from the Life Together newsletter.


Big Sandy, Texas, US

Check out these resources on Review and Vision, Mission, Core Values.

One Sunday in August, approximately 25 members of Grace Communion Big Sandy gathered after services for a “Ministry Review.” My wife, Helen, prepared a sandwich lunch to facilitate our time together. The foundation of this review was the reassuring truth that all our ministry is a participation in Jesus Christ’s ministry!

This gathering was an outgrowth of our leaders and several members reading Thom Rainer’s book, Anatomy of a Revived Church. I led the initial time of discussion from a 14-page “guidebook for conversation” that I prepared for the participants. The purpose of our gathering was just that — seeking to have a prayerful conversation about the ministry activities of our congregation, and to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we follow Jesus as he ministers here.

We considered and discussed the following concepts of ministry with supporting scriptures.

    • Reason for Ministry: Love,
    • Form of Ministry: Sacrifice as Worship,
    • Model of Ministry: The Body, and
    • Growth of Ministry: Equipping.

We then reviewed our Vision, Mission, and Core Values, looking to see how they fit into our participation in Jesus’ ministry. Afterwards, each Avenue champion invited participants to breakout sessions for their Avenue to consider various starter ideas and suggestions provided in their guidebooks.

It was so rewarding to see each group interacting and talking at length about what is and what could be! These breakout sessions were intended to be the heart of the gathering. We were able to spend almost three hours in prayerful, purposeful conversation about what Jesus is leading us to do at GC Big Sandy. Next, the Avenue champions plan to provide their top two priorities for 2025 and to commit to having follow-up discussions with their Avenue teams. We hope to do this review every year, and our prayer is that the Holy Spirit will continue to speak to us and guide us as we intentionally spend this time together.

Jerome Ellard, Pastor
Big Sandy, TX, US

 

Devotional—Ordinary Faithfulness

What next? I often feel overwhelmed when I hear that I need to go out and be missional. In my mind, I reason that we are but a small church, and we lack the right resources. We feel inadequate.

However, God doesn’t measure success by size or grand gestures. Jesus began with just twelve disciples, and his ministry, though small, changed the world.

In God’s kingdom, faithfulness matters more than size or prominence. Just like how our lungs, though unseen, are essential to life, the hidden or small parts of our lives can have the greatest impact.

God often uses what the world considers insignificant. Jesus didn’t need a large following to make a difference — he needed faithful, ordinary people. God’s power is still made perfect in our weakness today. The church’s greatest offering isn’t in its famous leaders or large buildings but in everyday believers committed to following Jesus.

From one ancestor [God] made all peoples to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live. Acts 17:26

God created each of us and placed us in specific times and places for his purposes. Nothing about your life is an accident. Your talents, no matter how small, are part of God’s plan to reach others. Dallas Willard wrote, “The well-kept secret of the ‘ordinary’ is that it is made to be a receptacle of the divine, a place where the life of God flows.”

If Jesus could feed thousands with a few loaves and fish, he can do great things with whatever you offer him. God loves our availability over our abilities. He doesn’t need the most talented — he’s looking for those willing to serve faithfully.

Prayer: Father, thank you for reminding me that my worth isn’t tied to how big my actions seem. Help me trust that you’ve placed me where I’m needed. Use my ordinary life for your extraordinary purposes. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

By Bermie Dizon, Elder
Glendora, CA, US

 

Christian Nationalism, Progressivism, Patriotism, and Voting

Dear Family and Friends,

Unless you live in a cave, you know that 2024 is an election year. In fact, 2024 could be called “The Election Year,” at least 70 countries around the world will have an election, including Ghana, Bangladesh, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. Sorting out the role as a Christian during this season is not an easy journey.

I’ve asked Rick Shallenberger to write an article speaking into how we as GCI walk through the elections as we are guided by the instruction of Scripture and the leading of the ever-present Holy Spirit. And we pray to the King of kings, please provide us with leaders who care for their people and countries.

Greg Williams


I have good Christ-following friends on both sides of the U.S. political aisle whom I love and respect. I may disagree with some of their political views, and I may believe they don’t see the bigger picture, but I suspect they feel the same about my political views. The important thing is that our relationships and our worldviews are not based on politics; they are based on Jesus.

Today we live with worldviews that are in contradiction to a Christian worldview and Jesus’ teachings. Both Christian Nationalism on the “right” and Progressivism on the “left” are problematic. Christian Nationalism is different than patriotism. The basic premise of Christian Nationalism is that America should be a theocracy, ruled by Christian power in government. This is not the same as cultures and governments being influenced by Christian principles, and it is different from patriotism.

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From Equipper—On a Mission of Love

Join us! We invite you to read this article from Equipper. It’s an important reminder during Ordinary Time of our priorities.

Subscribe to Equipper today!


A healthy church shares in Jesus’ mission of love looking for ways to express God’s love in tangible ways.

By Linda Rex, Elder

As we move towards Healthy Church — our never-ending goal in Grace Communion International — we share in Jesus’ mission of love. Our Love Avenue champions work with their teams to provide opportunities for members to express God’s love in tangible ways.

Markers of a healthy Love Avenue

A healthy church understands deeply how each member shares in Jesus’ mission to show God’s love to the world. The Love Avenue team and the church members are, personally and as a group, involved in their neighborhood through community groups, events, social media, and service. They build relationships with their church neighbors. Members realize that Jesus is already present and active by his Spirit in each person. The church members and the Love Avenue team work together to provide community events in which neighbors feel safe and able to connect with one another. The church also provides ways in which neighbors are connected back to the church, so that they can share in the life of the church as God leads them. A healthy church actively loves the members of their community, just as God in Christ loves every human being.

Signs of unhealth

A church that is isolated and disconnected from their neighborhood is not healthy, nor is it loving. In such a church, no one takes the lead to assess the neighborhood, or to create a plan for missional activities or events. The church expects the pastor or a small group of people to build the necessary relationships in the community. Members may simply choose to “pray and pay” rather than to personally be involved or serve. Church members may be unwilling to help with local activities or join in local groups. Possibly the church is unaware of the nature of the neighborhood in which they do ministry. And the church that does reach out to the community may not know how they are equipped to serve, because members are unaware of their own spiritual gifts or callings. Or perhaps members have not chosen to offer their gifts, resources, or talents to share in Jesus’ mission in the world.

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Prayer Guide—October 2024

Learn to worship God as the God who does wonders, who wishes to prove in you that he can do something supernatural and divine.” – Andrew Murray

Join us this October as we worship and trust the God who works all things for our good. View the full guide or download it today: October Prayer Guide

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

 

We’re Hiring

GCI is hiring!

Two full-time positions are now open at the Grace Communion International (GCI) Home Office in Charlotte, NC, U.S.

The Media Coordinator position is currently available, and applications are being accepted. See the job description here.

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 either 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 either position at the Home Office.

Canadian National Office Moves

GCI Canada recently moved their national office from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to Winnipeg, Manitoba. We are now leasing office space within the Grace Communion Winnipeg church building from the congregation.

To align with the completion of the move, the GCI Canada board met in Winnipeg over the weekend for their Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Strategic Planning Session. The board confirmed alignment with the Faith, Hope, and Love Avenues and the denomination’s vision of Healthy Church.

On Sunday morning, in addition to touring the church building and new office space, the board members also had the opportunity to attend Grace Communion Winnipeg church services before departing for home to various locations across Canada.

Bill Hall, National Director of Canada
Battleford, SK, Canada

Ghana’s 50th Anniversary Jubilee

GCI Ghana commemorated its 50th anniversary with a week-long celebration in August. During the week, Ghana hosted the West Africa Leadership Conference. We joined together to celebrate fifty years of God’s grace, with the theme, “Thus far by grace” taken from 1 Samuel 7:12.

On Sunday August 18, the Accra area congregations gathered at the GCI Ghana Retreat Site at Kutunse to begin the celebration with a church service inspired by praise and thankful music led by the National Director, Pastor Ing. Theo Nii Okai.

After the arrival of our guests, President Dr. Greg Williams and Pastor Gabriel Ojih, a one-day gathering for Board Members, Regional Directors, and National Ministry Leaders was held on Wednesday at the newly refurbished National Office Conference Room at New Ashongman, Accra.

The day began with praise and worship and the session was led by Deaconess Mrs. Sarah Abban who is the Ghana’s Board Secretary. After initial welcome remarks by the Superintendent of Africa, Pastor Kalengule Kaoma, Dr. Williams provided a brief report on his travels to the various congregations around the world and followed by a devotion and sharing the elements of the Lord’s Supper.

Various presentations were given by leaders on topics such as ministry teams, ACCM, GCS, and MTCs. All the discussions included a healthy dose of questions, contributions and interactions.

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Youth Camps

Cape Town, RSA


For three days in June, young people came together for a local camp in Cape Town, Republic of South Africa (RSA). Regional Director of Southern Africa, Takalani Musekwa, said that they are encouraging their congregations to hold local youth camps during the year as an activity of the Love Avenue to engage with youth in the neighbourhood.






Market Harborough, UK


In the United Kingdom, the GC Market Harborough congregation has been sponsoring Adventure Camp for several years. Most recently, it was held over the 2024 August Bank Holiday. (The August Bank Holiday, also known as the Summer Bank Holiday, is a public holiday in the United Kingdom.) It is part of the youth outreach programme of GCI-UK.

Adventure Camp is a fun-filled, action-packed, Christ-centred kids camp for children aged 6-13. This year it was held in a spacious and beautiful outdoor activity centre. Superintendent of Europe, Gavin Henderson, said that the camp location is very close to Market Harborough and now has quite a number of local campers.