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Healthy Church—Leadership Retreat

Twenty-four GCI leaders from seven countries in Asia converged on the Kwanruen Resort in Korat province of south Thailand for a three-day retreat. (Korat is a four-hour drive from Bangkok, towards the border of Cambodia.) Amiyo Bacher from Bangladesh was the only one who could not join due to unrest in his country.

During an introductory session, several leaders brought updates of GCI activities in their regions. Following the Healthy Church theme, we discussed what it means to be healthy as a fellowship in four main sessions. Here are some interesting takeaways:

      • Jesus never criticizes the church for its size.
      • Most leaders are constantly negotiating between the Dominator and Protector model. (From the Support Challenge Matrix, a tool from GiANT Worldwide. For more information, see A Giant Step Forward.)
      • The priesthood of all believers is primarily inviting everyone to participate in ministry.
      • We are better together — this is the synergy of a denomination.

Facilitators included Rex Dela Peña, Aron Tolentino, Sachin Nirale, and Audie Santibanez. Retired leaders Wong Mein Kong and Eugene Guzon shared vital insights from their experience. In the wrap-up session, I proposed Eph 4:16 as one way to experience Healthy Church.

Activities included team-building activities for GCI Thailand, a fellowship night that enthralled the audience with worship, games, and embarrassment on the dance floor! Special moments included the ordination of Chan Thleng( a leader from Myanmar) and a farewell party for Eugene Guzon and Wong Mein Kong. Unforgettable moments included visiting three elegant coffee shops in three days! A memorable three days of “brethren dwelling together in unity.” (Psalm 133:1)

Danny Zachariah, Superintendent of Asia
Hyderabad, India

 

 

 

Devotional—At the Well

One of my favorite names of God is “Yahweh Shammah.” (Ezekiel 48:35) It means “The Lord is there.” Throughout Scripture, God reveals himself — who he is and his character. But the Son is the supreme revelation of the Father. The Son became one of us and is with us. In fact, his name is Immanuel – “God with us.”

The Gospels describe Jesus, the expression of the God who is with us. He encounters people tangibly, eating, teaching, walking with them. We see Jesus being intentional to meet individuals where there are.

In John 4, we read of an encounter of Jesus with a Samaritan woman at the well, as she was coming to draw water. As the disciples looked for food, Jesus chose to stay and to minister to this woman, even asking her for a drink (John 4:7). Little did this Samaritan woman know that she was about to draw water, not to quench the physical thirst, but through the living water who satisfies her spiritual thirst.

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” John 4:13-15 NLT

Jesus met the Samaritan woman exactly where she was … at the well.

In this Ordinary Time, let us take a moment for the Lord is here. How is Jesus encountering you “at the well,” in whatever problem, sorrow, need, painful past, sickness, or anxiety you are experiencing? Jesus has given us the living water — himself.

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, remind me of Jesus’ presence especially in areas when everything seems ordinary. Let the extraordinary truth about God, who is Yahweh Shammah, be my assurance today.

By Justine Paolo “Jep” Parcasio, Associate Pastor
Baguio, Philippines

 

US Church Restructuring

Dear Church,

In Church Administration and Development (CAD) for the U.S., we have been working for more than a year to move from a regional structure of support and supervision to a national structure.

During our summer gatherings, I shared the “5D cycle” of transformational change process: disruption, discovery, death, design, and deploy. It’s an appreciative inquiry tool, adapted from the 5D Method of Change. The newly formed U.S. CAD team has journeyed around this circle and have learned many valuable lessons. One of the most important lessons is to get each team member in his or her best fit. I think they have accomplished this.

I am proud of their hard work; they have demonstrated a yielding to the Spirit in each stage. In January 2025, the new structure will be fully implemented. Mike will give us more background, so please keep reading.

Greg Williams


GCI in the United States has been undergoing major restructuring throughout 2023 and 2024. These changes have occurred for several reasons. The main reason is a shortage of pastors and key leaders to replace our ranks. For the past 12 years, our regional system has served us well. We started with six regions. With the retirement of Ted Johnston, it went to five regions. In January 2024, Anthony Mullins left the role of Southeast regional director (RD) to plant a GCI congregation in Durham, North Carolina. Then in January 2025, Rick Shallenberger, North Central RD, and Tim Sitterley, Western RD, will both be retiring. This means Dr. Jeff Broadnax, Pam Morgan, and I will be sharing the responsibilities of overseeing the United States. I also have the responsibility of overseeing the Canadian and the Caribbean regions. We hope you can understand that we clearly needed to make some changes to manage this vast area with fewer people.

One option was to move our more experienced pastors from their current congregations to the role of RD, but this would put these large, healthy congregations at risk. Robbing Peter to pay Paul is never a good strategy for growth nor sustainable health. So, the Holy Spirit has been leading us to think differently and guiding us to implement a new strategy. However, this new strategy has required incredibly challenging and painful decisions and even more difficult conversations with our pastors and facilitators.

Read More

Ordination of Chan Thleng

Congratulations to Chan Thleng! He was ordained an elder on August 11. Chan lives in the Yangon Region of Myanmar. He provides pastoral care for the three GCI congregations in Myanmar. Join us in praying for him and the ministry in his country.

His ordination was a joyous event, held during a leadership retreat, so leaders from across Asia joined the celebration. Shown from left to right in the photo above:
Joselito Olaguer–Thailand, Rex Dela Pena–Philippines, Sachin Nirale–India, Chan Thleng–Myanmar, Danny Zachariah–India, Won Mein Kong–Malaysia, Devaraj Ramoo–Malaysia, Eugene Guzon–Philippines, Joel Alisbo–Thailand, Praveen Chinta–India, Aron Tolentino–Philippines, Audie Santibanez–Philippines

Chan Thleng (left) with Danny Zachariah, Superintendent of Asia

We asked Chan to share some background with our readers.


I was born into Christian family. I accepted that Jesus is my Savior at the age of 18. I passed the matriculation examination in 2004. I earned my M.Div. in 2011. I married Lydia in 2017, and we have an infant son and two daughters.

Currently, I am serving as a senior pastor of GCI Myanmar. We have about 50 members in Hmawbi congregation. GCI also has a congregation in Matupi.

GCI was officially founded in Myanmar solely by faith alone in 2016 September 1. Right now, there are about 170 members total in different places in Myanmar. The vision that God has given us is to reach unreached people through planting new churches in eight ethnic groups in Myanmar.
In Christ’s service
Chan
Chan with his wife

 

Healthy Church—Missional Engagement

Members in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are showing generosity to their community even when resources are scarce. The woman’s ministry is creating Billum bags and selling them to raise money to help support their neighbors. They donate the funds to neighbors who have funeral expenses, and they express love and support to the families who are grieving.

GCI provides pastoral oversight for congregations in Mt. Wilhelm and Port Moresby. Infrastructure development at the Mt. Wilhelm facility has included the installation of solar power for the church-owned buildings in this remote part of the central highlands. This solar power allows the local congregation to host events after dark as a way to serve and bless neighboring villages, which have no electric power.

Their missional activities include water, agriculture, and income projects in tandem with biblical education and personal development for the entire community. They also held a children’s camp in July. Read more here.

In July, the PNG church celebrated Pastors Richard Kindi and Ben Galwa for 10 years of service. They were presented with certificates during a wonderful service with communion.

Pastors Richard and Ben have shown great pastoral care for the members by guiding them through difficult times, like COVID. And they have shown leadership during this challenging year for the entire country. The country has experienced looting, tribal war in the Enga province, and fear and suspicion of witchcraft. Women can be blamed for unexplained deaths and accused of witchcraft. If a woman is believed to be a witch, she is often murdered.

In March, widespread flooding led to a landslide in Chimbu province that caused incredible property damage, and 23 people died. Pastor Ben Galwa’s house was also affected.

Please join us in praying for our GCI family in PNG.


Note: The GCI Disaster Relief Fund helps provide members in disaster areas with emergency needs.

If your congregation would like to donate to the fund, you can set up a one-time donation through GCI Online Giving (https://www.gci.org/online-giving/) by selecting “Give for Disaster Relief” under the drop-down menu.

If your congregation prefers to send a check, make it out to Grace Communion International, indicating clearly on the memo line that the donation is for the GCI Disaster Relief Fund.

Send the donation to:
GCI Disaster Relief Fund
Grace Communion International
3120 Whitehall Park Dr.
Charlotte, NC 28273

Thank you for your prayers and financial contributions to help members of the GCI family who are suffering.

We’re Hiring

GCI is hiring!

A full-time position is now open at the Grace Communion International (GCI) Home Office in Charlotte, NC, U.S. We’re looking for a qualified Media Coordinator. See the job description here.

The position is currently available, and applications are being accepted. 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.

We’re Hiring

GCI is hiring!

A full-time position is now open at the Grace Communion International (GCI) Home Office in Charlotte, NC, U.S. We’re looking for a qualified Media Coordinator. See the job description here.

The position is currently available, and applications are being accepted. 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.

GCS Fall Semester

Study with us at GCS!

Registration for the 2024 Fall Semester begins soon!
Academic Advising and Registration: August 26 – September 5

Lectures begin September 9 and final papers will be due December 15.

Below are the 7 courses that GCS is tentatively offering this semester.

BI540 Using Biblical Greek Study Tools Mike Morrison
CH501 Church History: The First Millennium Stephen L. Dolson-Andrew
CM507 Experiencing the Trinity Larry Hinkle
CM508 Church Planting and Development Randy Bloom
CM511 Homiletics Dan Rogers
FE501-3 Field Education Randy Bloom
TH515 Theological Ethics Gary Deddo

Marriage of Michelle Fleming & Jeff Hartman

It is with great happiness that we announce the union of
Michelle Fleming and Jeffrey Michael Hartman
On May 18, 2024

The couple celebrated their wedding day at a beautiful lakeside location in Belmont, North Carolina, joined by their immediate families. The ceremony was officiated by Charles Fleming, father of the bride, and included blessings from their mothers, Carmen Fleming and Marge Hartman.


Michelle and Jeffrey will call Belmont, North Carolina, their home.