Study with us at GCS!
Registration for the 2024 Spring Semester begins soon!
Academic Advising and Registration: January 3 – 11
Courses offered:
Old Testament Survey, Instructor: Jeannine Graham
Acts of the Apostles, Instructor: Dan Rogers
Foundations of Christian Ministry, Instructor: Lance McKinnon
Trinitarian Youth Ministry, Instructor: Jeff Broadnax
Polity of Grace Communion International, Instructor: Greg Williams
Jesus Christ, the Nature of Humans and Salvation, Instructor: Gary Deddo
New GCS Board Chair Appointed
From Randy Bloom, GCI Board Chair
Many of us ponder what we will do in retirement, whatever form it comes. One of the unexpected surprises for me as I was preparing to retire was the opportunity to chair the GCI and GCS boards. It has been an honor and joy to serve alongside the competent directors of each of these groups. I consider each of them dear friends as well as fellow servants in Christ. However, from the outset of my tenure, I felt it would be best for both organizations if each had its own chair. They would benefit from more focused leadership and having two chairs would give someone else an opportunity to serve and bring new perspectives to the board.
I shared my thoughts with Greg Williams, and he agreed with me. So, I began to think and pray about a new GCS board chair. My thoughts quickly focused on Eric Larison. I’ve known Eric for many years. He was an elder in the congregation I pastored in Syracuse, NY, and I recommended him to pastor the congregation when I was transferred to Memphis, TN. He has served as a pastor for more than 25 years. Eric and his wife, Susan, are loving, dedicated servants of Christ. In addition, Eric is a professional educator and administrator.
Read More Eric has a master’s degree in English from California State University, Los Angeles and a Certificate of Advanced Study of Educational Leadership from State University of New York, Oswego. In 2019, he retired from public education as a teacher and administrator after 36 years. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the New York State Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, a professional learning organization for educators. A graduate of Leadership Greater Syracuse (NY), Eric has served on the board of directors for two nonprofit community service organizations. From 2016-2022, he served as a director for Childcare Solutions, the regional organization that supports early learning, professional development, licensing, and inspections for center and home-based childcare providers. He is the director and current board chair of Contact Community Services, which provides suicide prevention, mental health, and youth development services.
The experience and wisdom Eric has developed throughout his life and career clearly qualifies him to serve GCS as its board chair. The board discussed and voted earlier this year to appoint him. His five-year tenure officially began at the October 2023 board meeting. Please join me in prayer, thanking Jesus for calling and equipping Eric to serve in this manner. And let’s pray for him as he faithfully leads the GCS board.
It was the second coldest Halloween on record for Fort Wayne, Indiana. Many would-be trick-or-treaters stayed home, but some that braved the cold were greeted with flashing toys, candy, games, and hot cocoa at Grace Communion Fort Wayne.
Now in its fifth year, the “Light Up the Night” event is usually held in the parking lot. But the near freezing temperature did not stop the action for GC Fort Wayne; instead, they took to the indoors, offering a sanctuary from the cold weather.
