Author: Elizabeth Mullins

Citizens of God’s kingdom know that generosity is part of witness.

Bearing witness of the kingdom to our neighbors is a relational, incarnational, active, and missional proclamation. Our generous witness is a demonstration of the good news of Jesus.

The ministry of the Love Avenue is to witness to our neighbors. We invite you to revisit the following Church Hack: Love Avenue Practices

Kingdom living looks like laying down your life for others. Read on to see how these two congregations are loving generously and seeking the flourishing of their neighbors.

Hyderabad, Telangana, India

The Hyderabad congregation has taken a significant step to make Sunday services more accessible by introducing translations of sermons into Telugu, the local language of the city. This initiative, which began recently, aims to serve every individual who attends the church, echoing the compassion and care of Jesus for each person. To support this effort, Mr. Satyanarayana, a seasoned professional translator, joined the congregation to offer his expertise. His involvement has ensured that sermons are delivered seamlessly in both English and Telugu, enriching the worship experience for all.

Several members expressed their joy, sharing how the bilingual services have allowed them to fully connect with and enjoy the messages being preached. The congregation is hopeful that this initiative will encourage more members of the Telugu-speaking community to join in the coming days, fostering inclusivity and spiritual growth.

The church remains committed to creating a welcoming and nurturing environment for all, furthering its mission to reach every heart with the gospel of Jesus.

By the GCI India Newsletter editors,

Shanti Nirale

Praveen Kumar Chintha

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Twenty-five years ago, the Gold Coast congregation began providing care bags to people in personal distress. All through those years, we took no break providing to a range of organizations. Some looked after unhoused youth, women seeking refuge from domestic abuse, people dealing with substance use, and a whole range of other crises experienced by many in our urban societies.

The problems on the Gold Coast are extensive. Ultimately, we decided to focus on partnering with one organization rather than trying to spread our limited resources around many. We chose the Gold Coast Youth Services (GCYS).

On Sunday, February 2, our congregation celebrated this 25-year anniversary of service, and we were joined by a representative of GCYS, Will Aufai. Will visited, with his wife and daughter, to personally thank the congregation for its faithful and reliable service through the years.

Will gave an outline of the work that the GCYS provides in the community. His warmth and love for those in need made an impact on everyone. He also provided the personal link between the recipients of the care bags in their time of need, and those who contribute to and assemble the toiletry and food bags each month.

Will expressed his gratitude for the fact that the GCYS has been able to rely on our contribution month by month for so many years. Will presented a plaque of appreciation to the congregation, which was accepted by John and Jen Herrmann and Jan Adamson as coordinators of the food and toiletry bags, respectively. In response, the congregation donated a basket of towels to him to aid their assistance program.

Will brought us a clear reminder of the words of the king, expressed in Jesus’ parable in Matthew 25:14 (The Message): I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.

By Rod Matthews, Pastor
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

One Sunday at the worship service, we learned that one of our longtime members, who had been unable to attend church, needed assistance for treatment related to her cancer diagnosis. She had been undergoing various tests and procedures over the past two years or so. A relative came to me saying that our member requested that we visit. This caused me to wonder if she knew she was nearing the end of her life.

The church decided to offer support, and some members decided to visit her after the service. Upon seeing how weak she had become, they urged her and her husband to go to the hospital. She was admitted and received the necessary care, stabilizing her condition.

My wife and I visited her a few days later. Though still weak, her condition had improved. Her husband shared the details of the past days, while she remained quiet but aware. We prayed together, thanking God for his constant presence. We acknowledged that even in our trials, God is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28). I prayed for her healing and reminded her that sickness does not have the final say, reminding her of her hope in Christ. Soon after, we received news that she was back home.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:10–15

This is the kingdom culture we live by.

Prayer
Our Father, may we learn to love one another as you have loved us, trusting in your grace and goodness in every circumstance of our lives. Amen.

By Dr. Carlos M. Pizarro
Pastor, Quezon City, Philippines

Citizens of God’s kingdom hold tightly to the doctrine of the Trinity. Citizens believe that, as the Trinity, God has shown himself to be the God who loves the world and who beckons every person to come to Christ and take part in the joy of life in the household of God. There is no person whom God does not want, whom God does not include, whom God does not love.

We invite you to read an excerpt from “The Trinity: Just a Doctrine?” Read the full article here.

Reconciliation for everyone

You’re still not convinced? Try reading this one again: “…while we were yet sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God did not wait for you to get good enough to bring you into his household. You can’t get good enough, which is the reason he went after you to bring you home in the first place. When Paul says God saves sinners, he’s talking about everybody, since that’s what everybody is—a sinner. (If you’re worried that God might find out how rotten you are and send a lightning bolt your way, take heart, he’s known all along and loves you anyway.)

Paul makes the point stronger in verse 10: “If, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” Did you notice how Paul puts reconciliation with God in the past tense? Jesus died for our sins—past tense. God does not count our sins against us—period. They’ve already been paid for. Jesus has already put us in good standing with God. All that remains for us now is to turn to God (repent), believe the good news (have faith), and follow Jesus (let the Holy Spirit teach us how to enjoy life in the new creation).

Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” When we think of God in any way other than the way he revealed himself in the Bible—as the Father, Son, and Spirit who created us and redeemed us and have made us to share their joy though union with Jesus Christ—we’re going to find these words of Jesus daunting and discouraging.

But when we know God the way he reveals himself, we can say with all assurance of joy, “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1). Paul wrote to the Colossian church, “God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him [Jesus], and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:19-20).

All humanity is included in that reconciliation, according to Paul. In the doctrine of the Trinity, God has shown himself to be the God who loves the world and who beckons every person to come to Christ and take part in the joy of life in the household of God. There is no person whom God does not want, whom God does not include, whom God does not love. In Christ, following the Spirit’s lead, we are all freed from the chains of sin to come to the Father, whose arms are open wide to receive us, if only we will come.

That’s why the doctrine of the Trinity matters. Without it, we might as well join the Canaanites wondering whether Baal will flood out the crops with storms this year or burn them out with lightning. In Jesus Christ, God has taken up our cause as his own. God has, through the atoning work of Jesus, healed us from head to toe, mind and heart, and made us the Father’s Son’s best friends – no, much more than that – he made us adopted children of the Father, brothers and sisters of our older Brother and full members of the household of God.

With Paul, we can only say, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

By J. Michael Feazell, Elder Emeritus
GCI Home Church