Elizabeth Mullins – Page 42

Blessed – Fiji

Dr. Greg and Susan Williams’ recent visit to Fiji was an awe-inspiring weekend for us. It was one we’ll find hard to forget.

Kicking off with a befitting traditional welcome usually accorded to a Fijian chief, the kava ceremony was breathtaking to witness in all its intricacies. Dr. Williams drank his first bowl of kava.

You’ve never really visited Fiji unless you’ve tried kava! The traditional welcome was followed by a lovely spread of morning tea coupled with Fijian classic serenades of the past led by one of our pioneer members, Mrs. Mere Tora and her son, Tukai.

The atmosphere was filled with joy and laughter. You could tell that everyone felt God’s presence moving in the hall. The congregation broke into groups with Mrs. Williams joining the ladies’ group. Dr. Williams joined the youth, then spent the afternoon taking them out for some ice cream and fellowshipping.

On Sunday, it was a pleasure to hear Dr. Williams speak on healthy church and the three Avenues of Hope, Faith, and Love. We were encouraged to have Hope, Faith, and Love Avenue teams that work together in a team-based, pastor-led model through worship, discipleship, and witness. A major highlight for the church was the ordination of Mr. Frank Boyd to Elder. What a day to witness God’s amazing work for the Fiji church in play.

The day ended with Dr. Williams sharing with us a glimpse of GCI’s international family and a slideshow of the remarkable team working tirelessly across the continents of the world doing God’s great work. Though we may be operating locally, it was comforting and humbling to know that we are part of a bigger family in Christ. All these were again shared over a beautiful spread of tasty goodness. If there’s one thing that brings Fijians together, it’s good food!

We were fortunate to also have Mr. Dennis and Sue Richards accompanying the Williams to Fiji. It was a joy, as always, to have them around.

Though brief, it was truly an unforgettable weekend for us. There’s a sense of excitement for GCI Fiji, and everyone’s looking forward, young and old.

May God continue to bless us all!

By Epeli Nakautoga

Bula from Fiji

Greg and Susan Williams with Sue and Dennis Richards

Dear GCI Family and Friends,

I don’t always enjoy surprises, but I do appreciate good surprises. This is exactly what Susan and I experienced when we visited the island nation of Fiji. When you hear Fiji mentioned in a conversation, your mind goes to wonderful artesian drinking water, gorgeous flowers of all types, exotic birds, and breath-taking sunsets. These are all true, but my mind was mostly captured by the beautiful people – especially the GCI people.

Three years ago, James and Alisi Panuve extended a formal invitation for Susan and me to visit the church in Fiji. Upon the heels of the Australian conference in August, we were at last able to join Regional Director Dennis Richards and his wife, Sue, for an extended weekend visit.

The church gathered on Saturday morning for a formal Fijian welcoming ceremony called Veiqaravi Vakavanua. It is a solemn event performed and observed with dignity. The presentation of ceremonial items acknowledged how far the visitors have come. The ceremony signifies the respect for the honored guest in the spirit of welcoming a chief or a state dignitary. It also symbolized the joy and submission of the group in receiving me as their President of GCI. I was humbled and highly honored.

Susan and I were greeted by all the members in attendance, and we enjoyed a wonderful social gathering in the British tradition called “Tea.” After the food and fellowship, Susan and Sue Richards met with the ladies and shared testimonies, life stories, and prayer for one another. Dennis and I were turned over to the care of the Young Adult group, a most lively and fun group ranging in ages of 17 to 35. We did an icebreaker exercise where we learned interesting facts about one another, and then one of the leaders facilitated a short lesson from Philippians 4:8. The energy and mutual love the group demonstrated was exceptional.

To further the relationship building, and to simply have some good clean fun, I invited the youth group back to the ice cream shop at my hotel. It was quite a spectacle of 30 of us walking down the city streets across the pitch (sports field) to the hotel, and then lining up to order our cups of ice cream. The hotel was kind enough to allow us to gather poolside and enjoy a beautiful afternoon in a delightful setting.

The youth group and a children’s choir played a significant role in the Sunday worship service. Their musical gifts were on display, especially the harmonies of their blended voices. I gave a sermon entitled, “Jesus Our True Foundation.” I have been giving this message in many places around the world for the purpose of showing that our model of Team-Based Pastor-Led ministry, accompanied by the ministry avenues of Faith, Hope and Love, are fully based in Jesus and better align us as we seek to participate with him under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Many commented how this message helped provide clear direction about where we are going as a church family, and many expressed how this feels like a restart for our church. I sense that too.

One of the highlights of the day and a main purpose for the trip was to ordain Frank Boyd, alongside his wife, Emily, as the new lead pastor for Grace Communion Fiji. Frank and Emily are deeply committed leaders who love the Lord and his church. They have the respect of the people and move with wonderful ease and grace as they interact and flow among the members. I am confident that this church has an able under shepherd who will flourish as he is led by the Great Shepherd.

Fiji was a happy surprise to Susan and me, and we enjoyed being in the company of one of GCI’s healthy churches in the middle of the Pacific. On their behalf let me say a hearty, “Bula!” This word embodies the deep joy in greeting another person. You certainly feel the joy of the Lord when you are with our dear brothers and sisters in Fiji.

Honored to be the GCI President,

Greg

P.S. Don’t miss more about the Fiji gathering in this issue by Epeli Nakautoga.

Prayer Guide – October 2022

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2023 Denominational Celebration Childcare – Volunteer to Receive Discount!

Newly Appointed Publications Coordinator

Please join me in congratulating Elizabeth Mullins on her promotion to Publications Coordinator. Elizabeth was hired in January 2022 in the role of Publications Assistant. Throughout the year she has contributed to the Media Editing Teams and taken on the role of GCI Update Editor, championing stories of how the Spirit is moving in and through GCI. The change in role takes Elizabeth from part time to full time employee.

On September 12, we also acknowledged her ministry in GCI and ordained Elizabeth as an elder in service to the denomination. Anyone who knows Elizabeth knows her love for Jesus and his bride. Her foundational voices are Creative and Guardian, which equip her to see into the future and pursue excellence for the church, while also honoring the legacy and protecting the integrity of the organization. She brings refinement to GCI Media content through her creative ideas and editorial skills. She also embodies the GCI core value of inclusivity, seeking for accessibility and representation in all our content. Through her role in the Home Office, her ministry will continue to make an impact across our fellowship through our publications and other content.

Read her Employee Profile here.

Michelle Fleming
GCI Communications Director

Newly Appointed Asst. Secretary of the Board & Comptroller

We are pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has appointed Pam Morgan, GCI Church Operations Coordinator as Assistant Secretary. Pam will serve alongside Evelyn Dailey in this role assisting the Secretary in facilitating Board directives. Please join us in congratulating Pam on this appointment. She will continue with her other substantial responsibilities coordinating the operations of the President’s Office.

We are also pleased to announce that Robert Meade has been promoted from Budget Manager to Comptroller. Robert has already been fulfilling many comptroller duties. Comptroller responsibilities include managing all aspects of the accounting department, corporate budgets, external audits, cash flow estimates, etc. Robert is also enrolled in an MBA program with a scheduled completion next year. He will continue to report to the Chief Financial Officer. Robert has served GCI faithfully for 36 years and is well prepared for his new position. Please join us in congratulating Robert Meade on his new role!

Mat Morgan
Chief Financial Officer

Newly Hired Member/Donor Services Rep, Incoming & Outgoing Sr. Accounting Clerk

We are pleased to announce our newest employee, Diana Mayhew, who will be serving as GCI’s Member and Donor Services Representative. Alongside assisting members and donors, she also processes all the donations to the Home Office and local congregations. Diana has a background in finance and accounting and attends the GC Steele Creek church plant. Born and raised in Romania, Diana brings an international perspective. Please join us in welcoming Diana.

We are also pleased to announce that Connie White is taking on a new role as the Senior Accounting Clerk. Connie was the Member and Donor Services Representative and is actively training Diana in that position. Connie has significant accounting and donation experience. She now processes all of GCI & GCS’s payables and receivables, maintains banking and investment entries, and works with Robert to keep the general ledger correct. In addition, Connie also serves as the Hope Avenue Champion for GC Charlotte. Please join us in congratulating Connie on her new position.

Last but not least, we announce Susan Williams’ decision to retire from full-time employment. Susan has served GCI for many years as a pastor’s wife, GCS Registrar, and Senior Accounting Clerk in addition to several years of service in Public School finance departments in both North Carolina and Georgia. She will continue to work on-call in the accounting department to assist in making a smooth transition for Connie. Susan will also continue to serve GCI as a church elder and alongside her husband, President Greg Williams. She is excited to have more time to devote to family and especially her grandchildren, as well as pursuing other personal interests. We wish Susan much joy and contentment as she enters this new chapter of life.

Robert Meade
Comptroller

Newly Hired Administrative Assistant

Please help me in welcoming Lucellie Santibanez Enerio – warmly known as Lucy.

Lucy was hired on June 7 part time as an Administrative Assistant in the President’s Office. After only a couple of weeks it was clear that she was a natural part of our team. On June 27, she transitioned to full-time employment.

Lucy’s background is in Music Therapy. She completed her Master of Music with a major in Music Therapy (MMT) at Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX, in May this year.

Lucy is a joy to work with. She is a self-starter and brings a skillset much needed in our office. Her organizational skills, creativity, and fresh eyes approach are a blessing to the Home Office.

Lucy works closely with the Operations Coordinator assisting with projects in the President’s office and Church Administration. She is cross training in other departments such as Facilities and Member Services.

Pam Morgan
Operations Coordinator

Retirement of David Sheridan

Join us in honoring David Sheridan’s retirement. He served as GCI pastor for over 48 years.

Cards may be sent to:
David Sheridan
101 Cramond Close SE
Calgary Alberta
T3M 1C1

Congratulations, David! We are very grateful to you for your many years of faithful service.

We wanted you to hear from David, in his own words.

Early memories start at Ambassador College in England and include teaching Physical Education at Imperial Schools and teaching geography on the College faculty. Twice touring the Holy Land and participating in the archaeological excavations in Jerusalem were outstanding experiences.

In Canada, I pastored congregations in Newfoundland (St. John’s and Corner Brook), Saskatchewan (Prince Albert and Tisdale), and Alberta (Calgary, Lethbridge and Red Deer.) The most meaningful and enjoyable part of pastoral ministry was visiting precious members in their homes – a less formal setting. A short teaching from the Holy Scriptures added an important spiritual dimension to these enriching experiences.

Moving with the doctrinal reformation of our denomination from the bondage of painful legalism and authoritarianism to God’s amazing grace, from deception and blinding heresy to the truth of the gospel and Christian orthodoxy was the major highlight. Then along came Incarnational Trinitarian theology enhancing our personal relationship with God and keeping Jesus as “the centre of the centre” of all we say and do. These transformations brought much freedom and joy.

As a long-time fan of Roger Federer, I continue to play singles tennis. Having completed ten marathons, I continue with long-distance running but now reduced to 10-kilometres. Espionage spy thrillers (Tom Clancy/Vince Flynn) bring a welcome change of pace along with cheering on the “Red Devils” – the Manchester United soccer team! Studying theology with the understanding that Jesus is “perfect theology” remains a life-long interest.

I am blessed to have my four beloved children and eight precious grandchildren all living here in the city of Calgary. Spending family time together and watching the little ones grow is an ongoing source of joy.

After 48 years in the ministry, walking daily in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, our beloved Savior, and participating in the life and love of the triune God is always the number one activity.

David A. Sheridan
Calgary, Alberta

Retirement of Warren Wilson

Join us in honoring Warren Wilson, longtime pastor, who retired in August.

Cards may be sent to:
Warren & Lorraine Wilson
220 Waverly Way
Clarksburg, WV 26301-4047

Congratulations, Warren and Lorraine! We are very grateful to you both for your faithful service and love for Jesus’ church.

We asked Warren to share his reflections.

I retired at the end of August after 34 years in full-time ministry. It’s amazing how quickly 34 years can fly by. Now I’ll be able to spend more time with my wife, Lorraine. She and I are celebrating our 50^th wedding anniversary on September 16, 2022. I’m also looking forward to spending more time with our two sons and daughters-in-law, our five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren. It should be a lot of fun!

My faith journey in GCI began in the early 1960s. Our family listened to the radio broadcast, and we moved to Southern California in 1964. Shortly thereafter my sister Janet and I began attending church and were welcomed warmly by the members.

In 1968, I began attending Ambassador College in Big Sandy, TX, where I met my future wife, Lorraine Holtkamp. During my time there I really didn’t feel that I was being called into the ministry. So, after our graduation and marriage in 1972, we moved back to Southern California. We moved around and attended various congregations, finally ending up in the Bay Area in the early 1980s.

While attending the San Jose church, I began to sense that I was being called to ministry. I was ordained an elder in 1986 and hired into the full-time ministry in 1988. In the summer of 1994, we were transferred to Clarksburg, WV, where I served as their senior pastor. Little did I imagine how things would change in six months, and that I’d serve the rest of my ministry in West Virginia.

It was a difficult time in 1995 as some of our members left. But through it all, I encouraged the remaining members. We are saved by God’s grace, not by our attempts to keep the law. We were wrong — it’s been humbling to accept that. The scripture that has meant the most to me in our transition is Galatians 5:1.

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. NLT

The thing that has been the most meaningful to me during my years in ministry is the chance to serve the members and to share their joys and sorrows. I can’t imagine doing anything that would be as meaningful as that.

Now that I’m retired, I’m looking forward to seeing how God wants to use me going forward. I don’t believe he’s finished with me yet, so I pray and look forward to him revealing to me what’s next. I still want to serve him and serve others wherever and however I can.

Pastor Warren D. Wilson

Author: Elizabeth Mullins