Editor’s Note: For our Ordinary Time Devotional series, you will be hearing entirely from young authors. They will be sharing their perspectives on the theme, “God is in the streets.” Enjoy reading how the next generation of emerging GCI leaders experiences God outside the walls of the Sunday church gathering.
From the time I was a young child, I have found it easy to sleep during car rides. Do you? If not, what hinders you from falling asleep? Is it because you are uncomfortable? Or is it perhaps a lack of trust in the person behind the wheel?
It reminds me of the time Jesus Christ slept through a storm:
Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matthew 8:23-27 (NIV)
How often do we fully surrender ourselves to our God? It’s not always easy to ignore our worries and anxieties, and just take a moment to rest. Jesus reminded us how important it is to have faith that God already has a plan for us and that the Holy Spirit will guide and protect us. It is no use worrying about things that we cannot control. It is no use raging about the traffic or fretting about what you left at home. Let us learn to rest, to calm down, and converse with our triune God.
Prayer: Father, Jesus, and Spirit, we thank you that you are with us. We acknowledge your presence in every moment of our lives. We entrust to you all our worries and fears. Teach us to understand the power of rest. Teach us to have faith in your mighty plans that we may enjoy every breath we breathe as we worship you. Amen.
By Jessica Joy Pamor, GC Pili Youth Leader Bicol, Philippines
For this issue of Update, I wanted to give the column to retiring superintendent, Eugene Guzon. It has been my privilege and joy to work with Eugene over the years. Lulu, his wife, has been a wonderful partner and support alongside Eugene. Their daughter, Joyce, and her husband, Aron, are vibrant leaders for the present and the future.
During our recent Celebration, Eugene passed the superintendent baton to Danny Zachariah. Eugene emulates the love and patience of Jesus. His commitment and tireless service have been appreciated by the Philippines and the entire Asian Region. I wish Eugene and Lulu much joy and fulfillment in this next stage of life.
I write to share highlights and reflections from God’s work in Asia—a region of diverse peoples, cultures, and spiritual beliefs. A large segment of the population is young. The countries are developing, and resources are scarce. In several areas, Christians are a minority. GCI has been active in the Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand, with networks in other countries, like Nepal.
I became Asia Superintendent in January 2019. The territory was a new frontier for me with its unique context and geopolitical challenges. An element that characterized this assignment was change. The Healthy Church vision was being introduced. We formed a new Community of Practice (COP) with Danny Zachariah and Wong Mein Kong, who were also early into their roles as regional directors for the Indian sub-continent and Southeast Asia (respectively). The landscape of the church shifted through COVID-19. It was a time of active learning as we tried to discern and follow where the Spirit led.
Participating together
One of the ways God is moving in Asia is through the people. I am inspired by many committed servant leaders, most of whom are volunteers. God provided them as engines of ministry in our local churches to carry out His mission. We have also been blessed through generous partners from our bigger GCI family and other like-minded organizations.
We are experiencing the value of teams. From the GCI Superintendents and Asia COP to the Philippines National Ministry Team, district directors, pastoral teams, and now the Faith, Hope, and Love Avenues, the team-based culture has been empowering and fulfilling. The process of cultivating REAL teams is not quick or easy, but it is a worthwhile investment and is more reflective of the life of our triune God.
Laying the groundwork
God also led us to lay the groundwork and put organizational frameworks in place to help us pursue Healthy Church. This involved leadership and administrative consolidation in India, a new corporate legal structure in the Philippines, registration of GCI in Bangladesh, and new governance structures aligned with the Home Office and the team-based model.
We needed to be more intentional and strategic with development. The call is to raise leaders led by Jesus, who are equipped to lead others to Jesus. Praise God for the denomination’s support and our congregations’ efforts to help ministry workers undergo studies with Grace Communion Seminary, as well as with ACCM and other local seminaries. The formation of the Ministry Training Center in the Philippines is gaining momentum, and this will contribute to developing people who can nurture healthy churches at home and even across the region. While some of these are long-term endeavors, we trust God is with us in the process and he will fulfill his purposes.
It has been awesome witnessing how amidst challenges and uncertainty, God can bring about growth. Across Asia, we have seen this in the number of baptisms, new church plants, next generation leaders, and the strong foundations for GCI to move forward. These are testaments to God’s faithfulness, power, and goodness in blessing our collective participation.
Reflecting and looking forward
At the 2023 GCI Denominational Celebration, it was with confidence and hope that I passed the baton to Danny Zachariah as the next GCI Asia Superintendent. In addition to being a valued member of the Asia COP, Danny has been a national pastor in India for almost three decades, all throughout which God has been preparing him for this special role.
I look back on my 48 years with our denomination, with 33 years serving in ministry. I am grateful for how God has allowed me to know him, for the mentors and friends he has sent, and for the strength he has given me to do my best. My heartfelt thanks to Dr. Greg and the Home Office, our Asia and Philippine teams, to all of you in our GCI community, and to my family—Lulu, Joyce, Aron, and Lizzie—for your love, grace, and support.
With retirement, I face another new frontier. But as I continue to learn, God is faithful in every season and transition. I hope to experience him in fresh ways as I navigate this next chapter. I will take the opportunity to rest, spend time with family, and explore new skills and ways to be productive. As for participation in GCI, my heart for and dedication to the church remains. Like with geese in a “V” formation, there is a time to lead and a time to make space for others while still flying in the same direction and bearing others up.
May God continue his vibrant work and use GCI in mighty and missional ways to make disciples in our communities and beyond our borders, by his grace and for his glory!
“The movement in our relationship to God is always from God to us. Always. We can’t, through our piety or goodness, move closer to God. God is always coming near to us. Most especially in the Eucharist and in the stranger.” ―Nadia Bolz-Weber
Join us in communion and corporate prayer this month as we thank God for seeking us, guiding us, and including us in his good and faithful work.
Click here or the image below to download and print the August Prayer Guide. Let’s celebrate how God is working in and among our fellowships. #WeAreGCI
In May, Dennis Richards and I flew to Suva to visit our brothers and sisters in Fiji. Saturday was largely devoted to meetings. The Fiji Pastoral Team met first, then the Board of Trustees. And there was a meeting for members interested in ACCM studies.
The Pastoral Team is comprised of Frank and Emily Boyd, Jope Uqeuqe, Teisa Mataika, and Eugene Panuve. The discussion was centred around how the church is progressing and serving the members’ needs. Jope reported on some of his recent phone calls and visits to the local members. Eugene presented an update on the youth ministry. The Fiji church is well endowed with youth, making up about 30% of the congregation. Frank Boyd delivered a wide-ranging “State of GCI in Fiji” report.
The Board of Trustees are Dennis Richards, Emily Boyd, James Panuve, and Jope Uqeuqe. Dennis announced that he was stepping down as chair. James Panuve was appointed as the first local board chair. Congratulations!
Dennis Richards and James Panuve
Dennis updated the board on the strategic directions being implemented as we pursue the vision of “Healthy Church” in the region. He acknowledged the work of compiling the constitution and other relevant documents so that GCI could be accredited as an official religious body in Fiji. He noted the installation of Frank Boyd as Fiji senior pastor in August.
Frank and Emily Boyd
He concluded the 4-page report saying, “Again, thanks for your ongoing help and support. Our challenges are continually moving and at times seem steep, but God is good (all the time), and it is marvelous to watch how he so often intervenes. I find this encouraging and empowering, reassuring me that we are on the right track and have his blessing, regardless that patience seems to always be asked of us.”
After lunch Epeli Nakautoga, Jason Raki, and Joanna Wainibuli joined the group for the ACCM meeting, where Dennis encouraged the attendees to make the most of the ACCM opportunities. He explained the importance and value of continued learning together in community, using the ACCM courses as a forum for coming alongside one another and growing together in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.
We gathered recently at Paris Landing State Park located on Kentucky Lake for a very special occasion, three baptisms.
I began with a recounting of Acts 2—the first Pentecost after Christ’s resurrection. You may recall that the Jewish community questioned Peter about what was going on after the disciples received the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. Peter told them and then reminded them of all that the Jesus they had killed had done. Their eyes and minds were opened at that moment to who Jesus was—the God whom they worshipped! In their angst and remorse, they cried out, “What should we do!” Peter responded, “Repent and be baptized because your sins have been forgiven!”
Pastors Doug Tomes, Ed Peters, and I entered the cool, clear water that feeds into Kentucky Lake from the Tennessee River, and we baptized husband and wife, Kevin and Kayla Shaw, and Jayden Fielder on a beautiful, sunny May 28. It was a glorious event attended by 20 family members and friends.
Here are their stories:
Jayden, our nine-year-old nephew, spent many weekends and school breaks in our home this past year while his military dad was deployed and his mom was at work. Every evening that he spent with us would end with a bed-time Bible story and prayer. Early on it became obvious that a miracle was taking place because his understanding was growing by leaps and bounds. I read to Jayden the story of Nathanael and Jesus (John 1). Jesus revealed that he knew things about Nathanael that he could only have known supernaturally! Nathanael then believed that Jesus truly was the Son of God. Jesus responded, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” Jayden then told me, “I believe.”
I said, “What?”
Again, Jayden said, “I believe.”
Later, Jayden asked, “So good people go to heaven and bad people go down there?” After I explained that it’s not about our goodness; it’s about God’s goodness, Jayden said, “So when are we going to do that water thing?”
After waiting until his dad returned from deployment, Jayden’s mom asked that the baptism take place on the three-day Memorial weekend so that grandparents could attend. Pentecost was the most perfect time for a baptism!
While we were making plans for Jayden’s baptism, long-time GCI member Sue Williams told me that her daughter and son-in-law, Kayla Williams Shaw and Kevin Shaw wanted to be baptized as well!
Kayla told me that as early as she could remember she wanted to be baptized “but never had the courage for some reason. I was timid when it came to that, and Jesus is certainly nothing to be timid about. I want to proclaim his gospel and tell people of the love and mercy he has for each and every one of his children. Kevin had come home from work recently saying he had a conversation with a coworker that had made him want to be baptized. I knew there was a reason it has taken me so long—God’s timing is always perfect! To be baptized with my husband, the father of our children, was a truly special experience.”
Kevin said, “I’ve been around church ever since I was a kid. But I never felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. Or at least I couldn’t understand the feeling of being in the presence of God and Jesus. So, I never really committed to believing or becoming a part of a church for such a long time. I think having kids was the start of the understanding of feeling unconditional love. That is the basis of my relationship with God and Jesus. The unconditional love they have for me and my family and how they continue to allow me to be blessed with waking up every day.”
As Kayla said, it was God’s perfect timing, on a perfect day, with blue skies and the sunshine creating diamonds on the water, when three more of God’s children were added to that three thousand who were baptized in Acts 2.
Sondra Peters, Pastoral Team Member Clarksville, TN, US
On June 15 – 17, Grace Communion Jacksonville hosted its third annual neighborhood youth camp. From 9:00 am – 7:00 pm, Thursday through Saturday, we hosted 34 campers ages 7 – 18. This year we had a 33% increase over last year. About half were first-time campers, and over a third came from the neighborhoods surrounding our church building.
Best Practices and Lessons Learned
Twenty-six volunteer staff members helped with counseling, food, and activities. We also had a nurse. For those considering starting a neighborhood camp, you can do it with less staff. But we prefer to have three counselors with each of our grouping of campers, which we organize into four groups: pre-teen girls, pre-teen boys, teen girls, and teen boys. Of course, the kitchen crew is important. We offer three meals a day, and we’ve learned we usually need around 4-6 volunteers for a camp of 50 or more.
Several other GCI congregations and ministries donated funds to help with the camp costs, and we’re very grateful. It enabled some deserving youth to be sponsored and helped to cover the expenses of our offsite outings.
We’ve learned that the neighborhoods near our church are mainly positive towards churches and their members. So for us, it works well to have a spiritual focus. Each morning we start with breakfast, followed by a daily chapel service featuring praise and worship, and a prepared Christian message, with some interaction as well. Our three-year theme has been “God’s Grace” and each year we have taught various aspects and applications thereof. This year’s focus scripture was Titus 2:11-12 about how the grace of God has appeared and “teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age…” (NIV). All of this is shared within an atmosphere of love and acceptance shown for all the children, even when we do sometimes have to admonish them to show love to others at camp as well.
We try to offer a wide variety of activities so that no one misses out on having some fun, and two off-site outings (the zoo and water park). We also include exposure to a Christian movie.
For more information, check out facebook.com/cffjax. As an aid in planning for your own neighborhood camp, we would also be happy to share our schedule, curriculum, and job descriptions.
On June 14 – 15, Grace Communion Derby hosted our first neighborhood day camp, “A Passport to Adventure.” The theme verse was Joshua 1:9. Camp ran from 7:30 am to 5 pm. God blessed us with 11 campers, 1st through 5th graders. Twenty-two staff members, ages 14 to 86, supported the camp. Fifteen came from GCDerby and three from local connections. We were also pleased to have the support and collaboration of three volunteers from two other GCI camps in our region.
On both mornings, campers arrived for a hot breakfast. Each day was filled with activities of music, worship skits, an escape room, arts and crafts, a science lab, board games, and outside events. The outside events included relay races, a water balloon toss, and any race that included getting wet to some degree.
We utilized church grounds and a city park across the street. Signage and flags identified the event to all who drove past. One of our members (74-year-old) served as a crossing guard.
A hot lunch and afternoon snack breaks were served each day. We ran two team tracks. Each team had an adult “navigator” leader. Campers had a personal passport with their picture. As they participated in the events, their passports would be stamped. Staff members came alongside the campers to support, cheer, and love them. No camper was left alone; someone would always engage and support them throughout the day.
As the camp concluded Thursday, parents came to a cookout and fixings for supper. Campers shared their artwork. The evening concluded with campers performing their musical skits.
Best Practices and Lessons Learned
Know your neighborhood. We served breakfast, because we learned that many campers participate in a free and reduced-price lunch program at their schools.
We offered scholarships to those who needed one. One parent told us that without the scholarship, her child would not have been able to come. Other parents expressed their gratitude.
Words cannot begin to share how much God blessed this camp. The universal feeling post-camp is we miss the campers!
Grace Communion Big Sandy was blessed to hold our first neighborhood day camp. We had a great time with the young people that attended and are grateful for God giving us this opportunity to participate in Jesus’ ministry in our community. It took a lot of planning and work, but it was definitely worth it!
Below is a description from our Love Avenue Assistant, Anna McIver.
Jerome Ellard, Pastor Big Sandy, TX, US
The camp was held from Thursday, June 8 to Saturday, June 10. Each day began with a free lunch at noon; activities started at 1:00 pm, with a brief snack break at 3:00 pm. The day ended at 5:00 pm. The theme for Thursday was Challenge Day: Mind and Body Challenge Games. The games on Friday added the challenge of water elements.
Camp ended on Saturday with a Family Day. Campers played a game called, Minute to Win It, learned dining etiquette, and helped prepare and serve dinner to their families. During the free spaghetti dinner, the campers and their families enjoyed a slideshow of camp. Fifty-two attended our dinner, including the staff. We also presented a few awards for the campers and mini campers. Afterwards, roughly 30 stayed for a movie. Some of our guests preferred to stay in the dining hall to continue their conversations.
Best Practices and Lessons Learned
Throughout the three days, we had 25 volunteer workers. Staff jobs included: registration, food crew, medics, activity directors, security, crafts, tech, and spaghetti dinner prep. Most staff doubled as activity assistants.
Pre-registration opened online a week before camp. A QR code linked to our google doc. Thirteen campers pre-registered, which helped the registration team and shortened the check-in time.
Thirty-one campers attended. We anticipated 25 campers as our max capacity, with a target audience of 5th – 12th grades. However, we only had 16 in this age range. We had 15 campers who were 5th graders or younger.
We had a great turnout for our first attempt at neighborhood camp.
Editor’s Note: For our Ordinary Time Devotional series, you will be hearing entirely from young authors. They will be sharing their perspectives on the theme, “God is in the streets.” Enjoy reading how the next generation of emerging GCI leaders experiences God outside the walls of the Sunday church gathering.
The author with her dog, Rabbit.
I see God in many places throughout my daily life. I see him in the sounds of birds in the morning when I first wake up. I see him in the smiles that grace my parents’ faces when they see me for the first time each day. I see God when I pet my dog in the morning, and she smiles or kisses my face. I experience God whenever I can do something that brings me joy.
When I listen to music, Gospel or not, I hear God. When I look at nature, I see God and the beauty that he has given us every day, even the things that we may take for granted. I also see God on social media at times. There have been times when I am thinking of a certain friend. Then I go on Instagram or TikTok, and I see they have posted something that lets me know that they are doing well. I see God whenever I see a photo or video of someone doing something that they are very passionate about.
Lastly, I see God in the little things that happen every day that let me know he is looking out for me. There are times when I feel alone or distant from God, especially when I am anxious about something. Then, he does something that helps me remember that he is always with me, and I am never alone.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Prayer: Thank you, God, for always being with us. For giving us all the things that we see as beautiful, as a constant reminder of your everlasting love for us. You give us everything we need so that we want for nothing, and we can feel you everywhere. Amen.
By Jessica Joy Pamor, GC Pili Youth Leader
