Elizabeth Mullins – Page 52

Why Faith, Hope, And Love?

Dear GCI Family and Friends,

By now you have heard of how GCI seeks to better join Jesus in his ongoing ministry through the avenues of faith, hope and love. It is important for me to answer the question of “Why?” Why are we following this path? Why is faith, hope and love so profound for our church going forward?

In the middle of their varied disorders and factions, Paul reminds the church leaders and members at Corinth of the high value and absolute necessity of faith, hope and love. They are the greatest virtues that speak to who Jesus is and what he is about in his active ministry to humanity.

For now we see in a mirror indirectly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:12-13)

Chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians is the capstone to important teaching concerning spiritual gifts and godly living (chapters 12-14). Paul articulated the diversity of gifts available to believers as the Spirit orchestrates and then the necessity of maintaining unity among themselves under the virtues of faith, hope and love. The successful use of spiritual gifts by and among believers must be undergirded by faith, hope and love.

So, is faith, hope and love an isolated topic trapped in 1 Corinthians 13? Faith, hope, and love are indeed prominent in the Scriptures. Let’s look at a few examples.

We heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the saints. Your faith and love have arisen from the hope laid up for you in heaven, which you have heard about in the message of truth, the gospel that has come to you. (Colossians 1: 4-6)

In this passage, we see that hope has a vital connection with faith and love. All three work together to provide “a confident hope” for the believer which not only assures of a heavenly, eternal future, but empowers the believer to live a godly life here and now.

Here, Paul picks up with the “Big Three” as he tells the church:

We must stay sober by putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet our hope for salvation. (1 Thessalonians 5:8-10)

For God did not create us for wrath and condemnation, but for receiving salvation and love through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us, whether we are alert or asleep, we will come to life together with him.

Faith and hope appear together at the opening of the “Hall of Fame” faith chapter in Hebrews 11. This chapter speaks to a wide range of people in a wide range of circumstances, and it shows how through Jesus the believer can live a settled life in an unsettled situation. And how living in a threatening, chaotic world there can be an active, and confident faith in God and the believer can live a life of assured hope. For all “Pilgrims” to come to this end is what Jesus and his church is working toward.

The concepts of faith, hope and love cannot be separated from who Jesus is. It is his faith that fills my unbelief; it is his hope that covers my doubts; and his love that cancels my fear. And he is this Savior of perfect faith, perfect hope, and perfect love for all people.

Faith, hope and love are the three great permanent Christian graces, as opposed to the lesser temporary gifts of prophecy, miracles and tongues spoken of in 1 Corinthians. These three “remain” and will be our continued framework for ministry in GCI.

In Jesus’ perfect faith, hope, and love,

Greg Williams

Ministry Training Center (MTC) Dedication

God is so faithful, friends. It’s been 5 years of dreaming, following what God placed in our hearts, stepping out in faith, and joining with the incredible generosity from our denomination, sister churches, and amazing members. It’s been 5 years of tears, prayer, awe, and more joy than can be expressed. After 5 years, and by the grace of God, we celebrate the dedication of our brand-new Church and Ministry Training Center facility in Surrey Hills! Praise God!

While my gratitude cannot be fully captured with words, my heart is exploding with so much humility and thankfulness. This year, my family and I celebrate ten years with GCI. The ways in which God has used this denomination to impact and change the course of our lives are indescribable. I’ve always believed that God has a plan for our denomination and churches in ways that we cannot fathom. Not only have I believed that, but I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

As I write, there is so much joy filling my heart, as I celebrate the fact that I have the honor of being the Ministry Training Center Coordinator for this incredible program. I look forward to working with young people who have a calling to pastoral ministry and spending time alongside them as God uses their hearts and gifts to participate in His Great Commission of making disciples. I am so excited to think “outside the box” and empower and equip these young people to be healthy leaders, being careful to fuel their passions, rather than suppress them.

After years of searching for land, God moved through relationship, and we were able to secure the most beautiful place in Surrey Hills nestled on an amazing pond in the heart of our target neighborhood. Three years later, here we are! We dedicated this building to the amazing God who gave it. This special event took place on Saturday, January 29th in the new MTC building. We dedicated the building to our great God and to the furtherance of His kingdom work. Dr. Randy Bloom (GCI Board Chair), Dr. Greg Williams (GCI President), Michael Rasmussen (GCI Superintendent, North America & Caribbean), and Mathew Morgan (GCI Chief Financial Officer) joined us for this special occasion. The day started at 9:30am in the Welcome Center where drinks and light snacks were served. We then moved into the Sanctuary for a thirty-minute Dedication Ceremony.

As we celebrate all God has done and continues to do, we also pause and relish in his goodness with so much gratitude for all the people he has used to help make this happen! We are so excited. We are overflowing with joy and hope. We are compelled by his love to celebrate this momentous occasion. We are GCI!

By Ceeja Malmkar
Ministry Training Center Coordinator

GCPodcast – Season 3 New Host

We are excited to welcome Cara Garrity as the new host for season three of the GCPodcast! Cara is the GCI Development Coordinator, ordained elder, and host of GCPodcast, who, at 21 connected with GCI after being brought to the local church in Boston. Cara will continue exploring best ministry practices in the context of Grace Communion International churches, through warm, insightful conversations, filled with joy and laughter.

To listen to GCPodcast, check out https://resources.gci.org/media/gcpodcast or search for “Grace Communion International” on your favorite podcast app.

Meet Donna Jones

“As an 83-year-old widow of an unbeliever and as a great-great-grandmother, I want to show everyday people that we can all serve in the ‘little things’ and still have a positive impact on others.”

Check out this month’s GCI Profile to get to know Donna Jones, a member of Grace Communion Big Sandy. To read her full profile, click the image below.

Death of Bob Taylor

Robert (Bob) Paul Taylor passed away at his home in Franklin, TN on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at the age of 82 from Covid complications. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and granddaddy. Bob was born August 19, 1939 in Greeneville, TN to the late Paul Dean Taylor and Willie Irma GeFellers Taylor.

Electronics was Bob’s chosen field. He became a computer engineer with GE at the time when working on a computer actually required walking inside of it. After several years in the profession, he took early retirement from Honeywell. His continued interest in computers led him to begin setting up computer systems and software programs and into computer accounting.

As much as he enjoyed computer work, his most beloved job was pastoring which he began in 1995. He served congregations of the Worldwide Church of God (now Grace Communion International) in Nashville, Clarksville, Crossville, and Bowling Green. In 1999, he began serving as a District Superintendent over several states. It was in ministry that he met and came to love so many dear friends. After retiring in 2006 he helped many churches set up and maintain accounting software programs and performed financial reviews for them as well.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Clark B. Taylor, and sister-in-law Sylvia Taylor of Greeneville. Bob is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jan Jones Taylor, originally from Lewisburg, TN. Children: Deborah Taylor of Murfreesboro, TN; Mike (Mimi) Taylor of Joelton, TN and Stacie (Tony) Whaley of Murfreesboro, TN. Grandchildren: Jennifer (Matt) Prior; Brian (Shandi) Patterson; Jay (Rachel) Taylor; Brody Taylor; Chaz Taylor; Jack Whaley. Great-grandchildren: Hayden Prior; Taylor Prior; Brycen Patterson; Baylor Patterson; Brooks Patterson. Several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of life was held February 5, 2022 at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home in Franklin, TN. Regional Director Rick Shallenberger and GCI Board Chair Randy Bloom officiated.

Cards may be sent to:

Jan Taylor
115 Chester Stevens Court
Franklin, TN 37067-5838

Devotional – Lost Flavor

Matthew 5:13-16

¹³“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

¹⁴“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Many western cultures are in the second month of a new calendar year. In the US in particular, the new year is a time of making resolutions and setting intentions. Having a way to mark time and seasonal rhythms is beneficial, and most of us can positively relate to the idea of a reset or fresh start.

Sadly, the setting of New Year’s resolutions has been co-opted by the self-help industry in the US. The promise of a successful, limitless life is within your grasp! Simply choose these behaviors, these products and you can avoid pain, suffering, mourning, persecution. But that’s not the message of Matthew 5 that begins with The Beatitudes, is it?

After Jesus implores his listeners to be the salt and light of the world, he goes on to teach extensively on healthy relationships and our impact on others. Yet with a culture that focuses on individualism, we’re often malformed to set goals and resolutions only for self.

The second person of the Trinity, who chose to self-empty (kenosis) and conform to humanity, is now conforming us to his redeemed humanity. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus seems to be saying, Pay attention! This is what it looks like to be fully human.

It looks like being other-centered and relational. It looks like mutuality, interconnectedness, and showing up with love in community. We don’t light a lamp on its own, and salt is distasteful when eaten alone.

You are the salt and light of the world because that is your identity in Christ and who you were made to be. Therefore, be salt and light! Is there hope for us if we lose our flavor, our saltiness? Absolutely! The Bible, taken as a whole, teaches us that Jesus goes after and restores that which is lost. He is in pursuit of you, and he is relentless. What good news!

Beloved church, blessed are we to be compelled by love. How might you set an intention today to show up as the flavor and the light of the kingdom for your neighbors?

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank you for pursuing us. Jesus you are the true salt and light of the world. Conform us to your image and compel us to love one another. Amen.

By Elizabeth Mullins
GCI Media, Publications Assistant

GCI Prayer Guide – February 2022

“Prayer should not be regarded as a duty which must be performed, but rather as a privilege to be enjoyed, a rare delight that is always revealing some new beauty.” ― E.M. Bounds

Click the image below to download the February Prayer Guide and join us in corporate prayer and communion.

Author: Elizabeth Mullins