Watch video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u7WETXLxqI
Discover the transformative power of Christ’s love in our new series GCI Testify. Join us as members from our global fellowship share testimonies of their experiences with Jesus through GCI congregations and ministries. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of the Spirit in and through GCI.
Watch the entire series here.
We started the Home Church US to help members from local congregations that were closing transition to a place where they could continue to be connected to GCI. We do this through weekly sermon messages given by pastors and home office leaders.
There are members who do not live near a GCI congregation. The Home Church US is a way to meet their needs as they search for a congregation in the neighborhood where they can participate in person.
The video format allows members to view the weekly sermon as a group or individually, and at various times based on their schedules. The message is sent via email each Friday to those who have signed up to receive it. Sign up here!
The message follows the Revised Common Lectionary, as well as the GCI Worship Calendar. Each presenter starts by welcoming everyone and reminding them that communion will be taken at the end of the message.
Most people who receive the weekly sermon message also receive the bi-monthly newsletter, Update, and the monthly prayer guide. Both are great ways to stay connected to what is happening in the denomination around the world and a way to be in prayer for our members everywhere.
Showing their appreciation for this service, some members send cards of encouragement to the Home Office. Many tell us they are praying for us individually and as a denomination. Below are a few comments from those who have benefited from the Home Church US.
On September 2, Lucy Enerio was given the role of Home Church US Coordinator. If you attended the Regional Gatherings this summer, you may have met Lucy. She led the worship sessions and assisted me with coordinating the gatherings. Lucy will be a blessing to the Home Church US.
Our prayer is that the Home Church US provides a relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit for those who do not have a local congregation (GCI or other denomination) to connect with.
Pam Morgan, Operations Coordinator
Charlotte, NC, US
“I hope and pray that God will inspire people from many nations to do this work and that he will bless this ministry allowing us to share the gospel with many persons worldwide.”
With joy and thanksgiving, we share the good news that four individuals were ordained to serve in congregations in Zambia.
[Pictured above, left to right: Pastor Muphana Ngula (Chawama, Lusaka), Pastor Aaron Ng’ambi (Kitwe), National Director Inyambo Nyumbu (Lilanda, Lusaka), Pastor Alex Musonda and his wife (Lusaka Central), Miriam, Pastor Kennedy Musopelo (Chongwe), Pastor Phillip Bowa (Lusaka Central), and Superintendent Kalengule Koama (Lusaka)]
Pastor Alex Musonda (above fourth from the left) told us he loves how the body of Christ shares tasks according to the spiritual gifting, and he enjoys administration and teaching. He feels quite humbled and excited about his calling.
[Pictured above, left to right: Pastor Aaron Ng’ambi (Kitwe), National Director Inyambo Nyumbu (Lilanda, Lusaka), Pastor Alex Kachimwa (Chongwe, Lusaka), Pastor Phillip Bowa (Lusaka Central)]
When asked how he felt about his calling, Pastor Alex Kachimwa (above second from the right) quoted Psalm 138:8, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me, his love endures forever.”
Please join us in praying for them and their ministry in Jesus’ church.
In the past, our Hawthorne, California congregation has been at the forefront of regional development for Southern California Spanish-speaking congregations. Pastor Manuel Ochoa has always been willing to create spaces for the development and sending of leaders. Over the last few years, I have brought a higher level of support to this congregation with the vision of establishing a Ministry Training Center (MTC).
An MTC congregation must display a good level of congregational health, and this congregation has been on a journey toward greater health. Disciple-making with Jesus is at the core of congregational health. Over the last three years the Hawthorne church has had 26 baptisms, including four during the West Regional Gathering. A healthy Hope, Faith, and Love Avenue are crucial for holistic health. Although this is a work in progress in Hawthorne, their Faith, Hope, and Love expressions are healthy enough to create spaces for leadership development.
On August 11, during the West Regional Gathering, we officially launched our second Spanish-speaking MTC. (We also have an MTC with the Bogota, Columbia congregation.) The proximity of our other Spanish-speaking churches in Southern California facilitates regional development at a better pace. During this gathering, we also commissioned José Luis Lopez as the MTC coordinator. José Luis will not only coordinate development at the Hawthorne congregation but regionally as well.
The Hawthorne MTC will join our Latin American program that offers a six-course diploma in Foundational Theological Studies, and a twelve-course diploma in Advanced Theological and Pastoral Studies. Participants in Hawthorne will also go through the program as a learning community in cohorts. The MTC coordinator will work closely with the local pastors to ensure that ministry practices lanes are opened for the participants. Coaching, consulting, and mentoring will be offered at all levels to ensure the MTC receives high support.
With the pool of participants coming from our Sun Valley, Santa Ana, and Hawthorne congregations, the MTC will have a hybrid component. The cohort will meet in person in Hawthorne, but their ministry development practices will take place in their local congregation. The MTC coordinator will have the challenge to ensure that all participants are provided with significant ministry participation within the framework of Team Based — Pastor Led and the three ministry Avenues. We expect 16 participants to participate in the initial learning cohort that is being launched September 21.
I trust that you will all join us in prayer for this endeavor, asking our heavenly Father to give us the joy of participating with Jesus in the development of leaders and potentially, pastors and church planters.
In Christ,
Heber Ticas, Superintendent of Latin America
Sun Valley, CA, US
Twenty-four GCI leaders from seven countries in Asia converged on the Kwanruen Resort in Korat province of south Thailand for a three-day retreat. (Korat is a four-hour drive from Bangkok, towards the border of Cambodia.) Amiyo Bacher from Bangladesh was the only one who could not join due to unrest in his country.
During an introductory session, several leaders brought updates of GCI activities in their regions. Following the Healthy Church theme, we discussed what it means to be healthy as a fellowship in four main sessions. Here are some interesting takeaways:
Facilitators included Rex Dela Peña, Aron Tolentino, Sachin Nirale, and Audie Santibanez. Retired leaders Wong Mein Kong and Eugene Guzon shared vital insights from their experience. In the wrap-up session, I proposed Eph 4:16 as one way to experience Healthy Church.
Activities included team-building activities for GCI Thailand, a fellowship night that enthralled the audience with worship, games, and embarrassment on the dance floor! Special moments included the ordination of Chan Thleng( a leader from Myanmar) and a farewell party for Eugene Guzon and Wong Mein Kong. Unforgettable moments included visiting three elegant coffee shops in three days! A memorable three days of “brethren dwelling together in unity.” (Psalm 133:1)
Danny Zachariah, Superintendent of Asia
Hyderabad, India
One of my favorite names of God is “Yahweh Shammah.” (Ezekiel 48:35) It means “The Lord is there.” Throughout Scripture, God reveals himself — who he is and his character. But the Son is the supreme revelation of the Father. The Son became one of us and is with us. In fact, his name is Immanuel – “God with us.”
The Gospels describe Jesus, the expression of the God who is with us. He encounters people tangibly, eating, teaching, walking with them. We see Jesus being intentional to meet individuals where there are.
In John 4, we read of an encounter of Jesus with a Samaritan woman at the well, as she was coming to draw water. As the disciples looked for food, Jesus chose to stay and to minister to this woman, even asking her for a drink (John 4:7). Little did this Samaritan woman know that she was about to draw water, not to quench the physical thirst, but through the living water who satisfies her spiritual thirst.
Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” John 4:13-15 NLT
Jesus met the Samaritan woman exactly where she was … at the well.
In this Ordinary Time, let us take a moment for the Lord is here. How is Jesus encountering you “at the well,” in whatever problem, sorrow, need, painful past, sickness, or anxiety you are experiencing? Jesus has given us the living water — himself.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, remind me of Jesus’ presence especially in areas when everything seems ordinary. Let the extraordinary truth about God, who is Yahweh Shammah, be my assurance today.
By Justine Paolo “Jep” Parcasio, Associate Pastor
Baguio, Philippines
Dear Church,
In Church Administration and Development (CAD) for the U.S., we have been working for more than a year to move from a regional structure of support and supervision to a national structure.
During our summer gatherings, I shared the “5D cycle” of transformational change process: disruption, discovery, death, design, and deploy. It’s an appreciative inquiry tool, adapted from the 5D Method of Change. The newly formed U.S. CAD team has journeyed around this circle and have learned many valuable lessons. One of the most important lessons is to get each team member in his or her best fit. I think they have accomplished this.
I am proud of their hard work; they have demonstrated a yielding to the Spirit in each stage. In January 2025, the new structure will be fully implemented. Mike will give us more background, so please keep reading.
Greg Williams
GCI in the United States has been undergoing major restructuring throughout 2023 and 2024. These changes have occurred for several reasons. The main reason is a shortage of pastors and key leaders to replace our ranks. For the past 12 years, our regional system has served us well. We started with six regions. With the retirement of Ted Johnston, it went to five regions. In January 2024, Anthony Mullins left the role of Southeast regional director (RD) to plant a GCI congregation in Durham, North Carolina. Then in January 2025, Rick Shallenberger, North Central RD, and Tim Sitterley, Western RD, will both be retiring. This means Dr. Jeff Broadnax, Pam Morgan, and I will be sharing the responsibilities of overseeing the United States. I also have the responsibility of overseeing the Canadian and the Caribbean regions. We hope you can understand that we clearly needed to make some changes to manage this vast area with fewer people.
One option was to move our more experienced pastors from their current congregations to the role of RD, but this would put these large, healthy congregations at risk. Robbing Peter to pay Paul is never a good strategy for growth nor sustainable health. So, the Holy Spirit has been leading us to think differently and guiding us to implement a new strategy. However, this new strategy has required incredibly challenging and painful decisions and even more difficult conversations with our pastors and facilitators.
Read More
Congratulations to Chan Thleng! He was ordained an elder on August 11. Chan lives in the Yangon Region of Myanmar. He provides pastoral care for the three GCI congregations in Myanmar. Join us in praying for him and the ministry in his country.
His ordination was a joyous event, held during a leadership retreat, so leaders from across Asia joined the celebration. Shown from left to right in the photo above:
Joselito Olaguer–Thailand, Rex Dela Pena–Philippines, Sachin Nirale–India, Chan Thleng–Myanmar, Danny Zachariah–India, Won Mein Kong–Malaysia, Devaraj Ramoo–Malaysia, Eugene Guzon–Philippines, Joel Alisbo–Thailand, Praveen Chinta–India, Aron Tolentino–Philippines, Audie Santibanez–Philippines
We asked Chan to share some background with our readers.
I was born into Christian family. I accepted that Jesus is my Savior at the age of 18. I passed the matriculation examination in 2004. I earned my M.Div. in 2011. I married Lydia in 2017, and we have an infant son and two daughters.
Currently, I am serving as a senior pastor of GCI Myanmar. We have about 50 members in Hmawbi congregation. GCI also has a congregation in Matupi.
Members in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are showing generosity to their community even when resources are scarce. The woman’s ministry is creating Billum bags and selling them to raise money to help support their neighbors. They donate the funds to neighbors who have funeral expenses, and they express love and support to the families who are grieving.
GCI provides pastoral oversight for congregations in Mt. Wilhelm and Port Moresby. Infrastructure development at the Mt. Wilhelm facility has included the installation of solar power for the church-owned buildings in this remote part of the central highlands. This solar power allows the local congregation to host events after dark as a way to serve and bless neighboring villages, which have no electric power.
Their missional activities include water, agriculture, and income projects in tandem with biblical education and personal development for the entire community. They also held a children’s camp in July. Read more here.
In July, the PNG church celebrated Pastors Richard Kindi and Ben Galwa for 10 years of service. They were presented with certificates during a wonderful service with communion.
Pastors Richard and Ben have shown great pastoral care for the members by guiding them through difficult times, like COVID. And they have shown leadership during this challenging year for the entire country. The country has experienced looting, tribal war in the Enga province, and fear and suspicion of witchcraft. Women can be blamed for unexplained deaths and accused of witchcraft. If a woman is believed to be a witch, she is often murdered.
In March, widespread flooding led to a landslide in Chimbu province that caused incredible property damage, and 23 people died. Pastor Ben Galwa’s house was also affected.
Please join us in praying for our GCI family in PNG.
Note: The GCI Disaster Relief Fund helps provide members in disaster areas with emergency needs.
If your congregation would like to donate to the fund, you can set up a one-time donation through GCI Online Giving (https://www.gci.org/online-giving/) by selecting “Give for Disaster Relief” under the drop-down menu.
If your congregation prefers to send a check, make it out to Grace Communion International, indicating clearly on the memo line that the donation is for the GCI Disaster Relief Fund.
Send the donation to:
GCI Disaster Relief Fund
Grace Communion International
3120 Whitehall Park Dr.
Charlotte, NC 28273
Thank you for your prayers and financial contributions to help members of the GCI family who are suffering.
