This update is from Crossing Borders director, Lee Berger.
In December, for the 10th year in a row, Crossing Borders mission trip attendees delivered shoeboxes full of gifts to needy children in Mexico. Thanks to our generous partners (churches, school groups and others) who provided the shoeboxes full of gifts, we blessed over 1000 children with tangible expressions of God’s love. In addition to the shoeboxes, our partners provided over 125 handmade blankets and quilts, 50 cloth totes filled with infant supplies, dozens of pairs of shoes and other items.
As seen in the pictures below, there were smiles of joy all around as the children received giftboxes filled with school supplies, hygiene articles, toys, candy and other needed and fun items. But of even more importance were the smiles, hugs, prayers and words of encouragement given by the missionaries to the children and their parents.
Due to a record number of applications, we had to turn away many who wanted to join us on this trip (those not accepted were deferred to a future trip). Given the large number of those accepted (38), we formed two teams and thus were able to visit twice as many churches, children’s homes and other ministries as before. Thankfully, we had a record number of shoeboxes and other gifts with us!
It’s been a joy for many of our team members to return to the same places in Mexico each year, where we’ve watched children grow from toddlers to teenagers. Along the way, we’ve built friendly relationships with onsite ministers: pastors, orphanage directors and other ministry leaders. It’s a joy to partner with them in sharing with people messages, drama, prayer, games and gifts—all for the one purpose of sharing with the children and their families the good news of God’s grace in Jesus Christ.
The next Crossing Borders trip is this summer (June 18-26). It will be a week of life-changing mission ministry. The most benefit is gained by attending the full week, but we also offer half-week options. For details, check out our website at www.cbmisison.org or call me (Lee Berger) at 903-746-4463.
We were saddened to learn of the recent death of Ron Haines, father of Beth (Haines) Holm, wife of retired GCI pastor Rand Holm. Following is information provided by his family.
“Grandpa always loved the land, and took good care of it.” (Sharran Huynh Rand and Beth’s daughter)
Ronald (“Ron”) Haines was born in 1931 and lived most of his life in Sumner County, Kansas. A wheat farmer, he loved the land, his family, and his God.
Ron passed away at home on his farm after a hard fought battle with cancer. He is survived by Doris, his wife of 63 years; by his children, Beth, Steven, Mark and Barbie; by seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren and three siblings.
Ron always loved music. He sang the Messiah at Bethany College while a student. He enjoyed singing at family reunions and various community functions, he led song services at church, performed special music and led the youth choir.
Ron was a seeker—always looking for what he felt God wanted him to do with his life and resources. He was a father to the fatherless and always willing to lend a hand to those in need, to share food with those less fortunate, and to be a comfort to the sick or elderly. He was a good neighbor. He worked and played hard. He loved flying, hunting, fishing, and backpacking in the mountains of Wyoming.
Ron officiating a wedding.
In the late 60s and into the 70s Ron took several years off of farming to get more Bible education at Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas, and to serve in pastoral ministry in Texas, Tennessee and Mississippi. When his dad, Eugene, wanted to retire from farming, he chose to move back to Kansas to take over running the family farm. He served as a volunteer co-pastor in the Wichita, Kansas, congregation for several years in the middle and late 90s.
Cards may be sent to:
Beth and Rand Holm 60 Windmill Drive Sedona, AZ 86336
A primary challenge faced by churches is encouraging growth in per-member giving. Thom Rainer of LifeWay Research looks at this challenge in a recent blog post, noting that churches that experience increases in this giving tend to exhibit seven dominant characteristics. You can read his post at http://thomrainer.com/2016/01/seven-traits-of-churches-with-increasing-per-member-giving/.
Happy New Year! I hope you and your family were able to be together during the recent holiday season, which in the U.S. traditionally begins with Thanksgiving and extends through Christmas and New Year’s Day. In accordance with the historic, orthodox Christian worship calendar, the season begins for most Christians in late November with the four Sundays of Advent, followed by Christmas Day, the Twelve Days of Christmas, and Epiphany. Advent celebrates Jesus’ comings, including his first coming (Incarnation and birth) and his second coming (bodily return in glory). Christmas reminds us that Jesus’ Incarnation and birth started everything anew. Epiphany, which occurs on January 6 (and typically is celebrated the prior Sunday), celebrates the revelation of Jesus to the world. This pattern of worship begins the liturgical year with a wonderful reminder that Jesus is at the center of everything God has done and is doing for the salvation of the world. In this letter, I will focus on celebrating Epiphany.
The word epiphany means to “show,” “make known,” or “reveal.” T.F. Torrance beautifully summarizes its biblical significance:
The New Testament constantly thinks of the Parousia [meaning “arrival” or “revealing”] in terms of epiphany, for the relation between the today and the eschaton [referring to the climax of history] is much more a tension between the hidden and the manifest, the veiled and the unveiled, than between dates in calendar time. What is still in the future is the full unveiling of a reality, but the reality itself is fully present here and now. Epiphany reminds us that with the birth of Jesus, God became God with us (Immanuel). With this advent, the Kingdom is now present to us in the person of its King—unveiled (revealed) to us personally, as we await, in hope, the full unveiling (revealing) yet to come when Jesus returns bodily in the fullness of his glory, ushering in the fullness of his Kingdom in a new heaven and new earth. (Incarnation, the Person and Life of Christ, p. 316)
On Epiphany we rejoice in the unveiling of God with us in the person of Jesus. That revealing occurred in the past (Jesus’ first coming), continues in the present (Jesus coming to us through the indwelling Spirit), and will culminate in the yet-future return of Jesus in glory. Jesus, God unveiled to us, come!
Adoration of the Magi by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)
On Epiphany, Christians typically commemorate two important events in Jesus’ first coming: the visit of the Magi to pay homage to the infant Jesus (typically celebrated by Christians in the West) and Jesus’ baptism (typically celebrated by Christians in the East). Through his baptism, Jesus was revealed to be God’s unique “beloved Son” (Matthew 3:16-17 ESV).
Through the Magi’s visit (Matthew 2:1-2), Jesus was revealed to be Lord and King of all humanity (Jews and Gentiles alike). The Magi were the first Gentiles to acknowledge Jesus as King, and thus through them, the incarnate Christ was revealed to the wider world. Their act of worship (Matthew 2:10-11) corresponded to Simeon’s prophetic statement that Jesus would be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel” (Luke 2:25-32). This was one of the earliest indications that Jesus’ vicarious life embraces all people, nations and races.
Commemorating these events on Epiphany reminds us of the mission of the church. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to participate in what our Lord is doing, by the Spirit, in all the world. We are called to share in his work to reveal himself and his salvation—a salvation that he has made available to all humanity.
Epiphany reminds us that in our union with Christ, we can enjoy communion with him as we participate with him in his continuing mediation and ministry for us and the whole world. This includes what he is doing to reveal himself to be who he truly is: the Light of the world. As we think about our calling, Epiphany reveals to us that we are not thrown back upon our own resources and efforts in this participation, but that all things are in and under Jesus, the Lord and Savior of all. In that we trust and rely, and because of that we celebrate!
Looking forward to another year of life in and with Christ, Joseph Tkach
We were saddened to learn of the recent death of Ed Graham, former WCG/GCI employee and husband of Sheila Graham, also a former WCG/GCI employee. Here are excerpts from notes we’ve received.
Ed and Sheila Graham
Ed died peacefully at his home in Lake Kiowa, Texas, on December 28, 2015. Though his body was weakened from cancer, he stayed positive and hopeful to the end.
Ed was born in Arkansas in 1929, the oldest of 12 children. Along with his family, Ed worked long and hard on the family farm to survive the Great Depression. After graduating from high school he attended Arkansas State Teacher’s College (now University of Central Arkansas) on a basketball scholarship. In 1948 he left college to join the Air Force, ending his military career as a Tech. Sgt. serving as a cryptographic specialist with a high security clearance. In 1950 Eddie married Marion Suits. After her death, he married Lillian Brock. In 1977 he married Sheila (Van Orsdol) Dennis in Pasadena, California, where they lived for many years.
After his military service, Ed began a career in electronics. He was employed by WCG/GCI in media both part-time and full-time from 1967-1995. He also worked as the supervisor of broadcast engineers at Los Angeles City College. After retirement he learned to be a locksmith and worked part time for the Lake Kiowa Security Department.
Eddie loved sports and played slow-pitch softball well into his 70s. He was known for his high, arching, but accurate, moon ball that few batters could hit. He played on the WCG Editorial Department softball team for several years (he is pictured at right). He said that with him pitching and Joseph Tkach catching, they made a pretty good team!
Ed was a man of faith. Baptized at age 17, he devotedly attended church throughout his life. At his death he was a member of GCI’s Hope Community Fellowship Church in The Colony, Texas (Dallas area). In his 70s he made trips with groups from his church to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. At age 85 he joined other church members on a mission trip to Mexico to distribute gifts to disadvantaged children. He was a Meals on Wheels and Home Hospice volunteer and a member of the Gainesville Optimist Club. He was also a ham operator and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer.
Ed is survived by his wife Sheila, several children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Both parents and three brothers preceded him in death. Five brothers and four sisters survive him.
A memorial service and celebration of Ed’s life is scheduled for January 9 at his home church.
Cards may be sent to:
Sheila Graham 111 Pueblo Drive Gainesville, TX 76240-9473
Jacki Affeldt, wife of George Affeldt (pastor of GCI’s congregation in Sioux Falls, South Dakota) was hospitalized recently, suffering with severe pancreatitis and gall stones. Jacki underwent surgery, which was successful, though followed by heart palpitations.
George and Jacki Affeldt
Thankfully, Jacki is now stable and the heart doctor feels she can be released within a couple days. Once she has healed from the pancreatitis, they will deal with her gall stones.
Update (1/7): We’ve learned that Jacki is now back home from the hospital. Although it will take a bit of time to get her strength back, she is doing well. Thanks for the prayers!
Cards may be sent to:
Jacki and George Affeldt 508 N Marquette Ave Sioux Falls, SD 57110-5736
Retired pastor Roger Abels recently fell down his basement stairs in the middle of the night. He was tired and thought he was walking into his bedroom. The fall was rather severe, but a blessing in disguise.
Donna and Roger Abels
During the examination, doctors discovered that Roger has spinal stenosis. They were able to remove the stenosis by removing three of his vertebrae and replacing them with “cages.”
Doctors are working to get him fully stable so he can proceed to rehabilitation. He has movement in his legs and arms, but no feeling yet in his fingers and just recently had a major setback. Not being able to breathe on his own, he has been sent back to the hospital. Prayer is very much needed.
Cards may be sent to:
Roger and Donna Abels 1827 Ransom Dr. Ft Wayne, IN 46845
GCI’s congregation in Pikeville, Kentucky recently was featured in a report by a local TV station telling of the congregation’s outreach to the community, which involves providing a free meal twice each month. To watch a video recording of the TV report, click on the image below, or click here.
Grace Fellowship Church today offered food to those in need, and also thanks to those who help support their mission. EKB News Reporter Shawn Allen attended today’s event. He filed this report.
Our prayer for you and yours is that 2016 will be a year of joy-filled participation in the life and love of our Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The GCI Weekly Update team is taking this week off. Our next issue will be posted on January 7, 2016. To read the latest full issue, click here. To review the recently posted five-part series from Joseph Tkach on the topic of Christmas, click on these links:
Greg Williams and Charles Fleming recently team-taught a weekend intensive in Dallas, Texas, as part of the Christian Leadership course offered by Ambassador College of Christian Ministry (ACCM). Seven men and women pastoral leaders participated (they are pictured below with Greg and Charles).
Various Christian leadership topics were addressed during the three-day intensive, including how to develop an operational style of leadership that is both team-based and pastor-led. This approach fits well with GCI’s modified-episcopal system of governance. Greg Williams elaborated:
In GCI we place a great deal of emphasis on prequalifying and then training our lead pastors. We then place on them a great deal of trust to lead their congregations. In that leadership role, we call on them to recruit, train and empower a team of able ministry leaders and then meet with that team regularly to discuss, pray and deeply consider the ministries that are involved in advancing the disciplemaking work of the congregation. We also expect our pastors to utilize their Advisory Council, which brings together a cross-section of members that help keep the pastoral leaders informed concerning the general mood and attitude of the congregation. We expect that our lead pastors will work closely with these leaders to establish, communicate and then execute a clear vision and mission for their congregation. As part of that work, the team will establish and then operate in accordance with an annual budget aligned with the agreed-upon vision and mission. Also, the team will work through the challenges it encounters, including conflict within the team. An effective lead pastor develops trust and credibility with the team, seeking consensus in discerning how the Spirit is leading the team forward. In the few cases where consensus cannot be achieved, the lead pastor is called upon to make the final decision.
Here are comments about the Christian Leadership intensive from some of the students:
Thanks to everyone involved in offering this class. It was an amazing three days of learning and building friendships. The class gave us the opportunity to not only learn leadership skills and applications, but also to see them in a perspective of how Christ leads us so we can in turn lead others. I came away with an excitement to serve. The friendships made in the close-knit environment of the intensive are wonderful. I look forward to other classes in the future.
It was awesome! We covered day-to-day practical things and items to dream towards for our congregations. It was interactive and open to any of our questions. The format was great—Greg and Charles were very accessible.
This was a great way to take an ACCM class. Every aspect was a learning opportunity. I came away with an increased knowledge of leadership and a love for others. The structure of the class and time outside the class gave me the blessing of getting to know everyone in the class. I came away blessed with new knowledge and new friends.
It was uplifting to be together in an intimate setting for three days with people who treasure God’s love and want to share that love with our church and future members that God will bring to us. To see the passionate dedication of Greg and Charles was truly inspiring. I believe this intensive class will spur us to grow into our future responsibilities as we transition into a more active pastoral role.
Established or emerging leaders interested in participating in an intensive course like the one described above are encouraged to let the GCI-USA CAD office know of their interest. We plan to offer more intensives like this in the future.
