GCI Update
Connecting Members & Friends of GCI
Header Banner

Author: GCI Media

Big Sandy: family outreach

For several years, New Beginnings Christian Fellowship (GCI’s congregation in Big Sandy, Texas), has conducted a Wednesday evening “family activity night” that reaches out to the children and their families in the community. This outreach was recently highlighted in an article by reporter Linda Baggett, published in “The Big Sandy and Hawkins Journal.” The article is reproduced below.

Big Sandy article

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship is known for being active in the Big Sandy community, sharing their building, their time and their powerful love of God. Last Wednesday night was no different except along with the fifty young folks and thirty adults there were special guests in attendance. New Beginnings is part of the Grace Communion International group of churches. Visiting from their offices in Glendora, CA was Greg Williams, Director of Church Administration and Development for the U.S., Heber Ticas with Church Planting and from Oklahoma City Regional Pastor Mike Rasmussen. These gentlemen came to see for themselves just what was going on in our small town and they were not disappointed.

Speaking with Mr. Williams, he said they were here to celebrate what New Beginnings has been doing for almost twelve years with the family activity night and serving the kids. Sonny Parsons, lead pastor for many years, recently retired and new pastor, Jerome Ellard, is continuing the ministry. Mr. Williams said they had heard so many good stories about God’s work being done here, they wanted to come to family night. He said we shouldn’t have two separate “lives” – our normal, secular life and our church life – and the way we see it is that it’s all God, everything we do. There’s no separation between the sacred and the secular; ministry is not just standing up and preaching a sermon. It’s being out in the community, interacting with neighbors, stepping up during a crisis. It’s opening the doors for the young people, giving them somewhere to go, a hot meal, letting them know they’re loved and letting them experience what the love of Christ is all about. We would like to see all of our churches look like New Beginnings and be a centerpiece in the community. Pastor Sonny has truly been ahead of his time in this ministry. He’s a humble man and has a servant’s heart. If you’re going to be first you need to be willing to be last and be servant to all. They’ve set a high standard and we’re thrilled to be here.

Mr. Ticas said they were also here to support Pastor Jerome and wife, Helen, and the Big Sandy congregation; to see what they could do to better equip them in serving not only the congregation but the community. The inclusive nature of what’s happening here, including the kids as one family, giving them a safe space, letting them develop…that’s Jesus-like. Pastor Jerome is continuing this ministry and is a blessing. Mr. Rasmussen echoed that their visit was to celebrate with New Beginnings how they were helping the young people, bringing families together and working in the community.

Pastor Sonny sat quietly listening, blushing at times, then said, “God did this. We know it wasn’t us. It’s the dynamic of being a team. Years ago Jane shared that the word TEAM stands for “together everyone accomplishes much.” We try to emphasize to all who come that everyone is a minister. A church will have a pastor, but everyone has a chance to minister. The kids who come, all kids, just want someone to listen to them and here they will get God’s answer.”

It was a pleasure visiting with these gentlemen. It’s a shame they couldn’t have stayed longer, a month or two, maybe a year. Then they could have shared in our wonderful community of faith and experienced the recent Good Friday service or Easter Sunrise where eight different congregations came together. Or maybe the “Honor Our Heroes” evening, blessing of the school, the Community-wide Thanksgiving service and Christmas Walk. We may meet in different buildings, at different times and sing different hymns and songs, but no one will deny that we serve the same loving and mighty God!

To view the original article, click here and here.

Women’s retreat in October

GCI women and their female friends are invited to attend a fall women’s retreat sponsored by the GCI congregation in Birmingham, Alabama. The retreat will be held on October 9-11, 2015 at the St. Bernard Abbey Retreat and Conference Center (www.stbernardretreat.com/) in Cullman, Alabama (north of Birmingham).

bedThe retreat theme is “Eyes Fixed on Jesus,” based on Hebrews 12:2. Retreat gatherings will explore many topics, looking for ways to “fix our eyes on Jesus.” Guest speakers will be GCI leaders Tammy Tkach, Ginny Rice, Pat Halford, Becki Brown and Barbara Dahlgren. Music will be provided by Ann Hartmann (http://annhartmann.com/) and Mary Jo Leaver (Music to the Eyes ministry).

The retreat costs $125/person (double occupancy), which includes registration, two nights’ lodging and four meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday). Rooms have two twin beds (see picture). If you prefer a private room, the cost is $185. For additional information and to register, email retreat coordinator Ruth Miller at ruth.miller@gci.org.

Vanuatu cyclone

In March, we asked for prayer for our members in Vanuatu who were impacted by tropical cyclone Pam. Here is an update from GCI Mission Developer Rod Matthews.

On March 13, tropical cyclone Pam, a category 5 storm (the highest rating), hit the island nation of Vanuatu. The government estimated that about 166,000 people were affected (about half the population) with perhaps 65,000 in need of temporary shelter. GCI has a couple of members in Port Vila, the capital, and a congregation on the island of Malekula.

Fijian pastor, Isei Colati, had already planned a trip to Vanuatu to help our members there celebrate Holy Week. The timing proved ideal so he could check on the members and provide encouragement and material assistance. In his report to me, Isei noted that his visit was “very inspiring and uplifting, especially when we realized that the members had been affected one way or another.”

Before he left Fiji, Isei purchased vegetable seeds for the members to plant “so that they can get some quick cash and have some help in their food supply, realizing that most of the crops would have been damaged or destroyed.” He also purchased medical supplies to assist in countering diseases that normally come after hurricanes. Isei reported that though damage to Port Vila was severe, our members were not badly affected.

roof repairSeveral of our members came together in the town of Rory where our church facility is located to help repair the building’s roof and do general cleanup (see picture at left). During that time they held a series of church services and Bible studies. At times, attendance reached 55 people. Isei reported that “their desire for biblical knowledge and answers to questions interrupted the repairs on the roof of the building!”

baptismEvery evening, the members prepared food for dinner and supper following Bible Study and distributed used clothing (brought from Fiji) to those in need. According to Isei, they “experienced the truth of Psalm 133: ‘How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.'”

During the trip Isei conducted the annual Lord’s Supper commemoration service and three baptisms (pictured at right).

Thanks to all who offered to go to Vanuatu to assist in rebuilding the homes of our members. I’m grateful to report that they are well cared for and outside assistance is not needed at this time.

Arlen Bryant

Please pray for Arlen Bryant, lead pastor of GCI’s church in Cookeville, Tennessee. Arlen had been experiencing troubling symptoms, including diminished ability to speak and memory problems. In a recent scan, doctors found a tumor in his brain. Arlen is now at home, being treated with medication to shrink the tumor awaiting surgery, which is now scheduled for May 7.

Your prayers for Arlen and his wife Jean, and for their congregation are needed and much appreciated.

Cards may be sent to:

Arlen and Jean Bryant
2054 Benton Young Rd
Cookville, TN 38501

Dewey Peterson

Georgia and Dewey Peterson
Georgia and Dewey Peterson

Last week we asked for prayer for GCI pastor Dewey Peterson. Here is an update from Dewey:

My healing has been going quite well in some aspects, but my lung capacity has been greatly reduced. I went to the hospital recently where they drew two liters of fluid from the area around my lungs. I experienced considerable pain as the vacated space began to fill after the lungs expanded. I believe it will get back to normal in a few days. Thanks for your prayers!

Cards may be sent to:

Dewey and Georgia Peterson
12 Mariners Pt.
Crossville, TN 38558-2771

New church in Kenya

A congregation in Etago, Kenya (pictured below) recently joined GCI. They decided to do so after its leader, John Musoti, read on the GCI website, our Statement of Beliefs and teachings about the new covenant. As a former Seventh Day Adventist, John had always felt that the Old Testament laws were burdensome, but he did not know what to do.

Kenya 1

After reading our literature, John contacted us. GCI pastors Elisha and Lang’at, who live about 60 miles away, visited John. During a series of three meetings, the group had many questions. Pastors Elisha and Lang’at answered by referring to the simple, yet profound message of the gospel: we are saved by grace and nothing else! After these meetings, the group decided to join GCI. They were then commissioned as a GCI Bible study group under the supervision of pastors Elisha and Lang’at, with John Musoti leading the group’s pastoral team (pictured below).

Kenya 3

Death of Rick Ridgell

Rick RidgellIn past issues we’ve requested prayer for GCI pastor Rick Ridgell and his wife Pam (pictured at right) concerning Rick’s prolonged battle with cancer. We were saddened to learn that Rick died recently.

We are grateful that GCI pastor Brian Carlisle was able to be with Rick and Pam during Rick’s final few days, offering support, prayer and communion. Pam and Rick celebrated their 27th anniversary on the Friday before Rick’s death.

Please join us in praying for Pam, their son Richard and the GCI congregation he pastored in Winchester, Virginia.

Cards may be sent to:

Pam Ridgell
640 Butler Ave.
Winchester, VA 22601

Our Triune God: living love

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

joeandtammyIf asked to identify the oldest living thing, some might point to Tasmania’s 10,000-year-old pine trees [1] or its 40,000-year-old shrub [2]. Others might point to the 200,000-year-old seagrass on the coast of Spain’s Balearic Islands [3]. As ancient as these plants may be, the oldest living thing is far older—it’s the eternal God, who is revealed in Scripture to be living love. Love is God’s nature, and the intra-personal love of the Trinity has existed from before creation. There never has been a time when true love did not exist because our eternal, Triune God is the Source of authentic love.

Saint_Augustine_Portrait
Augustine of Hippo by Botticelli (c. 1480), Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Augustine, Bishop of Hippo (d. 430), emphasized this truth by referring to the Father as “Lover,” the Son as “Beloved,” and the Spirit as the love existing between them [4]. Out of his infinite abundance of love, the Triune God created all that exists, including you and me. In The Triune Creator, theologian Colin Gunton argues for this Trinitarian explanation of creation, noting that we must consider the whole biblical witness and not just the Genesis creation accounts. Gunton notes that this approach is not new—it’s how the early church understood creation. For example, Irenaeus noted that a Trinitarian perspective requires viewing creation in the light of what happened in Jesus. The God who created everything out of nothing (ex nihilo) did so with great purpose—out of love, in love, and for love.

As T.F. Torrance and his brother J.B. liked to say, creation was the result of the overflow of God’s love. This is seen clearly when God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26). In the phrase “Let us…” we find a hint of God’s triune nature. Some interpreters disagree, saying that viewing this as a reference to the Trinity is to impose New Testament understanding on the Old Testament. They typically explain either that “Let us” is a literary device (the “majestic we”), or that God is talking with the angels as his co-creators. But Scripture never attributes creative powers to angels. Further, we should interpret all Scripture through the lens of Jesus’ person and teaching. The God who said “Let us,” was the Triune God whether or not ancient humans knew it.

As we read the Bible through the lens of Jesus, we come to understand that God’s creation of humankind in his image is a profound expression of God’s nature, which is love. In Colossians 1:15 and 2 Corinthians 4:4, we learn that Jesus, himself, is the Image of God. Jesus images the Father to us because he and the Father are one in being in a relationship of perfect love. Scripture tells us that Jesus is connected to creation (including humankind), referring to him as the “firstborn” of creation. Paul calls Adam (the first man), the copy (“type”) of Jesus “the one who was to come” (Romans 5:14 NRSV). Jesus is thus the prototype of all humanity. Paul also calls Jesus the “last Adam,” who as the “life-giving spirit,” renews fallen Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45), thus transforming humankind into his own image.

As Scripture tells us, we have “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (Colossians 3:10), and “we all, who with unveiled faces, contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). The author of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Hebrews 1:3). He is the true Image of God, who in taking on our human nature, “tasted death for everyone.”  By uniting himself to us, Jesus sanctified us and made us his brothers and sisters (Hebrews 2:9-15). We have been created and now are being re-created according to the image of the Son of God who, himself, images for us the holy loving relationships in the Trinity. We are to live and move and have our being in Christ, who has his very being in the tri-personal communion of love of the Father, Son and Spirit.

In Christ and with Christ, we are God’s beloved children. But sadly, those lacking understanding of God’s Triune nature of love easily miss this important truth, embracing instead various misunderstandings:

  • Tritheism, which denies God’s unity, claiming there are three separate and distinct gods, thus making any relationships between them external and not essential to God’s nature.
  • Modalism, which teaches that God is a single being who appears at various times in one of three different modes. This teaching also denies any relationships internal and eternal to God.
  • Subordinationism, which teaches that Jesus is a creature (or a divine being who is less than the Father) and thus not eternally the divine Son of God. This teaching also denies that God in his being is a triune relationship of holy love for all eternity.
  • Other teachings, though affirming the doctrine of the Trinity, fail to grasp its deepest glory: that the Triune God is loving in his very being before there ever was a creation.

Understanding that the Triune God is, in his very nature, love, helps us see that love is the foundation of all things. At the center of that understanding is that all things come from and revolve around Jesus who reveals the Father and sends the Holy Spirit. Thus, the place to start in understanding both God and his creation (including humankind), is in asking this question: Who is Jesus?

It is inescapably Trinitarian that the Father has created all things and established his kingdom by placing his Son at the center of his plan, purpose and revelation. The Son glorifies the Father and the Father glorifies the Son. The Holy Spirit, who doesn’t speak of himself, constantly points to the Son, thus glorifying the Son and the Father. The Father, Son and Spirit delight in this triune interaction of love. And when we, God’s children, confess Jesus as Lord, we do so by the Holy Spirit to the glory of the Father. As Jesus predicted, true worship is “in spirit and in truth.” When we worship the Father, Son and Spirit, we are worshiping the oldest living thing who, in love, created us to love him and dwell with him forever!

Feeling loved,
Joseph Tkach

[1] http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=3240

[2] http://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/20/world/australians-report-40000-year-old-shrub.html

[3] http://www.dogonews.com/2012/2/10/ancient-seagrass-may-be-the-worlds-oldest-living-organism

[4] Classical Trinitarian Theology, a Textbook by Tarmo Toom, T&T Clark, 2007, pp. 153-54.

GCI Update

Follow Us

Designed by PlainJoe Studios
© 2026 Grace Communion International. All rights reserved