In the video below, GCI leader John Halford talks about the challenges of growing old gracefully, which includes changing the way we participate in Christ’s ministry.
View on YouTube at http://youtu.be/VyWVmwiyOqE.
Author: GCI Media
Suzanne Cozzi
This prayer request is from GCI pastor Luciano Cozzi.
My wife Suzanne and I have been greatly blessed, especially in the last few months. However, sometimes with blessings also come challenges, and we are now facing such a period. Suzanne needed some tests done, and a routine biopsy. Unfortunately, the biopsy revealed that she has cancer. Surgery is scheduled.
The cancer does not seem to be aggressive and from every indication is at an early stage. It is likely that after the surgery she will be fine. We will not know if it has started spreading, however, until after the surgery.
Sue is doing relatively well. She tends to be strong, but as you can imagine this news is challenging to deal with. Her faith has kept her positive and strong and she has found great comfort in knowing that “all is well with her soul,” as the song goes. It has become her favorite phrase in the last few days.
Your prayers are deeply appreciated.
Cards may be sent to:
Luciano and Suzanne Cozzi 4 Silo Lane Coventry, RI 02816-8252A little church with big impact
The mission statement of In His Grace Community Church, GCI’s congregation in Kenockee, Michigan is this: “To live and to share God’s Grace in: our homes, our community and our world!” That they are ministering accordingly is evidenced by an article by Bob Green in the Port Huron “Times Herald.” Here are excerpts:
It’s hard to imagine a congregation tinier than the 25 or so members of In His Grace Community Church… But don’t let the size fool you. With the help of their neighbors, members of the church are making sure people who are hungry receive the food they need.
The church had a food giveaway on Oct. 19. “We know the need is there,” said Pastor Grant Forysth. “There still is a great number of people who, due to the economy, are not making it. We are trying to, in any little way we can, help people make it.”
He said 161 families signed up for the latest food giveaway, which represented 516 people. The food comes on a truck from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. “We try to do two a year,” Forsyth said. “This year, that was the only one we were able to get done.”
A food truck costs $650, said Alice Rieves of Mid City Nutrition in Port Huron, who works with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan to coordinate food giveaways. That $650 guarantees 12 pallets of food. “My job is to make sure the food is distributed equitably, fairly and the people are treated with respect and the paperwork is done,” she said.
In addition to the $650, which Forsyth said his church raised through donations, the group sponsoring a mobile food pantry also must have 30 volunteers to help with the giveaway. “We have connections with volunteers in Kenockee Township, the leadership there,” he said. “They send volunteers; they like to be involved.”
For additional pictures, click here.
Engage conference
This update is from GCI pastor Mark Porter who coordinated the conference.
Over 325 people gathered in September for Engage 2013—a weekend of inspiration and fellowship in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. This year marked the launch of a new name and theme for what was previously called the Wisconsin Dells conference. The Engage name highlights how our faith in Christ is lived out through intent and action.
Each of the four days of Engage 2013 conference featured a worship service with messages emphasizing a heavenly worldview that leads to serving others with God’s love. Engage sermons were given by Becky Duel, Joseph Tkach, Rick Shallenberger and Stephen Hill (left to right in the pictures below).
Worship services also featured the Engage praise and worship team, interpretive dance, and a skit and music by the children. The event was packed with other opportunities to engage—from breakout sessions on multiple topics to recreational activities for families, teens and seniors.
Preparations for Engage 2014 are underway. It will be held September 25-28 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells—a beautiful facility with a large indoor water park and a theme park with rides, games and challenge courses. Discounted resort lodging rates and passes are available for GCI attenders. Visit www.EngageGCI.org for details and updates. Early bird registration rates are now available. Make plans to join us for a time of meaningful fellowship, family fun and spiritual refreshment.
Arnold Clauson
This update is a follow-up to an earlier prayer request for Arnold Clauson from his wife Trish.
Arnold was re-admitted to the hospital early last week for his weekly back-to-back dialysis. Since his blood toxins were higher than anticipated, it was decided that coming in once a week is not sufficient.
As of now he is still in the hospital waiting for a dialysis “chair” to become available. Since he is still immobile, transportation to and from will be necessary, yet another hurdle to overcome. In the meantime, he is receiving physical therapy so that he can sit in a chair for the four hours required for dialysis.
Arnold’s kidneys are still barely functioning, but we have been told that they can “turn on” at any time, even after months of dialysis. Of course the greatest challenge ahead is working on the cancer.
Arnold and I are humbled by the prayers and cards of encouragement we are receiving and we are continually comforted by the knowledge that the Creator of the universe is fully in control. Please know that we are also aware that so many others have burdens to bear. . . .we join in prayers for them.
Cards may be sent to:
Arnold and Trish Clauson 109 Melrose Circle Denison, Texas 75020Arnold Clauson
This update is a follow-up to last week’s prayer request from Trish Clauson concerning her husband, GCI district and church pastor Arnold Clauson.
Arnold returned home briefly last week, then had to return to the hospital. He continues to need dialysis due to kidney failure. Because he has a poor appetite, he is losing weight and muscle mass. He is unable to move much—even sitting up is difficult. He is anxious to get out of bed so that his cancer treatments can proceed.
We know many are praying for him during this trial and we can’t thank you enough. Those of us caring for him are becoming completely exhausted—we are praying for God’s continued strength and courage, knowing that he is aware of everything that is going on. Our love to all of you.
Cards may be sent to:
Arnold and Trish Clauson 109 Melrose Circle Denison, Texas 75020Mindanao festival
“Because God loves everyone, we in the church should not exclude anyone.” This was the resounding message from GCI Philippines national director Eugene Guzon at the conclusion of the 4-day Mindanao-wide festival held this month in Cagayan de Oro City in the province of Mindanao in the Philippines.
The focus of the festival was to urge the 500 members attending to develop within their churches a culture of Connectivity, Sensitivity and Proactivity.
Each day of the festival was filled with activities including tug-of-war contests and karaoke singing. The youth enjoyed a dance and a movie. In one session, Pastor Audie Santibañez urged leaders to take advantage of technology like ebooks. Mindanao Area Superintendent Jerome Manriquez warmed the audience on the opening day with an inspiring sermon titled, “The Celebration of Life.” A highlight of the festival was the commissioning of the pastoral teams in Mindanao. There also was an appeal to assist the earthquake victims there.
2nd anniversary for L.A. church plant
This update is from church planter and district and church pastor Heber Ticas concerning the GCI church that he and his team planted two years ago in Los Angeles. For an earlier update, click here.
On October 20 we celebrated our second anniversary. We are grateful for the Lord’s grace—we had 116 in attendance including 14 from the mother church. Our journey has been one of great joy, fears, hard work and a lot of faith. I thank the Lord for the team he has given me. They have joyfully participated in the Lord’s mission to our community.
Through our participatory ministry, we have been privileged to help many people encounter the risen Lord. Not all have responded positively, but many have and in that we rejoice. Loving our community with no strings attached has been our ministry model. One example is a sister who sheltered an abused mother in her home. Another is the care we gave to sister Julia who was drawn to our church through our outreach of passing out free bottles of water on the street. Julia attended our initial launch service and has been part of our church family ever since.
Last February, Julia was diagnosed with stage-three stomach cancer. She had to endure difficult surgery that included removal of her stomach. Several weeks later I was privileged to accompany her to an appointment with her oncologist. Her doctor informed her that they were not able to remove all the cancer and that they felt that it was fatal with only six to twelve months before the cancer claimed her life. God’s love for Julia has been unwavering, but he allowed us to be the bearers of that heavenly love. We share that love as we pray with her, have fellowship, encourage her and provide financial support to purchase her expensive meals that are fed through a tube. We have witnessed her most difficult moments, but we thank God for his grace as we have seen her recover most of her weight in the last six weeks.
We ask that you join with us in mission to our community by keeping us in your prayers. Please pray for our team, in particular for Enoch Palacios, our associate pastor, and David Chicas, one of our ministry leaders. I have delegated most of the everyday ministry duties to these men. Please pray that the Lord gives me wisdom to recognize the right time to release the ministry fully to these leaders. I plan to do so by our third anniversary.
Mullins’ wedding
We are pleased to announce that on October 26, Generations Ministries director Anthony Mullins married Elizabeth Gill.
The ceremony, held at a Christian camp near Hickory, North Carolina, was officiated by GCI regional pastor Greg Williams.
The couple will be making their home together in nearby Lenoir, North Carolina.
Congratulations to Anthony and Elizabeth!
John Howard
The Howard family came to Kansas in the 1850s as farmers and John Howard’s parents were both raised on farms. “After getting married, my parents moved to town and had seven children, of which I am the fourth. My dad was a concrete-truck driver until he retired.”
John was born in Lawrence, Kansas and went through school there, graduating from Lawrence High School. “Since my family came here the 1850s, I don’t enjoy moving around. I like to be around my relatives and hope to stay here the rest of my life.”
John started work at an early age. “My profession was always connected to the printing industry my entire life, mostly spent in the bindery and the press area. However, I started delivering newspapers at age 11 and continued to work my way up in the local newspaper in Lawrence and then into the printing industry and retired as a pressman at the University of Kansas.”
John and Nancy Sue (Thomas) married in 1960 and have been married for 53 years. “The highlight of my life was when a friend asked me to go on a blind date and that was the girl I married 13 months later.” John and Sue have two children, a son John Jr. (deceased) and a daughter, Sandra. They also have five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Sue had a great influence on John’s walk with Christ. “I became a part of GCI (WCG) in 1967, mostly through my wife and her family, especially by her example as a believing wife.”
John, who now serves GCI’s Topeka church as its pastor, was ordained an elder and commissioned as a bivocational pastor in November 2002. “Our minister left and I was asked to be on a three-person pastoral care team. But questions came up about my not being eligible to conduct communion since I was not an elder. Later I was ordained and attended pastoral training in Dallas.” Since then, John has received a diploma in Christian Ministry from Ambassador College of Christian Ministry (ACCM).
John says this about his wife’s involvement in ministry: “Sue is very supportive of the ministry I do. She is a lady with many abilities who is dedicated to serving Christ. I use her as a sounding board in some instances. But I do not always get the answer I want, because if I do not want the truth I don’t ask her. That last sentence is a joke but it is true.”
John says he’s a “pretty open person—what you see is what I am.” What he loves about GCI is “the friendliness of the leaders of GCI and the continuing education I have been given.” He credits retired district pastor Ray Meyer as someone who was a good mentor to him and helped him in ministry.
John’s most memorable moment as a pastor was “when I was asked to baptize a young couple who grew up in the church.” He also has several passions: “My family, preaching the gospel and playing music.”
John noted that he feels closest to God, “in the morning before everything gets involved in daily activities—my head is not clouded then by all that goes on the rest of the day.”
