Serena Mills – GCI Update

Healthy Church—Neighborhood Camps

Derby, KS, US

Last month, GC Derby hosted a two-day neighborhood camp with the theme, “I Wonder Adventures.” The campers’ adventures were related to different Bible stories. Ten children, first grade through fifth grade, attended, with a staff of 16 adults and three teenagers.

Activities included Jonah in the belly of a large blue tent staged as the whale. We had an escape room focused on Paul and Silas in prison. Campers stood up to a giant cardboard Goliath and made David’s shepherd flute. Moses as a newborn baby floating in the Nile provided our science project. Our final adventure was Noah and the flood, where the campers built an ark from boxes.

Campers also learned skits related to the five Bible adventures. They used craft time to create their props and masks. On the final evening, the campers, dressed in costumes, performed for all the parents and some grandparents.

Both days, we served a hot breakfast and lunch. Before the skits on the last day, we served dinner to the families.

This camp was a testament to the lead of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God gave us the opportunity to participate with him in what he is already doing with these campers and their families.

Kirk Hayden, Pastor
Derby, KS, US

Bulacan, Luzon, Philippines

The GCI Plaridel congregation organized a Vacation Bible School (VBS) in June. Their theme was “Put on the Full Armor of God.” The three-day camp served 30 children from the community. You can view all their photos here.

Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines

The GCI Kiara congregation was excited to finally conduct youth camp again! This is the first year they have been able to enjoy camp since the COVID pandemic began. In June, 62 campers attended this three-day camp. To read more about this camp, visit their website.

Read what one camper had to say about the experience:

I formed unexpected friendships. I feel incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to deepen my connection with God. One of the highlights for me was the youth jam. This event brought young people together to revel in the presence of the Lord and sing praises. Another memorable activity was the Amazing Race, where our teamwork and effective communication helped us overcome various obstacles, resulting in us clinching second place. I also gained valuable insights from the pastors, with Pastor Rex’s sermons leaving a lasting impact on me. One of his powerful messages was about God’s active presence in our struggles, offering comfort, support, and guidance. I look forward to more camp experiences in the future.

By Danny Zachariah, Superintendent of Asia
Hyderabad, India

Art of Mentoring

Click here to view all the videos in the series.

Death of Dave Gilbert

David Samuel Gilbert, III., 72, of Kintnersville, PA, U.S., passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

He was born on October 29, 1951, in McKeesport, PA. and was the son of the late David Samuel Jr., and Dorothy (Rudd) Gilbert. David was a graduate of Ambassador College in Pasadena, CA. and Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield, PA. He served his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as a pastor for 40 years leading churches in Ohio, Iowa, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Most recently he served as administrative pastor of Calvary Chapel Central Bucks in Chalfont, PA.

He was a talented singer and lover of worship music. He was also an avid hunter and outdoors person. He was the loving husband of 48 years to Hinka (DeVlugt) Gilbert. In addition to his wife, David is survived by his sons, David Samuel (Anna) Gilbert, IV of Mechanicsburg, PA. and Nathan Josiah (Aubrey) Gilbert of Brandon, FL. He was the devoted Pappy to his grandchildren, Esther, Levi, Elias, Ezra and Samson.

Meet Justine Paolo Parcasio

“I am passionate about helping young people have an encounter with the triune God.”

Meet Justine Paolo “Jep” Parcasio, the associate pastor of the Baguio congregation in the Philippines.

Click here or the image below to read the full profile.

Congratulations Graduates

Nicole Reyes Nakagawa
Eagle Rock Jr. High School, Multilingual Pathway
Pasadena, California, US

Eraine Igne
Santa Maria High School
Santa Maria, California, U.S.

Danielle Magat
Piedmont High School
Steele Creek, North Carolina, U.S.

Peter Lungile Chidothe
Mzuzu University
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
Lilongwe, Malawi

Zuriel Chirwa
Malawi College of Accountancy
Bachelor of Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Blantyre, Malawi

Christianna Doele
Georgetown University
Bachelor of Science in Business and Global Affairs, French Minor
Snellville, Georgia, U.S.

Chris Fell
Oxford University
Doctor of Philosophy, Early Modern Language
Hull, East Yorkshire, England

Wong Tian Heng
Tunku Abdul Rahman University
Bachelor of Environmental Engineering
Klang, Selangor, Malaysia

Aida Hotowa
Chiradzulu Teachers Training College
Primary Teaching Certificate
Mombezi, Malawi

Amelia Kugley
Ivy Technical
Associate of Applied Science, Paralegal Studies
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.

Tamika Tabitha Kunje
Malawi College of Accountancy
Bachelor of Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Lilongwe, Malawi

Candrha Lopez
University of California, Los Angeles
Bachelor of Cognitive Science, Specialization in Computing
Pasadena, California, U.S.

Serena Mills
University of North Carolina, Charlotte
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Steele Creek, North Carolina, U.S.

Chisomo Zoey Mkorongo
Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences
Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurship
Blantyre, Malawi

Charles Mphande
Teleo University
Bachelor of Pastoral Ministry
Mzuzu, Malawi

Arman Myers
Georgia Southern University
Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.

Kafulesi Nkosi
Catholic University of Malawi
Bachelor of Social Science (Development Studies)
Mzuzu, Malawi

Martha Phiri
Mzuzu Institute of Innovation Science and Technology
Certificate in Electrical Installation
Mzuzu, Malawi

Indya Porter
Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts & Sciences
Aesthetics Diploma
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.

Prisha Ramoo
UCSI University
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication
Klang, Selangor, Malaysia

Healthy Church—Bogota MTC

More than eight years ago, I recall discussing our GCI development vision of Ministry Training Centers (MTCs) with our now president, Dr. Greg Williams. These were the early stages of vision development. It has taken a bit longer than I expected for the vision to take hold, but by God’s grace, it is becoming a reality. On Sunday, June 30, we launched our first MTC in Latin America.

Over the last five years, our pastors in Bogota, Colombia, Hector and Paulina Barrero, have been experiencing renewal. It is renewal in ways that are reflective of a healthy pastor that practices the 4 Es of healthy leadership (engage, equip, empower, encourage). With the lead of the Spirit, their healthy approach to ministry has created an environment where Healthy Church renewal has taken place. They have fully embraced our GCI ministry structure of Team Based — Pastor Led and have structured their church around the three healthy ministry Avenues of Faith, Hope, and Love. This has afforded the congregation a well-balanced approach to ministry that is bearing much fruit. There is a contagious enthusiasm in the congregation and the energy level is off the charts. Missional participation and disciple making with Jesus is becoming the defining DNA of the church.

By embracing Team Based — Pastor Led, lanes for emerging leadership have been facilitated. There is a core of younger individuals yearning for significant participation in ministry, and thus a need for leadership development has become evident. It is within this context of Healthy Church that an MTC is organically birthed. During this process of renewal, Pastors Paulina and Hector, along with key leaders, have received high support consulting from me, their superintendent. And they are now in a good position to intentionally recruit, equip, and send young people into ministry with Jesus.

GCI Buzz—Vision, Mission, and Core Values

GCI Buzz this month outlines the importance of mission and vision statements and core values. These aren’t just statements — they help us clarify our purpose, inspire unity, and drive us toward transformative action as the body of Christ.

Click here or the image below to view the entire Buzz. #gcibuzz

Check out the printer-friendly PDF here.

Devotional—Attention to Healing

Pondering the wonderful time we had at the MTC launch in Bogotá, one refreshing reflection is this: Jesus empowers us to avoid leading from open emotional wounds. Just as the body needs time to heal from physical wounds, our hearts also need care and attention to heal from emotional wounds.

Leaders who empower and liberate others make every effort to not let their emotional wounds affect the guidance and support they give to their families and church members. Tending to our emotional wounds with the love of Christ is necessary for becoming a compassionate and assertive leader/servant in his mission.

Do you ever feel burdened by past emotional hurts, struggles, and traumas?

Maybe we all do. We are all broken in a certain way. But that brokenness is not our identity — Christ is.

Let’s be honest. The healing journey can be long, painful, and difficult. But when we give our suffering to Jesus, we find peace.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:17-18

How am I tending to my wounds? How am I helping others tend to theirs? How can I lead and serve from a place of healing?

Jesus is the ultimate healer. He understands our pain and always offers us his unending love and peace. As we heal, we are empowered to guide others through their healing journeys.

Prayer:
Dear God, you know my pain and struggles. Please continue to heal my wounds. As I grow and heal, help me serve and lead others with compassion and love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

By Bibi Barrero, Worship Leader, and Juanca Barrero, Hope Avenue Champion
Bogotá, Capital District, Colombia

Developing Ministry Leaders

Dear GCI Family and Friends,

Development is the greatest need for GCI, especially for the preparation of future ministry leaders, pastors, and church planters. We have long understood our need for training and development, and we believe Ministry Training Centers (MTCs) are essential for our future. The development of MTCs is part of our vital strategy to reach the younger generation. We want to invest in them, to equip them, to bless them, and to empower them to populate our churches, which are positioned for renewal, with fresh leadership. The MTC strategy also includes maintaining an intentional focus on planting new churches. We will celebrate the day a church with an MTC gives birth to a daughter church.

Our Development Coordinator is Cara Garrity. Her responsibilities include overseeing MTC sites across all six GCI regions to maintain alignment with the Home Office. She had this to say about the key ingredients needed to establish an MTC: “If you are baking a cake and you leave out the salt, baking powder, or any key ingredient, you will not end up with a cake.”

We believe that the following are key ingredients for MTCs:

We understand that an MTC must grow out of a church body that is in renewal displaying healthy ministry.

It is important to understand that it is a church that has an MTC and not a fledgling MTC that aspires to be a church. This foundation is vital to the overall vision. Renewal is measured by the presence of the following three components:

- - Love Avenue: This happens with a healthy church that is missionally minded and missionally engaged. Deep relational connections are being made as the church engages and serves the neighborhood in established rhythms. The congregation’s gifts and resources are leveraged in ways that match the context and needs of the neighborhood. It is the love of Christ that compels us to proclaim the message and connect with those who don’t yet know they are reconciled!
  - Hope Avenue: Under the guidance of a capable pastor and a competent ministry team, the healthy church clearly knows their purpose for when and why they meet (e.g. a worship service is worshipful, and Jesus is always the focal point). In the Hope Venue, inclusive gathering happens with clarity and purpose.
  - Faith Avenue: Disciple making and community building is happening in an established small groups ministry and in short-term missions. Intentional disciple making is happening in this Avenue, and Christian community is continually being built.

This kind of missional environment is the best place for the healthy development of ministry interns, pastoral residents, pastors, and leaders. We have learned from past experience that it works better to cluster ministry interns and pastoral residents at MTCs where they will experience a synergistic learning environment. Ministry interns we assigned in the past often felt individually isolated, and believed their means for healthy learning was limited. Intentionally grouping young leaders together in the MTCs will be our guiding practice going forward.

We envision a financially stable congregation housing an MTC. We expect that an MTC congregation will be or will become financially stable and have capable financial leadership in place with the pastor and treasurer. Church Administration and Development (CAD) will assist the church in developing a thorough, long-term financial plan for the official launch of an MTC. CAD will also provide training and coaching for fundraising.

We see the MTC as a ministry educational center that will become the hub for regional training. The MTC will support emerging leaders, existing pastors, and ministry leaders across the region for the building up of the church. The superintendents and regional directors can work collaboratively with the MTC Pastor and MTC Coordinator to design and offer intensive courses that can benefit the ministry interns and pastoral residents, as well as pastors and leaders from across the region. Grace Communion Seminary (GCS) and Ambassador College of Christian Ministry (ACCM) can be partners in providing courses.

We believe these key roles are essential to an MTC:

- Lead Pastor: A strong pastor who is leading a healthy congregation on the trajectory of renewal and is actively equipping the saints to participate in the ministry of Jesus. The pastor will develop a mentoring relationship with each of the ministry interns.
- MTC Coordinator: This individual (possibly an existing associate or assistant pastor) will complement the work of the pastor. The MTC Coordinator’s primary purpose is to develop and supervise ministry interns and pastoral residents in conjunction with other ministries within the church. Each global region, along with their superintendent, will determine the opportunity to fund the role of MTC Coordinator, with the long-range goal of the MTC fully supporting this staff position.
- Regional/National Director: This leader is a vision caster to help the healthy church see how it can be more intentional in the development of the younger, emerging leaders. This leader acts as a consultant to the MTC in its early days to monitor its progress and to help with challenges that may arise. This leader also keeps the regional focus and collaborative process alive.

In October 2018, when Dr. Joseph Tkach handed the baton of presidential leadership to me, I shared with the audience that the MTC strategy was part of my vision for GCI. It has been a work in progress, and it is starting to take shape. I congratulate the Latin American region on the launch of an MTC in Grace Communion Bogota on June 30. (In Spanish, it’s known as the CEM, Centro de Entrenamiento Ministerial.) Superintendent Heber Ticas gives a glowing report here.

Please join me in praying for God to show us where MTCs need to be developed and supported!

Greg Williams

GCI Testify

Discover the transformative power of Christ’s love in our new series, GCI Testify. Witness firsthand the impact of the Spirit in and through GCI, as members from our global fellowship share testimonies of Jesus. Click here to view previous testimonies; scroll to “Archive” at the bottom of the screen for the full list.

Author: Serena Mills