Watch video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbhZh5qkz5E
Author: Serena Mills
Healthy Church—Connect Group Workshop
In March, more than 30 members from throughout New Zealand gathered for a three-day workshop on connect groups. We were delighted to have with us our Australasian Superintendent, Daphne Sidney, who kicked off the programme with a session focusing on GCI’s current re-visioning process.
On Saturday morning, we began with Rex Morgan exploring the “Why” of small group ministry. Next, Dennis Richards facilitated two sessions on the “How.”
Then we created the opportunity for participants to experience hands-on learning. Everyone participated in two separate model connect groups: one Bible study group and one special interest group, which we call a “connecting” group. The topics for the connecting, or special interest groups, were as follows: the Swedish pop music band, ABBA; books and movies; macro-photography and biodiversity; and ideas for taking the gospel to our neighbourhoods and communities.
Sunday morning, we held a debrief discussion of the model group experiences. We reviewed things that had worked well or otherwise. Many points were raised to keep in mind as we continue to work within our current connect groups and develop new groups in the future.
The weekend concluded with a moving Palm Sunday communion service, led by Daphne. The atmosphere was thoroughly permeated with the excited buzz of fellowship and networking of geographically scattered members that never fails to characterise these much appreciated get-togethers. God certainly answered our prayers by providing and inspiring a wonderful experience for us all, leaving us with a strong incentive to go out and develop Christ-centred, healthy, and fruitful small groups wherever the Spirit leads us.
By Rex Morgan, Pastor
Auckland, New Zealand
GCI Buzz—Discernment
This GCI Buzz explores the connection between discernment and wisdom. Discover how biblical discernment empowers clear judgment to discover the Spirit’s guiding presence and receive practical guidance for putting on the mind of Christ so that we join him in his ongoing ministry to humanity.
Click here or the image below to view the entire Buzz. #gcibuzz
Check out the printer-friendly PDF here.
Devotional—Spirit of Truth
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13 (NIV)
Jesus Christ, when he ascended to the Father, gave us a magnificent parting gift — the Holy Spirit. We celebrate this gift on Pentecost. After Pentecost, we turn our attention to Ordinary Time and to joining Christ’s mission in the world. In our missional practices and rhythms, the best companion to have, trust, and listen to is the Holy Spirit. The Spirit should be our best friend, helping us navigate our missional lives.
The missional field is dynamic, and we need to be guided by the Spirit. The Spirit is God and knows the mind of Christ; the Spirit also knows the minds of those we are being sent to! It is the Spirit’s ministry to convict the individual.
The Spirit of our Father speaks only what he hears and is the one directing us as we speak about God’s kingdom (Matthew 10:20). The Spirit will guide us into all truth. We can ask the Spirit: who should I talk to, and how and when should I say it?
May we have a listening ear and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings as we let the world know about Jesus and his kingdom.
Prayer:
We pray, oh Lord, that we will trust you enough to let you lead as we share your word with others. May we be like the sheep who know your voice and follow where you lead. May we never go astray. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
By Brenda Asare-Akoto
National Youth Leader, Ghana
Adapted from her September 2022 devotional.
Belong, Believe, Become
Dear GCI Family and Friends,
Down the street from the home office of GCI, there is a storefront church nestled in among a couple other businesses. Underneath the name of the church, their sign includes this slogan, “Belong, Believe, Become.” I like the phrase, especially because it is in the right order.
Belong
All of humanity belongs because of Jesus. He is the creator of every person who has ever lived. He is also our Redeemer and active mediator. The first chapter of Ephesians eloquently describes our adopted status through Jesus.
He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace Ephesians 1:5-9 NRSVA
Jesus, who is the beloved of the Father, has made us the beloved. The beautiful picture of adoption is that he chose us. Being chosen makes you feel special and satisfies the longing to belong.
Read MoreRegional Gatherings in 2024
Registration is now open!
Please join us for a weekend of training, appreciation, and worship. Everyone is invited!
Visit our website here to register and for more information, including details about lodging.
Registration will close on May 19, 2024. No walk-in or onsite registration will be available.
GCS Summer Semester
Study with us at GCS!
Registration for the 2024 Summer Semester begins soon!
Academic Advising and Registration: April 29 – May 9
Below are the five courses that GCS is offering this semester. Each instructor provided a short summary of his course. Click the title to read the full description.
BI501 — Biblical Interpretation, Michael Morrison
When different people read the Bible, they sometimes come to different conclusions. We need a way to find out which reading is more likely to be right. We need to think about what we are doing when we read, and hopefully that will help us be more open to what the text actually says. BI501 Biblical Interpretation will help us read, study, understand, and explain the Bible in a way that can help others understand what the message means for us today.
CH502 — Church History: The Second Millennium, Steve Dolson-Andrew
Step into the riveting saga of Christianity’s journey through time! Uncover the triumphs, trials, and transformative moments that shaped the world’s largest faith. Gain profound insights from our spiritual forebears that will impact your life and ministry today. From antiquity to contemporary practice, the GCS Church History courses offer a thrilling exploration of faith, power, and resilience. Learn about the ancient roots of your Christian faith, connect with centuries of tradition, and understand the forces that continue to shape our world today. Enroll now and embark on an unforgettable voyage through the rich history of the Christian faith.
CM504 — Practice of Ministry, Ted Johnston
Do you now serve (or feel called to serve) within the church as a pastor or ministry leader (including Avenue champion)? If so, the Practice of Ministry course is for you! This course explores the trinitarian, incarnational roots of all Christian ministry and looks at how to live out that theology in the day-to-day ministries of the church, including worship planning, administration of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, preaching and teaching, pastoral care, evangelism, discipleship, church administration, and ministry to families.
CM513 — Trinitarian Worship, Lance McKinnon
Everyone has a theology, and everyone worships, from the Christian to the atheist. In Trinitarian Worship, we will pursue distinguishing a Christian worship understood from a biblical, Christ-centered, and historically orthodox theology. From this trinitarian and Christocentric foundation we will engage in shaping liturgical practices that escape the common fixation on the worshiper and move to center on the One whom we worship. In this way the course aims to equip pastors, worship leaders, and others involved in planning and conducting a local church’s worship service. Using a theological-historical framework, and surveying various useful tools, we will seek to discern fitting liturgical practices that aid in renewing worship in a local church resulting in a witness to Jesus Christ, our High Priest, who leads us to share in his worship of the Father by the Spirit.
CM514 — Missional Living, Charles Fleming
Missional Living is designed to help students catch the vision beautifully expressed in one of the class textbooks by Michael Reeves, which says:
Mission is rooted in the Trinity, in the very being and nature and heart of God. And this is something deeply heart-winning and attractive in Him. If there is one thing I really want, above all, to communicate in this book, it is the great truth that God is mission. As we partake in the Father’s pleasure in His Son, and the Son’s pleasure in His Father, and the Spirit’s enlivening of their mutual love, it causes us to share their love for the world.
If you take Missional Living, you can expect instruction to include video recorded lectures, inspiring reading, discussion forums, spiritual formation practices as well as online meetings with other students to discuss practical ways to implement insights learned. The course is part of a GCI initiative to better equip pastors pursuing a master’s degree and lay members who serve in GCI’s Love Avenue.
Birth of Nausicaä Meza Barrero
Celebrating 25 Years
Celebrating 25 Years of Participation and Service!
On Sunday, March 24, Pastor Timothy Brassell and his wife, Donna Brassell, were honored for their 25 years of devoted service to GCI. The celebration was hosted by their congregation in Baltimore, Maryland. Pastor T (as he is mostly called) and Donna were presented with a plaque and 25-year watches by East Regional Director Jeffrey Broadnax. These gifts serve as tangible symbols of appreciation for unwavering dedication, steadfast leadership, and tireless commitment to God’s ministry in GCI. The celebration included refreshments and fellowship following the Sunday service.
In Tim’s own words, what he enjoys most about being a GCI pastor:
“What I enjoy most is proclaiming the Good News of the relational God-Father-Son-and-Holy-Spirit revealed in Jesus the Christ freely! I enjoy declaring, against the wisdom of the world, that every human being belongs to God in the most profound way in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ alone, before they can think, say, or do anything about it! Therefore, when they hear the proclamation, each should freely repent, receive, and participate in Relationship with the Father through the faith freely given them by Jesus through the Holy Spirit!
I share this every way I can, everywhere I can, beginning with those I am closest to. I love relating, thinking, living, and speaking out of the love and life of the Father-Son- Holy-Spirit-God — with sign religion that points to God but without religiosity, and right in the middle of the deep brokenness Jesus still faithfully and graciously comes to meet us!
I greatly enjoy being in a world-wide fellowship of ever-reforming, loving, humble, accessible, free, God-honoring, and risk-taking people. (They have to be risk-taking, they called, hired, and put up with ME! Ha!)”
We are immensely grateful to you, Pastor T, and Donna for your dedication, wisdom, and guidance in pointing us to Jesus Christ as God’s Good News in Living Person. You have been a relational pastor and under shepherd, guiding us with compassion and courage, inspiring us through God’s steadfast grace and faith, impacting our lives and community for God. As we celebrate this significant milestone, we express our deepest appreciation for Jesus’ sacrificial service and friendship through both of you. We congratulate you and pray for continued blessings and years of fruitful participation in Christ’s ministry ahead.
Your legacy is one of love, unity, and transformation, as you continue to proclaim the good news of the relational God revealed in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. You are leaving an indelible God-honoring mark on our hearts and community here in Baltimore!
CONGRATULATIONS!
From your GCI family in Baltimore, MD
Meet Julie Frantz
“As we identify as members of the body of Christ, gathering with our brothers and sisters in Christ is a vital part of who we are and what it means to be a Christian.”
Get to know Julie Frantz, a dedicated GCI Pastor from Cincinnati, Ohio.
Click the image below or here to read her full profile.
