Category: Announcements

Dr. Dan Rogers, director of GCI Church Administration and Development (CAD) in the US, recently announced changes to CAD’s US field structure. As of April 1, there are four Regional Pastors (RPs) partnered with four Associate Regional Pastors (ARPs):

• Lorenzo Arroyo (RP) with Heber Ticas (ARP) in the western region
• Randy Bloom (RP) with Rick Shallenberger (ARP) in the north-central region
• Ted Johnston (RP) with Mike Rasmussen (ARP) in the south-central region
• Greg Williams (RP) with Paul David Kurts (ARP) in the eastern region

In addition to their new regional pastoral responsibilities, these leaders will continue serving in their various existing leadership roles.

Dr. Rogers also announced that several US districts are being modified, with the total number of districts reduced from 28 to 21. These district changes are underway and will be completed by late summer. Pastors will be notified of any changes to their district as they occur.

In each region, the RP and ARP partner to support, equip and supervise the District Pastors (DPs). The DPs then support and supervise the pastors within their respective districts. The RP and ARP partner with the DPs for training pastors within each region.

The goal of these changes is to provide church development (training/consulting) and church administration (support/supervision) services to US pastors and other congregational leaders in ways that are effective, flexible and efficient as we work together to participate in the ministry that Jesus is doing in and through GCI in the US.

GCI Media has recently upgraded the Speaking of Life video series to provide a closed captioning feature. Here is how to use this feature.

1. Open your INTERNET BROWSER

2. Go to: youtube.com/speakingoflife

3. Select a video from the UPLOADED VIDEO LIST.

4. Locate the CC ICON at the lower right of the progress bar.

5. Select the ENGLISH–ENGLISH TRANSCRIPT option.

6. Continue playing the video. Notice that the closed caption transcript is activated in the lower 1/3 of the screen.

GCI Media recently posted the video of a lecture from Greek Orthodox theologian George Dragas, who was a student and colleague of Thomas F. Torrance. Dragas currently serves as professor of patristics at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Dr. Dragas’ lecture, which was presented at the 2012 meeting of the T.F. Torrance Theological Fellowship, is entitled, “T.F. Torrance a theologian for our times: an Eastern Orthodox assessment.”

The lecture audio and video is posted at http://www.gci.org/media/torrance2012.

This announcement is from GCI pastor Doug Johannsen and his wife Betty.

Our daughter Dana Rittermann and her husband Eric are the proud parents of a baby boy born on February 8. Isaac came into the world at 8 pounds 7 ounces, 21 inches long. Dana had difficulties throughout the pregnancy but the last three or four weeks were normal. We know that a lot of people joined Jesus in praying for this little fellow and we want to express our thanks to everyone.

We rejoice in the announcement of the 50th wedding anniversary recently celebrated by retired GCI leader Carn Catherwood and his wife Joyce.

On January 27, 1963 Carn Catherwood and Joyce Sefcak were united in marriage. This month, they celebrated their 50th (golden) wedding anniversary!

Please join with their children, grandchildren and friends in celebrating God’s love expressed through their union.

Congratulations Carn and Joyce!

Cards may be sent to:

Carn and Joyce Catherwood

3941 Andrew Avenue

Denton, TX 76210-3234

Congratulations to GCI Navy Chaplain Jonathan Henderson and his wife Nashisha on the arrival of their fifth child (third son), Caleb—pictured at left—already sporting a fohawk!

Caleb was born January 18 at 11:36am, weighing 7 lbs 10.6oz, 20 in. long. The Hendersons currently live at the US Naval Station in Newport, Rhode Island where Jonathan serves as a chaplain. To learn more about them, click here.

The National Association of Evangelicals publishes NAE Insight. The theme of the new issue is An Agenda for the New Administration. Go to http://www.nae.net/images/content/Insight_2012_Winter.pdf.

Registration is now open for the GCI 2013 International Conference being held this summer in Orlando, Florida. For information about the conference and to register go to http://2013.gci.org/.

The annual summit of Generations Ministries is now known as Converge. This gathering has always been a highlight for attendees. It brings together GenMin camp and mission event directors, camp leadership teams, GCI youth and children’s workers, pastors and emerging young leaders.

This year, Converge will be held in two locations: California and Ohio.

• Converge West will be held in Montebello, California on February 1-3, 2013 at the DePaul Evangelization Center. Special guest will be Jeff McSwain, director of Reality Ministries. Registration for Converge West is open at www.gci.org/go/convergewest. There are two pricing options: $150/person (includes registration, two nights lodging and all meals); or $55/person (includes registration, 2 meals on Saturday with no overnight lodging). Mark and Anne Stapleton are the Converge West coordinators—you can reach them with any questions at convergewest@gmail.com.
• Converge East will be held in Marengo, Ohio on April 12-14, 2013. Jeff Broadnax is the coordinator. Additional information and online registration will be coming soon.

Registration for the spring semester at Grace Communion Seminary opens at 9 a.m. (Pacific time) on Wednesday, January 2 and continues through Sunday, January 13. You may register for one or more classes by going to http://www.gci.org/go/gcsspring13 and using your regular GCI online sign-in information. If you have any difficulties, please phone the GCS registrar at 800-851-2611.

Classes start on Monday, January 14, with the final lecture posting on Monday, March 18. Here are the courses being offered this coming semester:

• TH01 Nature of God and Jesus Christ
• BT02 Prophets
• NT04 Epistles of Paul
• CH01 Church History: The First Millennium
• CM03 Christian Counseling
• CM05 Women in Leadership
• TM01 Theology of Ministry capstone course (proctored Summative Exam required before registering for this course)

For information about these courses, go to http://www.gcs.edu/ and click on Course Descriptions (under Programs of Study) in the column on the left side of the page. There you’ll find short descriptions of all courses with links to course syllabi that list required textbooks.

Note: In compliance with accreditation standards, a number of GCS courses now have a final exam that must be proctored. This may require the use of a camera connected to your computer (for further information, please see pages 16-20 of the Student Handbook, accessible from the GCS website homepage).