Category: Announcements

Congratulations to Larry and Connie Wooldridge on the occasion of Larry’s retirement after 45 years as a full-time employed GCI lead pastor. The Cromwell, CT, congregation recently hosted a special gathering to thank the couple and help them celebrate.

After graduating in 1972 from the Texas campus of Ambassador College, Larry was hired as a ministerial assistant serving in Jacksonville, FL. Over the last 45 years, he served as lead pastor in numerous locations in the U.S., along with serving for a time as a district pastoral leader. Larry had the unique experience of serving the Meriden, CT, congregation twice—once from 1979 to 1988 and again from 1999 to his retirement.

Cards may be sent to:

Larry and Connie Wooldridge
18 Abbey Lane
Meriden, CT 06450

Please note that registration for “We Are GCI,” our Denominational Conference coming to Orlando, FL, in August, closes at midnight on Friday, June 30. After that no registrations can be accepted and no meals added to existing registrations prior to the event or on site. For information about the conference and to get registered, go to https://www.gci.org/2017.

Announcing two October conferences coming to Canada

Today’s news is full of tragedy, suffering, and pain. Maybe your life is heavy with challenges, suffering and pain, too. It’s easy to lose sight of God in the mess. Some might doubt that there is a God at all. How is God working in this world? How is God working in your life when problems overwhelm and he seems so distant and quiet? Come to God Is On The Move and we’ll consider together how God is definitely on the move in many mighty ways—right here, right now—in the world and in your life.

This conference, hosted by GCI-Canada, will be held in Penticton, Canada, on October 7-14, 2017. In addition to inspiring worship, speaking and socializing, the conference will feature a catered banquet on the historic S.S. Sicamous, an old time fiddle show and dance, a community service project and much more. Guest speakers will be Dr. Joseph and Tammy Tkach.

For registration forms and information click here. Early registration rates apply until August 1.

On October 7-9, also in Penticton, GCI-Canada will host a weekend conference for teens and young adults called Engage 2017. For information and registration details click here.

We think it’s vitally important to connect with our youth and encourage them to engage with God and the people God puts in their lives. These are the leaders of tomorrow. We need to equip this generation of young disciples of Jesus to live and share the gospel in their families, churches and communities! Please pray for a successful conference and encourage any young people you know to attend. Perhaps you could sponsor a young person yourself, or suggest that your congregation does so.

Attention singers! Time is running out—the deadline for joining the “We Are GCI” choir is June 25th. Act now if you’d like to add your voice to our performance of “One Faith, One Love” at the Denominational Conference in Orlando in August. For more information and to sign up to join the choir, go to https://www.gci.org/2017/choir.

We are pleased to announce the following recent elder ordinations:

1. Sharon Bell (Smith Falls, Ontario, Canada)
2. Tracy Crouch (Mt. Sterling, KY, United States)
3. Winston Gyimah (Camberwell, England)
4. Gerrit Kemna (Zwolle, Netherlands)
5. Kevin McCready (Smith Falls, Ontario, Canada)

Here is a picture of Gerrit Kemna’s ordination on Pentecost Sunday:

In the video below, GCI-USA Church Administration and Development team member Michelle Fleming offers an invitation to come to Orlando in August for “We Are GCI”—GCI’s triennial denominational conference. For additional information and to register, click here.

On YouTube at https://youtu.be/8YQ7nf4ELYg.

GCI’s congregation in Ferguson, MO, is hosting a Deeper Walk Retreat conducted by Odyssey in Christ ministry. The retreat, which will be held on June 30-July 2 in Springfield, IL, is for anyone interested in learning and practicing spiritual formation with like-minded people on a journey to a deeper relationship with the Triune God.

The event will be held at Villa Maria (see http://villa.dio.org/) in Springfield. On-site costs are $195 per person ($225 for a private room). For further details and to register, email sponsoring GCI Pastor Karl Reinagel at karl.reinagel@gci.org.

Azusa Pacific University (APU) in Azusa, CA, recently honored Dr. Russell Duke with a luncheon marking his retirement (effective May 31) from employment with APU. Russell is pictured at right, addressing the gathering.

Russell worked at APU for 20 years, as Director of the Ambassador Center (1997-2006); Director, General Studies (2003-2006); Associate Dean, School of Theology (2007-2008); Acting Dean, School of Theology (2008-2010); and Professor and Associate Dean, Academics (2010 to present).

During the luncheon, APU Provost Mark Stanton announced that Russell has been named “Professor Emeritus.” Congratulations Russell!

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Note: Russell will continue his employment with Grace Communion International and with Grace Communion Seminary, working in his current roles in both places.

Attention singers! Join voices from around the world to celebrate our unity in Christ as we perform “One Faith, One Love” at “We Are GCI,” our Denominational Conference coming to Orlando, FL, in August. For more information about this opportunity to sing in the choir and thus to serve, and to get signed up if you want to join in, go to https://www.gci.org/2017/choir.

Time is running out to register for “We Are GCI”—the GCI Denominational Conference in Orlando, Florida on August 1-6. Registration fees increase on June 1, and registration closes on June 30. For more information and to get registered, go to https://www.gci.org/2017.

Here are the top five reasons to attend:

1. Connect with friends from around the world. Come celebrate as one family the love that God has so abundantly poured out on GCI.
2. Take an inspirational tour around the world. Hear stories of how the Holy Spirit is actively at work among our congregations.
3. Be better equipped for ministry. Develop a deeper theological understanding and learn new leadership skills during our plenary sessions and workshops.
4. Bring the whole family! Specialized breakouts and activities will be offered for children, teens, and young adults.
5. Fun evening events including: family pizza & pool party, Christian Arts & Worship Night, and Saturday comedy night.