Citizens of God’s kingdom live embedded in Kingdom Culture. One aspect of Kingdom Culture is whole-life discipleship. Citizens equip children to follow Jesus from the very beginning of their lives. We value and prioritize youth and children as disciples — not future disciples, not partial or lesser disciples.
Read below to learn how two Australian regions are bringing together youth and families for a weekend of fun and discipleship.
In January, forty-six enthusiastic participants gathered at Tallebudgera, Queensland for a weekend of connection and growth. The event kicked off on Thursday afternoon with meaningful discussions about the weekend’s themes and ways to support one another. Icebreaker activities and board games after dinner set a joyful tone of fun, faith, and fellowship.
Breakfast devotionals were held on both Friday and Saturday focused on Jesus’ baptism and what baptisms mean for us today. Campers were deeply moved by heartfelt testimonies shared about personal journeys of faith.
Friday brought adventure on the canoes as groups worked together to explore the beautiful Tallebudgera Creek. A thoughtful session on responsible social media use followed, along with a beach swim, dance practice, basketball, jump rope, and more games to end the day.
Saturday challenged campers at The Cliffs with abseiling and a thrilling height drop. The afternoon was spent preparing for Sunday’s worship service, followed by swimming, soccer, and dinner. That evening featured a Sacred Imagination dinner and an energetic dance session.
Sunday’s Worship Service was a highlight. Youth led every aspect, even the sermon, showcasing their gifts through music, art, readings, testimonies, and a Fijian dance. The service was deeply inspiring and reflected the servant-heartedness of these amazing young people.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all church members for your prayers and support that made this camp possible. We cannot wait to see what God has in store in 2027!
By Lara Olsen, GCI-Australia Admin and Registrar
Camira, Queensland, Australia
In January, the first Victorian Youth and Family weekend was held on Port Phillip Bay near Melbourne. Thirty people attended. Each morning after breakfast we had a time of devotion focusing on God’s delight is us, his love, and willingness to carry all our burdens. The Amazing Race activity, a race around the camp with various puzzles to solve, was enjoyed equally as much as a casual beach stroll exploring the nearby rocky foreshore and cliffs.
At our Sunday worship service, the Congolese Bolikoko family led us in songs. We also heard from two recently baptised young adults about their journey thus far. They shared moments when they felt God’s presence during difficult times, describing baptism not as a single profound moment but as a growing awareness of a lifelong journey with God. They spoke of learning to trust God’s guidance, even as letting go of control remains an ongoing process.
Along with conversations and laughter, the three days were also filled with outdoor sports like the giant swing, volleyball, gaga ball, and the most favourite of all – 9 Square in the Air. When we needed relief from the heat and wind, we enjoyed indoor activities like trivia, karaoke, and tie-dyeing t-shirts. The t-shirts were a big hit. At the end of camp, we had ‘the reveal’ as each person’s shirt, after being washed and dried, was unfolded to smashing applause and cheers.
It was an enjoyable and meaningful time, and we are very grateful for the staff that attended. We look forward to returning in 2027.
By Matthew Gudze, Pastor
Mooroolbark, Victoria, AU
Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:28–30 NIV
Jesus did everything the Father asked of him. In the midst of intense human suffering, he gave up his spirit in union with the Father — an act of faith and implicit trust. He did not hesitate. Instead, he surrendered himself into God’s care and courageously entered death for our sake.
We participate in Christ’s death. This participation invites us to reflect continually on what may need to die in us. There are seasons when we have completed what God has asked of us, and the time comes to move on.
At times, this means allowing relationships, jobs, or responsibilities to end so that new ones may begin. We may not know what lies ahead or how it will all unfold. But in Christ, we are invited to step forward into the new life God is opening before us.
How might Christ’s love, poured into you by the Spirit, be closing a door in your life? How might the Spirit be inviting you to enter a world of new possibilities and new relationships?
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for loving us all the way to the grave. Father, thank you for never abandoning your Son. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for raising Jesus, and us in him, to new life. Amen.
Adapted from the following resource: April 7, 2023 – Good Friday – GCI Equipper
Kingdom Citizens take our call to serve seriously. We steward our time and resources to help others. Jesus’ Church is not meant to store up resources for itself. We exist to pour them out in love for the world.
When we serve and give, we do it so the light of Christ can shine through us into our neighborhoods and relationships. Our stewardship reflects our trust that God will provide and our desire to be part of what he’s doing around us.
How can we serve our neighbors by growing in healthy stewardship? As you prayerfully consider this with your congregation, the following GCI Buzz may spark ideas.
Serving others is a part of Kingdom Culture. Because we give and serve generously out of the abundance we have in Christ, we can do it joyfully.
Read how three congregations are serving their neighbors with joy.
Steele Creek, North Carolina, USFlip the Fit is a GC Steele Creek Love Avenue event that brings together a clothing swap and hands-on activity stations for children and families in our neighborhood. What began as a small step of faith with about ten guests at our first gathering last summer has grown into something we did not manufacture.
At our most recent event, more than fifty neighbors joined us, with families lining up even before the doors opened. We are so thankful for how this simple offering of hospitality has continued to grow and reflect the heart of what it means to live as a sent people. When we create space for community in ordinary ways, God often brings more than we expect.
This event is not just something we host. It is something we are becoming together. Generosity at Flip the Fit has not flowed only from our congregation. Neighbors have contributed clothing and even signed up to volunteer alongside us. In doing this, we are joining Jesus in his ongoing work of love. It is not love flowing from us alone, but Christ sharing his life through us and with us. As children laugh and experiment with slime, balloon rockets, and paper airplanes, we see curiosity and joy take root.
In the rhythm of giving, receiving, testing, and trying again, we are reminded that Jesus is forming us as we participate in what he is already doing. Flip the Fit is becoming a place where we see the Spirit drawing people together and shaping us more deeply into a fellowship that lives sent in his name.
By Michelle Hartman, Communications Director
Steele Creek, North Carolina, US
GC Pikeville served their community dinners on Easter and Christmas for approximately ten years. Eventually, there was a nudging from the Lord to serve meals more often.
In May 2015, The Grace Community Kitchen was officially launched and began serving meals on a more frequent basis. Currently meals are served every Monday and Thursday. Everyone is welcome.
GC Pikeville partners with two other nonprofits in the community who also care about food insecurity: Mountain View Pace, which helps seniors live at home, and Mountain Comprehensive Care Outreach Team, which provides assistance to unhoused people. Volunteers give free haircuts, and a limited number of hygiene and laundry kits are distributed monthly.
Their service to their neighbors is a beautiful example of reflecting the light of Christ to others.
GC Pasadena has been distributing donated food from local grocery stores for more than three years. They want to be a consistent presence in the community, so they do this weekly.
Every Saturday morning, they set up in the hallway of their church building. Then they welcome their neighbors with food insecurity to pick up groceries.
The congregation is demonstrating that they are truly intentional about loving and helping their neighbors.
Then [Jesus] said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!” Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.” John 20:24-28 CEB
By the Spirit, our risen, ascended Lord is with us always. And through his presence, he extends to us his peace (shalom), even in the most trying circumstances. Do we, trusting in Jesus, receive that peace and so live into it? I suppose we’d all have to answer, “sometimes.”
There are times we doubt the reality of God’s presence. At those times, perhaps we, like Thomas, want a physical sign to prove Jesus is with us. Or perhaps we are like the father of the demon-possessed son who Jesus reached out to help, yet the father cried out to Jesus, “I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24 NRSVUE).
To overcome our unbelief, we cannot just try harder or insist that God give us a physical sign as proof he can be trusted. We can look to Jesus, God’s ultimate sign, and trust him as our representative High Priest to do something quite amazing — believe for us.
Yes, Jesus, who in his representative humanity, perfectly and fully trusts in God. He shares that trust (his faith) with us. And so, in times of doubt (which we all experience) we can go to Jesus in prayer.
Prayer
Jesus, help me in my time of doubt. Allow me to believe that you truly are the risen Christ. Help me see how you are present with me today in this circumstance. Lord, grant me your faith. Grant me your peace. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. Amen.
By Ted Johnston, Grace Communion Seminary Faculty
Foley, Alabama, US
Citizens of God’s kingdom, like all people, lead busy lives. But they carve out time in their full schedules to spend time being discipled and discipling others.
Retreats are a wonderful way to intentionally make time for fellowship. In the excerpt below, learn more about the effectiveness of retreats.
Read the full Equipper article, The Power of Retreats by Mike Rasmussen, here.
When we think about the power of retreats, we should not be surprised by their effectiveness. They are all about building relationships and connecting points between people within a group. We know Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist in perfect relationship. It is out of their relationship and love they created humanity, so their love and relationship can be enjoyed and shared with others. If God is a God of relationships (and he is), and if we are created in his likeness (and we are), we should not be surprised that we too were created for relationships with God and with one another.
Retreats provide the space and the opportunity for relationships to form and for connecting points to occur. These gathering opportunities, when bathed in prayer and surrendered to the Holy Spirit (and interspersed with lots of food), amazing things often begin to happen. Walls begin to come down; similarities are discovered; and relationships begin to grow and deepen.
Relationships are a value of Kingdom Culture. We prioritize our relationship with God and with one another. This takes intentionality, especially in our fast-paced society.
Retreats, even if it’s for a day, force us to slow down and make space for relationships. Retreats are an opportunity to unplug from our devices and listen to God with others.
Below you can read how three congregations made space for face-to-face relationships
With joy we share that GC Cincinnati hosted an annual young adult weekend January 16–19. Partnering with Heartland Christian Association, we invited young adults (18+) to come for a weekend of deeper discipleship, worship, and fellowship. Thirty-five young adults came from Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and South Dakota.
They were engaged in several sessions focusing on disciple making, Bible study basics, and testimony. We were blessed by the powerful testimonies shared and greatly inspired as we witnessed participants hunger for deeper journeys with the Lord. Romans 12:1-2 provided our primary focus as we discover the only true transformation in Jesus.
As if that was not abundant enough, we enjoyed the addition of great games, laughter, and fantastic food. We praise God for his faithfulness to each of us and to these young adults who are seeking to live lives submitted to him.
If you are a young adult or know a young adult who would like to come next year, mark your calendars. We plan to host this young adult weekend again January 15–18, 2027 (MLK Weekend). Please contact Pastor Julie Frantz if you have any questions: julie.frantz@gci.org
By Megan Molina, Hope Avenue Champion
Glendora, California, US
In January, the families of our church gathered for a special evening of fellowship and learning during our Children’s Church Family Dinner. The goal of the event was simple yet deeply meaningful. We wanted to bring parents, children, and children’s church workers together for connection and conversation. Together we reflected on ways our children can grow in faith within the life of the church.
We shared a delicious pasta bar dinner, generously put on by Angela Ashbrook, our children’s church coordinator. The meal set a welcoming, relaxed tone for the evening. New families are finding themselves woven into the life of our congregation. They are discovering new friendships and connections that we believe will go beyond Sunday mornings.
After dinner, the children enjoyed craft activities while I spoke to the adults. It was an engaging discussion on baptism and communion. We focused on how parents can help their children understand and participate in these foundational expressions of faith. We also provided easy-to-read materials. The materials are designed to help families continue these conversations at home in simple and meaningful ways.
Some of the c
hildren, as well as adults, expressed interest in baptism and taking communion. We are expecting more in the coming days.
By David Borum, Pastor
Kenockee, Michigan, US
The leaders and pastors of GCI-Bangladesh recently made it a priority to spend time fellowshipping, praying, and seeking discernment. While together, they planned for 2026.
By Amiyo Bacher, Facilitator
Satkhira, Khulna, Bangladesh
See, my servant will act wisely;
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Isaiah 52:13
God is what God does. He is a God of his word. When God said he would send the Suffering Servant Messiah to his people to redeem not only them, but the whole world — that is what he did. God has kept his word to us and will keep his word to us. He is trustworthy, faithful, and true. This is why we can rest in the reality that God will finish what he has begun in us.
Are we walking as spiritual people, those who are filled with and led by God’s Spirit, Christ in us? Our belief is not what makes us different people. Cutting off parts of our body or trying to make radical changes to our behavior does not change us. What is life-transforming is Christ — the indwelling presence of God by the Holy Spirit.
God is at work in us, as we respond to him in faith. And we participate in his work in this world as the Spirit leads us to love and serve others as we are gifted and called by God. It is a comfort to know it is all up to him, not all up to us — we just get to be a part of what he is doing!
Prayer
Thank you, Abba, for allowing us to be a part of what you are doing in this world. Thank you, Jesus, for giving yourself so freely to us and for including us in your own relationship with the Father in the Spirit. Grant us the grace to live and walk so that all that we do is a true expression of who we are in you, through Jesus our Lord and by your Spirit. Amen.
By Linda Rex, Elder
Big Sandy, Texas, US
This month’s GCI Buzz reflects on our identity in Christ: beloved, chosen, and redeemed — not because of what we’ve done, but because of who Jesus is. As we live from this truth together, we’re invited to grow as a church shaped by grace.
Click here or the image below to view the entire Buzz.
Check out the printer-friendly PDF.
