Category: Be Inspired

Integrating new people into our congregations is vital because welcoming and forming disciples is not an “extra” ministry — it’s integral to who we are as citizens of God’s kingdom. When newcomers are known, cared for, and given a clear pathway to increase their sense of belonging, they are more likely to grow in faith, use their gifts, and thrive in community.

Integrating new people into the congregation matters because it reflects the gospel we proclaim. Jesus welcomes outsiders and brings people into a new family. A congregation that receives newcomers warmly embodies that message.

New believers and new families bring fresh stories, perspectives, and gifts. When those gifts are discovered and deployed, the congregation becomes healthier and more equipped to live “sent.”

Belonging grows best in community. When new people quickly find a place in small groups, classes, and friendships, spiritual formation becomes sustainable.

Practically, an intentional process to integrate newcomers can be as simple as an invitation to a new member class. A class can clearly explain our beliefs, mission, values, and expectations so people can join with understanding — not assumptions.

See the resources below that work well to disciple new members.

On Being

We Believe

Citizens of God’s kingdom prioritize fellowship of the Body. Fellowship is tied to walking in God’s light: “If we walk in the light … we have fellowship with one another” (1 John 1:7). Biblically, “fellowship” comes from the Greek koinonia, meaning partnership and shared life. The earliest believers devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42). They met daily, shared meals in homes with sincere joy, and God added new believers day by day (Acts 2:46–47).

When a new member is added to our fellowship, we rejoice. It’s an occasion that should be marked by a celebration.

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Pikeville, Kentucky, US

It was a day of celebration. David and Roger took membership at GC Pikeville fellowship.

Debby Baily, Pastor
Pikeville, Kentucky, US

Steele Creek, North Carolina, US

[In March,] we were blessed to officially welcome 10 new members to GC Steele Creek. Through a ceremony called the Right Hand of Fellowship, we affirmed our unity in Christ. With every person the Lord adds, he reveals who he has ordained GC Steele Creek to be. We thank God for the beautiful image that is emerging.

By Dishon Mills, Pastor
Steele Creek, North Carolina, US

 

 

 

[Jesus] led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising God. Luke 24:50–51 NASB

Apart from the Ascension, our human flesh would not have been brought home with the resurrected Jesus into face-to-face union with his Father in the Spirit. Consider even more deeply what it means that human flesh in Jesus Christ is reigning over all. The ramifications of this are mind-blowing.

But isn’t that the way God always meant it to be? From the beginning, God intended human beings to participate with him in reigning over all he had made. He gave humans the responsibility to tend the earth, to be stewards of all he had made.

May we discover ourselves swept up into what Jesus is doing in this world by the Spirit. May we find ourselves held in the midst of the life and love of our Father and his Son in the Spirit. And we can rejoice, for that is where we were always meant to be.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for all those you have brought to yourself, and those you have created for your glory. May your precious Spirit enlighten each and every person. May you draw each one closer to you and bring them to a deeper faith in your Son, Jesus. May your perfect love enable us to see and experience the resurrection power of Jesus at work in us and in the lives of those near us and dear to us, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

By Linda Rex, Elder
Big Sandy, Texas, US

Adapted with permission. Read the full post at Linda’s blog, Our Life in the Trinity.

Easter Sunday is the most attended church service every year. It’s a fantastic opportunity to invite your neighbors to visit your church. It’s not too early to begin planning for 2027.

During the weeks leading up to Easter, consider hosting an event or two for your neighborhood. During the event(s), provide an invitation for your Easter Sunday service.

Here are some ideas for activities and design templates to provide support for your Easter service.

We are citizens of God’s kingdom, so our very lives announce that the kingdom has been established in Jesus. Each year, we commemorate God’s saving action through Jesus. We rehearse his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, and Resurrection.

Our congregations celebrated through meaningful practices, worship, and playful activities that included their communities. Enjoy these pictures from around the globe.

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Richardson, Texas, US

Resurrection Sunday for Grace Communion Richardson meant inspiring worship followed by a picnic in the park and our fourth annual neighborhood Easter egg hunt. The egg hunt was held at the city park across the road from where we meet. It included booths for games, egg painting, sharing of Love Your Neighbor engagers, and streaming the Light of the World movie. We reminded the crowd that the event is a sharing of our joy and hope in the Risen Lord who loves children.

More than 700 neighbors attended the event. Members engaged in meaningful conversations with many. Inviting neighbors to join us in the egg hunt creates spaces for relationship-building and pointing to Jesus as we share the love of God with our community.

Over 5000 eggs with inspirational words, trinkets, and candy were scooped up in moments by enthusiastic children. About 250 people filled out a connection card, representing 981 planned attendees. About one-third came from our local area, and the rest from elsewhere in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. One-third requested information about our upcoming Neighborhood Skills Camp.

Many attendees expressed their appreciation for the event and the opportunity for fun and memory-making with their families. Several jumped in to help with set-up and take down.

We are grateful to the triune God for the beautiful weather, the joyful atmosphere, the spirit of serving and sharing, and the opportunity to join the risen Lord in his life of neighboring!

Gabriel Ojih, Pastor
Richardson, Texas, US

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Suva, Fiji

Jacksonville, Florida, US

River Road, Oregon, US

Baguio, Luzon, Philippines

Glendora, California, US

Big Sandy, Texas, US

Belton, Missouri, US

 

In the 1960s, the pop duo Simon and Garfunkel released the song, “The Sound of Silence.” One line in this song is: “Hello darkness, my old friend, I have come to talk to you again.” This is a vivid and apt description of what many people are experiencing and feeling today. They live in constant darkness, blind to the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.

However, Jesus wants us to trust that he is the light in our lives. He came to earth and freed mankind from oppressive darkness.

God is light, and in him there is no darkness. 1 John 1:5

Everyone lives through dark times. Sometimes we do not even want to get up in the morning. We really do not want to deal with problems of this world and our own all the time. We want to be left alone by everyone.

First, we experience disappointment, then sorrow, doubt, and depression. Surely, we are all familiar with these feelings. However, when we walk in the light of God’s love, Jesus, the living Word, shines His light into our dark days, making them bright and bearable. Light can shine brightest on the darkest night.

Whatever adversity, sorrow, or joy is present in our lives right now, pales in comparison to the light of the Incarnation of Jesus. When we recognize this and believe what Jesus says and align our lives with this reality, then we are in close contact with the true center of power of the universe, the triune God.

Let us celebrate the light that has come into the world!

Prayer
Jesus, we are grateful that you are the Word who became human and dwelt among us. Thank you for representing God before us and us before God. In your name, Amen.

Santiago Lange, Pastor [1959–2025]
Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

This devotional was adapted with permission. Read the full article here.

Citizens of God’s kingdom rehearse the death of the old self through the sacrament of baptism. We also celebrate being raised to new life in Christ when we come up out of the water. Hallelujah!

Learn more about baptism below. Read the full article here.

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How does baptism picture the central truths of the gospel?

Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. (Romans 6:3-5)

Baptism pictures our union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. These are the primary points of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Our salvation depends on his life, death, and resurrection. Our forgiveness — being cleansed of sin — depends on him; our Christian life and future depend on him.

Baptism symbolizes the death of the old self. The old person was crucified with Christ — died with Christ — buried with Christ in baptism (Romans 6:8; Galatians 2:20; 6:14; Colossians 2:12, 20). It pictures that we are identified with Jesus Christ—he united himself with humanity. We accept that he died “for us,” and “for our sins,” and that he was raised for us as well. We acknowledge that we have sinned, that we have a tendency to sin, that we are sinners who needed a Savior. We acknowledge our need to be cleansed, and that this cleansing came through Jesus Christ.

Baptism is one of the ways that we confess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We are saved by what he did, not by the way we respond. Therefore, the emphasis in baptism should be on what Jesus did, not on our faith or acceptance. Baptism is not a memorial of our faith — it is a memorial of Jesus’ faithfulness toward us. The only reason that we can show our response of faith is because he has already made a commitment to us. Our faith may falter, but his faithfulness toward us will not.

On a Sunday morning in August 2025, Yussel was out walking and meditating. He was asking for guidance from a higher power on how to deal with a family situation. He walked by GC Lemon Grove and felt led to come inside. He ended up staying for the worship gathering. English is his second language, so one of our leaders helped translate any words or concepts he did not understand.

After Yussel had attended for a few weeks, Reyna Stutz (one of our leaders who is bilingual), gave him a Bible and led him in a surrender prayer to Jesus. Over the following weeks, we spent time with him discussing God’s nature, forgiveness, prayer, relationship with God, and baptism. And we answered other questions Yussel had.

One day our cajon player was not there and Yussel jumped up for the last song and started playing. He has good rhythm and has been our cajon player every week for the past few months.

After more prayer and discussion, Yussel decided to publicly proclaim that he is aligning his life with Jesus through baptism. With the entire congregation surrounding him, he was baptized on Easter! We gave him an English/Spanish parallel Bible and put a customized name plate with his baptism date on the front.

By Anne Stapleton, Pastor
Lemon Grove, California, US

Kingdom citizens believe we participate in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Baptism pictures and proclaims this good news. Our old selves have been crucified and renounced in Christ, and we have been freed from the shackles of the past and given new being through his resurrection.

We share in the joy of these newly baptized GCI members. Read also the full story of one man’s baptism here.

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Cape Town, South Africa

Two people were baptized

Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.

Two people were baptized.

Kisii, Keya

At a church mission to Kisii, 26 people were baptized.

Jasaan, Mindanao, Philippines

Six people were baptized.

Papua New Guinea

Three people were baptized.

We’re in the Easter season, the fifty days between Easter Sunday and Pentecost. It’s a time in the worship calendar that gives us an opportunity to reflect on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and what it means for us.

²⁵ Jesus said to [Mary], “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, ²⁶ and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” ²⁷ She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.” John 11: 25–27 NRSVUE

Our loving Creator God is surely alive, and he speaks to us today. He has our best interests at heart and seeks to guide and transform us to be more like him as we choose to follow him daily. We worship and pledge our allegiance to the triune God because he deserves our total worship and allegiance.

Though often associated with religion, worship is not just “something religious people do” — it’s something everyone does. Worship is woven into the fabric of our spiritual DNA, for human beings were made for worship.

We know that we are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). Loving God is a spiritual practice, which means it needs to be a conscious, active, daily choice.

Loving and worshiping God looks like depending on him, trusting him, and surrendering our lives in utter devotion, loyalty, adoration, and commitment.

Prayer
Dear Lord, have your way with me. Father, thank you for sending your Son. Jesus, thank you for uniting humanity to yourself. Spirit, thank you for making the resurrection life real in us. Trinity, we love you. Empower us to worship you with our whole hearts. Amen.

By Jillian Morrison, Pastor
Glendora, California, US

Adapted from an Equipper article.