Category: Be Inspired

Citizens of God’s kingdom understand the relationship between Jesus and the Church, his Body, as one of groom with bride. And we eagerly look forward to this glorious wedding supper.

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Revelation 19:7

Learn more about this relationship below. Read an excerpt from “Images of the Church” by Gary Deddo. The full article is here.

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One important image that supplements our understanding of the relationship between Jesus and the Church, his Body, is one of groom with bride. This image points out a very personal, deep, life-long, intimate, and fruitful relationship. Here are a few key scriptures that use this image:

The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. (John 3:29)

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. (Rev. 22:17)

After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. (Eph. 5:29-32)

This image indicates a very close, even intimate and personal relationship of Jesus with his church. It also conveys a dynamic, interactive, interpersonal element of relationship. Given other such relational imagery throughout the New Testament, it conveys the idea of a history of relationship that develops and grows, especially from being unmarried, to being betrothed to having the marriage consummated. In the Old Testament there is preparation for this dimension of understanding with God’s relationship with Israel being compared to the relationship of a husband and wife. This is poignantly portrayed in Hosea where Israel’s unbelief and betrayal are compared to adultery. There are also several references in Isaiah and Jeremiah to the people of God as God’s bride.

Again, this image should not be taken alone. It helps us fill out a portrait when put together with the other images. This image, along with the others, is all together illustrative of a deep and complex reality that can’t be reduced to any one word or image. The images synthesize other more literal teaching about God’s relating to his people and what we are told about the history of that relationship culminating in the metaphorical image of the marriage feast of the Lamb depicted in Revelation 19:7-9.

This summer I led GC Steele Creek and GC Durham in a Kingdom Culture Experience workshop. It was encouraging to see the participants commit their time to gather on a Saturday and spend a full day discussing kingdom-mindedness, kingdom imagination (“The kingdom is like…”), and kingdom relationships. The interaction and inspiration were palpable. Using our sacred imagination, we closed the experience with a rehearsal dinner for the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.

As the facilitator, I was inspired and pray even more earnestly, Come Lord Jesus!

Greg Williams

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Steele Creek, North Carolina, US

Durham, North Carolina, US

 

The Jesus revealed in the Gospels is not a mythical, domesticated, or culturally convenient version. He is the real, living Christ who reveals the heart of God.

From the very beginning, people have struggled to recognise Jesus for who he truly is. The apostle Paul reminds us that there are three broad ways people respond to Jesus and his kingdom. He writes:

 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:22-24 NIV

The first group are those who seek signs and wonders from Jesus. Some Christians today run around chasing prophets and apostles who promise them miracles and wonders. Yet, Jesus said, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign!” (Matthew 12:39a). The sign is the Son of Man three days and three nights in the grave!

The second group want a philosophical and scientific Jesus who makes logical sense. They like debating the gospel and the kingdom of God. Their faith is not practiced; it’s something to debate and argue. Jesus is the crucified Christ, not some religious guru.

The third group are those who have come to know the crucified Jesus. They know that kingdom living is about taking up their cross and following him. That kind of life is a stumbling block to those who want signs and miracles, and foolishness to those that want a philosophy.

Christ does not merely show us a crucified life to imitate. As the crucified One, he gives us his life.

Prayer
Holy Spirit, grow us in the knowledge of the crucified Christ. May our whole lives preach Christ crucified. Amen.

Takalani Musekwa, Superintendent of Africa
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

Adapted from South Africa’s newsletter.

Participants of the 2026 Denominational Celebration received a program showing our global impact. We wanted to share a portion of it with all our readers. It includes maps of our six global regions and a message from each of our six superintendents.

The above map displays our six regions and lists the countries within that region where we have existing congregations. Click here to see the regional maps.

Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. Galatians 4:7 NLT

To be a true worker is to know what your job requires and do it well. If you’re an employee, your boss gives you feedback and might evaluate you every year. If you run a business, your customers come back or refer their friends. We are so accustomed to this life that we lose what it is to be a true child. We have to keep our eyes on Jesus.

Jesus is not pursuing some ideal of the model employee. Jesus is not straining toward a promotion or worried about losing his position. No, Jesus isn’t consumed with doing a good job. He is a Son, not his Father’s slave. He shares this life with us.

Our heavenly Father delights in Jesus. He delights in us! To live as his beloved child is to live in that delight. Rejoice in the joy he has in us! Be free and live without shame or shortcoming, knowing that all he has is ours. Welcome into his family many newly adopted brothers and sisters. Show them around the house. Make lots of introductions. Laugh over old stories. Fire up the grill and hold nothing back because grace never runs out for anyone.

Prayer
Father, may we know ourselves as you know us: Beloved, included, with many brothers and sisters. Open our arms and our hearts to all those you love. Amen.

Matt Royal, Faith Avenue Champion
Durham, North Carolina, US

Jesus invites us to participate in his ongoing mission through missional presence. This Church Hack explores how being intentionally present with our neighbors can proclaim and demonstrate the reign of God. Consider one place where God may be inviting you to be present this week.

See the full Church Hack here.

Kingdom Living takes shape when a congregation chooses to stay rooted in its neighborhood and invest in the flourishing of the people around them. This kind of love is seen in long-term commitment: showing up and caring for children and nurturing relationships year after year. The images and stories below highlight GCI congregations that continue to build meaningful connections in their communities through neighborhood camps.

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Big Sandy, Texas, US

Market Harborough, Leicestershire, UK

Richardson, Texas, US

One way we live out Jesus’ instruction to let young people come to him — and not hinder them — is through the annual Richardson Neighborhood Skills Camp (RNSC).

With the theme “Frontier Skills,” this year’s camp brought together forty-nine campers ages 6 to 12, eight teen volunteers, and thirty-two adult volunteers from our membership, American Heritage Girls troops, and the neighborhood. From July 6–8, 2026, they shared practical, artistic, and relational skills in a friendly, high-energy setting from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

RNSC creates a cross-generational, relationship-building space where adults share their hearts, gifts, and talents with neighborhood children while pointing them to Jesus through four simple guidelines: Love God, Love Others, Have Fun, and Be Safe.

This year’s skills included clock-making, music, drama, dance, ice-cream and butter making, robotics, cake decorating, bicycle and auto care, soldering, Chinese language and culture, videography, chess and checkers, party planning, wreath making, STEM challenges, and more. Campers also practiced relational skills such as trust, loyalty, determination, humor, awareness, and serving. The camp concluded with a family dinner where campers shared what they had learned, including drama and dance presentations.

Feedback was enthusiastic. One parent said, “I attend a church of more than 25,000 people, and we don’t have this. Thank you for making this available.” Several campers asked whether they could return as teen volunteers, and one returning camper exclaimed, “I’d forgotten how good the food at camp is!” One parent has already begun exploring space options to help Camp continue if relocation becomes necessary.

Gabriel and Christine Ojih, Pastor and Camp Director
Richardson, Texas, US

Ladson, South Carolina, US

GC Ladson’s 2026 neighborhood camp, “Mission: God’s Love Is Out of This World,” was a three-day experience helping children discover the depth, wonder, and reach of God’s love.

Through Bible lessons, worship, crafts, games, fellowship, and a special outing to Stars & Strikes, campers learned that God’s love reaches farther than we can imagine and that we are called to share it with others.

A highlight of the week was seeing adult and youth volunteers serve side by side, creating a safe, welcoming, Christ-centered environment where children could learn, grow, and build meaningful connections. The youth volunteers played an important role in encouraging younger campers, assisting with activities, and helping to create meaningful connections throughout the week.

The week concluded with children participating in Sunday worship, sharing songs they learned during camp and celebrating what they experienced together.

Beyond the activities, campers built friendships, grew in their understanding of God’s love, and experienced the joy of belonging to a caring church family.

Grace Communion Ladson is grateful for the volunteers, families, youth leaders, and church members whose prayers, support, and participation made this year’s camp possible. We give thanks to God for the relationships formed, lessons learned, and opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with our children.

Mary Robinson, Love Avenue Champion
Ladson, South Carolina, US

Thomas, remembered as “the doubter,” missed the moment when the risen Jesus appeared to the other disciples.

So the other disciples told [Thomas], “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” John 20:25 NRSVUE

We sometimes find ourselves in Thomas’s shoes. Others seem to experience God’s presence more vividly. We may feel left out, questioning why Jesus hasn’t shown himself to us in the same way.

Thomas could not make himself believe. He needed Jesus to come to him. And that is exactly what Jesus did.

Eight days later, the risen Christ came to Thomas and invited Thomas to touch his wounds. Thomas’ response was powerful: “My Lord and my God!” It was a Spirit-given confession of who Jesus truly is: Lord and God.

Jesus then declared, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe” (John 20:29).

We do not see Jesus physically as Thomas did. Yet God has not left us to create belief and trust for ourselves. We don’t always have to see to believe. Faith does not come by sight alone; faith is a gift from God.

Jesus meets us in our questions and doubts, and by his Spirit gives us faith to confess with Thomas, “My Lord and my God.”

Prayer

Our heavenly Father, thank you for giving your Son who heals us. Jesus, thank you for sharing your faith with us and revealing the Father. Holy Spirit, sustain us daily in faithful trust and obedience. Amen.

Dr. Carlos M. Pizarro, Pastor
Quezon City, Philippines