Category: Be Inspired

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.

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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

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Cincinnati, Ohio, US

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

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Kenockee, Michigan, 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 children, 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

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Bangladesh

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 devotional was adapted with permission from Our Life in the Trinity. Read the full blog post here.

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.

Citizens of God’s kingdom prioritize listening to the Spirit. It’s important individually and collectively. Healthy ministry teams create time and space to slow down periodically to listen to the Spirit together. We risk ministering by our own strength when we go through the same motions repeatedly without reflecting or revising.

Holding annual strategic retreats is a helpful practice for teams to reflect the innovation and creativity of the Trinity.

Want to learn more? Follow the link below to read about best practices for crafting a strategic planning retreat for your team.

Strategic Planning Best Practices – GCI Equipper

Kingdom Living includes joining Jesus’ mission in the world, through his Church. Healthy churches who make disciples have healthy leaders.

And healthy leaders function in teams. One way we build strong teams is through intentional time together. We carve out devoted time to build cohesion, listen to the Spirit, and plan for the future.

Read on for stories of two congregations who held annual planning retreats. Learn more about strategic planning retreats here.

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Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Faithful God, we thank you for guiding the Annual Planning Meeting and for the fruitful conversations and united vision it produced. We praise you for the energy and willingness of the younger members who stepped up to serve, bringing fresh life, and hope to the gathering. Bless every plan made and every person who contributed, that this coming year may reflect your wisdom, love, and purpose. May this spirit of collaboration continue to shape the life of your Church.

A heartfelt thank you to our special guest, National Director Marshall Dube, for your guidance and encouragement. We are also deeply grateful for the support of the National President of the Men’s Fellowship Ministry, Pastor X. Mpande, and his Organizing Secretary, Mr. Dabengwa Senior, who kindly hosted us at his lovely home.

The session was filled with fruitful deliberations and a shared vision for the year ahead. It was more than a meeting — it was a day of true fellowship, productivity, and joy. Here’s to a purposeful year ahead!

By Vuyile Mpofu, Pastor
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

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Durham, North Carolina, US

The Durham church plant held a three-night retreat for our core team. It was a priority to include the caregivers on our team, so we rented a house that could accommodate the entire team plus children and elderly parents.

We bonded over cooking together and sharing meals. We scheduled downtime for rest and recreation. And of course, we played games and shared much laughter.

The bulk of each day was devoted to planning, though. We performed exercises that demonstrated the variety of gifts represented and how that works together for a healthy team. One exercise that was particularly life-giving was naming the strengths we see in one another. Left is an example of one of the “affirmation boards.” (The name has been removed.)

We plan to hold a team retreat every year.

By Elizabeth Mullins, Plant team member
Durham, North Carolina, U.S.

Because we are God’s children, we are being transformed into the fullness of the stature of Christ. As such, we are becoming more Christlike. Our thinking will essentially be persuaded by Christ to be more loving, kind, compassionate, gentle, forgiving, patient.

How incredible is this?

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. Romans 8:29 NRSVUE

Consider the ways we are being conformed to God’s image. We are being compelled by the love of Christ to be peacemakers, a light, and a witness for him, ensuring anger and lust does not rule our minds. We are vigilant that retaliation is not our first impulse. We are mindful of promises we make and ensure they are followed through. We are slow to judge and even slower to condemn. We are quick to do good to all.

This is good news!

As children of God, we are also being formed into the Body of Christ. How does Kingdom Living manifest in this community? A unique love is the Church’s guiding force: we love one another as God has loved us (John 13:34). This love moves us to join Jesus’ mission in the world. We are continually moved by a keen devotion to the teachings of Jesus. We are compelled by an eagerness to pray, meet together, and share meals.

Let us not stop being amazed at God’s gifts to his children.

Prayer
Father, thank you for empowering us to be ambassadors for the kingdom today on earth. Let us be grateful for the privilege of sharing in your very ministry, Christ. Spirit, guide us to seek first your kingdom and righteousness. Amen.

By Dan Zachariah, Superintendent of Asia
Hyderabad, India

 

The annual Christian worship calendar begins in late November (or early December) with the Advent and Christmas seasons. Following the seasonal themes of the calendar help citizens of God’s kingdom worship Jesus and learn about his life and ministry.

Begin now to consider how you can make the seasons meaningful for your congregations and neighbors in 2026. See the Church Hack below for planning ideas.

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The Advent season is a time of hopeful anticipation. The Christmas season is a joyful time to celebrate the incarnation of God — God becoming flesh in the newborn baby, Jesus.

Enjoy these images of GCI congregations worshiping God during the Advent and Christmas seasons and sharing the hope of Jesus with their neighbors.

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Rayong, Thailand — Advent Candle Lighting Service

Glendora, California, US — Living Nativity

Durham, North Carolina, US — Neighborhood Christmas Eve Liturgy and Meal

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada — Children’s Choir

River Road, Oregon, US — Cocoa and Carols with Tree Lighting

Derby, Kansas, US — Make It and Take It, Christmas Craft Gifts

 

During Epiphany, we are reminded afresh of who God is, as revealed in Jesus Christ. Epiphany season calls us back to the true nature of God and his posture toward humanity. People often shape their ideas of God by projecting human traits onto him — imagining God through the lens of parents, siblings, leaders, pastors, or personal experiences. But God is not a magnified version of any human being.

He is like no other. The clearest and truest revelation of God is found in Jesus.

A bruised reed [Jesus] will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out … Isaiah 42:3a

This brings me deep assurance. When we feel fragile, bent, or close to breaking, Jesus does not finish us off — he restores us. When our flame is flickering and our strength feels almost gone, Jesus gently protects it until it burns again. Is it not striking that when we celebrate birthdays, we blow out candles? Yet our lives testify to a God who has not blown out our candles but has kept them burning. Jesus does not put out our light. He lights it, guards it, and keeps it alive.

I do not know how you are starting this new year. You may feel worn down, close to breaking, or like your fire is barely burning. Or you may be entering the year with optimism, energy, and excitement. Wherever you find yourself, this promise remains true: God desires your restoration. He does not “put out a dying flame” (Isaiah 42:3 CEV).

May Jesus light up your 2026.

Prayer
Dear Lord, as we step into 2026, may we experience your fire afresh. May we be renewed, strengthened, and upheld by your gentle grace. Spare us from breaking down and instead build us up in hope. Amen.

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