Category: Be Inspired

Citizens of the kingdom ask: How is Jesus already at work among our neighbors, and how can we participate faithfully? We understand it’s important to learn the religions, cultures, worldviews, and rhythms of our neighborhoods when discerning mission.

Mapping your neighborhood is an effective ministry tool to help you understand your community. See this Church Hack for more information.

How do we engage with our neighbors whose faith traditions are not Christianity? Below are some ideas:

1. Begin with curiosity, not assumptions. Learn your neighbor’s story. Ask questions before offering answers.

2. Build genuine friendships. Relationships create trust. Friendship is not a strategy; it is Christian love.

3. Listen for spiritual hunger. People often reveal hopes, fears, and questions naturally.

4. Share your experience of Jesus. Testimony is less threatening than debate.

5. Trust the Holy Spirit. We are witnesses; God converts.

In a world shaped by many religions, sharing God’s heart for all people remains essential. See how the following two GCI congregations are living and sharing the gospel in Nepal and India, countries where Hinduism is the majority religion.

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Tellok, Nepal

GCI in the Mountains.

At an elevation of about 2000 meters (about 6500 feet), in the Himalayan mountain range of eastern Nepal bordering India and China, GCI has a footprint in a village called Tellok. Along with its surrounding villages, it would have a population of about 5000 people. Access to it is only through dirt, mountain roads by a 4-wheel drive jeep.

Roshan Nepali facilitates a fellowship of about 50 people, with a potential for growth in and around the village. He and his family run a small school on their ancestral land. They supplement their income by rearing goats and chickens and growing some food on their land.

I had the privilege of visiting Roshan and speaking to their congregation in April (pictured above). With a population of 29 million (majority of them being Hindu), Christians make up less than 2%. Still, they continue to shine the light of Jesus!

By Dan Zachariah, Superintendent of Asia
Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Bachupally, India

GCI Hyderabad continues its monthly outreach through Bible study sessions in Bachupally, located about 30 kilometers from the Hyderabad congregation. Around 12 regular participants attend these gatherings, showing enthusiasm for both fellowship and learning.

The current study focuses on the Lord’s Prayer, encouraging deeper reflection and spiritual growth. These sessions provide meaningful opportunities for discussion, learning, and connection.

In addition to teaching, pastoral care and encouragement are offered, reflecting the church’s commitment to nurturing its members spiritually and personally. We hope it will lead to a church plant here. Please join our prayers.

By Praveen Chintha, Pastor
Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 NIV

Healing words. Not complicated sermons. Not grand gestures. Just gracious words.

Recently I learned this simple idea called the “Tell Them Theory.”

If a waiter was kind to you, tell them.
If your friend looked good today, tell them.
If someone’s work inspired you, tell them.

It’s such a small idea — yet how rarely do we practice it. We often notice good things in people, but the words stay locked inside our thoughts. Criticism travels quickly. Encouragement moves slowly.

I think of the cashier who has been standing all day. The tired waiter serving meals. The volunteer who wonders if anyone noticed. The friend who quietly struggles but still shows up with a smile. A few words of appreciation can become a light in someone’s ordinary day.

When I think about Jesus, I realize he lived this theory fully. He noticed people others ignored. He told the Roman centurion, “I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” He affirmed the woman who poured perfume on his feet. He looked at his disciples and said, “You are the light of the world.”

Jesus saw goodness, faith, and love in people, and he said it out loud.

Perhaps this is one small way we can reflect God’s heart each day. When we see kindness, speak it. When we notice effort, affirm it.

A few words may seem small to us. But to someone else, they may be exactly what their heart needed.

Prayer
Lord, open my eyes to the quiet kindness around me. Give me courage to speak words that heal and uplift. May my words reflect Your grace today. Amen.

By Bermie Dizon, Elder
Glendora, CA, US

Citizens of God’s kingdom strive to minister faithfully to all age groups. To do so, we often separate members into groups based on age (older adults, middle adults, young adults, teens, children). While this approach is sometimes helpful, we must keep in mind the importance of providing ministry that is intergenerational. By “intergenerational,” we mean two or more age groups growing and living in faith together.

See the Church Hack below for helpful ideas to engage across generations. And for further reading, see this article by Ted Johnson.

Intergenerational ministry is imperative in our world where age groups are routinely separated in many settings. Sadly, one such setting tends to be the church. Enjoy the examples below of congregations who are intentionally including diverse generations.

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Waikanae, Wellington, New Zealand

The annual New Zealand GCI autumn retreat brought members together at the El Rancho Centre in Waikanae for a weekend of worship, fellowship, and practical spiritual growth. Built around the theme “Kingdom Living in Action,” the event focused on how faith can be lived out intentionally in everyday life and community mission.

Interactive discussion was a central part of the weekend. Participants met in small groups to explore Scripture and reflect on how it applies to personal discipleship, our shared kingdom life, and spiritual discernment. Rather than simply listening, attendees were invited into thoughtful conversation and practical reflection. Later they shared key insights with the wider group.

Although reconnecting with old friends and meeting new people was an important part of the gathering, the weekend offered something deeper as well. Many participants came away spiritually renewed and better equipped to return to their communities with fresh vision and purpose.

The event encouraged attendees to find practical ways to embody Kingdom Living by joining Jesus’ mission in their everyday lives — at home, in their neighborhoods, within their churches, and through their relationships. Overall, it was a memorable blend of worship, community, encouragement, and practical spiritual formation.

Anthony Dady, Pastor
Auckland, New Zealand

Pasadena, California, US

We praise and thank the Lord for our recent retreat, which was a meaningful and enriching time together.

Each day we began with a devotional from a different leader. We also spent dedicated time in prayer and Bible reading. We had thoughtful discussions about how to strengthen our worship service and deepen our connection with one another and the wider community. It was also a blessing to enjoy fellowship over meals.

One highlight of the retreat was a movie night featuring “The Forge.” Afterward, everyone — including the children — shared how the film impacted them and discussed ways to apply its lessons within our community.

Angie Tabin, Pastor
Pasadena, California, US

Hyderabad, Telangana, India

The GCI Hyderabad congregation enjoyed a memorable day of fellowship, faith, and recreation during a picnic. The event was thoughtfully organized to strengthen relationships, promote unity, and enhance cooperation.

Worship services were held lakeside. Fun group activities encouraged participation and strengthened bonds.

By Praveen Chintha, Pastor
Hyderabad, Telangana, India

 

Grove City, Ohio, US

GC Grove City held a women’s self-defense class.

Glendora, California, US

GC Glendora enjoyed a fun picnic in the park.

In the coming days, our calendar and worship experiences will focus on Pentecost and Trinity Sunday. As we focus on Kingdom Living, we will deepen our relationship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

When speaking of the Holy Spirit, we often say, “when I received the Holy Spirit.” Jesus said that the glory the Father gave him — the Holy Spirit and all that he is — has now been given to us as well. So, perhaps it would be more accurate to say that the Holy Spirit has received you and me through the life of Jesus Christ from the Father.

Since the Holy Spirit is one with Jesus and the Father, we are drawn into him with everyone else. This means our relationship with God is not something we experience alone.

Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf. 1 Corinthians 10:17 NIV

Although our connection with God is personal, it’s not only an individual connection. We are all part of the loaf of Jesus Christ — the Bread of Life. Our connection with God and each other is within the Spirit.

As we live in the Spirit, we begin to see others differently — not as strangers or obstacles, but as people deeply loved by God. We also see our relationship with God and one another is already secure and united. It is eternally fixed in the Father, by the Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ.

Prayer
Father, we thank you that you are love. And we’re grateful that out of that love you have sent Jesus, and he sent the Holy Spirit to bring us into a loving relationship with you and all of humanity. We pray we can experience and share your love. Amen.

By Glen Weber, Elder Emeritus
Aurora, CO, US

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.