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.
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.
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
Citizens of God’s kingdom are disciples of Jesus who also make disciples. We are made in the image of a relational God. And we seek healthy relationships of care and trust. But not all relationships lead to discipleship. How can we be intentional when we discern by the Spirit to go deeper?
A discipleship pathway is a framework that guides the intentional discipleship. To learn more, read the full Church Hack here.
In 2026, we continue focusing on Kingdom Living. Kingdom Living includes prioritizing relationships. To build trust, relationships need patience and faithful presence — for as long as it takes. And it is our hope and prayer that our relationships will flow naturally into discipleship.
Read the story below to learn how Pastor Chan Thleng is doing the slow, good work of building relationships in Myanmar.
What began as a simple follow-up visit became a powerful reminder that discipleship grows best through relationships, patience, and shared life in Christ.
Earlier in the year, Pastor Chan Thleng had introduced GCI’s Healthy Church vision to ministry leaders in southern Shan State of Myanmar. Two leaders, Timothy and Bo Bo Sein, responded with genuine interest. Rather than rushing outcomes, Chan sensed the importance of returning, listening, and building trust. Four months later, my wife and I were invited to join him, and together we set out to see what God was already doing.
Along the way, we were reminded that discipleship often takes place in very ordinary settings. In Yangon, we worshipped with a small house church, mostly women whose husbands were away working. In that simple gathering, we reflected on the gospel as the good news of a relational, triune God who invites us into life with him through Jesus. After worship, practical care was shared through the distribution of rice — a quiet but powerful expression of love and partnership in Christ.
In Hmawbi, we joined a young and lively congregation meeting in a new church building that also served as a family home. Worship, fellowship, and conversations with young men preparing for ministry revealed a deep hunger to serve faithfully. Discipleship here looked like life shared across generations, rooted in relationship rather than programs.
In southern Shan State, meetings with church planters highlighted a longing for healthy theology and sustainable ministry. Many were encouraged by the reminder that ministry is not about striving for God but participating with Christ in what he is already doing. This perspective brought fresh hope and renewed joy to leaders carrying heavy responsibilities.
Another group of leaders travelled long hours simply to spend time together, to talk, and to discern next steps. Their desire was not for quick affiliation, but for shared values, sound teaching, and relationships built on trust. It was a clear reminder that healthy discipleship takes time.
As we returned home, we were encouraged — not by quick results, but by seeds planted through faithful presence, shared stories, and relationships formed in Christ.
Wong Mein Kong, Retired Pastor
Malaysia
Once, we too were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But—
When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. Titus 3:3–7 NLT
People sometimes wonder why Christians show mercy. What is the reason? Why do we forgive when others hurt us? Are we weak? Are we people pleasers? Are we insecure? No!
We choose to turn resentment into forgiveness, hatred into love, fighting into peace. We have been there, done that and saw that the way of hate does not pay. Moreover, we too are foolish and disobedient.
But we are forgiven because of God’s mercy. How dare we withhold that mercy from others? By the power of the Holy Spirit, the same kindness and love God showed to us when we were the offenders is what we can show to those who wrong us.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, please help us to be a conduit of your love and mercy. Help us to extend what we have received from you to others. Lord, let it be a witness to the world and a sweet-smelling sacrifice to you. Please receive our thanksgiving in Jesus’ name, amen.
By Margaret Musekwa, Webmaster
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Grace Communion International continues to follow Jesus on his mission to share the good news we have been given and make disciples. By his grace and with the resources he provides, we do so around the globe. It is encouraging to see articles in our publications that highlight the growth and vitality that many are experiencing on this journey.
An essential aspect of Jesus’s ministry within our cultural context is to function within the legal guidelines required by governmental agencies. Accordingly, GCI is organized and established according to a set of Bylaws and is “Board Governed.” That is, GCI’s theological foundation, overall mission, financial procedures and administrative policies are overseen by a Board of Directors. This includes insuring publications accurately reflect our mission and GCI doctrines, reviewing and approving the annual budget and financial audit, approving and financing the Ministry Training Centers and overseeing the work of the GCI President as he develops plans and strategies for living out GCI’s vision and mission.
The GCI Board of Directors is a diverse group of elders who serve four-year terms. Each of the directors brings an impressive range of gifts and experiences to serve GCI on a voluntary basis. An aspect of chairing the board that has been particularly enjoyable for me is having the blessing of working alongside a group of people who fervently love Jesus and gladly exercise their gifts to benefit GCI. We are all friends as well as co-workers. While we review, deliberate and decide key issues related to oversight and governance of GCI, we do so with a full measure of mutual respect, grace, and humor (we like each other and have a good time.)
The board generally meets four times per year. Three meetings are by Zoom and the fourth, a face-to-face meeting, is held each October at the GCI Home office. However, our last meeting was an exception. We decided to meet in Surrey Hills at the location of the Ministry Training Center and the home of GCI Surrey Hills. This gave our directors an opportunity to experience firsthand the fruit of their decision to finance the MTC by meeting at the building and participating in the worship service.
During this board meeting something occurred that made the experience particularly inspiring. The board installed Mike Urmie as the newest board director. As a long-time GCI member and elder he has served in many ministry and pastoral roles. He brings a wealth of experience from the world of business and sales. We are honored to have him join the board of directors.
Also at this meeting we thanked Robert (Chip) Brockmeier and Heber Ticas for their outstanding service on the board as they concluded their terms. They have both served faithfully and graciously as co-stewards of the mission and resources Jesus has given GCI. We greatly appreciate their contributions to the board and pray they continue to experience every blessing Jesus has for them as they continue to serve him in other capacities.
As the board continues to follow Jesus, oversee the work of GCI and support President Greg Williams, please pray for us. We covet the wisdom of Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we seek to faithfully steward GCI resources. We thank our many GCI members for their financial generosity and support.
May our loving Father continue to bless all of us as we journey together with Jesus.
Randy Bloom, GCI Board Chair
“I feel very much fulfilled each time I get the opportunity to execute my God-given mandate of feeding the flock of God.”
Meet Isaac Bright Buckman. He’s the pastor of the Cape Coast and Asebu congregations of GCI in the central region of Ghana, West Africa.
“Celebrating Advent means being able to wait… Whoever does not know the austere blessedness of waiting… will never experience the full blessing of fulfillment.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer
This December, we gather in prayer with hearts full of expectancy. We are celebrating Christ’s light breaking into our world, and giving thanks for the joy, compassion, and community reflected in our churches this season.
Join our fellowship in prayer this Advent. Download the full prayer guide here.
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