As disciples living out the great commission given by Jesus, there will come a time when we need to be encouraged. Living life on this journey during “ordinary” time, we may find ourselves sometimes lost in the everyday life of this discipleship walk. Loving our neighbor can be difficult, especially if we allow our God-given differences to interfere.
More than ever, we need to remember: It is all about Jesus, period. Knowing that God is always working allows us to view our moments of participation with gratitude and humility. It is indeed an honor to take part in the work being done on earth.
However, we will find that there will be occasions of quiet and silence. We will begin to wonder, am I in the right place? Am I doing my part? Are you still using me, Lord? Let us take these times to remind ourselves not to fear the silence. In these times we need to stand firm in the faith.
The waiting and silence are part of the process. As disciples we need to be ready for the next thing. We are right where we should be as we put the Lord first in all things and do all in love. May it all be to his glory.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Prayer: Lord, as we wait in the quiet times we will continue to trust you. Please work in and through us in all things. Lord, we thank you for having us pause, listen, and wait for the next direction. As we wait, help us through the power of the Holy Spirit to stand firm in the faith. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Last month, GC Derby hosted a two-day neighborhood camp with the theme, “I Wonder Adventures.” The campers’ adventures were related to different Bible stories. Ten children, first grade through fifth grade, attended, with a staff of 16 adults and three teenagers.
Activities included Jonah in the belly of a large blue tent staged as the whale. We had an escape room focused on Paul and Silas in prison. Campers stood up to a giant cardboard Goliath and made David’s shepherd flute. Moses as a newborn baby floating in the Nile provided our science project. Our final adventure was Noah and the flood, where the campers built an ark from boxes.
Goliath
Campers also learned skits related to the five Bible adventures. They used craft time to create their props and masks. On the final evening, the campers, dressed in costumes, performed for all the parents and some grandparents.
The lions’ denDaniel skit
Both days, we served a hot breakfast and lunch. Before the skits on the last day, we served dinner to the families.
This camp was a testament to the lead of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God gave us the opportunity to participate with him in what he is already doing with these campers and their families.
Kirk Hayden, Pastor Derby, KS, US
Bulacan, Luzon, Philippines
The GCI Plaridel congregation organized a Vacation Bible School (VBS) in June. Their theme was “Put on the Full Armor of God.” The three-day camp served 30 children from the community. You can view all their photos here.
Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines
The GCI Kiara congregation was excited to finally conduct youth camp again! This is the first year they have been able to enjoy camp since the COVID pandemic began. In June, 62 campers attended this three-day camp. To read more about this camp, visit their website.
Read what one camper had to say about the experience:
I formed unexpected friendships. I feel incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to deepen my connection with God. One of the highlights for me was the youth jam. This event brought young people together to revel in the presence of the Lord and sing praises. Another memorable activity was the Amazing Race, where our teamwork and effective communication helped us overcome various obstacles, resulting in us clinching second place. I also gained valuable insights from the pastors, with Pastor Rex’s sermons leaving a lasting impact on me. One of his powerful messages was about God’s active presence in our struggles, offering comfort, support, and guidance. I look forward to more camp experiences in the future.
By Danny Zachariah, Superintendent of Asia Hyderabad, India
More than eight years ago, I recall discussing our GCI development vision of Ministry Training Centers (MTCs) with our now president, Dr. Greg Williams. These were the early stages of vision development. It has taken a bit longer than I expected for the vision to take hold, but by God’s grace, it is becoming a reality. On Sunday, June 30, we launched our first MTC in Latin America.
Over the last five years, our pastors in Bogota, Colombia, Hector and Paulina Barrero, have been experiencing renewal. It is renewal in ways that are reflective of a healthy pastor that practices the 4 Es of healthy leadership (engage, equip, empower, encourage). With the lead of the Spirit, their healthy approach to ministry has created an environment where Healthy Church renewal has taken place. They have fully embraced our GCI ministry structure of Team Based — Pastor Led and have structured their church around the three healthy ministry Avenues of Faith, Hope, and Love. This has afforded the congregation a well-balanced approach to ministry that is bearing much fruit. There is a contagious enthusiasm in the congregation and the energy level is off the charts. Missional participation and disciple making with Jesus is becoming the defining DNA of the church.
By embracing Team Based — Pastor Led, lanes for emerging leadership have been facilitated. There is a core of younger individuals yearning for significant participation in ministry, and thus a need for leadership development has become evident. It is within this context of Healthy Church that an MTC is organically birthed. During this process of renewal, Pastors Paulina and Hector, along with key leaders, have received high support consulting from me, their superintendent. And they are now in a good position to intentionally recruit, equip, and send young people into ministry with Jesus.
The nature of an MTC is such that it addresses development both in theory and practice. In Latin America, we have developed a program that offers a six-course diploma in Foundational Theological Studies, and a twelve-course diploma in Advanced Theological and Pastoral Studies. Participants will go through the program as a learning community in cohorts. The MTC coordinator along with the local pastor will make sure that spaces for ministry practices are available and participants are mentored as needed.
The Bogota MTC is a hybrid program, with in-person learning and an online element. Our MTC development team has created an online platform and has already put together the first two courses and equipped the instructors. They will begin with 25 participants, 16 from the Bogota congregation (two of whom are tracking through GCS), and nine from the Barranquilla, Colombia congregation. Most of the participants are between the ages of 25-45. The group from Barranquilla will meet in person with their pastor, Sonia Orozco Vengochea, while receiving the classes via Zoom. Paulina Salinas Barrero, the MTC coordinator, will be responsible for the development of the participants from both congregations.
On Saturday, June 29, I launched the learning community with an intensive session on the Doctrine of the Trinity and its implication for ministry. The next day, we officially launched the MTC during the Sunday celebration. We prayed for the program and the participants. The participants in attendance were presented before the congregation. We solicit your prayers as we plan for the launch of another Spanish-speaking MTC in Southern California in the coming months. The Holy Spirit is at work as we seek to develop a new generation of leaders, pastors, and church planters for GCI Latin America.
In Christ,
By Heber Ticas, Superintendent of Latin America Sun Valley, CA, US
GCI Buzz this month outlines the importance of mission and vision statements and core values. These aren’t just statements — they help us clarify our purpose, inspire unity, and drive us toward transformative action as the body of Christ.
Click here or the image below to view the entire Buzz. #gcibuzz
Pondering the wonderful time we had at the MTC launch in Bogotá, one refreshing reflection is this: Jesus empowers us to avoid leading from open emotional wounds. Just as the body needs time to heal from physical wounds, our hearts also need care and attention to heal from emotional wounds.
Leaders who empower and liberate others make every effort to not let their emotional wounds affect the guidance and support they give to their families and church members. Tending to our emotional wounds with the love of Christ is necessary for becoming a compassionate and assertive leader/servant in his mission.
Do you ever feel burdened by past emotional hurts, struggles, and traumas?
Maybe we all do. We are all broken in a certain way. But that brokenness is not our identity — Christ is.
Let’s be honest. The healing journey can be long, painful, and difficult. But when we give our suffering to Jesus, we find peace.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:17-18
How am I tending to my wounds? How am I helping others tend to theirs? How can I lead and serve from a place of healing?
Jesus is the ultimate healer. He understands our pain and always offers us his unending love and peace. As we heal, we are empowered to guide others through their healing journeys.
Prayer: Dear God, you know my pain and struggles. Please continue to heal my wounds. As I grow and heal, help me serve and lead others with compassion and love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
By Bibi Barrero, Worship Leader, and Juanca Barrero, Hope Avenue Champion Bogotá, Capital District, Colombia
Dubbed “Burias Balikatan” (shoulder-to-shoulder), our three-day camp was the first neighborhood camp in the Philippines to have a holistic approach, reaching young people and the host community through a deep well project. By God’s grace and our sustained efforts, we raised the funds for this new camp.
We appreciate the willing hearts of all who served, especially the support of the GCI Bicol pastorate. GCI Daet provided worship. GCI Pili sent volunteers for food service and transportation. GCI Cotmon delivered equipment — tents, cooking utensils, archery sets. GCI Tabaco sent a culinary expert. GCI Donsol sent a veteran counselor to complete our personnel requirement.
Our theme, “Live Out Love” (1 Corinthians 16:14), was shared by the more than 100 individuals involved. The camaraderie and love culminated in three baptisms in the sea — a trio of young people yearning to serve the Lord!
Here lies the challenge now. We’re responsible for ensuring that these young leaders are guided and equipped on their journey of faith.
By Ricardo E. Perez, Pastor Cotmon, Luzon, Philippines
Jacksonville, FL, US
We named our neighborhood camp “Grace Camp” when it started back in 2021 to note our connection to Grace Communion International, and to highlight our emphasis upon God’s love and grace towards all children. Each year in our daily chapel service, we focus on a certain aspect of God’s grace. This year our chapel theme was “Speaking with Grace to Others.”
Thirty-six campers aged 6-18, and 24 volunteer staff participated in our three-day camp. The teens had an additional day with an overnight on Jekyll Island, G.A. to provide better mentoring time.
Activities included crafts, sports, a block party, a dance, a water balloon contest, skits, a hike, and off-site outings (See schedule). Approximately a third of the campers came from the neighborhoods near the church. Some previous GCI attendees’ kids and grandkids attended, which is a good way to reconnect with them. Most of our regular church youth attended, which we value as strengthening our internal youth ministry and their discipleship journey with Jesus.
Marty, with wife, Yvonne
By Marty Davey, Pastor Jacksonville, FL, US
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Our goal with children’s ministry is to plant seeds of God’s word in children’s lives and allow the Holy Spirit to transform them, nurturing a relationship with Christ. To that end, we organised a three-day Vacation Bible School (VBS) on the church premises. The theme was “I Wonder.”
Fourteen children participated, and our design was a place-sharing perspective that would be non-threatening for children who are not Christian. An event like this brings members together and becomes a rich relational experience.
The children were taught to grow in their relationship with Jesus by engaging them with robotic science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — and most importantly, our Creator! They heard from early church leaders like Paul, Peter, and Timothy, who helped the first Jesus followers wonder what made their stories unique, what gifts God gave them, how they could use those gifts to serve, and how they could spend time with God each day. Thanks to “Grow Curriculum” from where the material was resourced.
By Danny Zachariah, Superintendent of Asia Hyderabad, India
During Dr. Greg Williams’ visit to Australasia, the Fiji Avenue champions and their teams gathered in Nadi, Fiji, for a two-day retreat. Greg and Superintendent Heber Ticas led the equipping discussions. Also present were Pastor Frank Boyd and Emily Boyd, and my wife, Sue Richards, and I.
Commissioned in late 2023, Love Avenue Champion Eugene Panuve, Faith Avenue Champion Jason Raki, and Hope Avenue Champion Epeli Nakautoga and their teams avidly absorbed the material presented. They appreciated the instruction, but they especially enjoyed the many stories and practical tips emerging regularly during the retreat. Dr. Williams began with the relational flow of Christ’s love, faith, and hope into and through our lives that is foundational to the health, vibrancy, and work of the church. Supported with stories from his experiences, Mr. Ticas encouraged us toward having a missional mentality and “posture,” and he described the missional flow between church and community.
On the second day, Greg proposed we tackle the questions submitted earlier as a practical exercise. Given questions appropriate to their Avenue, the teams spent the morning brainstorming and strategizing goals, action steps, point persons, and completion dates. Then they presented their suggestions and received feedback. What a good job they did! They had generated basic ministerial action plans (MAPs) and proven the ability of the teams to work together on difficult issues.
While Dr. Williams returned home on Sunday, Mr. Ticas stayed to speak to the Suva congregation. He gave tips on staging Love Avenue events at that venue, signage to advertise the church’s presence, the importance and placement of greeters, and the role of contact cards for following up with visitors. How encouraging this visit was! The emerging leaders are fired up and excited about the future growth and health of the church in Fiji, and the future looks positive.
Blessings,
By Dennis Richards, Regional Director, New Zealand and the South Pacific Palmerston North, New Zealand
The Awutu-Breku congregation held a very special service in May to dedicate their new worship hall built from GCI Ghana resources.
Special guests at the occasion included Pastor Emmanuel Okai (Regional Director of West Africa) and his wife, Mrs. Margaret Okai; Pastor Dr. Frederick Amu-Mensah (Pastor of Kutunse, Accra) with his wife, Dr. Marian Amu-Mensah; Pastor Lady Glowen Kyei-Mensah (Assistant Pastor of Lashibi); and Pastor Christopher Balidin (Pastor of Buduburham) with his wife, Beatrice Balidin. And I attended with my wife, Mrs. Rebecca Okai.
After a time of praise and worship with prayer, Pastor Mawuena Balidin, the pastor of the Awutu-Breku congregation, welcomed everyone to the special occasion. After I delivered the sermon, we celebrated the new hall dedication.The service also featured an ordination ceremony. Miss Esther Korto Kolie was ordained as deaconess for the Buduburam congregation. Pastor Lady Glowen Kyei-Mensah also led a fundraising session, which was met with warm responses.
The service had a great atmosphere with 47 people in attendance. Everyone was excited about the newly dedicated hall.
By Theophilus Nii Okai, Pastor and National Director of Ghana Accra, Ghana
One aspect of Healthy Church is having a prominent, consistent presence in your neighborhood. A permanent location helps to cultivate your congregation’s presence. Congratulations to the Awutu-Breku congregation, and to the following three congregations who are also celebrating new church halls. We share in their joy. Join us in praying for fruit, rooted in our true vine, Jesus.
Baguio, Luzon, Philippines
We are thankful to God for his provision of our new place of worship celebrations. Ang Ating Tahanan — our home! Our first worship celebration on June 2 was filled with joy, thanksgiving, and praises to our triune God. GC Baguio, let us be in the attitude of expectancy for new things, new memories, and new God-encounters together in this place.
Rosacara, Mindoro, Philippines
Almighty Creator, we rejoice in the groundbreaking ceremony for our new church building. May this place become a beacon of light and love in our neighborhood, drawing hearts closer to you and fostering unity, compassion, and hope for all who enter its doors. Bless this endeavor with your guidance and grace.
Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria
To the glory of God, we dedicated our new church hall on May 19. We are grateful for the participation of Pastor Emmanuel Okai (Regional Director for West Africa) in our ribbon cutting ceremony.
During Ordinary Time, we meditate on questions like, “What does an ordinary life that is being transformed by Jesus look like?” I love to dwell on this response: “a life compelled by the love of Jesus.” Our Jesus is a relational, incarnational God – so it is no surprise that a life compelled by his love will bring us into a life lived amongst our neighbors.
In honesty, we can acknowledge that even when it comes to being present with our neighbors and participating in Jesus’ mission, we are not always motivated by love. Sometimes we are motivated by guilt, the desire to be seen as a “good Christian,” or pride.
While our own love falls short, the love of Jesus is always sufficient. It is this love that ushers us into a “new ordinary” life — beautiful, ordinary life spent in the presence of beloved ordinary people, bringing glory to our extraordinary God.
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 NIV
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for being with us in each small moment and each grand moment. We pray that you would continue to compel us to live our ordinary days according to the truth of your lavish love. May it lead us to live lives of presence with our neighbors, just as it has led you to live present with us. Amen.
By Cara Garrity, GCI Development Coordinator Steele Creek, NC, US
On June 2, the Montreal congregation celebrated the ordination of two assistant pastors. Bill Hall, National Director of Canada, was with us to ordain Marie-Line Tremblay and Pierre Duguay
Marie-Line’s role as an assistant pastor and main responsibility is to our families, including the supervision of children and youth ministry. Pierre’s main field of service and role is that of Love Avenue Champion.
Prayer:
Tamar Gray, Pastor
