Category: Be Inspired

Citizens of the Kingdom are servants, made in the image of our God who serves and lays down His life for the world.

Satkhira, Bangladesh

Early this month, the leaders in Satkhira gathered for evaluations and to plan for 2025. Healthy leaders are servants who seek feedback and are intentional to prepare for the future.

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Rayong, Thailand

Last month, GCI Rayong made a heartwarming visit to a neighborhood school as part of their engagement efforts. This initiative highlighted our commitment to spreading love, kindness, and support to local communities. Rayong Panyanukul School is an exceptional boarding institution dedicated to providing education and care for students with special needs, specifically those with Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder and learning disabilities.

Our team organized an engaging program for the 30 students that included a short message emphasizing God’s love revealed in the birth of Jesus. The children also enjoyed singing, dancing, playing games, and receiving gifts. Then our team successfully served lunch to the residents of the five dormitories, approximately 260 students. We showed the students warmth and love through the shared meal and heartfelt conversations, offering not just material support but also spiritual nourishment.

Afterwards we celebrated the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord. The program was not just a success in terms of service but also in deepening the faith of those involved. We look forward to continuing Jesus’ mission by spreading more joy and hope in the future.

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Mindoro, Philippines

GC Bansud and GC Naujan are partnering with other Filipino GCI congregations expressing the kingdom lifestyle of serving. Bansud and Naujan are on the Island of Mindoro. Many people on the island are “Mangyans,” the term used collectively for eight tribes in the province.

The members on the island have limited resources. But it is a beautiful sight to see them pool their resources (time, talents, finances) with others to serve their community, collectively joining Jesus in expressing His love in action and words. In December, they celebrated seven baptisms.

Their new hall was made possible through collective generosity. This hall is God’s answer to years of prayer for a place of worship, a place of training, and a shelter during strong typhoons. This hall is in the heart of their neighbourhood and can accommodate about 80 Mangyans. At a recent three-day event, members donated gifts to 75 families, served about 500 meals, and hosted a friendship basketball game for the community.

One inspiring example of service is Mindoro’s leadership. Until his retirement last month, Pastor Bernardo Cuizon, at 90 years of age, was the oldest bi-vocational pastor in the country. He and his wife, Marina, continue to inspire, teach, and model the life of servanthood and Christian love.

After the retirement of Pastor Bernardo, his daughter, Gemma Cuizon Venus, was commissioned as the new pastoral team leader. She also pastors GC Binan, and while serving there, she has been traveling to Mindoro to lend a hand in sustaining their ministry for many years.

The sacrifice and steadfast service of Pastors Bernado and Gemma are a testimony of how the Spirit empowers the citizens of God’s kingdom to reflect Jesus’ mission.

 

When we talk about the kingdom of God, we, of course, understand that we are speaking of the kingdom Jesus established in His earthly ministry. His kingdom is real, and it will have no end. It is already here, and we may participate in it right here and now in this life.

So, who is this King of the kingdom of God in which we can participate now? In short, Jesus is the eternal Son of the Father who became flesh. He became in sum all that we are as humans. The union of God and humanity, in the Person of Jesus Christ, has forever accomplished the dream of the Father — to have us in union with Himself. Jesus is the One who has made this a reality.

In His becoming human, Jesus inaugurated the kingdom of heaven on earth with us as its citizens. The beloved disciple tells us that God is love. This is a statement about the character and nature of God. The King of our kingdom is, in His very being, pure and perfect love. Every thought, every act, every dream of God is born out of love. Even God’s anger is because of love.

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 1 John 4:16b NRSVUE

The Father, Son, and Spirit will never oppose you but will always stand in resolute opposition to all that is within us that opposes God’s love for us. This is who our King is — our King is Love. Perhaps in your prayer journal, make a list of all that you think pure love does. Then make a list of all that pure love does not do. In your daily walk with Jesus, hear Him calling you to do the things on the first list.

Prayer:
Father, Son, and Spirit, tutor me in the ways of love. Amen

By Bill Win, Pastor
Mechanicsville, VA, US

Would you help us highlight our 2025 theme, Kingdom Culture?

Even though we live in the tension of the “already but not yet” — signifying that the kingdom is here now, but not in its fullness — we want to embrace the “nowness” of the kingdom. We want to demonstrate the goodness of Jesus as we bear fruit in every good work. We want to proclaim the goodness of Jesus as we point others toward Him in all opportunities.

Through Update, we want to stay connected as a global family and learn from one another. Would you be willing to help us? Send us your pictures and stories of how your congregation is collectively living as citizens of the kingdom! Email elizabeth.mullins@gci.org

As we continue to move forward in our commitment to Healthy Church, we’re focusing on aspects of Kingdom Culture, our theme for 2025. This theme invites us to identify deeply as citizens of God’s kingdom and encourages us to actively participate.

As citizens of the kingdom, what’s important to us? It matters that we acknowledge whose kingdom we belong to — orienting our lives around Christ. One of the ways we do this is to rehearse the story of the gospel through the worship calendar.

Enjoy the following pictures of GCI members gathering during the Advent and Christmas seasons to worship together and to encourage one another with the good news of Jesus’ birth and incarnation.

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Cape Town, Republic of South Africa

Myanmar

Bangladesh

Bicol, Luzon, Philippines

There are moments in life that pull us out of the ordinary and fill us with awe. One such moment happened when my son Abel invited me to Joshua Tree National Park in California to witness the Milky Way.

Joshua Tree is one of the best places to see the Milky Way during a new moon. My wife joined us, along with my son David and his wife, Holli. We packed folding chairs, a telescope, and binoculars, and set out for a night in the wilderness.

As we gazed upward, the sight that met our eyes left us speechless. The Milky Way stretched across the sky, a shimmering river of stars that declared the infinite creativity of God. Sitting there, surrounded by my family and the vastness of the cosmos, I couldn’t help but reflect on the words of King David.

What is man that you are mindful of him? Psalm 8:4

The sheer magnitude of creation was staggering. Here we were, on a small planet in a vast universe, yet God, the Creator of all, is mindful of us.

On the quiet drive back, I felt an overwhelming sense of God’s presence. It was as though the night sky itself was a canvas painted with His love for humanity — a love that sustains not only us but the entire universe.

As you go about your day, pause to take in the wonder of creation. Whether it’s the sunrise, the stars at night, or the gentle breeze, remember that the Creator of all this beauty loves and cares for you personally. You are not forgotten.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the beauty of Your creation and for reminding us of Your majesty. Help us to see Your hand in the ordinary and extraordinary moments of our lives. May we always be in awe of Your love, knowing that You hold both the universe and our hearts in Your hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Bermie Dizon, Elder
Glendora, CA, US

 

 

Note: This was adapted with permission, from God, in Every Step, a 52-week devotional that invites readers to recognize God’s presence in the everyday moments of life.

GCI’s vision for Healthy Church includes investing in our youth. All year we’ve brought you stories about our children from around the globe. Enjoy a 2024 review in pictures of these precious young people. But first, read these recent stories showing how GCI invests in youth.

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Cape Town, Republic of South Africa

At the end of November, the Sunday school children and three of the youth participated in an outing to the Planetarium. The joy on the faces of the children is the simplest form of gratitude.

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Rayong, Thailand

The children of the Rayong congregation enjoy an active Sunday School ministry. They learn about our triune God by singing fun songs and creating artwork.

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Suva, Fiji

In November, the Suva congregation seamlessly combined our Sunday worship with our youth camp in the village of Nanukuloa, Ra, creating a weekend filled with service, fellowship, and spiritual growth.

As part of our Love Avenue initiative, on Saturday we partnered with the youths of Nanukuloa to plant Vetiver grass on a hillside vulnerable to landslides — more than 1,200 planted in just two hours! This effort not only helps the community but also supports environmental conservation, stabilizing soil and preventing erosion. It was a beautiful reflection of Christ’s love in action.

This weekend was more than just a fun event. It was an experience where Jesus’ love was evident in every moment — from acts of service to shared meals and worship, we saw God’s hand at work, uniting us in purpose and faith.

By Epeli Nakautoga, Hope Avenue Champion
Suva, Fiji

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Satkhira, Khulna, Bangladesh

Thank you very much for your prayers for GCI Bangladesh. On November 14-16, we had 75 participants from GCI Bangladesh participate in our young adult Friendship Camp. Because of our ongoing college ministry, 20 Hindu and Muslim college students also attended our camp. Among them, three chose to be baptized! By the grace of God, eight more people were baptized on December 5.

By Amiyo Bacher, Facilitator and Church Planter
Khulna, Bangladesh

 

 

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2024 Youth Recap

As the year closes, praying scripture is a powerful way to reflect on God’s presence in your life. Download this Church Hack and use the journal prompts for your personal devotional time. Praying scripture and journaling what you hear from God can help you express gratitude and discern God’s guidance for the new year.

Here are some top GCI resources from 2024. These are meaningful resources you may want to bookmark so you can refer to them all year.

1. Healthy Denomination – this President letter highlights our journey toward becoming a healthy church, grounded in hope, love, and faith. It encourages us to continue growing in worship, outreach, and discipleship. This is a timely reminder of how far we’ve come and the exciting future ahead in 2025.
2. Meet Members from Across GCI – GCI Testify highlights the transformative power of Christ’s love through personal testimonies from members around the world. It showcases the Spirit’s impact in and through GCI, offering powerful stories of faith that inspire and encourage deeper trust in Jesus.
3. Why Do We Gather? – This video is a powerful reminder of the joy and renewal that come from gathering as a church community. It encourages us to value our unity in Christ and the deeper connection with God and one another that results from worship and fellowship, making it a meaningful reflection for a year-end review.
4. Ghana’s 50th Anniversary Jubilee – A milestone in GCI marking five decades of God’s grace in the region. The event featured a week of worship, leadership conferences, and cultural highlights, with participants from across Africa.
5. A Lament – Our most-read devotional this year calls us to reflect on how we have fallen short in embodying justice, mercy, and humility, as instructed in Micah 6:8. This powerful prayer invites us to repent, seek God’s image in others, and become agents of healing and restoration
6. Faces from the Home Office – Get to know members of our Finance Department in the Home Office.
   1. Rose Hamrick – Join Dr. Greg Williams, President of GCI, as he speaks with Rose Hamrick, GCI’s Chief Financial Officer. Together, they reflect on Rose’s path to her current role, exploring how her faith, family, and past experiences have uniquely prepared her for this chapter.
   2. Robert Meade – In this episode, GCI President Dr. Greg Williams sits down with GCI Comptroller Robert Meade. Robert discusses his role within the denomination and shares insights into his work.
7. Jesus’ New Ministry – GCI Equipper – This feature article from Equipper, our monthly e-zine for pastors and ministry leaders, examines Jesus’ mission and its call to live out the Kingdom of God today. Subscribe to Equipper
8. Home Church US Connection – Discover how the Home Church US provides worship and spiritual support to members without access to a local congregation. You can subscribe to receive the weekly sermons. Sign up here!
9. Art of Mentoring – This series, released in 2024, highlights the importance of mentoring relationships in fostering growth and leadership across generations. It showcases how mentoring helps develop strong connections in faith and discipleship. This is a timely revisit for members who want to deepen their spiritual journey and explore ways to empower others through mentoring.

Norfolk, Virginia, US

In the fall of 2023, GC Norfolk hosted a 2-day drum camp for community children. We invited a local organization, Shark City Drum and Dance Corps, to join us and teach the children how to play drums. It was a fun weekend getting to know our neighbors and sharing a meal together. On Sunday, we had a worship service with all who attended.

Our congregation has been supporting Shark City for a few years now, and the drum camp was merely one part of an ongoing partnership. I serve as the chaplain and president of the board for Shark City. Erica, my wife, is the administrative assistant, and she’s a crucial member of the team. Shark City helps young people learn music and dance, to avoid some of the crime and trouble that are readily available on our local streets. GC Norfolk will continue to foster this partnership because Shark City is an important part of our community who, like our congregation, cares about the welfare of our city’s young people.

By Calvin Simon, Pastor
Norfolk, VA, US

 

 

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Hmawbi, Yangon, Myanmar

Our congregation holds a weekly Kid Sunday School service. Then at least once every three months, we host a children’s camp. The October camp was attended by 25-30 children. We divided the group into children and youth. It was organized by our members and led by our two Sunday school teachers.

The teachers taught the gospel message, and Christian living. The children memorized Bible verses and learned action songs. The camp leaders emphasized the importance of the children carrying the lessons of camp into their daily lives, encouraging the children to pray and trust in Jesus during both good times and bad.

We provided breakfast and lunch. And we gave the children presents such as cooking oil, toothbrushes, rice, salt, and clothes.

By Chan Thleng, Pastor
Hmawbi, Myanmar

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Cincinnati, Ohio, US

At the end of September, GC Cincinnati West hosted a Fall Festival for the surrounding community and neighbors. The day before our festival, Cincinnati was hit with the remaining winds of Hurricane Helena. The severe weather knocked out electricity for random areas in the city. Our outside set-up was destroyed, and everything was soaked. We moved the festival indoors and proceeded. To our surprise, many from the neighborhood came and took refuge in our building where they could enjoy a day with their family, eat a warm meal, and experience the fellowship of the church. Many stayed for hours as conversations were abundant. On a cold, wet day, our neighbors experienced the warmth of Jesus shining brightly though His church.

In October, GC Cincinnati East gathered at the community park and invited the neighbors to come and have lunch with us. We provided a meal and various activities. We showed up with enthusiasm and love for our neighbors. The neighbors who joined us were met with good food, good music, and loving fellowship. We discovered that we as a church needed more fun time together and that we can easily be visible to our neighborhood. We look forward to joining our neighbors at the park more often.

By Julie Frantz, Pastor
Cincinnati, OH, US

Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” Luke 21:5-6

The season of Advent centers on hope and points to God’s enduring faithfulness — promises of old find their fulfillment in Christ. In Luke 21, Jesus speaks of the destruction of the temple and the hope of redemption. These words, often mistaken as referring to the Second Coming, likely predict Jerusalem’s devastation in A.D. 70. The temple was a symbol pointing to Jesus. When the reality the symbol was pointing to appears, the symbol falls away.

The temple, once a cornerstone of Jewish faith, was a symbol of permanence and divine connection. Yet, its destruction marked the transition to worship “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Jesus fulfills what the temple once represented: the meeting place of heaven and earth. ^“Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near” (verse 31).

Worship is no longer confined to a place or people. The kingdom has arrived! Jesus’ kingship transcends earthly symbols, initiating a new era for God’s people.

We’re reminded that no worldly institution, however powerful or evil it seems, is permanent. But God’s kingdom is eternal. This reality fills us with hope.

Advent hope challenges us to remain watchful and faithful, trusting God amidst change and placing our ultimate hope in His eternal kingdom.

Prayer:
Jesus, we are so grateful that in You we find the union of heaven and earth. Your incarnation and the advent of Your kingdom saved our lives! Father, Son, and Spirit, we love you. Amen.

This devotional was adapted from an RCL sermon. Read the full sermon here.