On December 10, Dishon Mills was installed as the pastor of the merged church in Charlotte, NC. The Charlotte congregation and the Steele Creek church plant have now merged and are called Grace Communion Steele Creek.
“I can think of no one better suited and equipped by the Holy Spirit, at this moment in Grace Communion Steele Creek’s journey, to be the pastor and keep the faith community’s eyes on Jesus than Dishon Mills.” —Anthony Mullins
On Sunday, December 31, Ceeja Malmkar was commissioned as the assistant pastor of Grace Communion Surrey Hills in Oklahoma.
“Ceeja is an incredibly gifted woman who loves the Lord and his children. She has a special love for the neighborhood of Surrey Hills and for her and Lucas’ two sons Kacen and Ryker. She is a blessing to the team. I look forward to seeing how God uses her for his glory.” —Michael Rasmussen
On January 21, Jillian Morrison was commissioned as the pastor of the Glendora, CA congregation. Bermie Dizon retired and passed the baton to Jillian. The Monrovia and the Glendora congregations have combined as the Glendora church.
“I commission her into the position of pastor of Grace Communion Glendora and all the responsibilities, the roles, and the authority that go with that position. And I do not do so lightly, but I do so joyfully, knowing full well her resolution, her abilities, and the incredible gifts that God has given her.” —Tim Sitterley
One night in January, my pregnant sister was rushed to the hospital when her water broke. After hours of labor, she was eventually given a Caesarian section, for it was taking too long to deliver the baby. Finally, we were invited to view the baby for the first time. He had pinkish skin and weighed 7.5 pounds.
Watching him, I had an epiphany. Every person on earth was once like this tiny, helpless baby—the strongest boxers, fastest athletes, and smartest scientists! We were all small, vulnerable, and dependent on the caress of our caregiver. Even Jesus—who sacrificed his life to save humanity—was once a baby.
And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. Luke 2:40
No matter who we grow up to be, we do so with the guidance of the people who raised us. These people are living examples of God’s love and grace. We were created to live in interdependence with others. No matter how small we were as babies, we grow stronger with the strength and wisdom the Lord blesses us with each day.
Prayer: Our creator and heavenly Father, we humble ourselves before you as we remember that we came into this world as vulnerable babies who couldn’t have grown strong without your loving presence. We acknowledge the path you set for us, and we continue to seek your guidance as we desire to follow your will. This we pray in the mighty name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
By Jessica Joy Pamor, GC Pili Youth Leader Bicol, Philippines
On January 14, a special combined service was held in Pasay City, Philippines in honor of the commissioning and turnover ceremonies for Grace Communion International – Philippines. A total of 754 attendees were able to witness this significant event.
International leaders also came to visit, including GCI President Dr. Greg and his wife, Susan Williams, GCI Superintendent of Asia Pastor Danny and his wife, Mary Zachariah, and GCI Superintendent of Latin America Pastor Heber Ticas.
Eugene & Lulu Guzon
Dr. Eugene Guzon was shown love and support by the church members with a farewell video greeting to celebrate his 34 years of fulltime service to GCI and 21 years as the National Director for GCI Philippines. “Eugene has served the ministry since 1990 in various capacities, beginning as assistant pastor for Quezon City under Jose Raduban. His work in the national office started when he was assigned as business manager in 1993, and he became National Director in 2002. In 2007, he was also given added responsibilities as Missions Developer for China, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates. He was also appointed as Superintendent for Asia in 2018 until 2023,” explained Percival Gabriel of Quezon City.
Audie & Rachel Santibanez
Pastor Audie Santibañez was then commissioned as the next National Director, and was passed the baton, or in this case, the balangay. Balangays are plank boats that were used for maritime trade and migration by ancient Filipinos. “Just as the balangay was meticulously constructed by skilled hands, without the use of nails, the church’s fresh direction is shaped by leaders firmly rooted in faith, hope, and love. Guided by the winds of the Holy Spirit, the church sails forth just as the balangay rode currents and winds across open seas,” explained Pastor Rex.
Fe & Romeo Pusta
We celebrated two other turnover ceremonies. Pastor Romeo Pusta was installed as the next chair of the Philippine Board of Directors. Pastor Aron Tolentino was commissioned as the next District Director for Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
Aron & Joyce Tolentino with daughter, Lizzie
Greg Williams said, “Susan and I enjoyed a wonderful trip to the Philippines. Eugene and Lulu Guzon have served very well, and even though they are stepping down, they are not stepping away. I am confident in Audie Santibanez as the new National Director and his National Ministry Team of Rex Dela Pena and Aron Tolentino. I am also confident in the leadership of Dan and Mary Zachariah as they oversee the churches and leaders across the Asian region. May the gospel have a tremendous impact and we see many come to Jesus.”
Let us include our leaders in our prayers for God’s continuous guidance in their service and ministry for our triune God.
Jessica with Susan & Greg Williams
By Jessica Joy Pamor, GC Pili Youth Leader Bicol, Philippines
In the U.S., Black History Month is celebrated in February. It is fitting to recognize this by highlighting the ongoing work of our National Advisory Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and its leaders.
My experience of the NAE Spiritual Retreat with BIPOC Leaders
GCI’s membership in the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) gave me a wonderful opportunity to engage with and grow in the ministry and message of reconciliation. In November, Toni Kim (Director of Spiritual Care) and Mekdes Haddis (Project Director for Racial Justice & Reconciliation Collaborative) hosted a spiritual retreat for the NAE at the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove in Asheville, N.C. (see full article, Living United: How the NAE is Working to Build Bridges of Reconciliation).
Mekdes Haddis, Jeff Broadnax, Toni & Walter Kim
I joined three dozen Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) ministry leaders from around the country to seek Jesus’ face and discern the Spirit’s wisdom in area of racial healing, reconciliation, and resilience within the body of Christ. Large group sessions were facilitated by author and counselor, Sheila Wise Rowe. She offered a Christ-centered approach to the following topics:
Racial Trauma within the Body of Christ
Trauma Informed Ministry
Compassionate Soul Care and Healing
The Art of Peace, Joy, Rest, and Resilience
Small group breakout sessions beautifully created an environment for this diverse group to experience trust, vulnerability, and bonding in Christ. Included was time for personal and interactive reflection, prayer, biblical discussion, and chances for networking and building relationships.
I shared God’s move within GCI to develop a National Advisory Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) for the U.S. Superintendent. I described the work we have done as a denomination to intentionally invite men and women from a diversity of generations, ethnicities, cultures, and perspectives to bring their journey with Jesus to the table and help us become fitly framed together for 21st century ministry in a diverse world.
It was validating to know GCI is part of a larger move in the body of Christ to fulfill Jesus’ mandate to equalize and value the uniqueness of every voice and experience (Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:14-16). It was inspiring to see fresh insights for embracing the opportunities created by the Holy Spirit for GCI leaders and members to become Jesus’ witnesses in our “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
It has started within our midst already. We continue to grow in wisdom both through the transparent sharing of generational pains and brokenness—which is healed by the Father—and by having a passion for biblical justice. In both cases, the truth of God is spoken in love; repentance and lament are humbly entered into; and forgiveness and grace are freely given. With every conversation and ministry engagement, the impact of Satan’s dividing walls of hostility between races, sexes, generations, and cultures come tumbling down, and we are better equipped live as God’s masterpiece of oneness in Jesus (Ephesians 2:10, 14-16).
While I was convicted by the experiences, lessons, and challenges of Native American, Hispanic, Asian, African American, and multi-racial leaders within the Evangelical movement in the U.S., I was also inspired to see brothers and sisters looking to live out Jesus’ prayer that we “may be one” (John 17:21).
Through all of this, we pray to live equipped and “sent” to join Jesus in his message and purpose to “reconcile [all broken relationships] to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility” (Ephesians 2:16). This will grant us and the world rest and resilience in Christ.
Micah 6:8 says, “[God] has shown you . . . what is good. [W]hat does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
When we look at our societal fractures, however, those of us who identify as followers of the way of Jesus often fail to reflect the justice, mercy, and humility of our Savior. May this prayer be the cry of our hearts.
A Lament for Hiding Our Eyes from the Imago Dei
Holy Sacred God You have asked us to be Repairers of the breach To mirror You as You Proclaim good news and liberty to those who are oppressed
Forgive us for Seeking to make people In our own image Instead of seeking To be conformed to Yours
We repent for Our willful ignorance and arrogance Our apathy and indifference Our selfishness and inaction Our defensiveness and pride
Forgive us for Our lack of vulnerability and understanding Our lack of curiosity and compassion Our tendency to make statements Instead of asking questions Thinking we already know Seeking our own comfort instead of Listening, bearing witness And rejoicing in the truth
We have marred The image of Your image bearers We have been silent And covered our eyes and ears We have refused to offer hope, To restore, repair and protect Instead of inviting those who suffer into Your Jubilee We have removed seats from the table And erected walls where there should be open doors
Please forgive us, Lord Put salve on our eyes so we can see Help us to be loving, joyful, peaceful, Good, kind, patient, Faithful, gentle, and self-controlled We are your Beloved Community And we belong to one another
You have said that the world would know That we are your disciples If we love one another. May it be so with us.
By Afrika Afeni Mills, Faith Avenue Champion Steele Creek, NC, US
Our annual youth camp, held near Nairobi, Kenya, concluded on December 10. The campers enjoyed life skills training, team building activities, worship sessions, and supervised free time to allow for creating friendships. We closed the camp by attending a worship service at the GCI congregation in Naivasha.
Valerie had this to say, “To be honest, I did not know what to expect. The day started with travel in a common bus to the camp site, and I thought, we are doomed. But by the end of the second day, I was warm and into the camp proper. There was a good choice of topics which were relevant to us, and we were given time to socialize with our friends. Indeed, we experienced the love of Christ from our trainers.”
Wangari had this to say, “The theme was wonderful. I have experienced our trainers as pastors before, but I saw another side of them that I did not know; indeed, they are all-round people. They taught us the importance of understanding that choices have consequences.”
Beth had this to say, “Camp was the best part of my holiday. I made new friends. I learnt about a lot of things, for example, self-awareness, self-esteem, phone addiction, and that choices have consequences. Everyone in the camp was on their best behavior and friendly. Our teachers were wonderful.”
At the end of camp, many campers were biding others good-bye saying, “See you next year at camp.” It is our hope and great prayer that we will indeed be able to hold the camp again in December 2024. Please join us in this prayer.
While [Peter] was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” Matthew 17:5-7 NRSVUE
Luke’s Gospel says Peter, James, and John were led up the mountain by Jesus to pray. Let’s see this through their eyes. As he was praying, Jesus’ glory was revealed. They saw Jesus, the one who had been sharing life with them in many ways, experience a change that was beyond their comprehension. This experience must have changed them deeply, especially in how they regarded Jesus from that moment on.
When we have a glorious encounter with Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, it doesn’t happen as it did that day on that mountain. Nevertheless, the experience is profound. We do not come away from an encounter with Christ through the Holy Spirit remaining as we were. Certainly, we see things differently, and we see others differently. We also recognize the extended invitation from our loving God to see that he is more than what we assume or expect.
During the season of Epiphany, let’s celebrate the glorious revealing that happened at the Transfiguration, and embrace the beauty of the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in us as our journey to becoming more like Jesus continues.
Prayer: Loving God, we want to be changed by your glory. Continue to reveal yourself to us. We long to see you as you are, the Beloved Son. We want to live in the light of your truth and be witnesses to your glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Terry, with wife, Kizzie
By Terry McDonald, Pastor Kansas City South, MO, US
The Grace Communion South Kansas City Love Avenue team generated many ideas while planning for Christmas. We chose two events to bless our surrounding neighborhood. The assistance I receive from my team has been invaluable, and they are amazing servant leaders. We stepped out boldly to see where the Holy Spirit would lead.
Using our facility’s large yard and circle driveway, our first event was what lovingly became known as the “Drive-by Christmas Cheer.” Our talented Pastor Terry McDonald made flyers that we distributed to our schools and our surrounding neighborhood. We wore costumes such as a beautiful dancing elf, a very jovial, dancing Santa Claus, and two snowmen. On the drive and lawn, we placed two 6-foot, lighted candy canes strategically to show entrance and exit. And a very cheerful lighted gingerbread man faced the road. A projector flashed a colorful festive light show on the building.
The costumed members danced and offered a warm welcome to passing vehicles. It was a wonderful sight to behold. We served our guests hot chocolate and hot apple cider. We passed out candy canes and Christmas ornaments that were wrapped in greetings from our congregation and our QR code.
We had such a great time and 22 neighbors participated. Some children even got out of their cars to look more closely at our costumes and have fun with us. They were so cute. It is our belief that those people were the ones God wanted us to bless. What a joy!
We are actively serving a neighborhood elementary school, and I’ve been volunteering in one of their kindergarten classes. As our second event, we chose to bless this classroom of children with what became known as “Adopt a Classroom.” We decided to give a pair of Christmas pajamas and a book to each child. The teacher was excited about this idea and provided the sizes for all 19 children. Our congregation prepared the packages. On the day of delivery, four individuals in our group, in costume, delivered the gifts. Watching the students’ excitement and joy invigorated us. We presented the teacher with a gift as well; she was surprised and grateful.
We send encouragement and prayers to all our churches and ministry leaders. Every person touched reveals God’s love, and we are excited to continue this effort in 2024.
Barbara Leatherman, Love Avenue Champion Kansas City, MO, US
In December we held our Very Surrey Christmas Parade and Neighborhood celebration with our church family and neighbors. We had over 21 decorated golf carts, muscle cars, and floats and were joined by the Oklahoma City Police and Fire Departments. It was incredible and the neighbors went all out!
After the parade, we loaded into our church building. We offered free face painting and craft tables, hosted by neighborhood businesses and volunteers from the school. There were professional pictures with Santa from a neighborhood photographer. And there was a hot chocolate and cookie bar sponsored by our neighborhood Lion’s Club and our favorite coffee roasters!
We had well over 500 in attendance at the celebration (and hundreds more who watched the parade) and neighbors simply hung out together for hours. I just sit in awe of what I see Jesus doing. He is using this church building in all the ways we dreamed it would be used. He’s building bonds through relationships. He’s breaking down walls. He’s flipping the script. He is eliminating this entire idea of an “us” within the church walls and “them” outside. We are just a “we” in Jesus. The church participating in what Jesus is already doing is simply breathtaking. This event was a reminder that at GC Surrey Hills, we truly are “Neighbors Loving Neighbors.”
Ceeja Malmkar, MTC Coordinator Surrey Hills, OK, US
On December 10, Dishon Mills was installed as the pastor of the merged church in Charlotte, NC. The Charlotte congregation and the Steele Creek church plant have now merged and are called Grace Communion Steele Creek.
On Sunday, December 31, Ceeja Malmkar was commissioned as the assistant pastor of Grace Communion Surrey Hills in Oklahoma.
