Category: Stay Connected

Anderson Sarmiento Angulo
Fundación Universitaria Los Libertadores
Law Degree
Bogotá, Colombia

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Shanelle Brooks
College of the Canyons
Associate of Arts in Theater Arts
Los Angeles, California, U.S.

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Leroy Faison
University of North Florida
Associate of Arts
Jacksonville, Florida, US

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Yoav Galindo
Cbt #2 Ecatepec
Food Service Technician
Mexico City, Mexico

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Flor Alexia Pantoja García
Benemérita Escuela Normal Federalizada de Tamaulipas
Bachelor of Primary Education
Tamaulipas, Mexico

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Gabby Grant
University of Southern California
Master of Public Health
Los Angeles, California, US

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Hamari Hommer
Jacksonville University
Bachelor of Science in Film, English Minor
Jacksonville, Florida, US

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Diego Meza Pereyra
CETI Centro de Enseñanza Técnica Industrial
Construction Technologist
Guadalajara, Mexico

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Tatiana Rocha
California State University Northridge
Bachelor of Psychology
Sun Valley, California, US

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Rajauhn Sancho
Jacksonville University
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Political Science Minor
Jacksonville, Florida, US

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Edward A. Smith
College of Southern Maryland
Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
Washington, District of Columbia

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Jayden Turgott
University of Maryland, College Park
Bachelor of Science and Mathematics
Washington, District of Columbia

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Michael Turner
American Career College
Associate of Science in Radiology
Los Angeles, California, US

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Jeremy Benitez
Granada Hills Charter High School
Sun Valley, California, US

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Kody Creager
Campbell County High School
Cincinnati, Ohio, US

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Jacob Thomas Frantz
Batavia High School
Cincinnati, Ohio, US

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Zaharee Jordan
High School
Jacksonville, Florida, US

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Deja Murray
Gainesville High School
Washington, District of Columbia

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J’amari Phelps
High School
Jacksonville, Florida, US

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Chase Thompson
Willamette High School
River Road, Oregon, US

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Bradley Vess
High School
Jacksonville, Florida, US

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James R. Whitmore
Hillard Darby High School
Marion, Ohio, US

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Isaac
Colegió Nacional de Educación Profesional Técnica (Secondary)
Mexico City, Mexico

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Darita
Escuela Preparatoria Número 3 Justo Sierra (Secondary)
Mexico City, Mexico

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Leeuwarden, Netherlands

On Pentecost Sunday, two young men were baptized: Byanmungu Nene (24) and Baraka Matendo Makoti (15), the son of Pastor Makoti.

It was a beautiful baptism service, and we are grateful to God that he called them and that they said yes to Jesus Christ, their Savior!

Afterwards, Pentecost was celebrated with an estimated 80 people present. There was exuberant singing, including a large children’s choir — the roof almost came off from all the enthusiasm!

Before communion and a tasty meal, Kahindo Kasinde preached about Pentecost and the power of God. And Pastor Frans gave a short sermon on how to love God above all and your neighbor as yourself, led by the Holy Spirit. It was a special and encouraging day!

By Frans Danenberg, Elder
Almere, Netherlands

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Mexico City, Mexico

Earlier this year, Diana Zarate Contreras and Edgar Morales Calderón chose to be baptized at the conclusion of a conference for various congregations across Mexico. The conference fostered fellowship, unity, and spiritual growth. I officiated the baptisms with Alfredo Oloño, and it was a joyful and meaningful experience that will be cherished forever!

Our first encounter with Diana was during her daughter’s baptism in 2022, which sparked a meaningful connection. She soon became an active member of our church, with her heartfelt desire to follow Jesus growing stronger each day. Currently, Diana serves as an usher and aspires to become a children’s teacher. She remains committed to her spiritual growth through ongoing training and dedication.

Edgar Morales initially approached the church seeking marriage counseling with Alfredo Oloño. Through a period of counseling and discipleship, he made the decision to be baptized, openly confessing his faith in Jesus Christ. Currently, he serves in the Connection Group in La Paz, State of Mexico. He and his wife are students in the Ministerial Development Program (MDP) offered by Communion of Grace International (CGI, as GCI is known in Spanish). Both Edgar and his wife have demonstrated a faith truly worthy of their calling.

By Natanael Cruz, Pastor
Mexico City, Mexico

We were blessed this year to host forty of our pastors and spouses from across the nation at the Home Office in Charlotte for our two New Wineskins events. Eighteen pastors and spouses attended the first event, held on April 3–May 3, and 22 pastors and spouses attended our second event, held on June 5–7.

Here are a few comments we received during and after the events.

“I appreciated the emphasis on Healthy Pastor from the beginning and a support for our mental, emotional, and spiritual health.”

“I really appreciated this workshop of high support and high challenge! The high support of connecting and praying with other pastors and national leadership team was priceless.”

“I believe these trainings are valuable not only for the conferences but also for the opportunity to hear ideas about the various ways other leaders are moving their churches forward. I think these two factors are extremely important because the lives of pastors are somewhat isolated.”

“I am so thankful for the national team and the prayer and conversations that went into providing this learning space. Your efforts are not in vain and good things are happening by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah!”

“I am starting a School of Prayer as part of the new wine for our congregation. We have not been a praying church, and it is time to start. I am excited to lead people into a new level of intimacy with their Savior.”

“Reflecting on our time together, I am filled with hope and excitement about the important lessons we have gathered. One of the most profound insights I have gained is our calling to continue shining brightly within our communities.”

“The need to cast off any lingering vestiges of a culture of pastor centric dependence.”

“This did not feel like another program, it felt more like a road-mapping session to see how we might intelligently navigate where the Father, Son, and Spirit are taking us.”

“The Father, Son, and Spirit have newness to pour into our denomination and our local congregations and we must set about the business of making room for this newness.”

 

“In our weakness, God brings strength. Whenever we feel like we cannot do something that he puts in our hearts, we are given the opportunity to put more of our faith in him.”

Meet Assistant Youth Pastor Maarten de Moei. From Tiel, Netherlands, Maarten has a heart for youth ministry and passion for making God’s love shine through his service.

Read his GCI profile here.

 

 

 

Rayong, Thailand

The connect group for women meets to build one another up.

Khulna, Bangladesh

At the end of March, we held a successful GCI Bangladesh Women’s conference. Eighty ladies from our GCI Bangladesh congregations in Khulna attended. Our theme is “Live What You Teach.” My wife, Christina Biswas, taught the sessions with her team.

By Amiyo Bacher, Facilitator
Satkhira, Khulna, Bangladesh

Perth, Western Australia

God blessed our efforts to organise a three-day ladies retreat at Western Australia’s lovely Shoalwater Bay this year in May. Nineteen ladies attended and enjoyed themselves so much so that most have paid a deposit for next year.

We were served wonderfully at St. John of God facility. Accommodation included a private room with ensuite bathroom for each lady, onsite meeting rooms, and a fully catered dining room with three great meals plus morning and afternoon tea each day. The facility is situated a short walk to the beach and just a few minutes drive to Rockingham foreshore. There is an outdoor auditorium with a large, grass area for outdoor activities as well as gardens, a reflection wall, and a labyrinth to walk.

We set the agenda as a weekend of “Rest, Relaxation, Fun, and Fellowship.” We emphasized that no activity during the weekend was compulsory. Besides talking and eating there were walks on the beach, card and board games, jigsaw, sewing, art, nighttime movies, and even a bit of singing. We took a trip to Rockingham Foreshore where some caught a ride from the volunteer bike riders along the foreshore and some went “op” or opportunity shopping. (That’s thrifting for you Americans.)

Every year, our members invite their friends and sometimes their friends invite their friends. It is a wonderful time of caring and sharing and getting to know one another better. Each person brings their unique personality, which creates a very special time.

By Gay Stewart
Perth, Western Australia

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Discover the transformative power of Christ’s love in our new series, GCI Testify. Join us as members from our global fellowship share testimonies of their experiences with Jesus through GCI congregations and ministries. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of the Spirit in and through GCI.

Watch the entire series here.

Pastor Marty Davey shared the following announcement about a member of the GC Jacksonville congregation in Florida, U.S. She assisted two other bystanders to pull a trapped person from a rolled over vehicle.

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Our very own Jasmine Daricaud was recognized and awarded by the city of Jacksonville for her bravery. Such an example of God’s purpose, favor, and love!

In Jasmine’s own words,

On Tuesday, I got an award from the city. And I have imposter’s syndrome. In my mind, if someone needs help, you help them to the best of your abilities. So, while I feel this was courageous and a little careless, I don’t feel like it was heroic. My husband’s life was saved [in 2023] because three guys put themselves in harm’s way. So, if I can help someone even a fraction of that, I’ll be eternally grateful.

Read the news report here.

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Jeff Broadnax, U.S. Director, shared this announcement about the pastor of GC Cleveland in Ohio, U.S.

I want to take a moment to celebrate our sister and fellow pastor, Tamar Gray! She was selected Teacher of the Year 2024-2025 in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District. Praise God, Tamar. You shine bright for Jesus and are a fantastic leader and teacher. We love you.

In Tamar’s own words,

I have been teaching for more than 40 years, 34 in this district. This is just a huge honor that I know is a blessing from God. I am proud to be a public-school educator alongside many hard-working teachers and staff. As I said in my acceptance speech, I share this with all of those who show up, give 100% and speak into the lives of our kids every day.

Santiago Lange died Saturday, April 12, 2025. He was born in 1959 in Cuba and served in GCI for nearly 30 years. He served as a Mission Developer in Europe and National Director in Austria and Germany. Most recently, Santiago pastored the Stuttgart congregation in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

Join us in praying for his wife, Elke, and their family. We share in their grief and in their hope of resurrection. Below is the memorial tribute given by Nestor Rodriguez, GCI Bogota, Colombia member.

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In Loving Memory of Santiago Lange: He Fought the Good Fight

We honor a life marked by unwavering faith, courageous perseverance, and deep compassion. He devoted himself wholly to Christ and to living in truth. His relationship with the Lord was not simply a private conviction but the foundation of every word he spoke, every action he took, and every trial he faced. In his life, we witnessed what it means to love God with one’s whole heart, to rely on him steadfastly, and to walk in obedience even when the road was steep and painful.

For three years, he waged a heroic battle against cancer. Throughout countless rounds of chemotherapy, he maintained a remarkable transparency, sharing virtually every detail of his experience in letters and messages that encouraged and uplifted. He never once allowed despair to overshadow hope. Instead, he chose faith-filled words, demonstrating a “never give up” spirit that pointed others back to the power of prayer and the presence of Christ in the midst of suffering. When exhaustion and discomfort weighed heavily upon him, he refused to complain. His attitude remained steadfast: grateful to God for each breath, trusting that God was with him, and confident that no trial could separate him from the love of Christ.

Hospitality was a hallmark of his character. When visitors came from afar, he welcomed them with open arms, seeing in them the image of God. He made his home a place of warmth and generosity. He treated every guest as family, extending kindness and care not only to friends but also to those who found themselves far from home. His open-door heart reflected the biblical call to welcome the stranger; through him, many experienced the tangible love of Christ.

His love for theological discussion was well known to all who knew him. No subject was too difficult, no question too complex. He approached every conversation with humility and curiosity, eager to learn more about God’s nature and eager to share the insights he had gleaned over the years. He spoke with a passion that inspired those around him to dig deeper into Scripture and to grow in their own relationship with the Lord.

He cherished his wife in a way that bore witness to sacrificial love. Countless times, Santiago spoke of how blessed he was to have her by his side. In his words, it was clear that her steadfast love sustained him through every challenge. Their marriage was a portrait of Christ’s love for the Church: self-giving, faithful, and rooted in mutual submission. Through his testimony, we saw a man who recognized that the love of a godly spouse is one of life’s greatest gifts.

He was a lover of life’s simple joys. He delighted in a good laugh, a shared joke, and the fellowship of friends around a fine meal or glass of wine. Even as he faced pain, he found reasons to smile and reasons to celebrate God’s goodness: a well-timed quip, the taste of a favorite dish, lingering conversations by candlelight. In these moments, his vitality shone — reminding us that joy and suffering can coexist when the heart is fixed on Christ.

He had a unique gift for seeing the best in others. Always ready to commend a small victory or to highlight a hidden strength, he lived out Christ’s call to esteem others more highly than himself. No one left an encounter with him feeling insignificant or unseen. He believed that every person bore God’s image and ought to be treated with dignity and honor.

Let us hold fast to his example of faithfulness. Even when the road grew dark, he walked in obedience, truly loving the Lord by keeping his commands. His life reminds us that genuine faith is not measured by comfort but by perseverance. May we be inspired to greet every circumstance—joyful or painful—with the same trust in Christ.

Though his earthly battle has ended, his testimony remains. In the words he often shared, we find our charge: to walk by faith, not by sight; to rejoice always; and to give thanks in all circumstances.