The Church is not a building — it’s us. A family formed by Jesus, united in the Spirit. This month’s GCI Buzz shares what it means to be the Church and how God invites us into his mission of bringing grace, hope, and transformation to the world.
Click here or the image below to view the entire Buzz.
Check out the printer-friendly PDF.
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.
Anderson Sarmiento Angulo
Fundación Universitaria Los Libertadores
Law Degree
Bogotá, Colombia
Shanelle Brooks
College of the Canyons
Associate of Arts in Theater Arts
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Leroy Faison
University of North Florida
Associate of Arts
Jacksonville, Florida, US
Yoav Galindo
Cbt #2 Ecatepec
Food Service Technician
Mexico City, Mexico
Flor Alexia Pantoja García
Benemérita Escuela Normal Federalizada de Tamaulipas
Bachelor of Primary Education
Tamaulipas, Mexico
Gabby Grant
University of Southern California
Master of Public Health
Los Angeles, California, US
Hamari Hommer
Jacksonville University
Bachelor of Science in Film, English Minor
Jacksonville, Florida, US
Diego Meza Pereyra
CETI Centro de Enseñanza Técnica Industrial
Construction Technologist
Guadalajara, Mexico
Tatiana Rocha
California State University Northridge
Bachelor of Psychology
Sun Valley, California, US
Rajauhn Sancho
Jacksonville University
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Political Science Minor
Jacksonville, Florida, US
Edward A. Smith
College of Southern Maryland
Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
Washington, District of Columbia
Jayden Turgott
University of Maryland, College Park
Bachelor of Science and Mathematics
Washington, District of Columbia
Michael Turner
American Career College
Associate of Science in Radiology
Los Angeles, California, US
Jeremy Benitez
Granada Hills Charter High School
Sun Valley, California, US
Kody Creager
Campbell County High School
Cincinnati, Ohio, US
Jacob Thomas Frantz
Batavia High School
Cincinnati, Ohio, US
Zaharee Jordan
High School
Jacksonville, Florida, US
Deja Murray
Gainesville High School
Washington, District of Columbia
J’amari Phelps
High School
Jacksonville, Florida, US
Chase Thompson
Willamette High School
River Road, Oregon, US
Bradley Vess
High School
Jacksonville, Florida, US
James R. Whitmore
Hillard Darby High School
Marion, Ohio, US
Isaac
Colegió Nacional de Educación Profesional Técnica (Secondary)
Mexico City, Mexico
Darita
Escuela Preparatoria Número 3 Justo Sierra (Secondary)
Mexico City, Mexico
“God’s unfailing love and care allow me to face my anxieties with courage,
and I hope to share this message of reassurance with others in ministry.”
We are excited to welcome Justin Dids Raduban, GCI’s Media Coordinator, to the Home Office team. With a decade of experience in media and a heart rooted in Christ, Justin brings creativity and structure to support our pastors and ministry workers worldwide.
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
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.
The connect group for women meets to build one another up.
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
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
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.
