Category: Stay Connected

“Prayer is the song of the heart. It reaches the ear of God even if it is mingled with the cry and tumult of a thousand men.” — Kahlil Gibran

This June, we gather in prayer — learning to follow Jesus more faithfully. We seek to participate in his work and reflect his love in the places where we live and serve.

Continue praying with us. Click here to download the June Prayer Guide.

Would you like to receive this Prayer Guide straight to your email inbox before the first of the month? Sign up here.

GCI Africa Commissions new National Director for Malawi

Grace Communion International (GCI) marked a significant milestone in the life of the church in Malawi with the commissioning of Pastor Dinganie Soko as the new National Director for Malawi during a special service held on 3 May 2026 at GCI Dzaleka. Pastor Soko takes over the role from Pastor Gardener Kunje, who has retired after serving as National Director for Malawi and regional Director for Central Africa.

The commissioning service was presided over by Central Africa Regional Director Pastor Marshall Dube and attended by church leaders, members, and well-wishers who gathered to celebrate this important moment in the ongoing mission of the church in Malawi.

The service was anchored in the words of Jesus from Matthew 9:37–38 (NKJV): “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few…” — a fitting reminder of the calling and responsibility entrusted to leaders who serve Christ and his people.

Pastor Soko brings to the role a long history of faithful involvement in the church. Born on 27 April 1970, he grew up in a family deeply connected to the work of GCI. His father joined the then Worldwide Church of God in the early 1980s, laying a spiritual foundation that would later shape Pastor Soko’s own journey of faith and ministry. He was baptised in 2005 and has since served the church in various leadership capacities.

Before his appointment as National Director, Pastor Soko served for several years on the Malawi Church Board of Trustees, including most recently as Chairperson. An ordained elder, he is continuing to pursue theological development through the Ambassador College of Christian Ministry (ACCM), where he has completed a Certificate of Christian Ministry and is currently studying toward a Diploma of Christian Ministry.

In addition to his pastoral calling, Pastor Soko brings extensive professional expertise to the role. He is a Chartered Accountant and a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA, UK). He also holds an LLB from the University of South Africa and an MBA from the University of Derby.

He is married to Sekani Soko (née Nyangulu), and together they have three sons. The family resides in Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi.

The commissioning reflects GCI Africa’s ongoing commitment to raising and equipping leaders who will faithfully participate in Christ’s mission of living and sharing the gospel across the continent.

As the church in Malawi enters this new season, members across GCI are invited to pray for Pastor Soko, his family, and the churches in Malawi as they continue to serve in the ministry of Jesus Christ.

Takalani Musekwa, Superintendent of Africa
South Africa

Eve Jebens shared the following obituary with Update.

It is with sadness that I share the passing of our remarkable mother, Ruth A. Jebens. She passed away April 29, 2026, in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Mom was born in July 1925 in Germany. She met our dad, Werner Jebens, at age 14, and married him in 1949. Mom immigrated to the US in 1950 and after 3 daughters, our parents moved to Pasadena, California in 1961. In her almost 101 years, she lived through and saw much change in the world. Mom lived a happy long life and will be missed by Gloria, Sue, and me.

Her nuclear family of five expanded to five grandchildren (Brandon, Bronson, Joe, Julie, and Jackie), 15 great-grandchildren (Alicia, Rachael, Felicia, Helaina, Nora, Steven, Preston, Gunner, Owen, Benjamine, Amelia, Brennan, Eamon, Indie and 1 due in August 2026), and 2 great great-grandchildren (Milo and Killian). Ruth also had six sons-in-law (Joe, Leon, Glenn, Mike, Ken, and Matt) and five daughters-in-law (Maria, Chanisa, Carolyn, Dawn, and Annie).

Mom was our matriarch since our dad’s passing in 2009. We will love and miss our parents till we see them again. Mom never said goodbye in the last years. Instead, she said, “Till we meet again.”

GC Cleveland held its 22nd Annual LiLY Women’s Conference on April 24-26, 2026, at Embassy Suites in Independence, Ohio. The event centered on Hebrews 12:1–2 with the theme, “Aligned with Purpose.” It was a powerful and transformative experience for the 82 women in attendance.

Here are some highlights:

• • Dr. Vicky Newsom (GC Queens, NY) delivered a heartfelt message, “Holding Truth in Heavy Times: Faith, Health, and Maturity in Christ.” She reminded us that we are God’s beloved — fully seen, fully known — and never meant to carry life’s burdens alone.
  • Tamar Gray (GC Cleveland, OH) encouraged us to release every hindrance and cast it onto God. Her message was clear and freeing: nothing we face is too big for him to handle.
  • Ruth Phillips (GC Queens, NY) challenged us to look within and discover our true identity in Christ — not defined by others, but by God. The Word of God is the only accurate mirror of who we are.
  • A special moment of joy came through the humor of Clover Webb (GC Queens, NY) whose lighthearted presence created a perfect segue into our final session.
  • Author and recording artist Maria Jacobs gave a profound and powerful story of redemption. She reminded us that God still speaks, still heals, and is always writing new beginnings in our lives.

We closed the day with an evening of intercessory prayer and heartfelt testimonies. The gathering created space for God’s presence, healing, and breakthrough, and we left encouraged, renewed, and aligned with purpose. We left confident in God’s love, strengthened in faith, and ready to walk boldly in who he has called us to be.

Rosa Hulse, Women’s Ministry Leader
Cleveland, Ohio, US

“I really do believe in the priesthood of all believers, which means I’m not looking for people to ‘help me do ministry.’ I’m looking to help people step into their God-given calling.”

Bryan Finley serves as pastor of GC Grove City, leading the congregation through a season of revitalization. With an intentional and community-focused approach, he is helping build trust and re-engage the neighborhood.

Read his full profile here.

The GC Durham church plant held a special ceremony during the worship service on Sunday, April 19, to recognize and affirm its leadership. Anthony Mullins was installed as pastor. The installation was officiated by Ken Hygh, pastor of GC Cary, NC, and Heber Ticas, vice president of GCI.

In addition, members of the core team were commissioned for their roles in ministry. Deborah Jones was commissioned as treasurer, Matt Royal as Faith Avenue champion, and Elizabeth Mullins as Love Avenue champion.

“We pray, we listen, we worship, we carry out the duty of the present moment.” — Richard J. Foster

This May, we gather in prayer — giving thanks for the life we share in Christ. We grow in love for one another and we learn to participate more fully in what God is doing among us.

Continue in prayer with us. Click here to download the May Prayer Guide.

“I care about people. I like challenges and always try to find the best solution. I believe in and thrive in a cooperative atmosphere that works together for the greater good.”

Meet Diana Mayhew, who is transitioning into the role of U.S. Home Church Coordinator at GCI’s Home Office. With a caring and dedicated approach, Diana connects and supports members across the U.S. who engage with GCI from a distance.

Learn more about Diana here.

The 2026 GCI leadership conference in Myanmar was held March 27–28 in Yangon, Myanmar. Pastor Audie Santibanez and Pastor Aron Tolentino from the Philippines conducted the leadership conference, together with Pastor Wong Mein Kong and me from Malaysia.

The participants of the conference were pastors, elders, leaders, church planters, and pastoral teams from various states and districts in Myanmar. Pastor Chan Thleng from GCI Hwambi church was the coordinator for the Myanmar participants. Pastor Dem Khuo Thong and Stephen Blessing, both from Myanmar, assisted as the translators from English to the Burmese language for the participants.

Devaraj Ramoo, Pastor
Klang, Selangor, Malaysia