Category: Stay Connected

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NKJV

On April 17–19, GC Ladson hosted our local women’s conference, entitled “Radiant Women Reflecting His Light.” The event brought together women from diverse backgrounds to honor Jesus Christ, focusing on how his light can be reflected in everyone.

The program commenced on Friday with an opening reception, marking the beginning of a weekend featuring insightful testimonies, presentations, and activities. During each session, our sisters Edith Simmons and Deaconess Clara Martin guided us with praise and worship songs rooted in Scripture, ministering to the hearts of everyone present. These sessions emphasized that the light of Jesus uniquely illuminates even the darkest of our personal circumstances.

The event featured a range of impactful speakers and sessions that inspired and encouraged the attendees throughout the weekend.

Saturday Sessions

• • Deaconess Clara Martin shared insights on how true radiance comes from within and emphasized the importance of continually allowing the light of Christ to shine through each day.
  • Deaconess Janie Wright offered her personal experience with prayers answered differently than she hoped. She described how she relied on the Spirit of God to guide her in supporting others and through this, drawing closer to Him.
  • Deaconess Mary Robinson provided a heartfelt account of her spiritual journey, explaining how she depended on God’s Spirit to lead her through exceptionally challenging times in her life.

Sunday Session

• • Elder Michelle Hartman concluded the conference by encouraging everyone to reflect on their formation from darkness to becoming light in the Lord. She prompted attendees to examine how they respond to Christ’s light in their own lives.

Throughout the conference, participants took part in meaningful activities designed to deepen their faith. Sister Shannon Hoppe led an exercise focused on the importance of studying Scripture and communicating the message of Christ clearly. Additionally, I facilitated another activity to reinforce the centrality of Christ in every aspect of our lives.

Personal Reflections and Spiritual Journeys

Throughout the conference, each participant was given the opportunity to share her personal spiritual journey with Christ. These testimonies highlighted how Christ has shaped their lives, guiding them to become the individuals He desires them to be.

Participants expressed that, in whatever roles or responsibilities they undertook, the Spirit of His light shone through their actions. This illumination allowed others to see Christ reflected in them, reinforcing the central theme of the conference: Radiant Women Reflecting His Light.

In his love,

Robin Grant, Women’s Ministry Chair
Ladson, SC, US

 

The Rayong, Thailand congregation is comprised of Filipinos who do not speak Thai. One vision of the Pastoral Team is for our church to intentionally reach out to the local Thai community and share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.

To support this vision, the team has initiated a Thai language class for interested church members who desire to learn the fundamentals of the Thai language.

The goal is to equip members with the ability to communicate effectively with native residents, build meaningful relationships, and share the word of God in their own language. (We still remember the Thai Language Mission Trip undertaken by Ambassador College in years gone by).

Lito Olaguer, Pastor
Rayong, Thailand

 

“God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer.” — Mother Teresa

This July, we gather in prayer — giving thanks for the ways God continues to shape us. In our churches, neighborhoods, and daily lives, he is forming us into people who reflect his grace and hope.

Click here to download the July Prayer Guide.

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

Grace Communion International is seeking a Human Resources and Risk Coordinator to serve in our Financial Services Department. This full-time, non-exempt position is based in Charlotte, NC, and reports to the Chief Financial Officer.

Applications are now being accepted. See the job description here.

If you would like further details on the position or would like a GCI job application, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@gci.org or 980-495-3960.

Please share this announcement with qualified candidates who may be gifted for this position at the Home Office.

Grace Communion International is seeking a Digital Content Developer to serve on our Media Team. This full-time, non-exempt position is based in Charlotte, NC, and reports to the Media Coordinator.

The Digital Content Developer helps tell the story of what God is doing through Grace Communion International by creating thoughtful, engaging digital content including video, podcasts, and graphics. This role collaborates closely with the Media Team to develop projects from concept through completion.

We are looking for someone who values creative excellence, collaboration, and lifelong learning, and who resonates with GCI’s commitment to sharing the gospel and participating in the love and life of the triune God.

Applicants should have relevant education or experience in digital media production and be aligned with GCI’s mission and theological commitments. See the job description here.

If you would like further details on the position or would like a GCI job application, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@gci.org or 980-495-3960.

Please share this announcement with qualified candidates who may be gifted for this position at the Home Office.

“I recognize that the leader of the church is Jesus. He will provide for the local church so it may continue serving its people and the people around them.”

Joel Calmateo serves as a pastor of GC Pasig, in the Philippines, where his journey began in youth ministry. His leadership is Christ-centered and relational, shaped by years of growing and serving within the church.

Read Joel’s profile here.

“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.

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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