Category: Stay Connected

Join us in celebrating four baptisms in Bangladesh in March.

Retired Pastor Earl Jones died in February. Join us in praying for his wife, Betty, and their family. His daughter Deborah Jones and his granddaughter, Monica Jones, are members of the GC Durham church plant team.

We share in their grief and in their hope of resurrection. Deborah shared the following obituary.

Cards can be sent to:
Betty Jones
168 North Gaines Street
Southern Pines, NC 28387

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Earl Jones passed away peacefully at home on February 26, 2026, at the age of 84. Born on July 11, 1941, Earl lived a life defined by strength of character, steady determination, deep faith, and unwavering love for his family and community.

He attended schools in North Carolina and New York, experiences that helped shape his broad perspective and keen sense of purpose. Earl continued his education at North Carolina Central University. Answering the call to serve his country, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps for a brief stint.

Earl dedicated many years of his professional life to Ingersoll Rand, from which he retired after faithful and committed service. Known for his strong work ethic and leadership, he earned the respect of colleagues and friends alike.

Most importantly, Earl devoted his life to his faith and to serving others. He retired as pastor of Grace Communion Fayetteville, where he provided spiritual guidance, encouragement, and compassion to countless individuals and families. His ministry reflected his deep love for the triune God and his unwavering commitment to uplifting others. His greatest joy was telling others about the goodness of God. He often said, “I am who I am because of the great I AM.”

Earl was also involved in civic engagement and community advancement. He was a member of the West Southern Pines Civics Club and the NAACP, supporting efforts that promoted equality, education, and opportunity for all.

Above all, Earl was a devoted husband. He was married to his beloved wife, Betty, for 60 wonderful years — a testament to enduring love, commitment, and partnership. They took the words “til death do us part” literally.

Earl found immense joy in traveling and staying active through walking and weightlifting. He had a deep love for learning and devoted much of his time to studying history, especially African American history. He enjoyed watching the History and Military channels, reading, and engaging in thoughtful conversations. A dedicated collector, he took pride in stamp collecting and maintained an extensive music collection that reflected his wide-ranging tastes. He especially cherished conversing in Spanish with his granddaughter, finding joy in sharing language, laughter, and connection across generations. He was also a loyal sports fan who proudly supported Georgetown Hoyas men’s basketball team and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Will and Bessie Diggs and Geneva Washington; his beloved daughter, Dionne Michelle Jones; and his brother-in-law, Willie Gillis.

He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife, Betty; his children, Deborah Jones and Earl Maurice Jones (Rosie); his cherished grandchildren, Monica Jones and Charleigh Williams; his brothers-in-law, James Gillis (Janet), Donnie Hines, Ollie Hines (Libby), Woodrow Hines (Clara), Leon Hines, Jerry Hines (Esther), Scottie Hines, and Johnny Hines (Thomasine); his sisters-in-law, Carolyn Jenkins, Margaret Gillis and Sandra Jones, Stephanie Davis (Michael); and a host of extended family members, friends, and loved ones.

Though his passing leaves a profound void, his legacy of faith, strength, compassion, and love will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

The Denominational Celebration
will be held
in Dallas, Texas, U.S.
on July 23-26, 2026.

Save your spot and register today!

Registration closes April 15.

We would love for you to participate in our time together. This gathering gives our fellowship time to worship, learn, and enjoy being together. The schedule offers steady rhythms of teaching, connection, and shared worship.

Our theme for this celebration is Kingdom Living. Throughout the event, we will explore how God invites us to participate in his life, reflect his goodness, and join his ongoing work in the world. The theme will guide our worship, breakout sessions, and main teachings. It will help us focus on the hope we share and the way we live it out in our daily lives.

Join us for:

• • • Daily worship setting a hopeful tone each day
    • Breakouts that explore discipleship, calling, and mission
    • Messages from our leaders, including Greg Williams
    • Interviews with leaders who will share insights and stories
    • Communion that reminds us of our shared life in Jesus
    • Time for meals, fellowship, and personal reflection
    • The GCS ceremony honoring our graduates

“I am a good example of how God can turn things around and how he can change and transform lives.”

Meet Gio Lizares, pastoral intern at GC Bacolod in the Philippines. His journey is marked by intentional, faithful steps as he learns to follow God one season at a time.

Get to know Gio here.

If your congregation celebrated Black History together last month, please share your story and photos with us. Email elizabeth.mullins@gci.org

Black History Month is observed in February in the U.S. The observance matters to Christians because it provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the significant contributions of African Americans to the faith. It is also an opportunity to lament and repent of the Church’s history with racism and injustice. By the observance, we demonstrate solidarity with the Black community, acknowledging their experiences and struggles within the context of Christian teachings. We do this while highlighting the unifying power of God in the face of racial divisions.

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See more information on GCI’s National Advisory Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – GCI Equipper.

The words of U.S. Director Jeff Broadnax in the June 2023 Update remain timely. Read the letter here.

“Prayer is the encounter of God’s thirst with ours.” — Augustine of Hippo

This March, we come before God in prayer. We’re learning together to listen more closely to Jesus, giving thanks for the life of our churches, and walking together toward Easter with steady trust.

Join us in prayer. See the full prayer guide here.

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

Eight new members were baptized by GCI Bangladesh church. We share in their joy and pray for these newly baptized people.

Join us in congratulating Akeneta Mua of the Suva, Fiji congregation and Samuel Chivers of the Melton congregation in Melbourne, Australia. We celebrate their achievement.

Akeneta graduated from Penang Sangam High School. She will attend the University of Fiji Nursing School.

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Samuel graduated in November completing full Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), a senior secondary school credential. He received certifications of merit for academic excellence in English and outdoor environmental studies. He will attend Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) to pursue a Bachelor of Engineering.

“My wife and I have a saying, ‘Bring it Lord.’ In the good times and when the trials of life come …”

Meet Calvin Porterfield. Serving as a youth leader and pastoral resident, he is passionate about helping teenagers know and follow Jesus. He leads with a pastoral and resilient presence, relying on God’s faithfulness in every season.

Read the full profile here.

The Denominational Celebration
will be held
in Dallas, Texas, U.S.
on July 23-26, 2026.

Save your spot and register today!

We would love for you to participate in our time together. This gathering gives our fellowship time to worship, learn, and enjoy being together. The schedule offers steady rhythms of teaching, connection, and shared worship.

Our theme for this celebration is Kingdom Living. Throughout the event, we will explore how God invites us to participate in his life, reflect his goodness, and join his ongoing work in the world. The theme will guide our worship, breakout sessions, and main teachings. It will help us focus on the hope we share and the way we live it out in our daily lives.

Join us for:

• • • Daily worship setting a hopeful tone each day
    • Breakouts that explore discipleship, calling, and mission
    • Messages from our leaders, including Greg Williams
    • Interviews with leaders who will share insights and stories
    • Communion that reminds us of our shared life in Jesus
    • Time for meals, fellowship, and personal reflection