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.
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.
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.
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.
L to R: Denise and Hans De Moei, Santiago and Elke Lange
“My walk with our triune God and experience with church, family, and other relationships have been filled with trials and joy/triumphs.”
Pastor Elvison Parwar of GC Kutunse, Ghana, serves with humility, passion, and a deep commitment to building healthy church culture. Learn more about Elvison’s story here.
Join us in congratulating Pastor Justine “Jep” Paolo Parcasio, a frequent contributing writer to GCI’s publications, Update and Equipper! (Read his devotional in this issue here.)
On May 4, Justine was installed as the new Lead (Senior) Pastor of Grace Communion Baguio in Luzon, Philippines. The ceremony was officiated by Pastor Audie Santibañez, GCI Philippines National Director. The installation was celebrated on the last day of North Luzon Weekend Youth Camp.
It was a bittersweet scene as the Baguio congregation, campers, family, friends, and other local district congregations witnessed Pastor John Tinoyan step aside and pass the torch to Pastor Justine. Thank you, Pastor Tinoyan, for your faithful service!
For three days in late April, the Southeast Asia Leaders Conference was successfully hosted by GCI Malaysia. The participants were pastors and church leaders from the Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, and Malaysia. Asia Superintendent, Dan Zachariah and his wife, Mary, also attended.
The following topics were covered:
Fundamentals of Incarnational Trinitarian Theology by Aron Tolentino (Philippines).
Kingdom Culture and Kingdom Living by Devaraj Ramoo (Malaysia).
Theology of Healthy Relationships and Harmony in the Church by Dan Zachariah (India).
Development of GCI Asia towards Healthy Church (part 1) by Audie Santibañez (Philippines).
Development of GCI Asia towards Healthy Church (part 2) by Rex dela Peña (Philippines).
Development of GCI Asia towards Healthy Church (part 3) by Tim Andrew Rota (Philippines).
Nurturing Upcoming Leaders by Dan Zachariah (India).
One of the highlights of the conference was the lively interaction. Participants were actively engaged, and individual opinions and comments were a great benefit. The conference also had breakout groups that discussed the finer points of the topics that were presented. The participants enjoyed relaxing activities and dinner in the evenings.
On the Sunday, all the conference participants attended Sunday church service at the Klang congregation. Pastor Joselito Olaguer of Thailand and Pastor Chan Thleng of Myanmar gave split sermons.
It was very uplifting to see the grace and Kingdom Culture so vividly displayed among the members of the church. The presence of the Holy Spirit was so evident on all the days of the conference.
By Devaraj Ramoo, Pastor Klang, Selangor, Malaysia
“People must know who Jesus Christ is, and that they are to build their life with faith as Jesus as the pivot of our lives.”
Get to know Dawson Nathaniel, Love Avenue Champion in New Ashongman, Accra, Ghana. He’s passionate about neighborhood engagement and sharing the gospel wherever he’s called. Read more here.
How good and how pleasant for members of Christ’s Body to dwell together in unity! We’re called to work together toward being mature, equipped workers for the kingdom. It is encouraging to hear how these regions and congregations are dedicated to this purpose.
Bela-Bela, Limpopo, South Africa
A conference was hosted in Aruka center in March for the GCI pastors of South Africa. National Director Takalani Musekwa wrote: “We gathered for a historic pastoral conference, a moment that felt much like the people of Israel stepping into the land of promise with a brand-new culture.”
Waikanae, Wellington, New Zealand
“A House of Prayer” was the theme of this year’s Refresher Weekend. Thirty members from all over NZ, including six from our Masterton Filipino congregation, enjoyed a stimulating and challenging exploration of the importance of prayer in Christians’ lives.
After dinner together on Friday evening, I led an introductory session launching out of Jesus’ statement that “God’s house is to be called a house of prayer” (Matthew 21:13). I emphasized, “We are that house, so prayer must be an important aspect of our lives, and we are here to improve our prayer lives.” We concluded the session by viewing a short video by NT Wright, “How Should I Pray?”
Saturday began with another session on the Lord’s Prayer as an outline for our prayers. The ensuing weekend presentations covered the topics of “Worship in Prayer,” and “Prayers of Lament,” “Intercessory Prayer,” and “Praise in Prayer.” On Saturday evening, a Q & A session addressed questions submitted by the attendees.
Throughout the programme, there were several opportunities for members to pray individually and in small groups. For example, after explaining how the lament psalms show us that it’s never wrong to cry out to God in our pain, members wrote their own lament prayer, based on a situation important to them. Another time, members meditated and prayed through one of the psalms using a meditative prayer format known as Lectio Divina.
The programme was wrapped up with a reminder of the GCI-Australasia Vision Prayer. We are told to “devote yourselves to prayer” (Col 4:12) and to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kind of prayers” (Eph 6:18), and God tells us that he “inhabits the praises of his people” (Ps 22:3).
Here is just one of the positive comments received afterwards:
“Wow, what a weekend. Thank you for helping us to learn more about the different aspects of prayer. Instead of just mere words to God, there is now a more focused, open, deeper and faith-filled dimension in our prayers. “
By Dennis Richards, Pastor Palmerston North, New Zealand
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
In April, Grace Communion Cleveland hosted their annual LiLY Women’s Conference. A total of 72 women gathered for a time of fellowship, reflection, and renewal under the inspiring theme, “As He Has Forgiven You” (Ephesians 4:32).
GC Cleveland pastor, Tamar Gray, and the worship band set a powerful tone for the weekend. Attendees participated in a “Getting to Know You” activity.
GC Cincinnati pastor, Julie Frantz, shared a heartfelt message on forgiveness, emphasizing that it is not enabling abuse or seeking revenge, but rather a rejection of pride and a call to view life through Jesus.
Tess Scott, speaker and author, encouraged attendees to embrace forgiveness without shame, reminding us that God restores, and Jesus carried our burdens to the cross. Tess Scott also spoke on healing and forgiveness, emphasizing that Jesus paid our debt. She introduced four key principles: Remember, Release, Receive, and Rely. The evening concluded with moving testimonies that inspired reflection and healing.
On Sunday, Pastor Tamar Gray brought the LiLY Women’s Conference to a powerful close, urging everyone in attendance — including family members — to embrace forgiveness as a “new normal.”
As we reflect on these transformative messages, we eagerly anticipate all that the Lord has in store for 2026. Follow us on Facebook @lilywomensconference for more details.
Rosa (left) with Love Avenue Champion Pat Shiels
By Rosa Hulse, Women’s Ministry Leader Cleveland, OH, US
Pasadena, California, U.S.
Beginning on Wednesday evening, members of GC Pasadena gathered until Sunday for a retreat in April. God blessed us with good weather — snow the whole day on Saturday. We enjoyed plenty of food and relational bonding. And of course, we had games that everyone enjoyed.
Every day, after eating our breakfast, we began with worship and a devotional. We also watched and discussed Dr. Gary Deddo’s YouTube videos, “Who Are You Lord?” parts 1–4.
One person shared this highlight: “I want to share Jesus and engage in my neighborhood.” We ended our time together with communion.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Thank you, Lord.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms … — Ephesians 1:18-20 NIV
This month’s Prayer Guide invites us to pray for our churches and communities to live in resurrection-powered hope. Intercede with us and download the 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.
Although we all know that children are a gift from God, it had been quite a while since GC San Jose, CA was able to celebrate the birth of a newborn in our fellowship group. Most of our members are in the senior citizen category (or for lack of a better word — OLD). So it was with much rejoicing that we welcomed Sora Ann Guerrero to our church family. An after-church baby shower was planned for January 26, but baby Sora decided to arrive a few days before on January 21. She was determined to make her grand entrance on her mother’s birthday. Our shower was modified, but many brought gifts anyway. And we celebrated the birth of the healthy baby girl just without the guests of honor. Food and packages were delivered to the family, and we all waited with anticipation for the day when they could come to church.
Eight weeks passed before the happy parents brought Sora Ann to church. During church, Pastor Mel Dahlgren assisted by Richard Ely officiated a Blessing of Little Children Ceremony with our one and only small child. After church there was a time for food, fun, and fellowship with festive decorations, a delicious luncheon, and celebratory cake. More gifts and lots of love surrounded our newest church member and her parents.
To say our fellowship group is overjoyed would be an understatement. Whether it comes via spiritual regeneration, community engagement, or a baby’s presence, to see something new birthed in an older congregation teeming with love to share is amazing and creates such energy and joy. Yes, children are a gift from God, and this particular little girl is a precious gift indeed!
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!
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.
