Category: Stay Connected

GCI in the nation of Cameroon (central Africa) is led by Pastor Jean Ndoudoumou (pictured below, at right) who serves alongside a committed group of united leaders. Though financial challenges abound, GCI’s members in Cameroon are being inspired to put their hope and trust in God who is able to supply all their needs.

GCI’s congregations in Cameroon recently held a special celebration that featured presentation of ordination certificates to elders ordained last year, and the ordination of ten new deacons from a recently planted GCI congregation in the town of Makak (central Cameroon). Cameroon churches also recently participated in a youth camp organized by GCI Pastor Victor Balinga. This interdenominational camp served close to 300 young people.

A new GCI church plant in Bimbia (southwest Cameroon) is thriving. Bimbia is a religious community where Christianity came alive when a Jamaican missionary, Joseph Merrick, landed there in 1843 (see the plaque, above). However, many who received the gospel became disappointed and discouraged in their walk as Christians. Through outreach activities, GCI’s members in Bimbia have been flaming the hope of salvation. As a result, men, women and children are returning home to Jesus where they are finding his love and grace.

Hector Barrero, GCI’s mission developer for Latin America, reports that a new GCI church is being started in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Accompanied by GCI leaders from Angola, Africa, Hector recently met with the leaders of the new congregation (see picture below; Hector is at center).

During Hector’s visit, the congregation held special services for three days. Services on Friday and Saturday were held in a rented hall in the center of Sao Paulo where many African immigrants live. About 25 people attended each day. Then on Sunday, services were held at a member’s home where about 30 people, plus children, attended (see picture below). All the services where enlivened by Christian music with an African touch.

Hector reports great enthusiasm among the GCI leaders and members in Sao Paulo. With their gifts of preaching and music, their future as a congregation, despite financial limitations, looks bright.

Here are reports from two recently completed GCI youth camps.

SEP Tahoe

This new GenMin camp was conducted for the second year in the beautiful setting of Lake Tahoe near the Nevada/California border. The 60 campers (a 43% increase from last year) were served by 41 staff members led by camp director Susan McKie. The staff included eight pastoral leaders from five different GCI congregations. Activities included camp chapel, archery, capture the flag, line dancing, skits, human foosball (a big success), an obstacle course on the beach, water skiing, boating and tubing.

SEP Silvermeadows

Held in Alberta, this GCI-Canada camp is led by Clay and Gillian Houghton with a staff dedicated to pointing campers to a real relationship with our Triune God. GCI-USA intern Andy Rooney joined the staff this summer. Andy’s passion for Christ, as well as his ability to identify strongly with youth and youth culture (he has been a professional rapper) added to the spiritual tenor of the week.

Grace Communion Seminary (GCS) now publishes a newsletter titled GCS News. To download the first issue, in which new GCS president Gary Deddo shares part of his personal story, click here.

Here are links to reports on recent events in GCI-Philippines:

• http://my.gci.ph/gci-pampanga-celebrates-38th-church-anniversary/
• http://my.gci.ph/gci-sta-rosa-414-window-team-echos-learnings-to-davao-city/

Here is a video from GenMin’s SEP Rockies summer camp, held recently in Colorado.

On YouTube at http://youtu.be/ZipgYwrZt_Y.

In addition to its ongoing gospel work in Bangladesh, the Bengali Evangelical Association (BEA), which is led by GCI members, holds multicultural gatherings for fellowship and worship in San Bernardino, California. Below are pictures from some of those gatherings. BEA also recently held a “Summer Kids Camp” in the same location.

This update is from Nancy Silcox

GCI in the United Kingdom held its annual Ladies’ Conference in May at the High Leigh Christian Conference Center, just north of London. The theme of the conference was Acceptance in Christ. Over 40 women attended.

Each conference session began with worship with solos, a quartet and praise dance. We heard from a variety of speakers. The opening address by Jackie Mill reminded us that we are one family, sisters in Christ. Guest speaker Marie Angelique Picard, GCI national coordinator for France, brought us two powerful messages. The first was about how God has his own timeline and how we can change the way we look at things! The second was about God being “The Anchor of Your Soul”—we do not need to give excuses for our failings, just trust in the mercy and grace in Jesus Christ.

Margaret Rose, in a talk entitled “To Hell And Back,” courageously shared her journey through depression, which occurred after she had a reaction to medical treatment. Jackie Mill then looked at the subject of “Being A Helpmeet,” with a video clip showing how changing your words can change your world. Other speakers included Jeni Ozumba, who contrasted human acceptance with God’s acceptance; Ashley Thompson, who gave a talk entitled “The Gender Agenda” that made us think carefully about society’s view of the female gender; Linda Halford slouched up to the front in a hoodie and an iPod and presented “Teenage Matters” about the dramatic development of the teenage brain. Irene Wilson then discussed some of the difficulties of growing old gracefully, explaining that “The Golden Age Is Before Us Not Behind Us.”

On Saturday evening we gathered for Music and Entertainment led by Beth and Eva from Scandinavia. The songs were punctuated by a quiz, skits and jokes, enhanced by cheese, champagne and chocolates. The conference ended with worship led by Jackie Mill, and communion led by Jean Dougall. Jean reminded us that as we take the bread and wine, we accept Christ’s sacrifice and participate in his life.

24-7 Community Church, the GCI congregation in Newark, New Jersey, has emphasized youth ministry for many years. As a result, they have many children and teens who are active in the congregation as evidenced by a recent celebration for seven teens who recently graduated from high school. The update below is from Eleanor Elcock and Cherri Long.

Embedded in the heart of Newark, New Jersey, our congregation recently celebrated the success of seven African-American high school graduates (five are pictured below). Under the tutelage of 24/7 Pastor Franklin K. Howard, these young adults have attended 24/7 since they were children. Naya Martinez, Joletta Robertson, Nashaya Lyons-Watson, Portia Thompson, Juwan Elcock, Derrick Knight, and Jesse May are all college bound.

We honored the graduates and their families with a banquet attended by about 50 people. It began with a meal of some of the graduates’ favorite foods, then Pastor Frank addressed the graduates and the group played a game consisting of five pieces of candy, each representing a question about the graduates’ futures. Wow, we were blessed by the answers! One question had to do with what humanitarian effort they would like to champion. We were excited when they spoke about supplying countries with books, helping wounded soldiers, teaching in countries where education is needed, and a benefit concert to bring help to war-torn Dafur.

Following that, the first-year college students in our congregation gave helpful advice to assist our high school graduates in acclimating to college. As these young adults spoke, it was evident that they are Christ-centered and prepared to make a difference in this world.

The celebration ended with Pastor Frank presenting each graduate with a Bible and gift card (see picture at right). The seniors then thanked the congregation for caring for them.

Our high school graduates have developed into loving and compassionate Christian young men and women. Praise God, they did it!

We’re pleased to report that Grace Communion Seminary (GCS) was recently notified that the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), in a meeting on June 26, voted to renew GCS’s accreditation through June 2020. The letter notifying GCS of this good news said this:

In receiving renewal of accreditation, GCS has demonstrated its commitment to educational standards and ethical business practices that assure quality, accountability, and improvement in higher education. The scope of GCS’s accreditation extends to the programs listed below.

• Master of Pastoral Studies (MPS)
• Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
• Master’s-Level Continuing Education Courses (MCLE)

In passing on the good news, Dr. Gary Deddo, the new president of GCS, wrote this:

Congratulations to all who contributed to the monumental effort that has brought GCS to this point. Most especially thanks should be extended to Dr. Russell Duke who so ably and with great perseverance led the charge.