Stay Connected – Page 103

Updates from Thailand and the Philippines

Here is a link to a report on a GCI retreat in Thailand that ended with several baptisms:

http://my.gci.ph/retreat-in-rayong-thailand-ends-with-baptisms/

Here are links to reports on recent GCI festivals held in the Philippines:

GCI youth camps

Youth camps are a vital way that GCI participates with Jesus in advancing the Father’s mission to the world. Below are reports from some recent camps, beginning with a video in which GCI pastor Mike Swagerty appeals to other pastors to get involved in camp ministry.

On YouTube at http://youtu.be/kr7_BDXJ9f8.

YEP camp, Ghana

GCI Ghana conducted its first YEP (Youth Education Program) camp in August. Eight youths came from the community, bringing the total number of campers to 21. Activities included Bible study, Christian living, morning devotions, soccer, initiative training, music appreciation (see picture below left), computer appreciation, swimming, softball, hiking, camp services and kitchen services.

Camp Oasis, Tennessee (report from camp leader Carrie Smith)

This year the camp was changed to a day camp designed to connect with children residing in a nearby housing complex. The kids participated eagerly in the many activities, with most staying all day. We were blessed to partner with a local organization called The Learning Center and to have assistance from Wane Creager who has conducted a similar day camp for several years in Cincinnati. During the camp we shared the gospel a couple times with the kids. Each child went home with a water bottle, which had our church name, address and time of service and an invitation to join us for our potluck and service the next day. Though we didn’t see any of the kids or their families the next day, we have their contact information and will follow up as we continue developing a relationship with them. We plan to conduct similar camps in the future. We are excited to see where God leads! For pictures of the camp, go to https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.713317982085845&type=1.

SEP So Cal (report from camp directors Mark and Anne Stapleton)

This summer, we celebrated SEP So Cal’s 13th year of operation. God has done amazing things. We’ve seen campers come in as atheists and leave knowing that God loves them. We’ve seen young staffers pick up the mantle of leadership and soar. We’ve seen grandparents use their maturity, wisdom and life experience to encourage campers and staff. This year we had 162 campers, 90 staffers and 4 guests–it was a multi-generational and multi-ethnic group. 44% of the campers were first-timers with most receiving financial assistance.

Our “Hero” curriculum was provided by Generations Ministries. It was both fun and powerful—we used capes, masks, stories, analogies, movies and scriptures to talk about everyday heroes and to reveal the true Super Hero, Jesus Christ.

Once again we conducted a Knights & Daughters of the King purity session. This year it coincided with our 25th wedding anniversary, so we decided to renew our vows at the end of the session (see picture at right) as a vivid picture of the coming wedding banquet of Jesus with his bride, the church. At the end of the session, each participant received a hand-crafted ring to show God’s invitation and inclusion into a love relationship with himself.

This year was our fourth time to provide ministry equipping tracks for older campers. Participants spent two hours on each of five days learning new skills, discovering a lot about themselves, making friends with others who enjoy the same interests and meeting instructors who will become mentors. The ministry tracks included audio/visual tech, counselor training, dance ministry, discover your strengths, drama ministry, photography, public speaking and worship ministry.

The Rock, North Carolina (report from camp director Dennis Elliott)

God provided a spectacular new location for us this year. We had 77 campers, 9 mini campers and 43 staff. Our theme was Truth Is…. We discussed how God (who is Truth) defines truth (instead of it being defined by feelings or cultural norms). We talked about how Truth is the forever Incarnate Son of God, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. We talked about how Truth is unchanging—despite changes around us, God’s love, passion and existence are unchanging. We then applied this understanding of Truth to everyday life, noting that the Truth remains when the lights go out. We then acted out difficult life-situations many kids experience then discussed how the Truth is still with us when life gets tough. And then we talked about how the Truth is worth sharing with others.

Camp activities included paintball, dodgeball, 9-square, blacksmithing, arts and crafts, and zip lines. We also had a dance, a hostage rescue night (campers rescuing counselors in the dark, dodging staffers with flashlights), a talent show, a banquet and the Night of the Spear (where male and female campers were given challenges related to the analogy of a spear). There was amazing willingness on the part of campers and staffers to share their joys, sufferings and struggles. The Holy Spirit worked powerfully to strengthen relationships and promote healing. Here is a short video showing this year’s The Rock camp:

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

SEP Tahoe, Northern California (report from camp director Susan McKie)

Last August a team of members from several GCI congregations in Northern California started a brand-spanking-new youth camp at Lake Tahoe. It seems that God had been setting the stage for a while. He brought pastor Mel Dahlgren and me together at Converge West in 2013 to set his plan in motion. A team formed, and plans to find the perfect spot were laid out. After a lot of searching and praying, the idea of Lake Tahoe surfaced and everything seemed to fall into place. We found a breathtaking location on the shores of Lake Tahoe at an affordable cost. The accommodations at this 4-H camp were exactly what we needed. So I arranged for our newly formed team to visit for a weekend last October to check out the facilities and brainstorm. To my amazement, 28 people signed up to pay their own way, drive several hours and give up an entire weekend to help make this new SEP camp a reality. Truly a God-inspired commitment! Over the winter, the team met monthly to fine-tune plans. We then rolled out registration, utilizing new software (with help from Pam Morgan at GCI’s home office). We were ready to open our doors to campers and staff!

SEP Tahoe had the huge blessing of having Mark and Anne Stapleton as our first guest speakers. We chose GenMin’s Rooted curriculum for our first camp. It meshed perfectly with our SEP Tahoe theme: “How High, How Deep” (based on Ephesians 3:16-19), reflecting the great depth of Lake Tahoe and the great height of the surrounding mountains. The kids loved it.

In addition to the usual activities such as basketball and archery we had zany games, capture the flag, an obstacle course, Bunco, a carnival, canoes, kayaks, paddle boats and inner tubes and a speed boat to pull kids on tubes and skis. We also had line-dancing one night—many said it was their favorite activity.

The work God did during this first camp was amazing. A first-time camper told me she could feel the Spirit of God. What a privilege to have 50% of our staff experience camp for the first time! One told me that both of her first-time camper children were greatly impacted and she herself was different as a result. Here is a short video showing this year’s SEP Tahoe camp:

On YouTube at http://youtu.be/ddpJu9zEWq0.

Festival in Spain

150 GCI members, family and friends from 12 countries gathered recently in Majorca, Spain, for a worship festival with the theme, A Celebration of God’s Love and Grace in Jesus Christ. The messages were Christ-centered and practical. Members gave personal testimonies about what God is doing in their lives and churches. Festival activities included tours of Bellver Castle, Palma city’s historical quarters, an olive-wood craft factory and a pearls factory. The group also enjoyed a talent show where a good number of members performed followed by a family dance. Some hotel clients and personnel attended some of the services and the talent show. The bonds of love experienced by the group were enhanced by all staying in the same hotel.

Church planting summit

Last week, 24 church pastors, regional pastors and GCI ministry leaders (see picture below) gathered in Dallas, Texas, for a summit to discuss our continuing journey as a church planting movement. The summit, hosted by GCI Church Multiplication Ministries (CMM), helped clarify and advance a shared vision for church renewal and church planting.

Church planting consultant Tom Nebel (pictured at left), formerly the director of church planting for Converge Worldwide, addressed the summit, reminding the group that when we are on mission, we will always be engaged in mission-focused ministry. Tom provides coaching and consultation to CMM leaders.

During the summit, participants discussed how congregations, regional networks and CAD ministries (including CMM) can work together to help new GCI churches start and to help established GCI churches experience missional renewal. Also during the summit, long-time CMM leader Randy Bloom “passed the baton” as CMM national coordinator to GCI church planter Heber Ticas (see picture below). To learn more about Heber, click here.

In his new role, Heber will be responsible for coordinating the work CMM does in equipping church planters and helping GCI-USA churches and regional networks partner in an ongoing church planting movement. Randy, who will continue to be part of CMM’s leadership team, will be one of six regional pastors serving GCI pastors and congregations within the U.S.

CMM pass baton — Randy Bloom and Heber Ticas

commUNITY retreat

About 70 participants (pictured below) from six GCI congregations in the Northwest gathered recently for the second annual commUNITY retreat held at the Christian Renewal Center in Silverton, Oregon.

The retreat’s theme of unity was anchored on Jesus’ prayer in John 17:21, “[My prayer is] that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” Participants renewed and deepened friendships, experienced spiritual growth through small group discussions and devotionals, and sang praises to the Lord. They were encouraged to reflect on the profound unity that is grounded in the unity that the Son has with his Father through the Spirit. Everyone shared how that kind of unity is reflected in one’s personal and congregational life.

Several members provided entertainment during a Talent/UnTalent Show. There was lip-synching of a song from the movie Frozen, a trio performed a Broadway number (see picture at right), there were stand-up comics, and flute and saxophone productions.

Dr. Brad Harper, professor of Bible and Theology at Multnomah University, presented a talk entitled “Christianity and Homosexuality: One Straight, Male, Evangelical Theologian’s Journey.” The talk addressed what it looks like for the church to love its gay neighbors in a biblical, Christological (incarnational), Trinitarian way. Participants appreciated Dr. Harper’s compassionate approach and described it as a thought-provoking and much-needed dialogue.

Philippine members attend NYC summit

Rey Taniajura, missions director for GCI Philippines, reports that he and three other GCI Philippines members recently attended the fifth Global Summit of the 4/14 Window Movement, held in New York City. The movement helps churches and Christian organizations equip and mobilize children age 4 to 14, along with their families, in order to advance holistic transformation in their respective communities, nations and regions. More than 1,100 participants from 82 countries attended the summit, which focused on best practices.

During their time in New York, the GCI delegation attended the worship service of GCI’s Queens congregation. Dr. Taniajura (at right in the picture) addressed the congregation to brief them on the summit.

As a result of what the GCI members learned at the summit, they are considering shifting one of GCI’s Philippine churches to a 4/14 model where the focus would be not only on serving children within the congregation but also ministering to children outside. One of the GCI delegates to the summit, Sylvia Roxas, agreed to develop a children’s discipleship curriculum that will be part of GCI Philippines’ Discipleship Pathway (D-Star) initiative.

Bangladesh mission update

GCI elder John Biswas returned recently from a mission trip to Bangladesh. The trip was complex and dangerous, given the fanaticism in the region (including ISIS activity). According to John, “hundreds of people from all walks of life responded whole-heartedly” to the gospel.

John travels under the auspices of the Bengali Evangelical Association (BEA), a non-profit entity that John set up separate from GCI for the purpose of mission work in Bangladesh and other places where there are concentrations of Bengali people. This arrangement is useful due to John’s close ties to the Bengali people and his specific knowledge of their culture, including religious sensitivities.

Because BEA’s work in Bangladesh has proven to be an effective means for spreading the gospel, over the last two years GCI has contributed about $120,000 to BEA. Those contributions have come from denominational funds, including the Disaster Relief Fund.

Pictured below are pictures from John’s recent trip to Bangladesh, showing what BEA is doing to raise up gospel workers, feed the hungry, provide vocational training (in this case, training nurses) and caring for children.

New CAD-USA structure

Members of GCI’s U.S. Church Administration and Development (CAD) team met recently in Dallas, Texas, to discuss the restructuring of CAD that will be implemented fully by January 1, 2015. GCI senior pastors and pastoral care team members in the U.S. recently received a letter from CAD associate director Greg Williams that outlined the details, including the vision, values, mission, core ministries and regional structure that will carry GCI in the United States into the future (Greg will become the director of CAD in January when Dan Rogers, the current CAD director, retires). Much of the information covered in Greg’s letter is highlighted below. The video shows excerpts of Greg’s presentation at the Dallas meeting.

On YouTube at http://youtu.be/3iq0OrQA4zs.

A key part of the new CAD structure is the formation of six U.S. administrative regions to replace the current district structure in January, 2015. Below is a map showing the boundary of each region. Following that are lists identifying the regional pastor and congregations within each region. In announcing this new structure, we also extend our deep appreciation to the men who have served for several years as our U.S. district pastors.

(1) West Region: Lorenzo Arroyo, regional pastor

• Eugene & Salem, OR
• Port Angeles, WA
• Olympia, WA
• Portland, OR & Vancouver, WA
• Port Orchard, WA
• Federal Way, WA
• Tacoma, WA
• Seattle-Bellevue, WA
• Klamath Falls, OR
• Medford, OR
• Bend, OR

Tim Sitterley (associate regional pastor) and his wife Linda — Tim Sitterley (associate regional pastor for the northwest area) with his wife Linda

• Coeur d’Alene, ID & Spokane, WA
• Boise, ID
• Missoula, MT
• Helena, MT
• Anchorage, AK
• Kenai, AK

• Sun Valley & Los Angeles, CA (Spanish)
• Hawthorne, CA (Spanish)
• Santa Fe Springs, CA (Spanish)
• Santa Ana, CA (Spanish)
• Moreno Valley, CA (Spanish)
• Pasadena, CA (Spanish)
• Howell, NJ (Spanish)

• Elko, NV
• Green River, WY
• Casper, WY
• Salt Lake City, UT
• Phoenix, AZ
• Cottonwood, AZ
• Tucson, AZ
• Honolulu, HI

• Sacramento, CA
• Modesto, Santa Rosa & Fairfield, CA
• San Jose, CA
• San Francisco, CA
• San Leandro, CA
• Watsonville, CA
• Redding & Chico, CA
• Reno, NV
• Visalia, CA
• Fresno, CA

• Eagle Rock, CA
• Pasadena & Los Angeles, CA
• Chatsworth & Ventura, CA
• Los Angeles, CA
• Long Beach, CA
• Beaumont & Victorville, CA
• Antelope Valley, CA
• Central Coast, CA
• Orange County, CA
• Glendora & Rancho Cucamonga, CA
• Las Vegas, NV
• San Diego, CA

(2) South-Central Region: Mike Rasmussen, regional pastor

• Wheatland, WY
• Cheyenne, WY
• Denver (North), CO
• Denver (South) & Colorado Springs, CO
• Pueblo, CO

• Oklahoma City, OK
• Tulsa, OK
• Van Buren, AR
• Wichita, KS
• Tontitown, AR
• Amarillo, TX

• Kansas City, MO
• St. Joseph, MO
• Topeka, KS
• Kirksville, MO
• Omaha, NE & Sioux City, IA
• Scotts Bluff, NE
• Springfield & Joplin, MO

• Dallas (Central), TX
• Dallas (North), TX
• Euless, TX
• Burleson, TX
• Azle, TX
• Antlers, OK
• Albuquerque, NM

• Houston, TX
• San Antonio & Victoria, TX
• Harlingen, TX
• Odessa, TX
• Austin, TX
• Abilene, TX

(3) North-Central Region: Rick Shallenberger, regional pastor

• St. Paul & Champlin, MN
• Fargo, ND
• Minot, ND
• Sioux Falls, SD
• St. Cloud, MN
• Duluth, MN
• Appleton, WI
• Bloomington, MN
• Wisconsin Dells, WI
• Rochester, MN
• Eau Claire, WI
• Wausau, WI
• Orr, MN
• Dickinson, ND

• Cicero, IL
• Manteno, IL
• Madison, Rockford & Janesville, WI
• Madison, WI (Spanish)
• Chicago (NW) &, Joliet, IL
• Chicago (N), IL & Kenosha, WI
• Harvey, IL
• Milwaukee, WI
• West Bend, WI
• Watertown, WI

• St Louis, MO
• Des Moines, IA
• Hillsboro, MO
• Warrenton, MO
• Lake of the Ozarks, MO
• Alton City, IL
• Belleville, IL
• Macomb, IL
• Davenport, IA

• Grand Rapids & Ravenna, MI
• Fort Wayne & Elkhart, IN
• Chase, MI
• Michigan City, IN
• Freeland & Flint, MI
• Kenockee, MI
• Livonia, MI
• Detroit, MI
• Toledo, OH
• Cleveland and Akron, OH
• Lorain, OH
• Tipp City, OH
• Columbus & Chillicothe, OH
• Indianapolis, Lafayette, Terre Haute & Hope, IN
• Richmond, IN

(4) East Region: Randy Bloom, regional pastor

Randy Bloom with his wife Debby — Randy Bloom with his wife Debbie

• Meriden & Stratford, CT
• Montpelier, VT
• Holden & Waltham, MA
• Windham, ME
• Bangor, ME
• Providence, RI
• Loudon, NH
• Queens & Manhattan, NY
• Staten Island, NY
• Schenectady, NY
• Lake George, NY

• Rochester, NY
• Syracuse, NY
• Buffalo, NY
• Olean, NY
• Canfield, OH
• Fredonia, NY
• Marion, OH
• Jenners, PA
• Washington, PA, Wheeling, WV & Cambridge, OH
• Pittsburgh & Indiana, PA
• Mount Pleasant, PA
• Mineral Wells & Summersville, WV

• Cincinnati East, OH
• Cincinnati West, OH
• Ripley, WV
• London, KY
• Bowling Green, KY
• Paducah, KY
• Hazard, KY
• Pikeville, KY
• Mt. Sterling, KY
• Louisa, WV
• Lexington, KY
• Memphis, TN
• Jonesboro, AR
• Jackson, TN
• Nashville & Murfreesboro, TN
• Clarksville, TN

(5) Mid-Atlantic Region: Paul David Kurts, regional pastor

• Garwood, NJ & Philadelphia, PA
• Lakehurst, NJ
• Newark, NJ
• Hillsdale, NJ
• Middletown, NY
• White Plains, NY
• York, PA
• Selinsgrove, PA
• Blossburg, PA
• Wilkes Barre, PA

• Baltimore, MD
• Virginia Beach, VA
• Richmond (South), VA
• Smithburg, MD
• Cumberland, MD
• Seaford & Elsmere, DE
• Front Royal, VA
• Roanoke, VA
• Richmond, VA
• Washington, DC

• Marion, SC
• Wilmington, NC
• Charleston, SC
• Fayetteville, NC
• Columbia, SC
• Savannah, GA
• Augusta, GA
• Raleigh, NC
• Wilson, NC
• Charlotte, NC

• Hickory, NC
• Greensboro, NC
• Kings Mountain, NC
• Morristown, TN
• Cookeville, TN
• Crossville, TN
• Asheville, NC

(6) Southeast Region: Ted Johnston, regional pastor

• Longview, TX
• Tyler, TX
• Big Sandy, TX & Texarkana, AR
• Batesville, AR
• Pine Bluff, AR
• Russellville, AR
• Nacogdoches, TX
• Beaumont, TX
• Lake Charles, LA
• Shreveport & Monroe, LA
• Baton Rouge & Lafayette, LA
• New Orleans & Hammond, LA
• Jackson, Hattiesburg & Meridian, MS
• Greenwood, MS
• Natchez, MS

• Chattanooga, TN & Murphy, NC
• Decatur, AL
• Monroeville, AL
• Mobile, AL
• Geneva, AL
• Montgomery, AL
• Birmingham & Good Hope, AL
• Attalla, AL
• Atlanta, GA
• Dallas, GA
• Buford, GA
• Athens, GA
• Snellville, GA
• Columbus, GA
• Macon, GA

• Jacksonville, FL & Woodbine, GA
• Thomasville, GA
• Tallahassee, FL
• Orlando & Melbourne, FL
• Gainesville, FL
• Port St. Lucie & Pompano Beach, FL
• Miramar, FL
• Miami, FL
• Ft. Myers, FL
• Plant City, FL
• Clearwater, Ocala & Bradenton, FL

Friends and Family Day in Jacksonville

About eight years ago, Christian Family Fellowship, GCI’s congregation in Jacksonville, Florida, began holding “Everybody Come To Church Day.” Though designed primarily to encourage all the members to attend on the same day, many members brought guests with them. And so the event was renamed “Friends and Family Day.”

According to senior pastor Marty Davey, in the early years the event drew 20 to 30 guests. But when the congregation began giving prizes to the member who brought the most guests, and the event was moved from September to October (cooler weather away from the busy beginning of school season), the number of guests began to increase.

Concerned that they wouldn’t have enough seating in their sanctuary, the congregation stopped offering the prizes. Nevertheless, this year about 75 guests attended! The event always features special musical presentations from the congregation’s outstanding gospel choir (pictured on stage above). This year it also included a youth praise dance (pictured below).

The goal of Friends and Family Day is to introduce guests to the church where their family and friends attend and to show them hospitality in a worship service and a meal that follows. This is done to foster good relations and unity in the greater Body of Christ (some guests are members of other churches) and to connect with unchurched people to help them begin a journey as disciples of Jesus in the fellowship of the church. Over the years, several people from the community have begun that journey at the event and now are active members of the congregation.