Category: Stay Connected

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.

SEP So Cal

This report is from SEP So Cal camp directors Anne and Mark Stapleton.

This summer SEP So Cal had 158 campers and 87 staff. We celebrated our 14th year as a GenMin camp, our fifth year meeting at Pine Valley Bible Conference Center (near San Diego), and the 50th anniversary of the founding of the SEP camp in Orr, Minnesota.

In keeping with the EPIC Story theme of GenMin’s 2015 camp curriculum, we used the idea of “story” to tell the story of SEP, using a timeline that stretched around the room (see below). As part of an opening celebration we pointed beyond the camp story and made sure that every camper and staff member knew they were part of the EPIC Story of God. To symbolize that inclusion, we had each person get up during a worship segment and place a colored dot on the timeline near the year they were born.

As in years past, this summer SEP So Cal was wonderfully diverse. We had participants age 18 months to early 70s; and participants who are African-American, Asian, Filipino, Hispanic, Middle Eastern and Caucasian. Sixteen states were represented at camp.

This year we added a horse program and rappelling for junior campers. For the senior campers we continued our equipping tracks where each chose a track to further their skills, education and ministry. The goal of these tracks is equipping youth to return to their home church, community and other places of influence so they can contribute to the growth of others, participate in church life, and simply help make the world a better place.

Pathways Camp, Ohio

This report is from Pathways camp director Aaron Frim.

In keeping with the EPIC Story theme, Pathways camp was once again an amazing experience. We had 49 senior campers, 27 junior campers and 8 mini-campers served by 54 staff members. About 20% of the staff members were first-timers. Pastor Jeff Broadnax served as camp chaplain, giving most of the chapel messages. There was much positive feedback from campers regarding the EPIC Story curriculum. That curriculum was adapted for use with the junior campers with Gary Weldon serving as story-teller.

Camp activities included archery, swimming, team-building, laser tag, woodworking, and dodge-ball. This summer we added bubble-ball (see picture at left). Once again we had life-equipping tracks for senior campers in photography, video, self-defense, worship, and missions. The missions track, led by Pastor Terry McDonald, was enhanced by the presence of two staffers and one camper from Colombia who came to Pathways to learn about running a camp in their own country.

In keeping with the missions theme, senior campers teamed up with 37 disadvantaged children from the local county who came to Pathways for an afternoon. Pastor Carrie Smith spearheaded this outreach, which has been going on at Pathways for several years. Carrie also led our inaugural CREW—a program in which we equip senior campers to become future staff members.

One day during camp we encountered a medical emergency and a torrential rainstorm. The combination reminded us that we are blessed to have on staff a registered nurse and three EMT/firefighters. One of our campers became ill and had to be transported to the hospital. Though he had to spend the night there, he was fine. That same night a storm flooded all roads in and out of camp and part of the camp grounds. We were left considering the reason behind these events. What was God’s plan, how did it fit into his EPIC Story? Perhaps it was the conversations that occurred between people later. Perhaps it was to prepare us to better face similar situations in the future. It definitely helped Pathways financially. The managers at the facility we use for camp decided to deduct one day’s rent, savings Pathways several thousands of dollars. In any event, we were reminded of God’s love and protection.

Here are reports of two recent events in GCI-Canada.

Elder ordained in Calgary

GCI-Canada National Director Gary Moore reports that during his recent visit to the Calgary congregation, he and his wife Wendy were privileged to participate in the ordination of Emily Lukacik as an elder. Emily and her husband Andrew (pictured at right) are long-time members and servants of the Calgary church.

Camp Connections fundraiser

Mark Yandt reports a successful fifth annual bike ride to raise money for GCI’s Camp Connections. A team of 15 riders (pictured below) raised a total of $13,400. Mark commented:

Not only did we raise more than in previous years, but almost 80% of our fundraising came from supporters with no previous affiliation with Camp Connections or with GCI. Our biggest fundraiser again this year was Karl Moore (in the red jersey below) who raised over $5300 and promoted the trip for months beforehand on Facebook and Twitter. He even posted updates during the ride and raised over half of his support during or after the ride was completed!

This update is from GCI-England Pastor David Bedford.

Seven years ago, our congregation in England moved to St. Andrew’s Church in Carr Clough and began to work together with them on combined outreach projects. Last year we began holding joint meetings the first Saturday of each month in what is known as “Messy Church” (www.messychurch.org.uk/).

Messy Church (one of our meetings is pictured at left) is for younger children accompanied by at least one parent or other adult. A theme is chosen for the meeting. Our first one was Abraham. At the start, a brief ten-minute explanation of the theme is given. Then, for the next hour, or so, the children work on various craft items related to that theme. We had one craft of sticking stars on a page to make a pattern. Another was drawing a beach with the sea, sky, sun, etc., plus sticking real sand on the beach. They could also build their own personal family tree as Abraham was a father to many nations. There was the opportunity of coloring a picture of the three men at Abraham’s door, plus other craft work. About eight different items were offered. As the children enter we give them a brown paper bag with their name on it to leave on a table and, as they complete each craft, it is popped in the bag to take home at the close.

At the end of the craft section a fuller explanation of the theme is presented and the children are encouraged to ask questions and join in. Two or three children’s hymns are sung followed by a closing prayer. Following that, a cooked meal is provided, giving the helpers opportunity to sit down with the visitors to chat and get to know them. We have one collection box at the food counter and another at the reception desk for any donations.

Including the helpers, we were graced at our first meeting with an attendance of 107, of which 52 were children. This was more than twice as many as both congregations combined. We had planned food for 60, but God did a loaves and fishes’ act and we had enough.

As the Messy Church book states, “expect lower numbers after the first meeting.” They were right; our attendance dropped to 49, then 36, in large part due to summer travel. For that reason we’ll probably not have meetings in August in future years. In September our number jumped back up to 92, and for the months from October through May the numbers have fluctuated between the low 50s to high 60s.

The “fruit” so far? The churches involved have grown closer and some Messy Church participants have begun attending church for the first time or more regularly. Most importantly, seeds have been sown that God, no doubt, will water when the time is right. One child who attended said this: “I like Messy Church because it’s lots of fun. It teaches us about God’s story in a different way.”

Leaders and their families from GCI congregations in France met recently outside Paris to review current activities and future plans. The conference was a time of much-needed reflection and fellowship with lots of laughter and good food!

During the conference, James Henderson, GCI mission developer for Europe (at center in the picture above), led interactive discussions on getting back to the basics of Christian ministry, and on comparisons between cultural and biblical Christianity. The group made plans for their annual worship festival in France—this year it will take place in Evian from October 17-24.

Here is a video produced by GenMin’s SEP So Cal camp in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the SEP camp in Orr, Minnesota. We encourage you to use the comments section below to post your own remembrances of SEP.

On YouTube at http://youtu.be/iIVUo0l6p1g.

For several years, GCI members from the Philippines have served as missionaries in Thailand. One of their ministries (pictured below), in partnership with other Christians in the community, is to serve incarcerated youth in the city of Rayong, Thailand. To read more about this ministry, go to http://my.gci.ph/rabim-opens-this-first-semester/.

In the U.S., GCI Generations Ministries (GenMin) is sponsoring several youth camps this summer. Here are reports on two held in Tennessee.

Higher Ground

This report is from camp director Natalie Sturgeon.

Higher Ground 2015 was EPIC! With 128 campers and 47 volunteer staff, it was a year for firsts in our second year in Townsend, Tennessee. We started camp with a flash mob lip- syncing the song Geronimo by the group Sheppard. I told the story of the origin of the word Geronimo, which fit well with the Epic Story curriculum. All week long campers yelled Geronimo! as they jumped off the diving board, climbed the high ropes and played laser tag.

On Sunday night we had a Block Party with campers running around doing silly games to gain points. On Monday the oldest boys dorm explored caves and the day conclude with a whole camp dance. On Tuesday the oldest girls explored caves, then Tuesday evening we held our most popular event, the Color Run Obstacle course. Wednesday was filled with gagaball, 9-square, laser tag, swimming, archery, cooking class, arts and crafts, climbing wall, high ropes, low ropes, hiking to the waterfall, dodgeball, kickball, ultimate frisbee, flag football, and blacksmithing. The day ended with a Variety Show, complete with our camp magician. Thursday was full of several firsts including canoe battleship in the pool and a lip sync contest. These activities gave the campers a great opportunity to learn a bit more about being who we are in communion with the Father, Son, and Spirit.

Friday featured pool parties and Highland Games (Caber Toss, Sheep Toss, Toss the Hagis and Kilt Run). Saturday morning everyone was sent off with final few words about being “dipped cones”—dipped in the Father, Son, and Spirit, surrounded by the love of the Trinity. Just like peanut butter is to jelly in a sandwich, we cannot be separated out from our Triune God.

Here is a Higher Ground 2015 video (on YouTube at http://youtu.be/2GdsjoBIly0):

Base Camp

This report is from camp director Wayne Wendt.

It was a joy to see what our Lord did at camp this year, once again held at Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park near Eva, Tennessee. We had 46 campers served by 24 staff members as we gathered an Epic adventure that will likely inspire our youth for a long time to come. With 23 girls and 5 boys making up our youth campers and 15 girls and 3 boys making up our teen campers, we set out on an adventure that included a block party, our historic “Night Furry,” an all camp dance, and for the first time this year, “Clan Wars.”

Epic Story was our curriculum, and we found the ideas and videos of great help in presenting the topic of God’s Trinitarian love for all humanity. To have the opportunity to share that love both in story and activities was nothing short of “good times.” Activities included crafts, journaling, team-building, nine square and target practice.

Following camp, one parent commented, “I’ve never seen a camp where the kids have fun and didn’t argue with the leaders!” Although we had fewer campers this year, we witnessed lives being changed as campers and staffers were given the chance to see how their stories fit into God’s Epic Story. Most importantly, the campers went away knowing they are loved.

Here is a video from Base Camp 2015 (on YouTube at http://youtu.be/V-xh7TFWbgI):

It’s always a joy to learn of baptisms in our congregations around the world. Recently seven people were baptized in New Outlook Christian Fellowship in Attalla, Alabama (pastored by Rannie Childress), and four were baptized in our church in Bogotá, Colombia (pastored by Hector Barrero). The pictures below show some of those baptisms (Alabama in the top row, Colombia in the bottom row). We praise God for this fruit of the gospel in our midst.