Category: Stay Connected

This update is from Lee Berger, director of Crossing Borders, a GenMin mission trip ministry.

Fourteen international missionaries spent eight days sharing God’s love and the gospel with hundreds of people in Mexico June 21-29. For a few “old-timers” of Crossing Borders, this was the 17th trip to Mexico. For others, this was their first experience with international mission work. These missionaries came from Alaska, Colorado, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin—ages from teen to 80+. We all enjoyed working together to provide encouragement and resources to our Mexican ministry partners as we assisted in the ministry they provide on an ongoing basis to the people in their community, church and children’s home.

Economic challenges, political instability, criminal elements and other factors create very tough living conditions for many in Mexico. The good news is that these factors often lead people to seek stability and personal peace in spiritual foundations. It’s exciting for Crossing Borders missionaries to be able to share the hope of the gospel with these lovely people.

In the end, no matter what country or problem, it comes down to this: Jesus is the answer.

Throughout our years of mission trips, we have found that the main benefit we provide to our Mexican ministry partners is encouragement. They struggle with limited resources, unhelpful government, overwhelming social problems and satanic darkness. The apostle Paul sent Timothy on a mission of encouragement (1 Thessalonians 3:2-3) and we seek to emulate the same principle. By coming alongside our ministry partners, we give them a physical, mental and spiritual boost. As a result, they are rejuvenated, excited and thankful. And while we provide encouragement to them, we find that God provides encouragement and inspiration back to us through our partners.

Here are examples of our ministry activity on this trip, all in partnership with our Mexican friends:

• We gave testimonies, led in songs and served meals to over 200 mostly homeless people in an outdoor “Church in the Park” setting. We also handed out hot meals, bags filled with socks, toiletries, caps and T-shirts.

• We interacted with women and children refugees streaming across the border from Central American countries. We heard their amazing tales of travel danger, fed them, gave them Bibles and prayed for them.

• We treated a family we “adopted” two years ago to a half-day of recreation at a park and a swim outing.

• We purchased items for, packed and distributed 50 bags of food items for needy families. This was done as an outreach of a church to their unchurched neighbors, in an environment of singing Christian songs, hearing a Bible message, laughing and having fun. As a result, five people made a public commitment to follow Jesus.

• We provided lunch and fellowship to thank and honor the leaders of a church we have worked with for several years.

• We helped two ministry partners by contributing manual labor in the hot sun to clear brush and trash from properties they recently acquired for their ministry work.

• We conducted Vacation Bible School programs for over 50 children in a very poor neighborhood. In doing so, we helped a local pastor train his emerging leaders.

• We visited two children’s homes where we played with the children, did crafts, performed in costume a “superhero” skit with a Jesus-centered message, fed the kids hot meals, fixed homes and purchased household supplies. The hugs, laughs and happy faces of the kids melted our hearts.

Crossing Borders is being used by God to help encourage and train some of our Mexican GCI youth and young adults in outreach, leadership and other ministry skills. On our winter 2013 trip, four of them joined us and, on this summer trip, Samuel Mercado (a key Mexican youth leader from Guadalajara) joined us. We are hopeful that many more Mexican youth and adults can participate in future Crossing Borders trips.

God calls us all to be encouragers—far from home or in our own communities. Many reading this have been encouragers of Crossing Borders missions. For that, we thank you.

Participants in recent U.S. regional conferences were blessed to witness the ordination of Jan Taylor (pictured below left) who serves as an assistant pastor in the Nashville, Tennessee church; and Terry Lambert (pictured below center) who pastors the Abilene, Texas church. On July 13, GCI-Africa mission developer Kalengule Kaoma joined with several African pastors in ordaining Frederick Dwamena who serves the GCI congregation in Atwima-Koforidua in Ghana (Frederick is pictured below right with his wife Joyce). Congratulations to these three servants of Jesus and to their families and congregations.

This update is from Gary Moore, director of GCI-Canada and his wife Wendy.

We just returned yesterday evening from a wonderful week at SEP Silver Meadows near Edmonton. There were programs for teens, a Vacation Bible School (VBS) for preteens, and an apprentice program for young adults. Counting staff, we had a “village” of about 100 people sharing faith, fellowship and the blessings of life. Those serving in the kitchen did a great job feeding us, and the entire staff served as a harmonious team. Our goal was to point the young people to Jesus Christ, and we genuinely sought to participate in his work in each precious young life with which we were privileged to interact. Clay and Gillian Houghton served as co-directors of camp for the first time and did a splendid job.

One of the highlights of camp occurred Friday afternoon when four baptisms were conducted on the shores of Lake Nakamun. One woman came from the Edmonton church (she had several children in the VBS program); two were teen campers and one was a staff member. The group is pictured at left.

Another highlight was on Tuesday when pastor Bob Millman arranged for the seniors adults from the Edmonton church to visit the camp, joining the campers for lunch. These folks have been dedicated supporters of the camp for years and it was a pleasure having them join us.

Special thanks to pastors Leigh Smithson, Amy Pena, Steve Posiak and Bob Millman for their spiritual leadership and dedicated service during the week. They each made a unique contribution and the camp was blessed by their presence.

Our prayers are now with Camp Connections in eastern Canada. It’s in session July 20-29.

This update is from Anthony Mullins, national coordinator for Generations Ministries.

Recently I had the opportunity to be in New York City to join with 65 participants at New Heights Outpost—a streamlined version of GenMin’s Journey With the Master program (highlighted in the video below). The gathering was held at Wagner College (pictured at right) in Staten Island. Five GCI churches were represented: Manhattan and Queens, New York; Newark and Garwood, New Jersey; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was a wonderful day of sharing and learning.

One of the highlights of the day was a circle of prayer where those over 30 prayed for those under 30. I believe everyone sensed a unifying spirit of helping the up-and-coming generation while the younger ones voiced their need and desire to have older mentors and faithful examples of Christian living. There was a beautiful “togetherness.”

One of the sessions called for small group interaction and it was great to see young adults and teens being encouraged to be the small group leaders and presenters. Special thanks to Pastor John Newsom (Queens and Manhattan, NY) for organizing the event and working hard behind the scenes.

On YouTube at http://youtu.be/w3s8vsKAzqw. To learn more about Journey with the Master, go to http://www.generationsministries.org/leader-development.html.

Five leaders from GCI’s church in the south part of Manila, Philippines, recently graduated from the Asian School of Development and Cross-Cultural Studies (ASDECS). Receiving masters of transformational leadership (MLT) degrees were Eric Absalon, Adriano Ducay Sr., Romansito Guerrero, Ardel Magararu and Nomer Venus. Athos Parane received a diploma in tranformational leadership.

At the graduation ceremony, Dr. Paul Mohan Raj, director of accreditation of the International Council of Higher Education, noted how Jesus’ leadership transformed society through its inclusivity. Dr. David Lim, president and CEO of ASDECS, challenged graduates to “dare to make a difference” in the family and society by being agents for change and transformation. The program ended with a benediction from Dr. Reynaldo Taniajura (at left in the picture), GCI Philippines missions director and program director for the MTL degree program at ASDECS.

This update is from Rod Matthews, GCI mission developer in southeast Asia.

The inaugural session of Himalayan Bible School (HiBiS) held in Kathmandu, Nepal, concluded in May with its first graduation ceremony. HiBiS is an initiative of Deben Sam, the senior pastor of Himalayan Gospel Church. It is underwritten by the Mission Fund of GCI Australia.

This first HiBiS session began with 18 young men and women coming together from rural villages and the city of Kathmandu for an intensive three-month course, which preceded nine months of practical field work and application of what they had learned back home. Taught by Deben Sam, his brother-in-law, Raju and Pastor Thomas of their local Kathmandu congregation, the classes covered a range of biblical education and practical outreach and evangelism subjects.

The young people selected for this first HiBiS session were chosen from attendees of a mobile three-day Bible school, which Deben and a small team conducted last year in a number of rural villages where there was a congregation and/or people interested in the Christian message.

GCI has been involved in a partnership with the Himalayan Gospel Church for about eight years, providing literature and funding the translation and printing of literature which has been translated into the Nepali language for distribution to rural and urban pastors and literate Christians in remote villages; supporting a basic medical clinic offering free consultation and medicines to the poorest people such as brickyard workers and street sweepers; and among other things, contributing to the upkeep of 16 orphans that Deben and his extended family care for in their home in Kathmandu.

Deben’s goal is to conduct HiBiS as an annual event. After their period of practical service, and from those whose work is affirmed by their local congregation, Deben hopes that funds might permit a few be chosen to take up full time ministry and evangelism so that the good news can be spread further to reach the majority of people in Nepal who are not Christian.

Summer is a busy season for youth camps in GCI around the world. Here are reports from recently completed camps in the Philippines and in India.

Philippines

This year, three SEP camps were held in the Visayas region of the Philippines, serving a total of 145 campers. Some of the campers and staff had endured the horrors of the Bohol earthquake in October and supertyphoon Yolanda in November of 2013. These disasters occurred at the time camp planning normally would have been underway. Instead, GCI Philippines focused on disaster relief and rehabilitation. Nevertheless, God provided not only one camp in the Visayas, but three!

One of those blessed by these camps was Juvy, a camper from Tacloban, which had been “ground zero” for Yolanda’s devastation. During camp, Juvy tearfully recalled the tragedy in which her best friend died in the supertyphoon. She remembered how Tacloban residents had been going about their normal laidback ways (including karaoke and drinking sessions) the night before Yolanda hit. In the aftermath, some survivors wanted to “rent” her father’s acetylene torches for 50,000 pesos ($1150.00) so they could break into bank vaults. Her father refused. Several days later, GCI Philippines director Eugene Guzon and others visited and Juvy’s father was given 50,000 pesos in assistance! Juvy spoke about the goodness of God expressed through the church. This goodness raised the hopes of the downcast. Juvy was one of five youths at camp who, in being baptized, indicated their commitment to follow Jesus as one of his disciples.

India

GCI in India held a summer camp in early May in the city of Hyderabad. 40 campers, age 10 to 15 were served by eight staff members. Most of the campers were from the Faust School and friends of our children from church.

Each day, camp began with physical activity, breakfast, another round of games and then a Bible study and values education followed by lunch. After lunch campers rested for a while since the temperature outside was touching 40° Celsius (104°F). Evening programs began with tea and snacks at 4:00, then games and swimming until sundown. Children watched a movie before dinner and later updated their journals and retired for the day.

Pastor Dan Zachariah taught the Bible studies, explaining the love of God and how he made things possible for us to live in relationship with him. He also taught the children how to journal—reflecting on how they spent the day with their friends. Guidelines on public speaking were discussed in one of the classes and all the children were given the opportunity to deliver a speech. The importance of community service and being environmentally conscious were made known to the children. The children enjoyed picking up garbage and attempted cleaning jobs people usually don’t like to do in the community (see picture at left). Besides these activities, the campers enjoyed trekking, rope climbing, swimming and rain dancing.

The article below was published in a local newspaper concerning the community outreach of CrossRoads Christian Fellowship, GCI’s church in Tipp City, Ohio (the church building, referred to in the article as “CrossRoads Community Center” is pictured here).

TIPP CITY – Tipp City will be home to a cooperative project designed to feed the hungry, provide resources to the needy, and create vital community connections between all walks of life. ONE Market (which stands for Our Neighbors Empowered) will open on June 21 at the CrossRoads Community Center at the corner of Broadway and Third Streets. The Market will be held every Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The project is coordinated by CrossRoads ConneXions, a non-profit that operates out of the community center. Three primary programs will be housed under the ONE Market umbrella: One Bistro, Flea Market and FREE Market. Although the goal is to provide a hand up for those in need, the market theme and products will be of interest to all, organizers say.

“We invite everyone – regardless of your income level – to take part in this celebration of all that we have as Americans,” said Jim Valekis, Pastor of CrossRoads Christian Fellowship. “This is a chance to help those in need, to connect with others, or to enjoy our flea market goodies, educational opportunities, the amazing One Bistro meals and so much more.”

One Bistro – The One Bistro food truck is an extension of One Bistro Restaurant and “businestry” in Miamisburg, where renowned chef Rob Adamson uses his culinary skills and industry contacts to make a difference in the lives of others. “One Bistro exists to share love, give hope and provide a sense of community,” said Valekis, who quoted Adamson’s vision that the pay-what-you-can restaurant is “dedicated to serving our neighbors, the privileged and underprivileged, by giving a hand up not a hand out.”

“That’s the same spirit we will have at One Market – people coming together to share resources, knowledge, and their love for their fellow man. It will be fun, light-hearted, and just a great opportunity to touch lives and enjoy great food,” Valekis said.

The One Bistro truck provides Chef Rob’s acclaimed gourmet meals at pay-what-you-can prices. “Those with resources can enjoy a great meal and ‘pay it forward,’ if they like,” Valekis said. “Those without resources can eat, and, if they choose, offer some volunteer hours in return.”

The food truck – and the ONE Market concept – is open to residents from any community in the region. For those interested in offering volunteer hours in exchange for meals or products, ONE Market officials will attempt to connect them with volunteer opportunities in their own communities.

FREE Market – FREE stands for Food, Resources, Education and Empowerment. A variety of projects will fall under the FREE Market umbrella, according to Valekis. This includes a freecycling station with gently used household goods that can be traded or acquired at no charge, free classes on healthy cooking, exercise, or other topics and periodic features like a job fair, resume help, veteran’s services and wellness checks. The station will also offer a weekly grocery giveaway. Local grocers such as Dorothy Lane Market, Kroger and others donate their almost-expired but still perfectly edible food items to an area supplier, who makes them available to ONE Market. Additionally, organizers encourage non-profits from across the region to set up here on Saturday and offer help and resources, in addition to seeking volunteer support.

Flea Market – Will be a traditional flea market style set-up. Booths will offer gently used household goods at reasonable prices, as well as hand-crafted items, produce, arts & crafts and more. There will be no charge to set-up but vendors are asked to fill out an application and make a donation to CrossRoads ConneXions.

“We figure folks can come see us once they are finished shopping at the Tipp City Marketplace downtown. By stopping here for a lunch break they can try the gourmet meals served by One Bistro,” Valekis explained, adding that the food truck will be located at the downtown Marketplace in the morning and will move to the ONE Market site in time for its 11:30 opening. “The whole point of this project is to make connections…between individuals, organizations and agencies.”

This update is from Charles Albrecht who serves on the GCI-USA Church Administration and Development team.

In May, about 30 GCI denominational leaders from around the world gathered in Somerset, New Jersey, to meet with GCI president Joseph Tkach at the annual Mission Developers (MD) conference. The group met together on May 13–15, then on May 16-18 attended the U.S. regional conference being held at the same location.

During conference sessions, the MDs received updates on shared international initiatives and discussed how best to equip and coordinate GCI international mission efforts. The group also participated in exercises on transformational leadership and strategy facilitated by Dr. Jim Galvin, an organizational consultant who specializes in strategy, effectiveness and change.

In addition to covering current church and denominational business, the international team spent time focusing on future ministry and leadership needs. With this theme in mind, several international regions decided to send younger, emerging leaders to participate in the meetings with the MDs.

Each international region has its own gifts and challenges. Travel can be difficult and resources often are limited. In spite of these obstacles, it was encouraging to learn about many of the entrepreneurial ways the MDs visit remote and sometimes dangerous areas. Hearing their stories exposed conference participants to the big picture of what God is doing through GCI, and gave them new ideas for ministry. One example was South African MD Tim Maguire’s use of Google Translate to assist in gospel work, providing humanitarian assistance in Mozambique. The South African team won an award from Google for their work (to learn more go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8EZqDHKR6g).

The group also set aside time for ministry and family updates, leading into a time of mutual support and prayer. Located in many countries spread across five continents, the group highly values these times of sharing.

The morning before the start of the U.S. regional conference, some of the MDs took a tour of New York City. It was the first time most had visited the city and, although a little overwhelmed, they were able to such landmarks as Ground Zero, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Times Square. A highlight of the visit was to partake of some New York style pizza.

The MD team greatly appreciated being able to attend the U.S. regional conference. They enjoyed hearing what was happening in the U.S. and participating in the various equipping sessions. During the regional conference, a few MDs gave updates about their region.

The annual MD meeting provides an important connecting opportunity for the international areas of GCI. Recognizing the need to purposefully build and maintain contact, the group committed to focus on developing new types of connecting links going forward.

In this update, GCI-Netherlands national leader Frans Danenberg reports on the Pentecost celebration of GCI in the Netherlands.

On Pentecost Sunday, five of GCI’s Dutch congregations combined for an inspiring celebration in the city of Tiel. The 130 people in attendance (pictured below) represented many languages and ethnicities (Congolese, Burundese and Dutch). Several visitors attended as the result of a newspaper ad. Also attending were pastors and members from congregations interested in associating with GCI.

The celebration was a wonderful time of coming together, reflecting the theme, Unity through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).

In my sermon (see picture at right) I challenged the audience to tell more people about God’s great love for mankind and bear more fruit of the Holy Spirit.

A highlight of the service was the combined choir (pictured below) singing ¨How Great Thou Art.” After the service we enjoyed a good meal with excellent fellowship.