Category: Stay Connected

This update is from Carmen Fleming, who serves as a spiritual director for Odyssey in Christ Ministry.

In April, 13 GCI members gathered in Eureka, Missouri for a three-day Experiencing the Trinity retreat sponsored by Odyssey in Christ. The retreat, which was held at the Marianist Retreat and Conference Center, gave participants a lived experience with our Triune God.

One participant described the experience this way: “God the Father delighted me in his unexpected, tender, personal care. Jesus strengthened me for the future, healing long-held wounds and giving me a vision for the future. The Holy Spirit checked my wrong directions and bound me in unity, leaving me with joy and peace.” Another said: “We all need to learn more about the love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is active, living and dynamic. Real!”

Participants experienced God’s never-ceasing love and revelation of himself through creation, Scripture, community and the sacraments. There was opportunity to share creativity and good humor—seeing how Christ can be glimpsed in everything, including in roaring laughter.

The participants left the retreat with significant tools to help them continue to experience God. One participant put it this way: “This weekend shows how to make space for God and provides the tools to apply what he gives us.”

The three days of the retreat moved rhythmically from community to solitude; listening and action; ensuring that all who wanted to hear from God had opportunity, no matter their temperament or personality. One participant was surprised by the way God met him: “If you are willing, God is willing to meet with you. You may be surprised by God. You will leave with an experiential knowledge of God’s loving presence with you.” Another participant said: “It will help you come to know God and yourself more.”

This update is from GCI-USA district pastor David Gilbert

A common refrain from campers and staff members alike at GCI’s New Heights Camp in Connecticut is, “I wish we could have the atmosphere of camp when we go back home!”

For nearly a week, campers and staffers are treated to a “mountain-top experience” and then trudge back to their home churches where sometimes it’s the “same old thing.” In the district I serve, we have been trying something different that promises to give our young folks a quarterly taste of camp throughout the year. We call it New Heights Outpost.

New Heights Outpost brings together quarterly camp alumni within our district for a day of fun, food, fellowship and Christian instruction. The latest Outpost was held on April 12, hosted by 24/7 Community Church, pastored by Frank and Leslie Howard.

We all gathered at the Maplewood Community Center in Maplewood, New Jersey, where we had a time of exciting worship led by the young people of 24/7. That was followed by the inspiring testimony of teen Marsha Richards, who shared her struggles in life and how her relationship with Jesus makes a big difference for her. Following that, we had great instruction from GenMin national coordinator Anthony Mullins concerning how we can better become people of inclusion. A theme throughout the day echoed what will be taught at New Heights Camp this summer: “Be the Church.” We got together in small groups and discussed how our local churches could be more inclusive of all people.

We look forward to our next Outpost, which will be hosted in June by the Queens, New York congregation pastored by John Newsom.

Members and guests from several GCI congregations gathered at sunrise on Easter Sunday at Lingayen Beach in the Northern Luzon area of the Philippines to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The service was entitled “Panangidayew Ed Ililiwaway Agew” (meaning “Sunrise Celebration”). Eugene Guzon, GCI’s national director for the Philippines (pictured at right), welcomed attendees. This was followed by praise and worship and Easter messages from GCI pastors Napoleon Meimban and Adonis Caguioangasinan.

Following the service, Maria Aurelia R. Ibay who attends our Urdaneta Church, was baptized. The churches participating plan to have Easter Sunrise services at this location in future years.

This update is from Hector Barrero, GCI regional director for Latin America and pastor of the Bogota, Colombia congregation.

GCI members in Barranquilla and Bogota, Colombia expressed their deep appreciation to the Tkaches for their recent visit to Colombia. This was the first time that a president of our denomination visited Colombia. Members were impressed with Joe and Tammy’s accessibility, kindness and gentleness.

On April 18 (Good Friday), the Tkaches and Barreros visited the Barranquilla congregation, which is a one-hour flight from Bogota. They returned to Bogota the same day. In Bogota on Saturday afternoon, Tammy Tkach spoke on the freedom and responsibility we have in Jesus. Joseph Tkach then spoke about how God is working with our denomination around the world.

In worship services on Easter Sunday, Tammy spoke on the true rest that we have in Jesus and Joseph spoke about Jesus’ last words on the cross.

Several GCI members recently attended the Exponential Conference, East in Orlando, Florida. Those attending included the group pictured at right. Most are members of Hands for Christ Community Church, a newly planted GCI congregation serving the deaf community in Staten Island, New York and beginning to reach out through streaming video to groups of deaf people gathered elsewhere.

Mary Bacheller, Hands for Christ church planter and senior pastor, provided signing for deaf people during several of the sessions at the Exponential Conference (she is in the foreground of the picture below).

Mary reported that her group had a profound experience at the conference:

Our hearts were changed and our hands were moving. We were motivated and renewed in our commitment to spread the gospel. Every night we reviewed what we learned and discussed how we would implement it back home. This conference is a great way to get people involved by helping them experience for themselves the excitement of being disciples who make disciples.

This update is from Kalengule Kaoma, one of GCI’s mission directors in Africa. It reports on the aftermath of the flooding in Burundi, which was addressed in an earlier post here in GCI Weekly Update.

Many people in Bujumbura, capital city of Burundi, vividly remember the February 2014 floods that affected the city. Victims, especially, carry memories that will be part of their history. To check on how GCI Burundi members were coping with the aftermath of the flood, Kimani Ndungu, East Africa Area Pastor and I arrived in Bujumbura on a hot and humid morning in April.

Our host, Pastor Eugene Sibomana, met us at the airport and drove us to a hotel near his house. Before receiving an update on the status of the members, we got in a taxi and went to the hospital where the youngest Sibomana girl was receiving treatment for diarrhea. We prayed for both mother and child. The child was discharged from the hospital a few days later.

Over 60 GCI families were affected by the flooding. Pastor Sibomana told of how he woke up in the night and found that one wall of his bedroom had fallen. When he got off the bed, he stepped into floodwater. His home was extensively damaged.

“When we see clouds forming in the sky, we get out of our houses. We are afraid that strong winds will come again and blow off our roof,” said a woman who attends GCI. Although no life was lost among GCI members, many people suffered losses. Houses fell, clothes and beddings were swept away. Kitchen utensils floated away with swift-flowing floodwater. Children lost their books and school supplies.

Despite physical losses, our members are well. Our GCI home office sent $15,000 from the GCI Disaster Relief Fund, which Kimani and I took to Burundi. With these funds, we assisted over 200 people representing 60 families. Each family received 15 tin sheets for house roofing and 10 kilograms each of rice and beans. Students received notebooks and pens. Pastor Eugene Sibomana extended appreciation for the generosity of the GCI congregations and members in the U.S. who donated to the Disaster Relief Fund—they truly made a difference in the lives of those who were affected by the floods.

New Creation Fellowship held its inaugural worship service on April 13 in Binan City in the Philippines.

The new church is the outgrowth of small group Bible studies held beginning in 2005. The studies were conducted for children and adults by the husband-and-wife team of Nomer and Gemma Venus. Nomer will serve as the pastor, assisted by Gemma and other members of a pastoral team.

The initial Bible studies were mostly attended by the workers and family members of the business firm owned by Nomer and Gemma. Meetings were held under mango and acacia trees, until a concrete church building was built on the couple’s property. Since those meetings began, 60 people have been baptized, and 80 children have participated in a Vacation Bible School conducted in the summers.

At the inaugural service, area superintendent Rey Taniajura gave the sermon, there was a blessing of children service, a communion service, and the announcement that a prep school managed by the church will also be established by next year. Also, Gemma (shown in the picture at right) gave a testimony concerning the starting of the church.

This update is from Lorenzo Arroyo, mission director for GCI in Mexico.

GCI Mexico recently held its annual Training Conference for pastors and other congregational leaders over the Easter weekend. Held in Guadalajara, the event was attended by about 70 GCI Mexico adults (with about 120 adults and children attending the Easter service). Alfredo Mercado, national leader for GCI Mexico, coordinated event transportation, lodging, and meals.

A story of transformation

There are always special stories of inspiration told at these conferences, as the Spirit works within and among us. Here is one such story.

On the first day of the conference a woman named Lupita was moved to attend though she had never been to a GCI church service or activity. She had been depressed due to the death of her husband of 40 years, a loss that left her feeling empty and alone. But after attending women’s workshops on loneliness with Barbara Rogers, and on sharing your faith with Rita Arroyo, Lupita experienced an amazing transformation. She became a new woman—radiant, cheerful and full of new life in Christ! Several from the Guadalajara church befriended her and Lupita declared that she will never leave GCI, now that she has found a place to belong.

An emphasis on disciple-making

Lorenzo Arroyo conducted workshops on the need, call, and art of making disciples with an emphasis on casting nets and reaching out to the lost.

Heber Ticas led small group discussions on a missional model for pastoring that focuses on making disciples on the congregation’s “home turf.” He also led the youth in small groups, keeping an eye out for potential church leaders. He then hosted a dinner for young emerging leaders, sending them the message that GCI values and validates them as they prepare for church leadership.

During the conference, Samuel Mercado, national youth coordinator for GCI Mexico, announced plans for the third Mexican youth camp to be held at the end of this year. Natanael Cruz, who pastors our Mexico City congregation, announced the launch of a new video ministry geared toward the unchurched next generation.

In the evenings, event trainers took time to experience some of the food, culture and folklore that Mexico offers.

During the conference, Dan Rogers gave inspiring messages on faith and decision-making in the church, then at an uplifting Easter service he gave a moving sermon on Paul’s argument for the resurrection of Christ. Worship at the Easter service was led by Natanael Cruz,who offered dazzling keyboard arrangements of spiritual songs. Worshipers were moving and clapping to the music—it was a truly amazing Easter event!

Much thanks to the individuals and congregations in Canada, Washington, Oregon and California for the generous gifts that made this event possible. Praise the Lord!

In line with its 2014 theme, “Forward Together On Mission With God,” GCI-Philippines is conducting several youth camps this year. The first was held recently in Malaybalay City on the Island of Mindanao. It ran for six days, with 67 campers and 32 volunteer staff, mostly from GCI congregations in Mindanao and some from Manila City. About one third of the campers were first-timers at what camp director Pastor Rey Balistoy said was the longest camp held so far in Mindanao.

National Director Eugene Guzon was among the camp speakers. The teaching curriculum used was “Superhero,” produced by Generations Ministries. On the last night, campers shared by candlelight in a reflective and personal “Encounter” event. In the midst of the challenges they face, and in their quest for inspiration to move on, the campers drew assurance, healing, power and encouragement from knowing that Jesus, the true Superhero, is with them and for them.

The camp graduation ceremony was heartwarming, showing the depth of friendships made and the spiritual refreshment received, having focused on Jesus’ attributes of Gratitude, Courage, Hope, Integrity and Vulnerability, all compelled by his deep Love for all. Three campers were baptized on the last day of camp. At the closing ceremonies, everybody praised God for a spiritually enriching event.

On April 12, a group (pictured below) of 20 GCI pastors and leaders from California and Nevada known as the “SoCal cohort” held their first “mission field discipleship” meeting in Glendora, California.

Those invited to participate in the cohort are highly motivated pastors and ministry leaders who are interested in growing their congregations spiritually and numerically. The purpose of the cohort is to make disciples in the mission field using an organic process that includes engaging new contacts, sharing the gospel, discipling relationally in venues outside the church walls, and incorporating rhw new disciples into the body of the local church.

At the first meeting, regional pastor Lorenzo Arroyo made a presentation entitled, “rethinking evangelism.” He noted that evangelism and discipleship are two sides of the same coin that should be fully integrated. District pastor and church planter Heber Ticas led the group in sharing stories about disciple-making in their contexts. Church pastors Anne Stapleton, Manuel Ochoa, Glen Weber, Bermie Dizon, Ruel Guerrero, Enoch Palacios, Jose Luis Escalante, Angie Tabin and several others shared stories concerning their community engagement experiences. Those stories were then compared to events recorded in Luke and Acts.

The meeting concluded with prayer for more intentional engagement of those in need of experiencing the reconciliation that is already theirs, and for continued guidance and participation with what the Spirit is doing in their midst. In the next meeting, the cohort will tackle the nuts-and bolts of making new disciples in the mission field.