Grace Communion Bowling Green, the GCI congregation meeting in Bowling Green, Kentucky, recently celebrated its 46th anniversary. The celebration was held during the weekly worship service and included honoring five member couples married for over 50 years. Member Brenda Maxie offered an inspiring testimonial concerning how she came to know and trust Jesus in prison and then became a GCI member. The celebration included a catered meal. Here are some pictures:
As reported by pastor Mary Bacheller, Hands for Christ Community Church, GCI’s new church for the deaf in Staten Island, New York, continues to make progress. Part of that progress involves multiplying additional churches for deaf people. Toward that end, Mary is working with GCI members in Texas and West Virginia (see pictures below) to start new churches for the deaf in their areas. As a first step, groups are meeting in both locations to participate through live streaming video in the Hands for Christ worship services each week.
Mary recently conducted a special session of GCI’s Church Next Training (CNT) for the Arners and Hottles to equip them for taking next steps in planting their new churches. Here, as reported by the participants, are some of the CNT take-aways:
The two groups will be writing down where they see themselves in three years and their plans to get there. They will discuss these plans via video conference as they continue working together toward starting new churches for the deaf within GCI. We invite you to join them in prayer as they journey forward.
GCI’s congregation in Big Sandy, Texas recently participated with five other area churches in the 11th annual Big Sandy Community Vacation Bible School (VBS). A project of the Big Sandy Ministerial Alliance, the VBS was held in GCI’s church building. Pastor Liz Elkins of Gospel Lighthouse Church directed the VBS, GCI member Sarah Strub served as co-director, leading staff members representing the participating churches. About 65 children were served by 36 staff members. On family night, there were over 100 in attendance.
The theme for the VBS this year was “Remember…Joseph!” with the teaching portion led by a different pastor in the community, including GCI pastor Sonny Parsons. A worship band composed of members from GCI and another church provided music.
GCI member Jerome Ellard reflected on the results of this VBS: “Pastor Parsons has done a wonderful job of taking our congregation from the ‘mysterious church’ three miles down the road behind the white fence at Ambassador University, to an active, contributing part of the Big Sandy community, located right across the street from the Big Sandy post office.”
Here are pictures from the event (click to enlarge):
This update is from Tori Emerson, a member in GCI’s Kenmore, Washington congregation.
This past Memorial Day weekend, seven young adults from Christian Family Fellowship in Kenmore, Washington (Seattle area), met for the third session of Generations Ministries’ mentoring program, Journey with the Master. The legendarily rainy Pacific Northwest weather favored us with sunbreaks as we got into the weekend.
It was a great blessing to be able to get together with all of the young adults, our new pastor and his wife, Wayne and Patty Mitchell, as well as to have Anthony Mullins, GenMin national coordinator, fly across the country to lead us.
Before the weekend began, Anthony and Pastor Wayne had decided to shift the focus of the session from its regular topics to addressing our identity in Jesus. The change, as well as the entire weekend, was definitely Spirit-led! We greatly benefited by taking time to delve into who we all are because of the love our Savior freely gives us.
Besides our discussions, we were able to worship, eat together, play football out in the yard and take turns learning to cruise around on the lawn mower! The weekend ended with some personal sharing that helped us grow closer as a group of believers committed to encouraging each other. After sharing communion, we joined the rest of our church family at a BBQ.
With each Journey with the Master we have, we grow and learn more about ourselves and each other. We recommend JWM for any congregation or larger area. Anthony has been great in working with us to help adapt JWM for a smaller group. To learn more about Journey with the Master, click here.
A ministry training seminar was held recently on the island of Martinique. Forty-seven leaders (pictured below), representing seven Caribbean islands participated in an intensive class in Christian Leadership offered by Ambassador College of Christian Ministry (ACCM). Seventeen of the participants received additional training to prepare them to teach the class to others.
The event sprang from the vision of Kernani Cheny, one of GCI’s pastors in Martinique. Kernani invited ACCM leader John McLean from Australia to come to Martinique to accredit instructors. Though unable to make the trip himself, John sent U.S. leaders Greg Williams and Charles Fleming to conduct the class and then to work with the smaller group of 17 (pictured below), to accredit them to teach the class to others.
On the final day of the event, the group discussed plans to offer the class to other groups in the Caribbean in upcoming months. The group also committed to meeting again in Martinique in June 2015 to be accredited to teach ACCM’s “Jesus and the Gospels” class. The goal is to accredit instructors to teach at least four of ACCM’s core classes.
Charles Fleming commented: “It was exciting to see this cooperative effort by GCI leaders from different regions of our denomination. ACCM is administered by GCI in Australia, the course instructors came from GCI-USA and the students came from various parts of the Caribbean. Over the past few years about 30 Caribbean leaders have taken at least one of ACCM’s 10 courses. They found them to be extremely helpful and that created not only a desire for more, but a vision for training ACCM instructors in the Caribbean. Those in Martinique (who are French speaking) have indicated a willingness to travel to French-speaking congregations in Africa if there is an interest among those congregations for taking ACCM classes.”
To learn more about ACCM, go to http://www.ambascol.org/.
GCI Missions Philippines, headed by Dr. Rey Taniajura, visited Seoul, South Korea in May on a short-term mission trip. Eleven GCI members along with seven people from other churches participated.
The group was hosted by the Jesus People Church in Seoul. From there they traveled to Paju City near the North Korean border where they prayed for the reunification of the people of North and South Korea. The group also visited a memorial to the Korean War that includes a tribute to the Filipinos who fought beside the South Koreans in that war.
Back in Seoul, the group received street evangelism training. They reviewed and practiced sharing the gospel with each other, then worshiped together, singing and dancing for God’s victory over the streets of Seoul. Following lunch they paired up with young people from the host church and went to Korea National University and Cheongnyangni Train Station where they shared the gospel with everyone they met. Though they experienced some rejection, they made many new friends. They prayed for them and talked with them. Sharing the good news is a blessing whether it is received then or later.
In the days following, the group participated in worship services at the host church and took part in classes and small group discussions concerning salvation and the power of the cross. They also toured Seoul City, including visits to several local attractions. On the last day of the trip, they shared breakfast with their host families. One commented: “We will forever remember their kindness and generosity. They not only took us in, but gave us gifts to bring home. We felt so loved.”
Here are reflections from other participants on the trip:
“God exposed me to a different path, a path I never expected to take. The mission trip revived the fire in my heart. I saw how our Korean brothers and sisters are striving to do their part for the Great Commission that God has given to every Christian. I am inspired. I realized how much I can do by the power of prayer and faith.”
“In this short-term missions exposure, I saw how the Koreans love their country and also their love for their North Korean brothers, always remembering them in their prayers. South Koreans go to the northern border to pray for the unification of the nation. We too should pray, not only for the unification of the Koreas, but for all the nations to hear the good news of Jesus’ love for us.”
“In doing the mission of the Lord, our nationality does not divide us. Instead, it unites us to do his mission together.”
“I thank the Lord for letting me experience this trip, for it inspired me a lot. I am touched and very much amazed on how God works not only in the Philippines but also in other countries like Korea. For me, mission was limited to serving in our local church. Now, I thank God for making me realize that his love knows no bounds. Wherever he sends you, he will surely guide and protect you. All glory and praise to our God!”
In early May, 111 youth campers and over 50 staff members (pictured below, click to enlarge) gathered on the island of Luzon in the Philippines for six days of laughing, learning and growing together. Almost half of the campers were first-timers.
The camp theme, Beyond our Boundaries, was designed to help campers more deeply understand Christ’s inclusive and self-sacrificing love, their identity in Christ and their calling to participate in the Lord’s work in the world. Camp activities addressed spiritual formation, team-building and personal development. Each morning began with a worship service, followed by sports and Christian-living sessions. Activities included basketball, volleyball, swimming, dance and bonsai plant-making.
In keeping with the camp theme, campers participated in community service sessions. The helped out with chores in the camp and in the surrounding community. Other camp highlights included a bonfire, chats with dorm parents, a variety show featuring the campers, a sports fest and a dance on the last night.
In response to God’s goodness and grace, we had the privilege of baptizing 11 young people. We praise God for the amazing things he is doing in and through SEP Luzon. We are grateful for the support of pastors and churches who go beyond the boundaries of nationality, status and age to make this life-changing program a continuing reality.
—SEP Luzon 2014 Planning Team
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.
