Category: Stay Connected

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

• 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

• 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

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.

A highlight of Friends and Family Day this year was the baptism of one of the congregation’s young adults (pictured below).

Here are links to updates concerning people and events in GCI-Philippines:

• Congregation celebrates 10th anniversary: http://my.gci.ph/gci-cotmon-celebrates-10th-church-anniversary/
• Pastor and wife celebrate 50th anniversary: http://my.gci.ph/pastor-mrs-carpio-umlas-sr-celebrates-50th-wedding-anniversary/
• Typhoon Yolanda recovery ministry: http://my.gci.ph/ten-months-after-typhoon-yolanda/
• Preaching seminar: http://my.gci.ph/does-our-preaching-make-a-difference-a-preaching-seminar-module-i/
• Baguio Festival: http://my.gci.ph/standing-firm-together-at-baguio-festival-2014/
• Baguio Festival community outreach: http://my.gci.ph/community-outreach-during-baguio-festival-2014/

Curtis May, director of GCI’s affiliate ministry, the Office of Reconciliation and Spiritual Mediation (ORM), recently conducted an ORM chapter leaders’ training conference in Cincinnati, Ohio (see picture at right).

Following the conference in Cincinnati, Curtis traveled to the St. Louis area, where he met with 15 police chiefs and other officers gathered in Florissant, Missouri, near Ferguson, which has had a prominent place in the news recently. Curtis addressed various types of racism and steps that can be taken to break the cycle of oppression. Curtis shared his experiences as a citizen being confronted by police, and as an ORM director helping the Pasadena, California, police department improve their racial sensitivity and community relations. Those in attendance responded favorably, asking what they could do to strengthen relations with the communities they serve.

Baptisms in Kenya and Malawi

GCI-Kenya national director Anthony Gachanja reports eight baptisms in the Naivasha, Kenya congregation (see the three pictures below). Anthony commented, “We are thankful to God because of his grace. We are really humbled by God’s love for this church.”

GCI-Malawi national director Gardner Kunje reports that 26 people were baptized in a service at the Blantyre congregation. Those baptized (see picture below) attend GCI’s congregations in Mbulumbuzi, Mombezi and Mpanda. Gardner commented, “We praise God for bringing more people to our fellowship.”

Church hall dedicated and leaders commissioned in Kenya

Recently, a wonderful service was held in GCI’s congregation in Naivasha, Kenya (near Nairobi) to dedicate a new church hall (pictured at right) and to commission new church leaders. Present at the service were GCI-Africa mission developers Tim Maguire (accompanied from South Africa by Lova Rafiringason) and Kalengule Kaoma.

Tim said, “Lova and I had a truly uplifting time. We were fortunate to be at this special service. The church in Naivasha started as a three-member Bible study. That group approached GCI for affiliation after being interrogated by local police. Now, about six years later, the congregation’s new church hall was packed with over 300 people (see picture below, left). It’s amazing how powerful it is when we participate in the work that Christ is doing in communities!” During the service, Pastor Michael Thuku Boro (pictured below, right with his wife) was ordained an elder and Daniel Murange Muriuki, David Mumo Nzuki and Mark Onyango Owour were commissioned to provide leadership in their respective GCI congregations in Kabatiro, Mitamboni and Homa Bay.

Ordinations in Cameroon

Recently, eight members from various GCI congregations were ordained as elders in a ceremony held in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The ceremony was led by GCI-Cameroon president Jean Jacques Ndoudoumou. Those ordained (pictured below) were Agnes Don Balinga (Limbe congregation); Victoire Marie Genevieve Eboumbou (Douala); Rosalie Ndoudoumou (Yaoundé), Jean Zambo (Minlongo/Sianfou); Roger Kolokosso A Bediang, Jean Joel Begnikin, Joel Ferdinand Ndayi Mpinda (all from the Yaoundé congregation) and Armand Pierre Essam (South Region).

GCI mission developer Hector Barrero and his wife Paulina recently traveled to Peru where Hector conducted a conference attended by about 60 GCI members (including children) representing three GCI-Peru churches. The conference theme was “Our identity in Christ.”

The conference was held at the home of Jose Kasum, GCI’s national pastor in Peru. The Kasums, who live in Chaclacayo, two hours from the capital city of Lima, provided their backyard as the conference venue (pictured above).

During the conference, church leaders presented reports, sharing what the Lord Jesus is doing in their congregations. One report included a testimony from 12-year-old Camila Gutierrez (pictured at left).

When Camila’s family moved to the city of Pucallpa, she decided to start a church for children in her home. Camila invited neighbor children to sing Christian songs and study the Bible. A few began attending and now the group has grown to 13. Here is a video of the group:

Watch on YouTube at http://youtu.be/OwdV94CV49c.

Hands for Christ, a newly planted GCI church in Staten Island, New York, celebrated its second anniversary on September 14, 2014. Sixty-seven adults and eight children attended. According to pastor Mary Bacheller (shown preaching at right):

It was a day where our deaf members did most of the service and the testimonies were great. We are growing and excited about the ministry that we are doing. The live-streaming of our services is going out to two GCI church plants in the making. The hands of the people are truly moving hearts!

The anniversary worship service included a performance from the deaf choir (pictured at right) and testimonies from deaf members who offered heart-felt thoughts concerning their new church home. Here are excerpts from the testimonies given by three of them:

I came to this church two years ago and it has made a big difference in my life for me and my two daughters. I thank Hands for Christ that I can come to a safe place to worship and learn about God. [Debbie Strang, pictured below, left]

I have gone to other churches because I want to learn about God, but just would sit there and not understand very much. But when I heard about Hands for Christ church, a church for the deaf and by the deaf (Pastor Mary is like deaf!) I was so excited. I feel safe here. [Linda Mancini, pictured above, center]

I am very thankful to be here in this church, I have learned so much here about Jesus and how to have a relationship with him. I feel at home here…this is my home church. A church for the deaf. [Diana O’Shea, pictured above, right]

Following the service, the congregation enjoyed a time of fellowship (see picture below).

Dan Rogers, director of U.S. Church Administration and Development recently visited Alaska to encourage and teach our members there. He was accompanied on the visit by his son Steven. This was Dan’s final annual visit to Alaska in his official capacity (he retires at the end of this year).

On Saturday, 20 people from the GCI congregations in Anchorage and Kenai gathered for fellowship, a meal and a seminar from Dan on the history of the early church based on the book of Acts. Following the meal, Dan was presented with a hand-made quilt as a retirement gift, thanking him for the love and friendship he has extended toward the Alaska congregations over the years. A few mementos were given to Steven Rogers, who has traveled with his dad for many years on his annual visit to GCI’s congregations in Alaska.

During the visit, Dan and Steven, accompanied by Anchorage pastor Don Marson and his wife, visited the Alaska Zoo and Chugach State Park with its stunning views of Mt. McKinley, Mt. Foraker, Mt. Spurl, the Alaska Range, and the Readout and Illiamna volcanoes. On Sunday, Dan gave the sermon at the Anchorage church worship service, covering the story of David and Goliath.

This update is from GCI mission developer Rod Matthews who works in Southern Asia and the South Pacific region.

Papua New Guinea: historic ordinations in the land of the unexpected

Mark Latham, pastoral coordinator for Papua New Guinea (PNG), recently returned from his 22nd visit to the country. He was accompanied by Rod Dean, GCI pastor in Sydney. Over the years, the congregations in Rod’s pastorate have faithfully supported our work in PNG and Rod has mentored Mark in his challenging responsibility. This was Rod’s first trip to PNG, travelling up to our main PNG church on Mt. Wilhelm, more than 6000 ft. up PNG’s highest mountain, which reaches over 14,000 ft. Mark and Rod were warmly received (the welcome group is pictured at right).

After returning to Australia on August 17, Rod wrote a report entitled “The Light on the Hill at Mt. Wilhelm.” Here is an excerpt:

The main purpose of this trip was to celebrate with the church and wider community the ordination of Ben Galwa and Richard Kindi [pictured at right, Ben is on the left]. This was the most anticipated event in the history of our PNG church—the Mt. Wilhelm congregation had been preparing for weeks. A grand mumu [feast] fed the visitors who represented more than seven denominations. Chairman of the village court, doctors, health clinic administrators, councilors and local women’s group representatives. The local MP [Member of Parliament] sent his apologies. Our church is well respected by all.

With the theme of their visit being “Strengthening the Foundations,” Rod and Mark shared their pastoral experiences and reinforced the local pastoral team’s focus on Jesus Christ as center of all aspects of our lives. Special attention was given to the large contingent of youth in the church (about 50 of them, included in the picture of the congregation’s membership, below). The women’s ministry is a pillar in the life, strength and maturity of the congregation, and their work was acknowledged and praised.

At the end of the visit, the congregation’s pastoral team gave Rod and Mark a letter of appreciation to be carried back to Australia, thanking the many people who have contributed so much to the spiritual and physical development of GCI-PNG.

Fiji: celebrating God’s grace and the ordination of an elder

The Christian Camp at Pacific Harbour was once again the site for the annual celebration of our Fijian family’s life together in Christ. The theme, “Celebrating God’s Amazing Grace” permeated the event’s messages and activities. Most of GCI’s members in Fiji (who live all over the islands) were able to stay on site (the group is pictured below).

Meals were provided by rotating crews of members so that the members could eat together (see picture at right). Lovely “home cooked” meals were provided, including “lovo”—a traditional meal of meat and vegetables cooked slowly in an underground pit.

A highlight of this year’s gathering was the ordination to elder of long-time Suva member, Jope Nalequa Uqeuqe (pictured at left). His ordination reflected his long and faithful service to the church in Fiji and a need for an elder to assist Pastor Isei Colati.

Other highlights were the baptism of Jason Raki; the blessing of a little child, Azariah Jesse James; special presentations for the youth, men and women; an afternoon tea; an “Indian night”; a grand finale event entitled “Island Night”; and one day in which the services were presented entirely in the Fijian language.

At most of the worship services music was provided by the youth. On the last day the choir sang the Hallelujah Chorus a cappella with magnificent harmony. As usual, flower arrangements were supreme works of art, refreshed daily and highlighting the extravaganza of tropical creations with which God has blessed Fiji.

In August, GCI’s Quezon City, Philippines, church celebrated its 10th anniversary. The celebration worship service included video messages from former pastors Andrew Teng and Audie Santibanez. Vincente “Ting” Bejo, Jr. is the congregation’s current pastor.

Following the service, there was a time of joy-filled celebration that extended into the afternoon. As shown in the pictures, there was singing, dancing and entertainment from J-Lo enthusiasts and Hagibis wannabies (who called themselves Pogibis)!