Stay Connected – Page 12

Meet Bret Miller

“I am grateful for the love, mercy, and grace of Jesus.”

Check out this month’s GCI Profile to get to know Bret Miller, GCI Home Office IT Manager. To read his full profile, click here or the image below.

Healthy Church Challenge Winners

On September 3, GC Melton in Melbourne, Australia, held a Father’s and Special Person’s Day Pizza Party after our weekly worship service. The event was a huge success, with cries of “Happy Father’s Day, papa” ringing around the table.

The party was funded with prize money from the GCI Healthy Church Challenge. The young boys of the congregation (pictured above) won third prize for their video entry. They won $50 to hold a church activity. It was immediately decided to have a pizza party.

Although plans were made to invite newly attending visitors and friends of the weekly worship services to the pizza party, everyone was busy celebrating Father’s Day with their families. So, the church community decided to turn the pizza party into a time to recognize and celebrate the fathers and fatherly figures who have journeyed with them over the last several years.

The atmosphere was lively and festive, with everyone enjoying delicious pizza and sharing stories about their fathers. It was heartwarming to see how much love and appreciation the community had for their fathers and fatherly figures.

As the party came to an end, there were already suggestions for the next church activity. The youngest boys of the congregation had some exciting ideas, including an ice cream party. Everyone was looking forward to the next event and spending more time together as a community.

By Geoff and Alicia Davis and Matthew Gudze

Volunteer Partnership

On September 9, our members in Atlanta volunteered, along with other neighbors from the area, to help those in our community suffering from food insecurity. The event was sponsored by the Atlanta Hawks and held at State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta. The goal was to pack 1 million boxes of food to provide meals for 1 million people. It was a meaningful experience.

Pastor Charles and First Lady Debbie Young

Charles Young, Pastor
Atlanta, GA, US

39th Church Anniversary

GC Dumaguete celebrated 39 years on August 27, 2023. With the theme “freedom,” the church expressed its gratitude for God’s grace and faithfulness while embracing the freedom and blessings he has bestowed. More than 64 participants gathered for this anniversary and to praise God for his glory.

GC Dumaguete Pastor Angelo Ouano delivered a message titled “Freedom,” based on Romans 12:1-8. The message, which was the core theme of the celebration, focused on the sacrifice that grants us freedom from death, sin, and the law. It also emphasized how God seeks to bring us back to him and conform us to the image of Jesus. The message underscored that God is always faithful to his promises for each of us and concluded with communion.

A video presentation showcased the growth, nurturing, and development of GC Dumaguete over the years, bringing laughter and smiles to the members. The video illustrated how God has been and always will be faithful to the church. Then we enjoyed the long-awaited meal that left broad smiles on the faces of the attendees. After the meal, we played fun games, like Paint Me a Picture.

God’s faithfulness has been evident in the fellowship of Grace Communion Dumaguete throughout the years. As the church celebrated its 39th anniversary, we will continue to grow and age gracefully, much like fine wine, always grounded in faith, hope, and love. This celebration will leave a lasting memory of freedom and love in the hearts of all who attended.

By Elysha D. Teves
Dumaguete, Philippines

Meet Jerome Ellard

“Seeing people make relational connections excites me – connections with God, with each other, and with our neighbors here in Big Sandy, Texas. I am excited about the possibilities!”

Check out this month’s GCI Profile to get to know Pastor Jerome Ellard, of Grace Communion Big Sandy.

To read his full profile, click here or the image below.
#WeAreGCI

Kaoma Wedding

Dear GCI Family and Friends,

I want to share the exciting news of Kalengule Kaoma’s wedding to Musaba Mapulanga, as written below by Regional Director of West Africa, Emanuel Okai of Accra, Ghana.

In most parts of modern Africa, marriage is an important rite of passage in the life of the community. Marriage involves the community in an intimately intricate manner, not easily understood by people of other cultures. Marriage is not just a legally sanctioned agreement between a consenting adult male and female; but a process of building enduring relationship between two families and / or ethnic groups. As a result, many negotiations, meetings, and ceremonies take place between the families of the bride and groom long before the glittering lights of a church wedding ceremony. Typically, there are three stages of marriage in modern African countries like Zambia and Ghana – the traditional, legal, and Christian rites.

The recent marriage between Pastor Kalengule Kaoma and Deaconess Musaba Mapulanga that was climaxed by a church wedding that I officiated was no exception. In the last few months, Kalengule (KK), together with some significant members of his family, had gone to the home of Musaba to ask for her hand in marriage. A few ceremonies were conducted before he was traditionally recognized as the husband of Musaba.

To document the marriage status with the government, the couple attended a short legal ceremony in the office of Marriage Registrar at the Lusaka City Council on Friday 1 September 2023. The lady who was the Marriage Officer schooled the couple about their marital rights, duties, and responsibilities under the Ordinance of Marriage. The signing of the marriage certificate was witnessed by a few dozen members of both families and some church members. Dressed in an immaculate blue suit, KK was united to his darling Musaba, who wore a golden orange dress with a black jacket. After the long journey, one could see the relief and joy in the faces of Kalengule and Musaba during the photo session that took place on the lawns of the City Council.

As a pastor and a deaconess, they did not consider their marriage complete without the partnership and blessings of God. The third and final stage of their union, dubbed ‘The Marriage Blessing’ took place at Elegancia Events Center in Chudleigh area of Lusaka, Zambia, in the afternoon of Sunday, 3 September 2023. Retired Colonel Alex and Mrs. Miriam Musonda, who had graciously hosted me over that weekend, drove with me along with a couple from Zimbabwe and other church members from different parts of Zambia to the venue well before the 2:00 pm starting time for the event. We have known KK for more than four decades, yet none of us could recognize him when we entered the wedding venue. “Who is that guy?” and “Where is KK?” we enquired. Of course, KK was not going to be late for his own wedding! He was standing right in front of me, yet I did not recognize him until he smiled and beckoned to me.

KK’s outfit was regal, representing an African monarch cum bishop. His all-white flowing three-piece gown with golden-yellow embroidery had a white cap to match. He looked huge, tall, and elegant and most appropriate for this much anticipated occasion. When Musaba arrived, she came in a lovely white dress, with a white pearl necklace and a fitting white hat to match.

The hall was full by the time Pastor Dr. Inyambo Nyumbu, the MC for the occasion, started the ceremony. As the officiating minister, I delivered a short sermon in which I admonished the couple, among other things, to find ways, with the help of God, to bring their two sets of children together in such a manner that, like my own personal experience, these children will grow up blending beautifully together and seeing themselves not as ‘step’ siblings but as true brothers and sisters. That subject was also part of my prayers for the couple.

During the vow exchange, each “I do” was greeted with loud applause and traditional adulations of affirmation from the nearly 200 witnesses, which included family members from both sides. In the wearing of rings ceremony, Kalengule and Musaba each expressed the hope that in giving the other a ring, each of them “will become their highest expression of God,” as they share their gifts with each other and the world. As a fitting climax to the ceremony, the couple and the officiating minister took the elements of bread and wine in a Communion service celebration.

Thereafter, the music, dancing and joyful celebrations began. After the cake-cutting ceremony, KK and Musaba stood at a corner of the hall where most of the well-wishers danced to congratulate them. The well-chosen rhythmic sounds of modern Zambian music moved everyone to jubilate in dance even as they presented gifts to the couple. Many pictures were taken, refreshments were served, and the music and dancing continued for a long time. It was a blessing to watch Mr. & Mrs. Kalengule and Musaba Kaoma relish their new status as husband and wife in the midst of joyful, excited friends and family.

It is our privilege to celebrate the sacred union between Kalengule and Musaba. Our heartfelt congratulations go out to them, and we pray for the continued blessings of the Lord upon their years to come.

I am deeply grateful to my friend Emmanel Okai for sharing the cultural stages and important steps taken toward the union of marriage. We in GCI understand and uphold the biblical view spoken from the lips of Jesus of what God has joined together, let not humans put asunder.

Recently, I have been reading through a biography of Eugene Peterson. Upon his 30^th wedding anniversary he shared these reflections.

Marriage is a way of holiness. Holiness develops in a context of love – a love defined by covenant and faithfulness, a love that matures in family and hospitality. As I look back over the three decades, I think I have not so much been fulfilled in marriage as deepened, chastened, honed and simplified. Marriage has kept my attention on the “long obedience.” There has certainly been plenty of sexual activity – but that erotic content is not what stands out as prominent: rather the returning to daily obedience, discovering obscure sanctities…I want holiness – but nothing tame or domesticated. Jan has nurtured and prayed that in us, in me. (A Burning in my Bones, p. 197).

Peterson went on to describe marriage as “Heaven’s Envoy.” Marriage is the condition where he would discover God, be transformed by God, and be ushered into holiness. Without question, Eugene espoused highest regard for what he experienced in the union he shared with Jan, united and blessed by God.

As Susan and I approach 40 years of marital union, I concur with Pastor Eugene Peterson. Our partnership in life’s adventures through rough and smooth times has been faithful as we experience the faithfulness of Jesus to us. The love we have shared and made is evidenced to us in the eyes and smiles of our children and grandchildren. The ease in which we may idly think similar thoughts or complete the others’ sentence is testimony to how the Spirit has made two into one.

If you are not married, please understand that God meets you where you are. There are unique ways you can join Jesus and serve in unincumbered ways that a married person cannot. However, please understand that a Christ-centered marriage offers unique and precious benefits of which this article is extolling.

Figuratively, we join the well-wishers who dance in front of Kalengule and Musaba. And we muse on the thought of the dancing and celebration that will happen at the wedding feast when we the church are joined to Jesus the bridegroom. What a banquet it shall be!

Greg

Prayer Guide—October 2023

“Sometimes that’s what prayer is — simply inviting God to join us where we actually are, not because he isn’t already here but because inviting him reminds us it’s true.” – Emily P. Freeman

Let’s come together in the spirit of unity and lift our hearts in prayer. Click here or the image below to download this month’s prayer guide.

Baptisms

In Musoma, Tanzania, we are grateful that the meetings of the Life Club have been meaningful. People have committed themselves to God and receive the salvation of Jesus Christ. Twenty new members were baptized. Life Club has been a great help to bring people to Jesus.

We have also created a Youth Group to start the cultivation of vegetables, melons, and fruits. It helps young people to make a living instead of moving away from the church to find a life. We ask for the opportunity to help those young people.

By Pastor Shadrack Fabian Malugu
Musoma, Tanzania

GCI Buzz—Rhythms, Part 2

This month’s GCI Buzz is part 2 of our 3-part Ministry Rhythms series. In this Buzz we define rhythms of community and show how they are essential for church renewal.

Click here or the image below to view the entire Buzz. #gcibuzz

Check out the printer-friendly PDF here.

70th Church Anniversary

Grace Communion Big Sandy celebrated its 70^th anniversary as a congregation with a festive potluck luncheon after services on Sunday, July 30, 2023. Our congregation was established in Big Sandy, Texas as the denomination’s 5^th congregation in the United States in June 1953. We are so grateful for God’s faithfulness to us over these last seven decades!

We held our anniversary celebration in July because June was packed with activities. June activities included our first neighborhood day camp, Father’s Day, the Big Sandy Rotary Club Banquet, the Denominational Celebration.

We had 56 in attendance, including several guests who came to celebrate with us. People brought a number of mementos, many of which reminded us of our church’s involvement with the denomination’s former Big Sandy Ambassador University campus. It was a wonderful time of remembrance and celebration, and a great way to kick off our next decade of church life here in Big Sandy.

As grateful as we are for God’s provision for us the past 70 years, we are even more excited about what he has for us in our future! We look forward to continuing to walk with and follow Jesus here where he has placed us, sharing his faith, hope, and love with many for years to come!

By Jerome Ellard, Pastor
Big Sandy, TX, US

Category: Stay Connected