Category: Stay Connected

Single adults from 15 GCI churches in the Philippines gathered recently for a year-end camp that addressed the spiritual, emotional, social and physical needs of young singles. The four-day camp was held at a beautiful seaside resort.

The 56 women and 36 men in attendance at the camp were welcomed with an introductory message followed by lunch. Other presentations during the camp were given by GCI pastors Rex dela Pena, Audie Santibanez, Gil Llaneza and Vergil Bargola. Topics addressed the camp theme of “Living with Abandon,” with messages about God’s love, surrendering to God, living by faith and serving in ministry.

Rex dela Pena spoke about God’s love for us and how we abide in him as we walk with him, trusting in his love. He asked the attendees to surrender to God those things that hinder them from living with abandon for God. On his second talk, Pastor Rex gave five suggestions for how we can give God free reign in our lives: (1) Stand and claim his promises; (2) Operate on faith and choose to worship; (3) Repentance by dependence; (4) Empty yourself for ministry for others; and (5) Recall God’s activity in your life. He ended with an adage from Garth Brooks: “Sometimes God’s greatest gift is an unanswered prayer.”

The singles expressed their thanks to those who subsidized the campers and prayed for the camp’s success. One attendee commented: “Not only did I feel the warmth of the community, I also felt that I belonged there even before I came. It was an experience of God—from meeting extraordinary people, to marveling at God’s creation, to being guided by God’s words through our devotions.” Another commented: “The best thing that happened to me in the camp was that I got to see the people I grew up with, and meet people from other GCI congregations.”

This update is from Alaric Kurzawa.

SEP 2014 in Australia was held on January 6–17. There were 96 campers and 61 staff. The theme was “Discovery” based on the encounter Jesus had on the road to Emmaus with two of his disciples. Through daily discussions, campers were encouraged to know that Jesus is with them on their life journey, and that no matter what age they are, the entire journey is one of continual discovery of who Jesus is as we grow deeper in relationship with him.

The camp featured some new activities thanks to ideas gleaned from sister camps in the U.S. Thanks to Higher Ground camp, our campers enjoyed nine-square and water-balloon battleship. Thanks to SEP SoCal we had an affirmation team called the A-Team. These new features were a big hit with the campers and staff. We will be using them at our future camps.

Other activities at camp included dance classes, high ropes course, mud pits, table tennis, leather work, journal making, basketball, water skiing, and putting together a worship service for the camp.

Thanks to all who were praying for the success of our camp in Australia. The campers left giving the staff hugs and telling them they would return when the camp is held again in two years.

This update is from Robert McKinney the pastor of GCI’s congregation in Nassau, Bahamas.

Several years ago, Leslie and Rita Bowe, long-time GCI members in Nassau, donated land in a low-income area where they previously lived and where Leslie operated a business for over 50 years. Their dream was to see a community center built on the land to draw the community together and to provide a beacon of hope for area residents.

Just recently, the Bowes’ dream came true. A leading area newspaper reported that, “The Leslie and Rita Bowe Montell Heights Community Center was officially opened on December 16.” Participants in the opening ceremony (pictured below) included Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis and several cabinet ministers and ministers of religion.

Rita mentioned that since the center opened, she has seen a lot of positive changes in the area. For example, the center provides free lessons for 40 students in an after-school classes program. They operate a soup kitchen that feeds the elderly. A crusade in the park and a free counseling clinic are planned for later this year. Leslie noted that the center has brought together people from all walks of life. They have put the past behind and are working more together. He mentioned that Prime Minister Perry Christie visited the center the day after it opened. He commented that he was amazed to see what had been done in the area.

In the video below, Lee Berger, who coaches the directors of GenMin’s missions trips, reports on recent activities. For additional information, go to http://genmin.gci.org/missionministries.htm.

On YouTube at http://youtu.be/-beqIBxkDkc

This update is from Tim Maguire, GCI South Africa director and Southern Africa mission developer.

The Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) that took place in South Africa last December was a resounding success. I wish each of you could have experienced the nine days of “vibe and buzz” as Christ was uplifted, proclaimed and lived in accordance with the camp theme, “It’s Time!”

It’s humbling to experience young men and women being led into a knowledge of and relationship with God. Our total numbers were a lot more than we had anticipated. We had about 66 preteens, 85 teens, 26 young adults (age 19 to 25) and about 60 staff members.

Our aim in all we did was to develop individuals emotionally, physically and spiritually. Christ was at the center of every activity. My thanks to all who sacrificed to make this camp possible—especially the amazing staff who volunteered their time and talent.

This update is from Kernani Cheny, a pastor in GCI’s congregation on the island of Martinique.

In late 2013 we celebrated the 50th anniversary of our GCI church in Martinique with a four-day gathering titled “Victorious through Grace.” On this the occasion of our “jubilee,” we were reminded of the victorious grace we have received through Jesus.

Guest speakers included Cris and Mary Vidal from Dominica, Ruddy Mills from Saint Lucia and myself, Kernani Cheny. The speakers addressed such topics as how changing your behavior doesn’t give victory, the benefits of trials, our identity in Christ, the death of the old nature, why we sin, overcoming temptation, and the person of our great loving Father. Through these times of instruction, the Lord revealed himself in a wonderful way.

In a wonderful time of worship on Saturday, we focused on giving thanks for our journey as a congregation. About 200 people attended.

Sunday was outreach day. One group repaired and repainted the home of an elderly woman (see picture below). Another group focused on evangelism—talking with people in the neighborhood and distributing leaflets. We then came together for a delicious barbecue prepared by our wonderful cooking team.

Our four days of celebration were filled with renewal and deep fellowship. We now look eagerly toward our future in Jesus. Like the apostle Paul, we want to “run the race” filled with gratitude and embracing our Lord’s victorious grace. I ended the event quoting a Creole poet: “Sé l’espri ko ki mèt ko,” meaning “Your spirit is the one who controls your being.”

May the seed planted in this event bear more and more fruit in ways that glorify God.

The National Ecclesiastical Council of GCI in France met recently in Paris. James and Shirley Henderson attended. James is GCI’s national director in the United Kingdom and missions developer for Europe. Here is a picture of the congregation that meets in Paris (click on the picture to enlarge):

Joseph Tkach and Mike Feazell were in Utah recently for public and private meetings organized by Standing Together, a network of evangelicals working to build relationships with Mormon scholars and leaders to facilitate healthy discussions concerning theological differences and similarities. Standing Together’s vision is to advance biblical unity and spiritual transformation within the state of Utah by serving as a catalyst for uniting the Utah Christian community through relational efforts of prayer, worship and strategic evangelism. Those attending the Utah meetings included representatives of evangelical seminaries, denominations and congregations.

Several years ago, Joseph Tkach became friends with Greg Johnson, the director of Standing Together. Dr. Tkach recommended that Greg be made a member of the board of directors of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE).

Greg arranged for Ravi Zacharias to be the main speaker at the recent Utah meetings, which were held at Brigham Young University in Provo and at the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. As a representative of the NAE and a longtime associate of Standing Together, Dr. Tkach was asked to give the opening prayer at the Salt Lake City meeting where about 3,000 people gathered. Dr. Zacharias discussed the centrality of the Word of God as the guide for personal conduct, true freedom and building a nation under God.

GCI’s church in Barranquilla, Colombia conducted an evangelistic outreach at Christmas time. Pastor Sonia Orozco reported that 120 people attended, including 50 children. Here are pictures.

This update is from Charles Norris who coordinates Hands of Hope, an outreach ministry of GCI’s congregation in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

In January of 2000, several of us attending the Winnipeg church began reaching out to citizens of Winnipeg through a World Vision sponsored church network called NeighbourLink. It soon became apparent that over 80% of the requests for help were for basic household furniture. No one appeared to be able and willing to help people meet this need.

With assistance from my wife Sandra, we began delivering tables and chairs from our home and from the homes of other members to those requesting help. In 2002, with help from our pastor Alan Redmond, a registered charity called Hands of Hope was formed. Today, Hands of Hope responds to about 100 calls plus many more emails every day. Two paid staff now coordinate about 70 volunteers in picking up and delivering furniture to a great variety of people in need.

Winnipeg has over 70,000 people of aboriginal descent. A high percent live in very poor circumstances. Many more are moving into the city every year from remote reservations. Over 16,000 people immigrate to Manitoba every year—many coming with no extra money. Many women are fleeing abusive relationships. Almost all the mental hospitals were closed years ago, putting patients out into the community where they often fare very poorly. Many elderly people find themselves with only the hard floor to sleep on when their beds are infested over and over again with bedbugs.

One 75-year old woman with learning difficulties was discovered to be living in a dilapidated bug- and mouse-infested rooming house with no bed, furniture, or pots to cook with. We gave her a bed, blankets, sheets, chairs, pots, dishes and lamps. She was very grateful. There didn’t appear to be anyone concerned and able to help her. When she moved into a much better apartment, Hands of Hope continued to help her. She is over 80 now and still calls Hands of Hope to ask for items.

We often help five or six families a day. I tell them, “This is what Jesus would do!” In the past 14 years, we’ve helped over 60,000 people—close to 10% of Winnipeg’s population! Ministry employees and volunteers get friendly waves and smiles as they drive down the city’s streets.

A 67-year old woman living under a bridge came to Hands of Hope asking for dry shoes and a coat last February. We gave her shoes plus blankets and food. She is now living in a warm apartment well furnished by Hands of Hope and is very grateful.

One recent immigrant attending the Winnipeg congregation with his wife and teen-age son has been eagerly volunteering for several years. He says, “It’s my job!” Over 15 beneficiaries of Hands of Hope attend our church services at present.

This service to the community, we believe, is a great way to put into practice what Jesus said: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”