Category: Stay Connected

This update is from John Biswas, GCI missionary who leads the Bengali Evangelistic Association.

Because of the culture and poverty, mission trips to Bangladesh are never routine. No matter how much one may plan, the unexpected happens. However, this time, by God’s grace, things went quite well. For that I am thankful.

On the way to Bangladesh, I stopped in Singapore to renew contact with some Christians who support our work in Bangladesh. In Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, I met with some of our gospel workers and with Christian leaders from other fellowships who have been helpful to us over the past few years. I had also arranged to meet a representative of the Bible League International who wanted to visit our mission center and to see our projects. He accompanied me on my journey to some of our village churches. He was impressed by the fact that so many villagers would like to have Bibles, which we are able give them as funds allow.

I thank God and am grateful to the many churches that make mission trips like this one possible.

On this trip I tried to visit as many of our churches as possible. The photographs show some of our activities. The photo at right shows us unloading Bibles after crossing one of the many rivers on our way to the village of Bagdha where we have one of our largest churches. I take Bibles to as many churches as I can, for there is always a need. Because there are no roads in many of these places, we transport the Bibles using rickshaws and boats.

The photo at left shows some of the young men who help us in many ways. They are part of our extended fellowship.

The photo below is of our church service in Anondopur. I am standing, and onstage with me are village elders. We try to make these gatherings festive, so here we rented a colorful tent. Doing so attracts many new people to our fellowship. They feel included.

In the photo at left, Monju, one of our key gospel workers, hands a Bible to a new person who requested one.

Because many walk several miles to get to our meetings, we usually provide a small fellowship meal following the service, as shown in the photo below. The meal gives our members opportunity to serve the visitors.

 

This update excerpts reports from GCI Philippines media and communications coordinator Len Joson.

GCI Philippines recently hosted four conferences to help pastors and other leaders understand better the Trinitarian theology now embraced by GCI. The main conference presenters were GCI-USA ministry developers Dr. Dan Rogers and Ted Johnston. Here are brief reports from each location.

Cebu City

About 150 pastors, pastoral team leaders, youth leaders and members from area GCI churches in Visayas and Mindanao gathered in Cebu City on November 30-December 2. The main conference presenter was GCI-USA ministry developer, Ted Johnston, who led discussions concerning the basic concepts of Trinitarian, Christ-centered theology. Philippine National Director Eugene Guzon and Pastor Rex Dela Pena hosted Ted and assisted in presentations.

Ted used various illustrations in his presentations, including one explaining the “upper story” (objective) and “lower story” (subjective) aspects of our humanity in Jesus who is our representative and substitute. He also explained how salvation, which is fundamentally relational, has many aspects–like the facets of a beautiful diamond. These facets need to be viewed together. Such illustrations helped clarify some of the more challenging aspects of Trinitarian theology.

Many who attended expressed gratitude that Ted had answered their questions. Pastor Joven Jaralve of Zamboanga wrote: “Thank you so much for the Cebu conference…. I was so blessed and liberated from bondage of doubts and uncertainties.” The Visayas and Mindanao leaders went home inspired, much encouraged and equipped with a better understanding of our Trinitarian, Christ-centered theology.

Metro Manila

On the evenings of December 4 and 5, Pastor Ted met at GCI’s Crossway church in Metro Manila with about 30 GCI pastors, other key leaders and visitors. The audience was enthusiastic, with many questions asked. Pastor Ted obliged and did not mind going overtime. His presentations were inspiring to many. Romy Abrena wrote: “I’m so glad to meet Ted personally and happy to hear his overview of our theology…. I just wanted to immerse myself listening.”

Baguio City

On December 7-9, GCI-USA CAD director Dr. Dan Rogers met with about 120 pastors, pastoral team leaders and youth leaders from GCI churches in Metro Manila and Central and Northern Luzon. The conference was held at Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (APTS) in Baguio City. Dan and his wife Barbara visited there several years ago for a GCI Philippines festival.

Dan explained the historical background and theological journey of WCG/GCI, going back to its roots before Herbert Armstrong founded the Radio Church of God. He then explained the basic concepts of GCI’s Trinitarian theology. The conference ended with communion. Conference organizers were Pastors Audie Santibanez and Rex Dela Pena along with Philippine National Director Eugene Guzon and his national office staff.

Here are comments from four of the Baguio City participants:

I had been reading and studying articles on Trinitarian theology but somehow questions and concepts remained unanswered and blurred. This conference with Dr. Dan Rogers offered a general framework by which I can now understand. He outlined a general consensus on how theological concepts are formed through history and gave a clear perspective on how to understand biblical verses based on the main objectives of Jesus’ plan for mankind. There is much to study, but the main direction is clear. I’ve learned much and I’d like to thank the denomination for such action to help us all. I indeed hope this will lead to church growth as well as individual growth.

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This conference is so valuable to me personally and to the local church because it will help us leaders cascade more clearly the understanding about GCI Trinitarian, incarnational theology. Many thanks to Dr. Dan Rogers and to GCI Philippines leadership for sponsoring the conference.

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At first I was really hurt by what Pastor Dan Rogers said about Mr. [Herbert] Armstrong…. But God later on made me realize through what he was saying that the pain of experiencing these “changes” had been experienced by him earlier…. I thank God for making me realize (or reminding me?) that his love is the most important thing. I also thank Pastor Rogers for everything, especially using the “scaffolding” analogy. It was really helpful to me. One last thing I want to thank him for is sharing his story about the smelly person that sat beside him on the train. Before we were an exclusivist group, but now we realize that everyone is a child of God. It’s up to us to let them know about it! God really is good all the time!

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I am thankful to be part of this conference for many reasons. I realize God has always been faithful in loving and guiding our fellowship to the truth in Jesus that we can trust him about everything including our future. Many thanks to the GCI leadership (US and the Philippines) for this conference.

Pili

Pastor Ted Johnston was also the lead presenter at the conference held on December 7-9 at Central Bicol State University in Pili, Camarines Sur (near Naga City) in the Bicol Region. About 100 GCI Philippines senior pastors, wives and pastoral team leaders from the Southern Luzon area participated. In addition, several GCI church leaders and members came from Metro Manila and San Carlos City, Pangasinan. Pastor Ted gave essentially the same presentation in Pili that he had given earlier in Cebu City.

One of the highlights of the Pili conference was the ordination to elder of Jonathan Oscar Jimenez, son of Oscar Jimenez who is senior pastor of the GCI church in Donsol, Sorsogon.

Many conference participants noted that Pastor Ted made clear the theology that GCI now teaches. They appreciated his illustrations, particularly those concerning the “upper” and “lower” story aspects of reality in Christ and the importance of understanding that the “imperatives” (commands) of Scripture always follow (in priority) the “indicatives” (issues of our identity in Christ). Participants went home with enthusiastic resolve to share the insights they had gained.

Following the conference, host pastors Drs. Rey Taniajura and Jose Manzano, area superintendent and assistant area superintendent respectively, took Pastor Ted to visit GCI’s church in Iriga City. Members in this church, which began as an outreach, are part of the indigenous Oyango tribe. Local pastor Domingo Trilles and Reuel Pamor, who pastors the conference’s host church, also accompanied Pastor Ted on the visit.

Significant things often start with a conversation between friends. Such was the case when five young women – Jesanya Scale of Jamaica, Natalie and Tabitha Wendt of Tennessee, and Michelle and Annie Fleming of Orlando discussed their passion for mission while meeting last spring at the Generations Ministries Camps and Mission Events Leadership Summit held near Dallas, Texas.

The outgrowth of the conversation was a mission trip held last July to support the annual Vacation Bible School (VBS) held in Jamaica (for a previous GCI Weekly Update report on this trip, click here).

Because of the success of the Jamaican mission trip, the girls are now planning follow-up trips in 2013 and 2014. In addition to again supporting the Jamaican VBS, they will be conducting a one-day family enrichment seminar in 2013 and a one-day health clinic in 2014.

The girls, along with the Jamaicans, are grateful to GCI’s Orlando church, pastored by Steve Schantz, for their financial and prayer support of this mission work. Over the past year, the congregation has kept a J.A.M. (Jamaica Ambassadors Mission) jar on a table at services to collect donations. In preparing to help fund the 2013 trip, the congregation hosted a fund raising concert on December 2 (pictured below) where over $900 was raised.

The following update is from Rod Matthews, GCI mission director in Southern Asia & South Pacific.

The atmosphere of oppression is lifting in Myanmar (Burma). There’s a sense of new energy around Yangon. But visitors are constantly reminded of the economic time-warp the country has been in for decades. For example, in 1970 the government changed from driving on the left to the right side of the road. But most vehicles are old and still have the steering wheel on the right (wrong) side even though everyone drives on the right. The old buses (and most are) have the doors on the traffic side instead of the curb side. Few have been able to afford a new vehicle for decades. Most of the new vehicles still are right-hand drive having been imported from countries that drive on the left such as Thailand or Japan.

The Shwedagon pagoda complex towers over the low-rise buildings in Yangon, its gold-leaf-lined domes reflecting the sun in all directions. The contrast with the rest of the city is immense. However, the opening up of the country is gathering speed after a change of government in 2010. In this largely Buddhist country with 56 million people and more than 100 ethnic groups, less than 5% are Christian. Most of those come not from the Burmese but the ethnic Chin and Karen peoples.

GCI’s fellowship in Myanmar has long had two congregations, one in the southern Irrawaddy delta area and another in the far northwest of the country in Chin State – an area that has been out of bounds to foreigners and is quite remote. Both were established through contact arising from the Plain Truth magazine decades ago. Last year I reported on a trip I made to our southern congregation of about 35 people with Malaysian regional pastor, Wong Mein Kong. They meet in a home in a small village surrounded by rice paddies.

At that time we also met with two leaders from small ministries in Yangon, and since then we have been receiving increasing numbers of emails from other ministry leaders, mainly in Yangon, who have seen our website and desire further contact with GCI. In fact, so many that we decided to conduct a seminar in Yangon to which we invited them all, to explain more about GCI – what we could offer and what we couldn’t, our philosophy of ministry and theological foundation – and also help them get to know one another.

On Saturday, October 13, over 40 people gathered in a building housing a small seminary run by Pastor Hung Ling, who offered us his facility. Many were his students but about ten ministry leaders attended, most of whom we had never met in person before.

Mein Kong and I explained more about our fellowship, its scattered nature but international perspective, its blessings which we strive to share with as many as possible mainly through our website, and in honesty, what God has not enabled us to offer such as regular financial support. We outlined our approach to mission and our Trinitarian theological foundations. We provided lunch for everyone through Pastor Hung Ling’s staff. An enthusiastic Q&A session in the afternoon ended a profitable day.

From this meeting we were invited to preach at services the following morning in Pastor Joseph Lal’s small congregation which included about 15 orphans he cares for with his two sisters.

In the afternoon we visited and taught at the Youth Education Centre (YEC) run by the parents of Nyein Thu, a fine young man who attended the seminar and has been a big help to Wong Mein Kong in making pre-trip arrangements in Yangon in past years.

YEC is both a home for needy young people and a boarding house so rural students can attend schools in Yangon. Nyein Thu is desirous of continuing his education so he can serve as a Christian counselor in a country in great need of such expertise.

Communication with several of these pastors continues and interest has been expressed in another seminar during a future visit to Yangon.

In Myanmar, our Discipleship 101 course has been translated into Burmese and several hundred copies already distributed. The translation is currently being revised and we hope to print hundreds more copies early next year. One young man whom we met in Yangon was so excited by our literature that he translated the booklet What Is Salvation? into the Falam Chin language and is waiting for funds so it can be printed. We also were delighted to discover that the booklet “The God Revealed in Jesus Christ” has been translated into Burmese by a lady working at YEC and after further translation verification will soon be ready for printing.

Since the use of electronic communications is quite limited in rural Myanmar, and there are frequent power outages even in Yangon, there is a big demand for printed literature which can be read with the light of a candle or kerosene lamp.

I have no doubt that as Myanmar continues coming out of its isolation, it will present some excellent opportunities in the years ahead for the spread of the gospel message and for GCI to share our blessings and establish partnerships with enthusiastic ministries who desire to be connected with the broader Body of Christ.

We thank God for inviting us to have a part in the ministry of Jesus Christ in Myanmar.

This update is from Angie and Saddie Tabin, the Filipino couple who are in the process of planting a church in Los Angeles, California. It is excerpted from their newsletter–to read it, click here.

We thank our Lord for the work he is doing in our church planting efforts here in Los Angeles. We praise our great God for all the people he is raising to support us with their prayers and resources.

As you can imagine, the journey that God has laid before us is full of joys and challenges. I do admit that sometimes it feels like we are riding a roller coaster with all the ups and downs. In all these, we find comfort and strength in our Lord Jesus. Here are examples of how God blessed us recently.

In response to last month’s newsletter (we send one out monthly), a friend sent us a cell phone and said he’d pay for our phone service for two years. He said he felt that it is his contribution to God’s work.

The newsletter also mentioned the need for our car to be fixed to solve smog problems so we can renew our registration. Once NewLife Fellowship (pastored by Bermie Dizon) heard of this need, they decided to pay for the repairs. So, we now have a newly registered car. By the way, the car was donated to us by Pastor Romy Degolacion of Christian Fellowship Church International. Other blessings came in the form of brochures and business cards through GCI pastor Glen Weber and Heber Ticas’ help.

In August we met Eloisa with her sister and aunt. Since then I regularly phone her to ask how they are doing. In October, as her aunt and I were talking over the phone, her niece asked me if I could start another small group in their apartment. Another answered prayer! This new group has seven adults, one teen and two children. We have decided to gather every Tuesday evening in their apartment. We only recently met, yet already we feel like one big family. Love is in the air! Their kids, Mateo and Luke are fun. We get to play with them too. For two consecutive meetings now, their dad gives us $10 per meeting for gasoline. Another exciting part, we can eat Filipino food for Auntie Precy is a good cook!

In October we had a Christian version of Halloween trick or treat. We invited two families and two members of our church for a dinner and a social gathering at our home, just to get acquainted.

We have come to know a lot of seniors in the Glassell Park area of Los Angeles. In August we attended one of their gatherings for the first time. Then in November, we received a card inviting us for a surprise birthday party for one mother who will be celebrating her 70th birthday. We connect with Filipinos though these types of events. Another is through distributing free bagels.

In answer to our prayers, God is sending to us people who are hurting, lonely and who don’t know the solution to their problems. Our prayer is that God will send us a team to help us work with what Jesus is doing in this church planting effort. Please join us in praying for the formation of our core team—gathering people who have the passion and time to commit themselves to this kingdom work. We plan to invite 30-40 people to share in our mission and vision of church planting here in Los Angeles. Please pray for the success of this team-building plan.

On November 17-19, GCI Mexico held its National Conference in the city of Guadalajara. The purpose of the conference was to equip pastors and other leaders serving GCI congregations in Mexico. Over 40 attended. Mission director Lorenzo Arroyo and pastor Heber Ticas gave seminars on biblical preaching, personal evangelism and Jesus’ missionary model.

Through conferences like this, GCI’s leaders in Mexico are being helped to understand the importance of intentionally multiplying disciples and planting new churches. Newly appointed Mexico City pastor Natanael Cruz will open on December 2 a new mission work in Zumpango-Tizayuca (near Mexico City). Alfredo Mercado, pastor of GCI’s Guadalajara church and Mexico’s national leader, is “preparing the soil” to plant a new church by 2014. Both pastors are working with potential church planters who currently are leaders within their existing churches.

On Saturday at the conference, there was a ceremony in which credentials were presented to the Mexican pastors who were appointed this year. Receiving credentials at the conference were Ruben Ramirez, Luis Alberto Soto, Humberto Perez, Arnoldo Trigg and Natanael Cruz (credentials were sent to Rigoberto Pantoja who was unable to attend the conference).

On Sunday, a special worship service was attended by over 130 members from the area. Church planter Heber Ticas, pastor of GCI churches in Sun Valley and Los Angeles, California, gave an inspiring sermon on Jesus not allowing Peter to be sifted as wheat but rather to be strengthened in faith.

On Monday, Rita Arroyo and Xochilt Ticas led workshops for pastor’s wives and other women. The workshops were on devotional journal writing and decision making with Martha and Mary. The women were elated to receive seminars related to their needs—there were tears and much joy in sharing with one another.

The Mexican youth are preparing to celebrate their second national camp to be held December 29-January 1. The camp, with the theme, “The call of the Master” will be held on the beach of Guayabitos (near Puerto Vallarta). GCI Generation Ministries secured scholarships for campers and invited Mexico’s national youth leader Samuel Mercado to attend the GenMin Converge summit in Southern California in February.

The next GCI Mexico National Conference will be in Guadalajara on March 29-31, 2013 (Easter weekend). Special guests will be Joseph and Tammy Tkach, and Gary and Cathy Deddo.

 

On November 10, Larry Oglesby, pastor of GCI’s Columbus, Georgia congregation, was honored during Veterans Day ceremonies in Columbus.

Larry, who served in the Army from 1974-1988, was placed on the Army’s permanent disability retired list due to blindness in both eyes from a cause deemed service-connected.

During the Veterans Day ceremony, Larry was given special recognition by Fort Benning commander Major General McMasters and Columbus mayor Teresa Tomlinson.

Following the ceremony, Larry was interviewed by the Columbus Ledger Enquirer. The picture of Larry at right appeared on the newspaper’s cover on November 12, which happens to be Larry’s birthday. To read the article, click here.

This year, GCI in the Philippines is celebrating its 50th anniversary in festivals titled, 50 years of Amazing Journey with Our Awesome God. Festivals were held in October in Cagayan de Oro City and Cebu City. Both sites offered a festive grand reunion of GCI members who had not seen one another for many years.

Cagayan de Oro City site

Members attending this site came from Mindanao, the Visayas, Luzon and from overseas. Speakers were Len Joson, Gil Llaneza, Margie Bahinting and national director Eugene Guzon.

A special plaque was awarded posthumously to GCI pastor Captain Jessup Bahinting in recognition of his love and service to the Philippine members. Margie Bahinting, Jessup’s wife, also was awareded a plaque in recognition of her love and service to the members in Mindanao.

Other highlights of the event included the ordination of Adriano Bravo as an elder (he serves as senior pastor in Pagadian City), the baptism of 14 members and the blessing of several children.

Cebu City site

A Journey with the Master (JWM) retreat was held recently in Bremerton, Washington with 12 participants. JWM retreats are sponsored by GCI Generations Ministries.

The topic of this retreat was Ministry with Jesus. Interactive sessions were conducted by GenMin director Anthony Mullins, focusing on what ministry is (selfless service), who may participate (all believers), what it might look like (messy and wonderful), and whose ministry it is (Jesus’). Many aspects of the retreat were led by the young participants and they did a terrific job!

If your district or congregation would like to host a JWM retreat, contact anthony.mullins@gci.org.

GCI district pastor Larry Hinkle, reports that Odyssey in Christ recently completed a spiritual renewal retreats in Florida. The two videos embedded below are testimonials from retreat participants. Following the videos are comments from retreat co-leaders Charles and Carmen Fleming.

http://youtu.be/k_8dRS1ckfM

http://youtu.be/lR_Qui1INAo

Charles Fleming commented: “I have always valued and made an effort to practice the basic spiritual disciplines of prayer and Bible reading, but involvement in this spiritual retreat ministry has exposed me to a range of additional formational exercises that are greatly enriching my own walk with God. And then there is the joy of seeing retreat participants experience a greater intimacy with Christ as they take time to use different formational exercises to position themselves in his presence. As the testimonials express, individuals are impacted in many and varied ways that transform and heal. Perhaps my favorite comments revolve around the themes of experiencing God personally and of growing to a greater awareness of personal value and significance.”

Carmen Fleming commented: “In the past I have discovered the value of spiritual formation practices and have a longing for others to experience their great value as well. In preparation for leading the retreats, I have discovered many more spiritual formation exercises. It has been a joy to discover them and through them position myself to experience a deeper communion with God. This has given me more stability and health spiritually, physically and emotionally, though outward circumstances may not change. It is a thrill to listen to the comments of participants in our interactive sessions, as they experience what it feels like to get away from their busy schedules, many distractions and anxieties and position themselves to know God better and experience him more deeply. God meets us there.