Category: Stay Connected

This update is from district and church pastor Howard Blakeney.

Earlier this month, about 200 members and friends attended a GCI-sponsored conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The conference theme, “It’s All About Jesus,” was emphasized in a powerful testimony given by Melissa Harring and her dad Bill. They related how Melissa as a young teen was headed down the wrong path, resulting in a terrible automobile accident. Initially, the doctors did not think she would survive, let alone walk again. But thanks to God’s mercy, she not only is now able to walk, she tells people about Jesus and the importance of not drinking and driving.

Another conference highlight was joining Jesus in reaching out to the surrounding community. One group went to what locals refer to as the “homeless village”—a place in the woods where homeless folks live in tents without running water, flushing toilets, central air, refrigerators or soft beds. We gave them food and toiletries, but most importantly, we talked and prayed with them. Some of them understood that despite their circumstance, Jesus would take care of them. A few accepted Jesus and became believers. Another group of conference-goers visited a homeless shelter where they led a worship service and provided a meal.

Mary Snyder reports here on a recent mission trip she made to Ethiopia. Mary and her husband Cliff lead M25:40 Missions—one of GCI’s GenMin Missions.

I recently made my eighth mission trip to Ethiopia to continue assisting Fanos, a young lady studying at a local university. I also visited Korah, a community built on a dump. Korah’s residents live in extreme poverty, digging through the trash for their daily food. Large numbers of them have leprosy or HIV/Aids and many of Korah’s children are orphaned.

When my husband Cliff and I visited a church in Korah a year ago we discovered that they had only two Bibles to serve the 60 people who attend. At that time we gave them 60 Bibles in the local language which they then gave to people at the time of their baptisms. They ran out of Bibles in only three months, so on this trip I gave them 60 more.

In Addis Ababa I visited Evangelical Theological College (ETC) where we are assisting three students. Now we hope to help three more. ETC students are being trained to become pastors and church leaders, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Ethiopia.

I also visited an elementary school where I spoke with the principal about providing English children’s dictionaries, which are in great demand. I then visited with the pastor of the International Evangelical Church to discuss bringing a GCI missions group next year. He had great ideas as to how M25:40 Missions could partner with his church to conduct a VBS program for children. IEC is associated with a group who minister in Korah and at an orphanage in Awassa.

This update is from Philippine members Carmina Gonzales and Beth Leyva.

Nine GCI members from the Philippines are now in Thailand on a “mission exposure” trip. On the trip they are visiting various mission opportunity sites along with Filipino missionaries already at work there.

This exploratory trip is in keeping with the goal that GCI-Philippines has for its congregations to become active advocates of mission work by praying, giving, welcoming, mobilizing or going themselves into the missions field. Prior to their trip, the group was given pre-field training by four GCI missionaries.

Hector Barrero, GCI mission developer in South America reports that GCI’s churches in Peru held their annual seminar in late September in Piura. Fifty members attended from Lima, La Huaca, Huanuco and Piura. Here is a photo of the group:

Congregations represented at the seminar gave positive reports. Juan Carlos Florian noted that the La Huaca congregation grew last year from 25 to 50 people.

Seminar presentations included, Called to Listen, Called to Serve, Called to Advance, Called to Make Disciples, Practical Evangelism and A Fruitful Spiritual Life. Pastor Sonia Orozco from Barranquilla, Colombia gave a presentation on leading a congregation as a female pastor.

During the event, Diego, Leyla and Sofia Nieves were baptized (see picture below).

Pedro Rufian submitted the following report about a recent GCI retreat in Majorca, Spain.

GCI members, family and friends assembled for a fall retreat in Majorca, Spain. They came from Canada, France, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, the UK and the the United States. Our fellowship each night on the resort hotel terrace was great.We also enjoyed a talent show and family dance to which we invited other guests at the resort.

Our worship services featured wonderful music from adult and children’s choirs. Gospel-centered messages were given by Sheila Graham, Francis Bergin, Paul Jendrek, Ross Jutsum, Harry Sullivan and myself. Though Sheila had fallen when arriving at the airport, cutting her lip and breaking a tooth, by God’s grace and her courage, she was able to give her message. I heard recently that she is now fine.

During the retreat, the 20 children attending enjoyed Bible lessons prepared by Maxwell Victor and his team. Another highlight was the baptism of two people early one morning in the waters of the Mediterranean. Also, Ross Jutsum and Adrian Sanso presented an evangelistic music concert for resort guests (pictured below). The 400 people who attended clearly enjoyed themselves. Some then attended our services on the days that followed.

This update from camp director Dishon Mills reports on New Heights Camp.

This summer, God brought 73 campers and 66 staff together to reach new heights in Christ and in life at New Heights—a Generations Ministries sponsored summer Camp in Connecticut.

Our camp theme this year was, “It’s Time!.” We wanted each camper to leave understanding that it’s time to live for Jesus. This theme was conveyed in chapel messages, skits, videos and stories. God blessed the teaching to have a powerful impact on campers and staff.

In addition to regular recreational activities, we provided two new camp elements: Tracks and Showtime. Tracks provided training in various practical ministry skills that can be used in local churches back home. In Showtime, each dorm prepared a skit, song, or dance that was performed for the whole camp.

This year, during our traditional last-night ceremony, we served Communion using multiple stations. Earlier, the campers had written on a piece of paper things they wanted to leave behind. At the first communion station they laid down that paper, then had their hands washed to signify God’s cleansing grace. They then moved to the next station where they received the bread and cup. Then they walked between two bonfires to the “great cloud of witnesses” (the staff) who then prayed for each camper. Through this powerful ceremony, the campers acknowledged the Lordship of Jesus Christ and committed to live for him with new determination. Though it was explained that participation was voluntary, nearly every camper took part.

On Saturday, just before camp ended, we made a special presentation to Dale and Sybil Martin, thanking them for over 30 years of faithful service to GCI camps. They are retiring from serving in camp ministry–this was their last time to lead New Heights’ beloved kitchen staff. Dale and Sybil will be greatly missed—they have taught us so much. We praise God for them.

Here is a video showing New Heights this past summer:

On YouTube at http://youtu.be/SnhcN8kYvFY.

This update, from GCI-Netherlands national leader Frans Danenberg, reports on developments in some of GCI’s congregations in the Netherlands.

In September, we were blessed to have visit our worship service in the city of Almere a couple who had served as missionaries in North Africa. Currently they are living in the Netherlands, reaching out to the Muslim community in Almere. My wife met them—she gives them Dutch language lessons.

The same weekend we traveled to the city of Leeuwarden where our congregation, made up mostly of immigrants from the Congo, held a combined service with a Dutch Reformed Church there. Our congregation’s choir sang in both Dutch and Swahili. The Reformed church pastor prayed for our congregation. It was encouraging to experience the favor that our Congolese members are receiving.

Later that day, accompanied by members of our Leeuwarden congregation, we traveled to the town of Zuthpen to participate in a church service with an independent African congregation composed mainly of immigrants from Burundi. The leader (now pastor) of our Leeuwarden congregation, Matendo Makoti, knows the Burundian congregation. They have expressed interest in joining GCI. As is the African custom, the worship service lasted a long time (about three hours). About 50 people attended what was quite a lively service with drums, energetic music and excited and happy young boys and girls running around. It was quite a weekend—we experienced music in Dutch and Spanish, then Dutch and Swahili, and finally Dutch and Kirundi! It was wonderful to see (and hear) what God is doing in all three locations!

More recently, Santiago Lange and I had the pleasure of ordaining Matendo Makoti as an elder serving as pastor of the Leeuwarden congregation (see picture below). We also commissioned Bisimana Rukoka as a ministry leader. At this special service we had 81 in attendance, including several African church pastors (pictured below) representing other congregations in the Netherlands. It was a truly festive celebration.

Please pray for GCI in the Netherlands. Pray that we remain open to God’s lead, willing to step out in faith to follow.

Kalengule Kaoma, one of GCI’s church directors and mission developers in Africa, provided these updates concerning annual church conventions held recently in western and southern Africa.

Ghana

The annual church convention in Ghana, attended by about 600 people, was held simultaneously in the cities of Kutunse and Hohoe. A major focus of the gathering was the 39th anniversary of the church in Ghana. Convention activities included the inauguration of a Young Ladies Club, which provides a forum for young female members as well as non-members to meet, fellowship, pray and study. It is hoped that this club will spread throughout the churches in Ghana. Also, seven ministry leaders were commissioned, a little child was blessed, a fundraiser was held and meals were provided to all participants on Family Day.

Nigeria

The annual church convention in Nigeria, attended by about 270 people, was held in the ancient city of Benin. Members attended from all over Nigeria. Dressed in brightly colored clothing, they sang and danced with great joy and happiness. The convention theme, “No Disappointment in Christ,” was based on 1 Peter 2:6. Messages encouraged members to put their trust and confidence in Jesus Christ alone. Convention highlights included a baby dedication, baptism of eight youths and 36 adults, a “singles/youth mingle,” honoring of senior members, a talent show and the ordination of a deacon.

Zimbabwe

The annual church convention in Zimbabwe was held at the GCI church building in Chitungwiza, 30 kilometers south of Harare. Thanks to the local members, the small meeting hall there was converted to accommodate the 200 people who attended the convention with the theme, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

On one day, the youth provided the music and messages and led other activities. During the convention, the Annual General Meeting of the church in Zimbabwe was conducted. A new church constitution was adopted by 100 delegates. On the last day of the convention used clothing, gathered by participating churches, was given to less fortunate members.

GCI Philippines held its annual festival in Baguio City on September 12-15. The theme was “Forward Together in God’s Mission.”

The festival was a grand reunion as more than 1,000 GCI members, family and friends gathered from various parts of the country. Speakers included Eugene Guzon (Philippine national director), Rex Dela Pena, Gil Llaneza (festival coordinator) and Rey Taniajura.

Festival activities included worship services, a seniors luncheon, a youth and singles outreach activity, a dance night, a “blind date” for couples and an evening with the multiple church bands. A special highlight was the ordination (pictured below) of Jina Raduban as an elder. Jina pastors the GCI Philippine’s Santa Rosa church.

Anthony Mullins, who directs GCI Generations Ministries (GenMin), recently reported on progress in 2013:

• 1,144 campers and 750 staffers participated in a GenMin camp (these numbers do not include CrossWalk and Souled Out, which are yet to be held this year).
• 38 missionaries on GenMin sponsored mission trips served 460 indigenous children and 307 indigenous adults.
• Three camp coaches were appointed to provide skills coaching and mentoring to GenMin camp directors. Mark and Anne Stapleton are coaches in the West and Jeff Broadnax is coach in the East.
• Lee Berger was appointed coach of GenMin’s mission directors and mission resource team.
• GenMin moved from one annual camp/mission leadership conference to two, now named Converge: one in California and one in Ohio. As a result, there was an 80% increase in attendance and a greater sense of community and passion for Christ’s mission.
• 85 young emerging leaders participated in five Journey with the Master retreats to help them understand who Jesus is and to participate actively in Jesus’ ongoing ministry.
• GenMin launched two “Dream Teams” (one in the East and one in the West), each with five young adult leaders. Their charge is to help imagine GCI’s future with dialogue surrounding key questions:
  • How can local churches experience the relational closeness and inspiration that camps are known for?
  • To what is God calling your generation?
  • How can GCI better meet the needs of your generation?
  • Why do you think many college students leave the church and how can we better prepare them to be involved in the body of Christ?

Heartland SEP

One of the GenMin camps this past summer was Heartland SEP in central Illinois. Camp director Todd Woods reported that 83 staffers served 75 regular campers and 15 junior campers. Of particular note is that many of the camp’s older staffers caught GenMin’s vision for preparing the next generation of servant-leaders. There were three new chapel message preachers and campers and staffers were helped to grow in ministry ability through classes in worship, drama and missions. Other camp activities included sports, paintball, pottery, archery and cake decorating. Three baptisms capped off a wonderful week of fun, fellowship and disciple-making.