Category: Stay Connected

On Friday, June 30, the Grace Communion Seminary (GCS) Commencement was held during the Denominational Celebration in North Carolina, U.S. The last commencement was in 2017 in Orlando, FL; this commencement was for students who completed their studies 2018-2023.

There were 19 candidates for a Master of Pastoral Studies, 12 candidates for a Master of Theological Studies, and two candidates for a Master of Divinity. Twenty graduates attended the commencement. The student address was given by Audie Santibanez, GCI Deputy National Director of the Philippines.

Testimonials of Graduates

The GCS training has changed me as a person as well as a minister of the gospel. I have no doubt, I am adequately equipped for the work. As it says in Luke 12:48, “to whom much is given much is required.” I plan to use what I have been given to develop more leaders who will in turn develop more leaders. That way these leaders will be equipped to share the gospel with more people. —Anthony Gachanja, Regional Director, East Africa

Within a very short time, what I was learning in the seminary classes started to infuse every aspect of my ministry. Many members commented on how my sermons had grown in depth and richness after I had been taking seminary classes for a couple of years. The books I acquired for my classes make me feel like I have a gold mine of theological knowledge sitting on my bookshelves that I will be able to mine for the rest of my ministry vocation. —Al Kurzawa, Pastor, Seaford and Morwell, Victoria, Australia

The unique aspect of GCS is the awesome learning environment of family. This is not an ordinary educational experience that is distant. We know each other well—faculty, staff, and students. We learn from each other in a trinitarian experience of mutual indwelling that makes the GCS experience so profound. Accordingly, we can relate this experience back to our congregations, not just as knowledge, but a true experience of what true relationship in this common journey can bring. —John Newsom, Pastor, Queens, New York, US

My first ever GCS class was with New Testament Survey, and I was still a reluctant student until about halfway through that class. But it was the beginning of something magnificent. What I did not want at first has turned out to be one of my greatest blessings. God has used my classes with GCS to bring spiritual renewal to my life. Something I did not expect but I’m immensely grateful for. —Audie Santibanez, Deputy National Director, Philippines

Grace Communion Seminary serves the needs of pastors and others engaged in Christian service who want to grow deeper in relationship with our Triune God and to be able to serve in the church more effectively.

The mission of GCS is to equip men and women for church-based ministry. We accomplish this through quality graduate-level distance education programs in biblical, theological, and pastoral studies grounded in biblical, Christ-centered, historically orthodox faith and worship.

Learn more about GCS here.

To reflect God’s faithfulness through the generations, this year GCI hosted the 2023 Healthy Church Challenge. The Healthy Church Challenge prompts GCI members aged 8-17 to creatively express what healthy church means to them.

• • • I love Jesus because____.
    • I know Jesus loves me because____.
    • One way I share the love Jesus has given me is____.

And praise God, because he is at work in our midst—the Healthy Church Challenge entries from these incredible young people are evidence.

On 5 February 2023, the GCI congregation in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands celebrated its 10-year anniversary. We thanked and honoured God with exuberant songs, in a service led and provided by the women of the congregation. Seventy-five people attended, including several guests.

Pastor Matendo Makoti explained that we should never be discouraged. God’s work is sometimes slow with setbacks and successes, but always know that your efforts are not in vain in the Lord! “But let us give thanks to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Together with me, Pastor Matendo Makoti stood at the cradle of the congregation. We are also very grateful for the wise counsel and support from Santiago Lange, the then mission developer from Germany.

At the end of 2011, I met Matendo, his family, and his brother-in-law, Kuba Kone. They had come to the Netherlands from the refugee camp in Kenya, under the resettlement programme. They were settled near Leeuwarden. Leeuwarden is a city/municipality in the province of Friesland.

“As with any role, I am learning and evolving as roles may evolve and change over time. At times, there isn’t a clear mold that we need to “fit” in, but we lean into God’s call and submit ourselves to the Potter’s hands and be open to using the gifts that we are blessed with as we serve.”—Lucy Santibanez Enerio

Check out this month’s GCI Profile to get to know Lucy, GCI Home Office Administrative Assistant in Charlotte, NC. To read her full profile, click the image below. #WeAreGCI

Join us in communion and corporate prayer this month as we thank God that he includes us in his good work.

“Christians pray because they have to, because the Spirit is surging up inside them.” ― Rowan Williams

Click here or the image below to download and print the June Prayer Guide, which celebrates how God is working in and among our fellowships. #WeAreGCI

Grace Communion Cleveland hosted their 19^th Annual LiLY Women’s Conference on April 14-16, at Embassy Suites in Beachwood, Ohio. Seventy-three women took part in our conference that highlighted the theme, “Rekindle” (2 Tim 1:6-7).

Friday night the weekend began with a praise & worship band followed by speaker Josephine Shelton-Townes. Her topic was “Blessed, not Stressed.” She shared how we can block ourselves from blessings by allowing stress to take root in our lives. One of the big takeaways from the session was, “The word no is a complete sentence.”

Saturday morning, after praise and worship, Joy Traschel shared a session titled, “Reclaiming What Has Been Stolen.” She showed us in scripture how David strengthened himself in the Lord. Using his example, she highlighted the importance of naming what has been stolen, taken, or given away. We were reminded of the need to know who we are praying to and change our posture when inquiring of the Lord.

Next, Rachel G. Scott led Saturday morning and afternoon sessions. She spoke about how Peter denied Christ, but God still embraced him. She explained how Peter desired to go back to what was familiar, being a fisherman. However, he was given a new job, feeding the sheep. As God gives us assignments, we cannot become distracted.

Saturday evening ended with a prayer service and powerful testimonials. The final session was our church service held on Sunday. Pastor Tamar Gray spoke about how we have everything we need to move forward from the weekend with power, love, and self-discipline in Jesus Christ.

Save the Date: Our 20^th annual conference will be held on April 24-26, 2024. Follow us on Facebook@lilywomensconference for more information.

Rosa Hulse, Women’s Ministry leader
Cleveland, OH, US

In March, thirty members participated in this year’s Refresher Weekend on the beautiful Kapiti Coast, an hour north of Wellington, New Zealand. Martin Bailey from Melbourne was our guest presenter. Martin is a qualified business mentor who has spent 13 years in productivity improvement and training for some of the world’s largest companies.

The theme was the 4 Es: Engage, Equip, Empower, and Encourage. The 4 Es describe a process focused on developing people for ministry participation and leadership. Martin began with an overview of the Faith, Hope, and Love Avenues, then led a session on each of the 4 Es. We all really enjoyed his relaxed and personable style, punctuated with short video clips and spiced with a liberal dose of humour.

Martin focused on equipping and empowering us to share the gospel by simply being real and authentic. He kept pointing us back to the practical application of the message, caring for others, and taking their perspective. He encouraged us to start with something small and see where it leads. Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman started as small as “Can I have a drink?” and ended with a whole village coming to believe in the Messiah.

The intention was to seek the Spirit’s guidance toward what we might actively put into practice. The attendees committed to trying one or more of Martin’s small steps and discussing the results at our next Celebration in September. All were encouraged to share what they learned with others so the whole church could benefit.

Phil Baldwin started each of the sessions with a short devotional service and Rex Morgan led communion, which was a fitting way to conclude a wonderful time together.

The board members stayed an additional night for a meeting on Monday. Dennis Richards presented his strategic directions update, reporting progress achieved and challenges ahead. He concluded by noting 2023 is midway through GCI’s Three-year Plan. In 2022 we introduced the three Avenue ministries underpinning GCI’s missional aspirations. In 2023 we established these operationally. And in 2024, we’ll focus on settling these into the life rhythms of the church.

Rex Morgan, Pastor
Auckland, New Zealand