Category: Stay Connected

• • • • • Register today!
        • See the schedule.
        • Get more information.
        • Volunteer to help with our Celebration Kids Club and Teen Sessions and pay no registration fee!

GCI Gear is Here!

We chose the vendor for our on-demand store based on their high-quality and ethically sourced items, as well as their ability to ship internationally. However, please note that the shipping costs are per item. You can get detailed shipping information here.

Praise God! After almost three years of gathering virtually through Zoom and YouTube Live, God opened a door for GCI Lancaster to come together again in a church building. During that time, we had a few different spaces that we considered, but for one reason or another (including one of our signatory’s cars almost being broken into), we knew the Holy Spirit was not opening those doors. While we waited for the right door, we continued to serve our community through winter clothing drives, local resource centers that serve the homeless and moms in crisis pregnancies, and luncheon invitationals.

On January 1, 2023, we held our first in-person Sunday service since March 2020. It was such a blessing to come together again! Some of our members, who had not continued when we moved online, have said they are so glad to be back with us again. Within the first three weeks, we have had a few new visitors and one that is becoming a regular.

This month has been exciting and challenging, transitioning back to an in-person gathering in a new building. Our young people are really enjoying being involved in every aspect of the service, from running the online chat to being greeters and ushers. We were able to purchase new equipment to continue live-streaming. *See editor’s note below.

We look forward to all that God will do with us in this new place and the people that he will bring us to, to participate in the work the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are doing in West Lancaster.

By Susanna Martinez
Treasurer

*Editor’s note: It’s an important service GCI Lancaster is providing. If you’re not already, prayerfully consider how your church can provide both an in-person option and a digital option. With some planning and intentionality, you can include your neighbors who may not be able to attend the in-person gathering. See our Church Hack for more information.

When Love Avenue Champion Jimmy Crouch approached me last May about an engagement idea that he and his wife had for the neighborhood, I had no idea how impactful it would become. It began as setting up a simple hot dog stand on the front porch of the church on Sunday evenings for a couple of hours and offering free hot dogs, chips, and a drink to anyone stopping by. But it soon became a regular gathering place each and every Sunday thereafter to sit and talk with those who stopped by.

The attendance started with a handful of people and has continued to grow every week. Now we average around 30 people, many who come every week to join in fellowship. From something so simple, we have three people who are now attending church with us, and two were baptized on January 8. It just goes to show that something as simple as a hot dog can be a ministry to others. To God Be the Glory!

By Tracy Crouch
Pastor

• • • • • Register today!
        • See the schedule.
        • Get more information.
        • Volunteer to help with our Celebration Kids Club and Teen Sessions and pay no registration fee!

Are you considering volunteering, but you have questions?

Check out our Q&A.

Q: The conference is 3+ days. Will I be expected to serve the entire time? Every session? What’s my time commitment?
A: Each shift or session is 2.5 hours or less. We ask that you choose and serve for one shift. Of course, you can choose more than one shift.

Q: Do I have to create my own lessons / curriculum?
A: No. We will provide a lesson and activity with all supplies for your session.

Q: How many other adults will I be with?
A: Depending on the age group, you will be with at least 2 other volunteers during your shift.

Q: Can I request which age group I help with? If I’d rather serve with teens, can I request that?
A: Absolutely. On the sign up, you will see that the shifts are organized by grade/age and times. You can pick any open slot.

Have additional questions or want to volunteer? Please send an email to home.office@gci.org

On December 11, GC Surrey Hills joined our neighbors and celebrated “A Very Surrey Christmas” by participating in the Christmas parade. There were floats, golf carts, 4 wheelers, and even a muscle car decked out for Christmas and spreading joy (and candy) throughout the neighborhood streets.

We saw more people sitting outside with their families to watch the parade than any other year so far! Our float theme was “The Greatest Snowman,” a spin-off of the popular “The Greatest Showman” movie. The Love Avenue team did a great job getting the float together. Our resident cowboy, Cowboy Steve, provided us with a wonderful trailer and pulled us safely through the parade.

After the parade, we headed to the Golf Club where neighbors and the Lion’s Club served free hot chocolate and cookies. It was sponsored by two neighborhood-owned businesses: Grounds 4 Compassion and A Latte Love Coffee House. We filled the club house, because this neighborhood loves to come together! We may need to start looking for a larger space for next year. Two of our amazing neighbors came to the clubhouse as Mr. & Mrs. Claus so that parents could get pictures.

In addition, 48 children in our neighborhood were adopted by other neighbors for Christmas. The gifts piled in and were delivered to the kiddos before Christmas! Together, as neighbors, we wanted to make sure that each and every neighborhood kiddo had a VERY Merry Christmas.

The Spirit is moving throughout Surrey Hills, and we are SO blessed to be a part of what Jesus is doing. God’s love is flowing throughout the neighborhood. What a gift it is to be in relationship with him and one another!

Ceeja Malmkar
Love Avenue Champion

American Heritage Girls Troop TX1595 was chartered in 2021 by our GC Richardson church family as a vessel for engaging our neighborhood and sharing the love of Jesus with them.

The troop organized its winter awards ceremony in December to celebrate the wonderful achievements of the girls over the previous four months. Close to 40 people, including 9 girls and their families, gathered for an inspiring night of recognition, prayer, food, fellowship, and fun. More than 10 adult volunteers, including parents and grandparents, were honored for their role in running the troop.

Camping, badgework, and social events keep the troop members learning and growing in relationship with each other and with Jesus all through the year.

The troop has served in many ways, including packing Operation Christmas Child boxes and participating in the City of Richardson’s Christmas Parade. This year’s float depicted the book, The Gifts of the Animals, in the Christmas Storybook themed parade. It was well attended by the Richardson community.

Currently, only one of the girls attends our fellowship with her family. The troop reflects our neighborhood’s ethnic diversity and members come from Catholic, house church, Baptist, Pentecostal and other Christian faith traditions. We look forward to welcoming more girls and families in the future including those who do not yet enjoy the blessing of intentional intimate relationship with Jesus.

American Heritage Girls’ mission is building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country. Learn more at americanheritagegirls.org.

Christine Ojih
Richardson, TX

Participating in what Jesus is doing is so awesome. In December, Grace Communion Derby held our Parent’s Day Out/Day Camp. Our goal was to provide parents with time for themselves and make connections with children in the neighborhood. Seven children, grades K-5, attended. Twelve adult members participated to assist and love on the kids.

The event was held from 10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. Our Sunday School teacher, Sue Ann, created a fantastic program for the children. The activities included:

• • Reading Christmas stories,
  • Decorating cookies,
  • Painting wreaths,
  • Playing games,
  • Drawing with sidewalk chalk,
  • Assembling and flying foam airplanes,
  • Making personal lunch pizzas,
  • Making cards,
  • Building with Legos,
  • Watching the Candy Cane Legend movie, and
  • Playing with model trains, including a scavenger hunt within the display.

Here are a few comments from some of the adults:

• • One boy said he wanted to come again next week!
  • There were enough adults to give one-on-one attention between scheduled activities.
  • The day was full of opportunities to build relationships.
  • We had special structured activities, but the unstructured engagement was so sweet, like a lesson in shoe tying on the floor.

I honestly cannot say who had the better time, the children or the adults. Our members are in their 60s, 70s, and 80s.Yes, we were tired, but we found, with the help of Jesus, we could participate with him. Now we are planning a two-day day camp next June. Participating with Jesus is a blessing on a whole new level.

Kirk Hayden
Pastor, Derby, KS, US