GCI Update
Connecting Members & Friends of GCI
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US Black History Month

If your congregation celebrated Black History together last month, please share your story and photos with us. Email elizabeth.mullins@gci.org

GC Los Angeles 2024 Black History Celebration

Black History Month is observed in February in the U.S. The observance matters to Christians because it provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the significant contributions of African Americans to the faith. It is also an opportunity to lament and repent of the Church’s history with racism and injustice. By the observance, we demonstrate solidarity with the Black community, acknowledging their experiences and struggles within the context of Christian teachings. We do this while highlighting the unifying power of God in the face of racial divisions.


See more information on GCI’s National Advisory Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – GCI Equipper.

The words of U.S. Director Jeff Broadnax in the June 2023 Update remain timely. Read the letter here.

Prayer Guide—March 2026

“Prayer is the encounter of God’s thirst with ours.” — Augustine of Hippo

This March, we come before God in prayer. We’re learning together to listen more closely to Jesus, giving thanks for the life of our churches, and walking together toward Easter with steady trust.

Join us in prayer. See the full prayer guide here.

Would you like to receive this Prayer Guide straight to your email inbox before the first of the month? Sign up here.

Congratulations Graduates

Join us in congratulating Akeneta Mua of the Suva, Fiji congregation and Samuel Chivers of the Melton congregation in Melbourne, Australia. We celebrate their achievement.

Akeneta graduated from Penang Sangam High School. She will attend the University of Fiji Nursing School.


Samuel graduated in November completing full Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), a senior secondary school credential. He received certifications of merit for academic excellence in English and outdoor environmental studies. He will attend Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) to pursue a Bachelor of Engineering.

Meet Calvin Porterfield

“My wife and I have a saying, ‘Bring it Lord.’ In the good times and when the trials of life come …”

Meet Calvin Porterfield. Serving as a youth leader and pastoral resident, he is passionate about helping teenagers know and follow Jesus. He leads with a pastoral and resilient presence, relying on God’s faithfulness in every season.

Read the full profile here.

Register Now—DC26

The Denominational Celebration
will be held
in Dallas, Texas, U.S.
on
July 23-26, 2026.

Save your spot and register today!

We would love for you to participate in our time together. This gathering gives our fellowship time to worship, learn, and enjoy being together. The schedule offers steady rhythms of teaching, connection, and shared worship.

Our theme for this celebration is Kingdom Living. Throughout the event, we will explore how God invites us to participate in his life, reflect his goodness, and join his ongoing work in the world. The theme will guide our worship, breakout sessions, and main teachings. It will help us focus on the hope we share and the way we live it out in our daily lives.

Join us for:

      • Daily worship setting a hopeful tone each day
      • Breakouts that explore discipleship, calling, and mission
      • Messages from our leaders, including Greg Williams
      • Interviews with leaders who will share insights and stories
      • Communion that reminds us of our shared life in Jesus
      • Time for meals, fellowship, and personal reflection

You’re Invited—LiLY Women’s Conference

Registration is now open!

2026 LiLY Women’s Conference
April 24-26, 2026
Embassy Suites in Independence, Ohio

Theme: Aligned with Purpose

… let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1b-2 (NIV)

Read the schedule here.


Registration Fee:

      • $85 Early Bird Pricing — Register by Friday, March 27, 2026
      • $95 Regular Pricing — Register by Friday, April 17, 2026
      • $60 Special Teen Rate — Ages 13-17

Online registration ends on April 17, 2026.

Hotel Reservation/Cost:

Embassy Suites, 5800 Rockside Woods Blvd. Independence, Ohio, U.S.

Overnight hotel rate: $134 per night, per suite, 4-person room
(Total with tax is $315 ­­­­­­for both nights. Breakfast and manager’s reception are included for hotel guests only.)

Click here to make your reservation online.

Group Name: LiLY Women’s Conference
Group Code: LW4
Central Reservations Number: 1-866-315-1185
Deadline for hotel reservations at the special rate is Friday, March 27, 2026.

Register today online at gccle.church/lily


If not registering online, mail your registration fee with checks payable to:
Grace Communion Cleveland
4499 Canterbury Road
North Olmsted, Ohio 44070

(Please include your name, address, phone number, emergency contact name and address, and if you are staying for Saturday night dinner)

If you have any questions, please email us at: LiLYwomensministry@gmail.com

Rosa Hulse
Women’s Ministry Leader
Grace Communion Cleveland

Like/Follow us on Facebook at LiLYWomensConference.

Now Hiring—Digital Content Developer

Grace Communion International is seeking a Digital Content Developer to serve on our Media Team. This full-time, non-exempt position is based in Charlotte, NC, and reports to the Media Coordinator.

The Digital Content Developer helps tell the story of what God is doing through Grace Communion International by creating thoughtful, engaging digital content including video, podcasts, and graphics. This role collaborates closely with the Media Team to develop projects from concept through completion.

We are looking for someone who values creative excellence, collaboration, and lifelong learning, and who resonates with GCI’s commitment to sharing the gospel and participating in the love and life of the triune God.

Applicants should have relevant education or experience in digital media production and be aligned with GCI’s mission and theological commitments. See the job description here.

If you would like further details on the position or would like a GCI job application, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@gci.org or 980-495-3960.

Please share this announcement with qualified candidates who may be gifted for this position at the Home Office.

New Member Management System

A New Giving and Member System Is Coming in 2026

Every year brings a sense of expectancy, and in 2026, our congregations will be stepping into something new. Grace Communion International will soon begin using an updated system to help U.S.-based congregations care for members and manage giving more effectively.

Our current online system (iMIS) has reached the end of its life, so we are transitioning to a new, modern system, Ministry Platform, which will better support both U.S.-based local congregations and the wider GCI fellowship.

What This Means for You

While much of this transition will happen behind the scenes, members can expect several benefits over time, including:

    • Easier and more flexible options for online giving
    • Improved communication from your local congregation
    • Better coordination of events, small groups, and ministry activities
    • Tools that help churches care well for members and guests

Change always takes time, and we are committed to moving at a thoughtful and measured pace. Pastors, treasurers, and ministry leaders will receive training and ongoing support as the new system is introduced. Additional features will be added gradually throughout the year to ensure a smooth transition for congregations and members alike.

Moving Forward Together

Whether you feel curious, excited, or cautious about this change, we are grateful to walk this journey together. We trust that this update will support our shared mission and help us continue living and sharing the gospel in our congregations and communities.

Robert Meade, GCI Comptroller
Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.