Category: Stay Connected

In October, GC Bellflower in Southern California hosted a three-day weekend retreat centered around the message of the nonviolent gospel as revealed in Jesus. Our guest teachers were Anthony and Linda Bartlett of the Bethany Center community in Syracuse, NY, and our invitation was to come and join others who are open to learning about the nonviolent Bible. It drew more than thirty participants over the course of the weekend (including a few virtual attendees). Half were neighbors from the community, including two followers of Islam.

The interactive teaching sessions took place in the shade of my family’s yard. Sitting in a circle, we were in the company of Jesus to learn from Him the way of nonviolence, His way of being human, which is hope for the world. We rehearsed what has happened before among Christians, the terror of war with its staggering death toll and the continuing threat of wars.

We talked of how violence is an illness between humans, a disease of mutual and mimetic nature, the economics of rivalry, to be cured only by forgiveness and love. We talked of war and the Bible, and how Jesus heals any connection between the two. We shared our stories and prayed for one another. We deconstructed key anthropological elements of the story of Jonah by comparing it to a parallel Japanese account and respected how Jesus can calm our storms of violence and destruction with his word.

On Saturday, our Muslim guests stayed from early morning to late in the night. They represent an eagerness to learn about Jesus and the Bible. We all enjoyed singing and praying; we were, in effect, together with Him, in love and peace like branches on the vine. We were in His house and communion of peace, which is the church.

“It was a beautiful weekend,” “So loving,” and “I would do that again” were comments my wife, Amalia, and I heard again and again. Participants also remarked, “It certainly gives us a lot to think about.”

The impetus for this event was GCI’s emphasis on engaging the neighborhood and using our talents to join Jesus in his ministry. Years before, my interest in nonviolence began when I completed a book report on Did God Really Command Genocide? for a Grace Communion Seminary class. Later, I participated in an online book study of Seven Stories- How to Study and Teach the Nonviolent Bible facilitated by the author, Anthony Bartlett.

As a result of these experiences, and continuing to read the writings of René Girard, I’m learning about demythologizing the Bible narratives, understanding how humanity projects its own violence onto God, and seeing how the Bible culminates in Jesus undoing and delegitimizing violence.

If you are interested in learning more about nonviolence, contact me at reuben.rios@gci.org.

By Reuben Rios, Pastor
Bellflower, CA, US

 

 

 

 

Note: This update is not an endorsement from GCI of the Bethany Center or their theology.

Congratulations to Elder Kairis Colter-Chiaji who was installed as the paster of GC Sacramento this month. We are sharing in your joy and will hold you in our prayers for this new role.

She shared this with our Update readers: “This experience is both exhilarating and intimidating. This isn’t one of those spaces where you can get it wrong without consequences. Not with being a guide for relationships with Jesus. Not with representing the Body of Christ in the world. Not with the impact of being in full-time ministry on family. I will certainly lean heavily on the Holy Spirit for guidance for how I act, think, feel, and lead.”

Praise from Regional Director Tim Sitterly:

“After working with Kairis as part of a three-person pastoral team, it was my pleasure to install her as the lead pastor of GC Sacramento. The congregation, which has recently gone through a change of day and location, is now in very good hands for whatever lies ahead.”

We are also celebrating the following elder ordinations. Please join us in congratulating and praying for them.

• • • José Lopez, Sun Valley, CA, US
    • Associate Pastor Manny Ornejas, Masterton, Wellington, New Zealand
    • Goeffrey Davis, Melton, Victoria, Australia

“I have an unending passion for Christ, His word, and the calling we have as a church.”

Meet, Paulina Salinas, MTC Coordinator for GCI-Latin America. View her full profile and story here.

“Thanksgiving is inseparable from true prayer; it is almost essentially connected with it.”— John Wesley

Let your prayers be filled with thanksgiving this November. Join us in seeking God with thankful hearts. Our November Prayer Guide is available for download here.

GCI is hiring!

Two full-time positions are now open at the Grace Communion International (GCI) Home Office in Charlotte, NC, U.S.

The Media Coordinator position is currently available, and applications are being accepted. See the job description here.

The Assistant Operations Coordinator position is currently available, and applications are being accepted. See the job description here.

If you would like further details on either 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 either position at the Home Office.

Paul Harold Kurtz, Jr., an elder in the Jacksonville, FL, U.S. congregation, passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 4, 2024. He was born on March 29, 1952, at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station hospital. Paul was a brilliant man, talented musician, avid reader, devout Christian, loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, friend, and an inspiration to all who met him. Read the full obituary here.

Paul is survived by his wife, Bonnie. She and Paul were married in June. Paul is also survived by his children, Paul III (Sarah) and Mallory (Andy).

Bonnie said, “He will always live in our hearts and, through his example, inspire us to be our very best selves. I am missing him terribly. What a kind, loving, Christian man he was. My heart is broken, but I will forever cherish our short time together.”

Pastor Marty Davey shared, “Paul was out with our church group last night to see a movie, and seemed to feel fine, and had a good time. Paul had health concerns and had even overcome cancer, and he knew the Lord was always with him and his life and healing were in His hands — so Paul kept on doing the things he loved to do. He was determined to live every day, until he died — and that’s exactly what he did! We shall miss him deeply, and his amazing ministry and amazing impact on everyone he touched.”

Cards may be sent to:
Bonnie Kurtz
4650 Nottingham Road
Jacksonville, FL, 32210

Join us in honoring Phil Hopwood’s retirement. He served GCI for more than 40 years in Canada and Australia.

Congratulations, Phil! We are very grateful for your many years of faithful service.

We wanted you to hear from Phil in his own words.

I was brought up in a Methodist church in Launceston, Tasmania. At 14 I was given a Radio Church of God booklet. I listened to The World Tomorrow and read The Plain Truth and booklets and was baptized in a mountain creek in early 1972. The cold water exhausted my lungs, which struck me as symbolic of my baptism into Jesus’ death, and being raised to breathe new life.

In 1972 I went to the United Kingdom for two years, attending services and studies at Bricket Wood. On returning to Tasmania, I became increasingly involved in the local congregations, including Spokesmen’s Club, organizing activities, and speaking at services.

In 1979 my pastor recommended I apply for Ambassador College. I studied in Pasadena from 1980-1983. They were three of the best years of my life and included a summer at the Jerusalem dig. Many current GCI leaders and pastors were fellow students. I was head usher at the Auditorium for a time and loved the concerts. It was a great feeling having the keys to that magnificent building in my pocket. I later worked in the personal correspondence department. This was useful during the changes when I was asked to answer hundreds of letters from Australia and Southeast Asia from members struggling with the new teachings.

I was privileged to be a summer ministerial trainee in Vancouver, Canada in 1982 and was hired there after graduating. I later ministered in Red Deer and Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Among the highlights were organising Y.O.U ski trips, bike trips, and houseboat trips in Alberta and British Columbia. I married in 1986, and when transferred back to Australia to pastor the Newcastle congregation in 1992, we were a family of five.

I had come to understand the basics of God’s grace and was overjoyed when the doctrinal changes came. Most local members listened, learned, and grew quickly in understanding, which was a blessing to witness. During that tumultuous time, I helped organise email forums for members around the world to help each other with the many questions the denominational transformation raised. Bret Miller set up the technical side, and Ted Johnson joined me in responding to myriad questions and concerns.

In 1997, we moved back to Tasmania to pastor three congregations. There were further challenges ahead, again helping congregations with the doctrinal changes. Launceston became the first Australian congregation to move to Sunday services, and we moved our annual festival celebration to a different time of year. Later, this turned into an annual retreat that has continued. The next one is planned for Advent this year.

In the past 20 plus years, I have pastored part-time, run a computer business, and taught adult education computer classes. I also created and taught ACCM classes around the world, including pastoral care and preaching classes, in the U.S., Namibia, Fiji, the Philippines, India, Malaysia, and Thailand.

After 41 years in pastoral ministry, I retired on June 30. It was challenging anticipating what this new life stage would be like, but I am loving it. I am converting an ex-ambulance into a campervan, joined a men’s shed and music group, and have time to do more things around the home (lots of overdue projects), as well as reading, learning piano and guitar, I am continuing to walk with and support local members.

The journey has been an amazing adventure. The greatest blessing has been making friends around the world and seeing so many members experience joy and encouragement from understanding more about who God really is as revealed in Jesus.

Mr. Kelly Barfield, Elder Emeritus and long-time pastor for GCI, passed away on September 22, 2024. Mr. Barfield lived and served in the Big Sandy, Texas, congregation for many years. His wife of 63 years is Vinita Barfield.

Cards of condolence for the family may be mailed to:

Vinita Barfield
132 Lindsey Road
Big Sandy, TX 75755

GCI Canada recently moved their national office from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to Winnipeg, Manitoba. We are now leasing office space within the Grace Communion Winnipeg church building from the congregation.

To align with the completion of the move, the GCI Canada board met in Winnipeg over the weekend for their Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Strategic Planning Session. The board confirmed alignment with the Faith, Hope, and Love Avenues and the denomination’s vision of Healthy Church.

On Sunday morning, in addition to touring the church building and new office space, the board members also had the opportunity to attend Grace Communion Winnipeg church services before departing for home to various locations across Canada.

Bill Hall, National Director of Canada
Battleford, SK, Canada