The month of October is Pastor Appreciation month. In addition to the way you plan to demonstrate your appreciation locally, help us honor our GCI pastors in Update. Use the form below to tell us why your pastor or pastoral team is wonderful. How have you been encouraged or invested in personally?
Next month, we’ll share your stories celebrating our pastors. Click the link below to fill out the form. Thank you!
When I asked one attendee of the Welcome Home Conference how she would describe the conference in one word, she replied, “Hope.” I could not agree more. Certainly, this conference came at a time when the message of hope is sorely needed in our country, both within and outside of GCI. We are still dealing with the aftereffects of the pandemic. All our churches and fellowship groups faced being online for several months and many have just started to have in-person services. As a country, we have faced divisions over the handling of the pandemic as well as the stress of dealing with our colonial past and our interactions with the original inhabitants of this land. Finally, as a denomination we are facing the reality of having an aging ministry and members. So, the presentations regarding the Hope Avenue resonated with many of us.
It also fit with the theme of “Welcome Home.” We all have a place in relationship with our triune God, and he is in the process of welcoming all peoples to their true home. As our guest performer and lecturer, Canadian Christian artist Steve Bell said during his For the Journey presentation, “We are all in communion with God by his grace” (a play on our denominational name).
The presence of many new Canadians from Africa and Latin America gave us all a sense of what the future leadership of GCI in Canada will look like. Canada and GCI have become a new home for immigrants from many countries, and they are excited to be part of this fellowship and are inviting others to participate in this relationship with our triune God.
As Michael Rasmussen kept mentioning during his presentations on the Hope Avenue, “God is calling all people to be a part of the church…they just don’t all know it yet.”
By Bill Hall
National Director, Canada
Claudine Lorraine Woodie, age 97, of Greenwood Village, Colorado passed away on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Claudine was born December 10, 1924, and she was an employee of GCI in Business & Human Resources and Mail Processing from 1951 through 1995. Her brother-in-law, David Hunsberger, submitted the following to be shared with our Update readers.
Claudine was a long-serving employee, known by many who would have enjoyed her exceptional hospitality and generosity in both Bricket Wood and Pasadena. Claudine hosted many dinners in her home. After retirement and moving to the Denver, Colorado area, she continued serving members and youth with enthusiasm.
Widowed in 2001, Claudine lived her final years with Shirley and David Hunsberger and niece Teresa Hannaway, and her children—a real “full house!” As she took her last breath here at home, she was surrounded by sister Shirley, brother-in-law David Hunsberger, nephews Glen Hunsberger, Gavin Hannaway, and Justan Presley, and nieces Annette Presley and Teresa Hannaway. With a peaceful look, Claudine departed for her spot in glory, to wait for and welcome the rest of us.
The following is a prayer request for Patsy Ross, wife of John Ross, the pastor of Greenwood, Mississippi, U.S.
Patsy suffers from serious digestion complications that make it difficult to eat enough and get the necessary nutrients. The lack of nutrition has caused her heart to beat too fast. The good news is that a heart specialist recently determined that Patsy’s heart is healthy, and she is trying a new medication to slow her heart rate. Patsy will see a pain specialist and a gastric specialist to hopefully resolve some of her symptoms.
Due to nausea and lack of appetite, Patsy has lost more than 50 pounds this year and is very weak. She needs assistance moving around, and John is her primary caregiver. Please pray for provision, healing, and peace.
Cards may be sent to:
Patsy and John Ross
1204 Glendale Cir
Greenwood, MS 38930-7203
On July 31, in the Atlanta area, I had the privilege to commission Phil Doele as the pastor of GCI Snellville. It was a blessing to have Elizabeth with me as we celebrated Jesus Christ and his unflinching love with the congregation. The day before, we enjoyed the retirement party for their former pastor, David Beckner, and his wife, Gayle.
Installing a new GCI Pastor is a wonderful experience. Within the congregation is a renewed hope through a refined vision in the Holy Spirit, an anticipation for the future, and gratitude for the triune God’s provision. Join me in praying for Pastor Phil and Esther during this time of transition.
Allow me to share a little about Phil and his family and vocational context. He’s married to Esther Carlisle Doele. Many of you will know Esther and the Carlisle family from Alabama. Esther’s sister, Jacquelyn Carlisle, is an elder and facilitator of our fellowship group in Montgomery. Please excuse their love for Alabama football! Their older daughter, Christianna, is a student at Georgetown University in the Washington, D.C. area and has served on our regional GC Next team and as a cohost for GC Podcast. Their younger daughter, Eula, will soon begin her freshman year at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Eula is following in her father’s footsteps by attending Yale. I can’t say enough about Christiana and Eula! They are exceptional young women and emerging leaders in our denomination.
Phil will not only serve as the pastor of GCI Snellville but will continue his full-time employment as an architect. Phil, we are grateful for your humble servant-heart and your deep love for God and your neighbors. Thank you for saying “yes” to God’s “yes!”
By Anthony Mullins
Regional Director, Southeast
Grace Communion River Road, just outside Eugene, Oregon, recently held a successful Outside The Walls (OTW) event. We invited neighbors to join us for fun carnival games, free food, and even summer snowball fights.
Our Love Avenue team wanted an event as welcoming as it was repeatable. “Christmas in July” seemed simple to explain and an instant tradition to draw people year after year. Throughout the training the acronym OTW became widespread. Looking Outside The Walls to serve our neighbors is important. 
Even so, I immediately saw OTW as ‘On The Way’ and for me, the event took on new meaning. The great commission is translated with the command, “Go”, but the Greek reads, “as you go.” In other words, ‘On The Way’ to whatever you do, make disciples.
I feared that a failed OTW would discourage our congregation from ever reaching out again. We have to remember that events are opportunities, not obligations. When we have fun engaging with guests, they are bound to want to join us on the way.
We made ourselves known in the community and started some good relationships with the neighbors who stopped by, but we learned we could have had better advertising and signage. Also, reducing the event from five to three hours could prevent wearing out our volunteers in the future. I look forward to seeing more neighbors at our monthly family nights, and we already have volunteers eager for our Halloween event.
You don’t have to spend a fortune or overwork the members of your congregation to attract people to join you in the body of Christ. Your congregation just needs to be welcoming and treat every guest as a new friend. I know that I picked up some friends on the way and am excited to see what God has in store for the future.
By Aleck Thompson
Associate Pastor & Love Avenue Champion
Mr. Grant is the father of Tommie Grant, Jr, pastor of Ladson, SC. We share in their grief and in their hope of resurrection.
The following is the obituary shared with Update from his family.
Elder Tommie Lee Grant, Sr., son of the late Archer Keller and Marie Taylor-Stroy, was born November 10, 1930. He departed this physical life on Sunday, July 10, 2022.
Elder Grant attended and graduated from the public schools of Holly Hill, SC. He was married to Josephine (Holman) Grant on December 22, 1949. He became a Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church member at an early age and served as a deacon. Later, he became a member of Grace Communion Ladson, where he was a faithful servant for more than 50 years. Elder Grant served as a pastor until his retirement.
Elder Grant was a businessman, a community leader, and advocate, particularly for the underserved. He had a passion for education and served in various roles, include Holly Hill School Board member and PTA President. He was a skilled tradesman in carpentry and brick masonry. He used both skillsets effectively to help his neighbors over the years. As a foreman with strong leadership skills, he led various teams in both trades to do the same.
Elder Grant is preceded in death by his wife, Josephine Grant, and four children, Johnnie Lee, Robert Lee, Nathaniel, and Joann. He leaves wonderful memories to be cherished by his remaining children, Clara (George) Martin of Summerville, SC; Tommie Lee (Robin) Grant, Jr., of Summerville, SC; Anthony (Valerie) Pelzer of Fayetteville, NC; Rose Marie Hamrick of Summerville, SC; Roger (Tracy) Pelzer of Minot, ND; and Donna Grant of Summerville, SC; and 40 grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Cards may be sent to
The Grant Family
c/o Tommie & Robin Grant
115 Heritage Lane
Summerville, SC 29483
Sandy is the mother of Update editor, Elizabeth Mullins, and mother-in-law to regional director Anthony Mullins.
At the age of 84, Sandra “Sandy” Suzette Mayfield died resting in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Sandy was born on June 12, 1938, in Clendenin, WV. She received her Bachelor of Education from Fairmont State University and loved being a teacher. She taught elementary school in Washington DC, Miami, FL, Cincinnati, OH, and Huntington, WV. She began attending our denomination in 1973.
Sandy is survived by her beloved husband of 58 years, Jim Mayfield of Winfield, WV, and her daughters, Emma Lee (Paul David) Kurts and Elizabeth (Anthony) Mullins of NC. Her four grandchildren in NC are Sarah (Trevor) McGuire, LeeAnna Gill, James Kurts, and Michael (Ashleigh) Kurts, and her great-granddaughter is Riley McGuire.
She adored her family, sharing meals and playing board games with them. She preferred to be outdoors, gardening (vegetable and ornamental) and birdwatching. She loved her pets, reading, and puzzles. She was one-of-kind, truly ornery, and “anything but vanilla” (as she always said about ice cream.)
Sandy is hidden in Christ, which is precisely why her life mattered and why she will be fiercely missed.
Join us in honoring Willie Williams, who is retiring as the bi-vocational pastor of GC Madison, MS.
Cards may be sent to:
Willie and Karen Williams
285 Dry Creek Road
Canton, MS 39046-8684
Congratulations, Willie and Karen! We are very grateful to you both for your love and faithful service to the bride of Christ.
We asked Karen and Willie to share their reflections.
From Karen:
After the passing in 2019 of our beloved pastor, John Novick, my husband became pastor of our congregation in Madison, MS. I believe he handled the challenges well as a bi-vocational pastor. It was a learning experience for both of us as many of our new responsibilities were unfamiliar to us. One advantage we had, however, was the prayers and support of our brothers and sisters in Christ at Grace Communion Madison.
We also had the help of our three daughters. Michelle donated her old computer to use for worship services. Jessica helped us set up the Facebook page for our local church during the pandemic. Kristina worked with the financial team to assist with completing the financial.
Even though our congregation does not have a new pastor to replace my husband, I am grateful that we are able to move forward as a non-chartered fellowship. It is my hope and prayer that we will continue to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as part of GCI and the body of Christ.
From Willie:
I am blessed by God to have an amazing Christian wife and sister in Christ! And she has been a very big help to me as a new pastor.
Karen is a great mentor to our three daughters, Michelle (son-in-law, Mekael, and our first granddaughter, Mia), Jessica, and Kristina. We are thankful that all three of our daughters are college graduates and have jobs.
My faith journey (a little over 3 years) as a “rookie pastor” has been amazing! It has been a journey with the prayers of the saints of Grace Communion Madison, and help of Jessica and Kristina, and the support of the home office, especially Anthony Mullins, my beloved brother in Christ.
I have been impressed with the deeply detailed resources of GCI. I believe I have grown as a student of the Bible—my favorite book! I will miss preparing sermons every week. I will also miss the warm and loving fellowship of our brothers and sisters on a weekly basis.
My retirement, though bittersweet, will allow more time for the needs of Karen and her aging, ailing parents. It will also allow me more time to relax and walk my dog in the woods. Additionally, I love sports, making walking canes/staffs, and gardening fruit trees, shade trees, and flowers.
Finally, my retirement decision was difficult but necessary. My adjustment to growing old is up to me. It is hard to say goodbye to yesterday.
