What do you get when you combine laughs, snowballs, victories, pizza, giggles, and a trophy?
You get a Snowball Extravaganza!
GC Kenockee held a Cross-Generation event (part of the Faith Avenue) to mark the passing of our Michigan winter and to celebrate our youth/adult connections. What better way than to host an indoor snowball competition (cotton snowballs) between the youth and the adults?
The prize? Mostly bragging rights but also a trophy and plaque that we hope to compete for each year, much like the Stanley Cup. Naturally as the anticipation grew each week, there was a build up to the event that included some good-natured jiving (can we say mild trash talking?). The youth were encouraged to invite friends and neighbors, which also made it feel like an outreach event for our Love Avenue.
Judges were assigned to count the number of hits that landed on opponents with the winning team having the least number of hits. It was a time to be a little crazy but all in good fun!
The winners you ask? The youth won the day this time, but the adults are already talking a comeback for next year. So, the buildup begins early, which goes to show just how much fun was had by all. Disappointments and ‘wounds’ were consoled by a pizza party that followed the Snowball Extravaganza.
The idea for this event was the result of our youth receiving second place in their age group for last year’s ‘Healthy Church Challenge’. The prize money from that challenge was used to cover expenses.
Our youth have begun to plan with the Faith Avenue Champion the next cross-generation event coming soon. But for now, we say so long winter, hello spring, and congratulations to our GC Kenockee youth!
By Kathy Forsyth, Faith Avenue Champion and Grant Forsyth, Kenockee Pastor
Floriade Expo 2022 is the world horticultural exhibition in Almere, The Netherlands, April 14 – October 9. It is the seventh Floriade in the Netherlands and the 23rd edition of the AIPH world horticultural exhibition.
Working Together Towards a Common Goal
At the Floriade 2022, in our pavilion of Fruitful City, we point out the greatness of creation, which is expressed in our slogan: Attention to God’s Creation and Care for Each Other. We strive for this by realizing the construction of a Tiny Church (max 40 persons capacity), a garden with biblical plants and shrubs and crops and medicinal herbs, and a garden with 12 works of art about the fruit(s) of the Spirit. In the garden are several walking routes with questions about creation, nature, and sustainability.
“Joy”
That was the challenge we heard in 2016 when about 20 denominations of Evangelical Contact gathered in Almere to think about the question: do we as churches want to be present at the Floriade 2022? The answer was a clear, “Yes!” 2022 seemed far away then, now it’s here! Because I had just lost my job at ING in October 2016 and went into early retirement, I raised my hand to volunteer to participate in the group of 5 people, which later became a board with a foundation form. On the board, I represent the evangelical movement, next to the Protestant and Catholic denominations, and we started working together under the guidance of the Spirit.
My areas of responsibility are the contacts and communication with the artists who made the statues, and the landscape gardener for the construction of the garden. Administratively, I contribute as vice-chairman. I have volunteered to coordinate various presentations and lectures that will take place from various churches on the Tiny Church site over the next 6 months, which is consistent with my past restaurant work experience. We have had setbacks over time. For example, a building permit was not granted, and we came to a standstill. Then it was brought to the Lord in prayer, together with the City Prayer group of Almere. And that gave the breakthrough!
“Patience”
It’s been a special experience to be involved in such a project, to be interviewed on mainly Christian radio and TV and newspapers. Most of all, I discovered that I could make a meaningful contribution to such a project, and trust in God to participate, and that my contribution is appreciated. My eyes have been opened to the creativity of the minds of the artists, and I got to know Christians from many different Christian organizations such as the Protestant Church, Green Churches, Platform church and art, Inspiration Gardens at churches and cloisters, Enough to Live. These Christians show an inspiration for creation and sustainability and caring for creation as God commanded Adam and Eve—and all of us. (Revelation 11;18, Genesis 2:15,4-8)
The pursuit of sustainability is set out in presentations at our location. Our Tiny Church is turning with the sun and has solar panels on the roof, so we are independent of electricity supply. Our saying is, “We are turning towards the sun.” Someone asked if we are sun worshippers. Our answer was: No, we turn toward the Son of righteousness, Jesus Christ. We follow the true light. We didn’t receive any more comments after that!
The Tiny Church, the garden, and the statues were completed for the opening on April 13, when our King Willem-Alexander was a guest. On Easter Monday, various speakers from various churches were represented. Hans de Moei, the GCI National Director of the Netherlands, also attended.
Drone overview during construction
Our main goal is pointing the visitors of our garden installation to spiritual sustainability—that they need the fruit of the Spirit, like love, meekness, self-control, patience, kindness, joy etc.
An estimate of 200 visitors per day will visit Fruitful City and can admire creation and reflect on what spiritual properties a new neighborhood needs to be able to interact well as fellow human beings (Galatians 5 fruit of the Spirit and 1 Corinthians 13). We’re hopeful our visitors will realize that we must look up to the God of creation for those needs—hence, the sloping roof of our Tiny Church!
There is a feeling that permeates the Fruitful City: we are not ashamed of God and Christ and proclaim that He is our Creator! Genesis says that God planted a garden with beautiful trees and plants. He just called that to life in a moment, I imagine. And we toiled for years to accomplish the Tiny Church and garden and statues! That’s something that keeps you humble, knowing His blessing is undeniably indispensable.
By Frans Danenberg Vice-chairman of Fruitful City, pastor of Grace Communion, and member of the National pastoral team Netherlands & Flanders (Dutch area)
Let us share in the joy of Emmanuel Okai of Accra, Ghana, for celebrating his 70th birthday!
Mr. Okai, who is the GCI Regional Director of West Africa, turned 70 in January and was honored with a birthday celebration. Many friends, family, church members, and neighbors attended, and they all shared great food, cake, and laughter.
He was presented with a framed citation that reads, “In honor of Mr. & Mrs. Okai,” and includes this quote from Johannes A. Gaertner:
To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.
Mr. Okai, we are very grateful to you and your wife, Margaret, for your many years of faithful servanthood!
Below is a prayer request for Santiago Lange, GCI pastor in Stuttgart, Germany.
A medical check-up has revealed that I have an advanced colon cancer. Unfortunately, the CAT scan showed that the cancer has also spread to the liver and lungs. At this time there will be no tumor removal operations. An access port for infusion has been placed via a surgical procedure. My next appointment is on May 2, at which time a treatment plan will hopefully be established.
Certain is that I will be facing a major uphill battle in the time to come. Please pray that my 24/7 pains will become less intense and, that according to God’s wisdom and grace, I will find healing. Also, please remember Elke, my wife.
Trusting In Him, Santiago
Notes may be sent to: Santiago Lange Birkenweg 13 55490 Gemünden Germany
Below is a prayer request for Celestine “Cella” Olive. Cella is a current GCI Board member, pastoral team member in Lancaster, CA, U.S., and a retired employee.
I’ve been dealing with a challenging season of pain and spasms in my neck, arms, and shoulders, with a very painful right hand. I haven’t been able to play my keyboard for the past year because of the pain.
After pursuing relief through herbal supplements, chiropractic, physical therapy, an epidural injection in my neck and acupuncture, all to circumvent the need for surgical intervention, the condition worsens. The problem turned out to be spinal disc damage.
The neurosurgeon and I are convinced that a surgical removal and fusion of the C3-4 spinal disc is needed. Theprocedure will be:Anterior cervical discectomy with fusion, or ACDF, a surgery designed to relieve spinal cord or nerve root pressure in the neck by removing all or part of a damaged disc. It is scheduled for Thursday, April 21st.
I would appreciate your prayers, and I’m trusting and having faith in God for complete healing of the area and restoring the use of my right hand.
Join me in celebrating the ordination of Ceeja Malmkar at GC Surrey Hills, OK, U.S. in March 2022. It has been my privilege and joy to walk alongside Ceeja, as a pastoral resident and now as a GCI elder. Ceeja radiates an unyielding love for God and people that is captivating and awakens a deep desire to know this Jesus she won’t stop talking about.
She shared with me her thoughts on ministry:
Ministry means everything to me. I believe that “ministry” is simply participating with the one whose breath fills my lungs. It’s natural. It’s fulfilling. It’s something that I can’t fail at because it’s not MY ministry; it’s Jesus’. And he never fails. Because of that, ministry fills me with freedom. Freedom to participate in all the things God is doing around me. And there’s no place I’d rather be than participating with him.
Reflecting on her ordination ceremony, she said:
It really meant so much to me. While my relationship and participation with Jesus was just as special to me before the ordination, it was very impactful to celebrate what God has done in my life with my local church family, as well as so much of my GCI Family. I’m often reminded because of my relationships across the denomination that I am a part of something so much bigger. It was incredibly special to me to share in the celebration with so many other elders, friends, and family. I think one of my favorite parts was afterwards, while still on stage, Tim [Sitterley] hugged me and said, “Welcome to the crazy.” I giggled and thought, thank you Jesus for including me in this “crazy” life of ministry. God is so good.
Life and ministry participation alongside Ceeja is not only inspiring, but lots of fun! I am enthusiastic about Ceeja’s leadership as the MTC coordinator in GC Surrey Hills. As a former participant in the GCI USA Pastoral Resident Program and someone who has been mentored by many over the years, I am confident that she will be an invaluable ministry partner to all who seek ministry formation at this MTC site and a force supporting our rising generations of ministers. I asked her what she would say to our young folks in GCI.
Hey! I’m only thirty-something, and that’s still young, right?! 😉 In all seriousness, if I could speak to all the young people in GCI right now, I would want to let them know that they are not alone. I would want to tell them that, in my opinion, the most difficult and trying times of my life were during my teens and twenties. You’re changing, and facing all kinds of difficult times, you’re trying to figure out how you fit in and where you want to fit in. This is the time many people run from church. I understand it because I did it. But God is so faithful that he will never leave any of you regardless of what you may be going through. I guess I could simplify my message to young people into 4 sentences:
You are never alone in anything. You will always have a seat at the table. You are loved beyond measure. You belong.
In my experience, to be around Ceeja is to tangibly feel that you are loved and you belong. I imagine this is how it felt to be around Jesus in his earthly ministry—thank you, Ceeja, for allowing Jesus to minister his presence through you. I am beyond thankful that our young ministers in training will have you in their corner.
Ceeja’s longtime mentor and friend, Mike Rasmussen, reflected on her ordination:
It has been a joy to walk alongside Ceeja the past 12-years. To see her heart and mind grasp the love and inclusion of who Jesus is and what he did – not just for her personally—but for all people, has been exciting and inspiring. Ceeja is driven and passionate about reaching the unchurched and de-churched with the good news of Jesus by sharing his unconditional love. Whatever Ceeja does, she does with all her might! She is hungry to learn and extremely teachable. She desires to see people impacted by Jesus and for them to make a difference within the Body of Christ and in their local neighborhood. Ceeja has been a blessing and an inspiration to our congregation, our neighborhood of Surrey Hills, and our Region – but most of all to Juli and me personally. I was thrilled to participate in her recent ordination as a GCI Elder and I am excited to see what God has in store for her in the years to come.
Join me not only in celebration but in prayer alongside Ceeja as she continues to participate in what God is doing through the Church and Ministry Training Center (MTC) at GC Surrey Hills.
Congratulations to Marty Davey, pastor of the GCI Jacksonville, FL, congregation, Christian Family Fellowship, for recognition in the Folio Weekly Magazine, “Best of Jax 2021” awards. He won first place in the People of Jax—Best Spiritual Leader category. This is the second time Pastor Davey has been recognized; he won third place in 2019.
We’re proud of the way you place-share with your neighbors, Pastor Davey!
Pastor Davey and his wife, Yvonne, attending the Folio awards ceremony.
“I believe my ministry is with youth and younger members. I hope to be able to help guide young believers into their purpose in life. ”
Check out this month’s GCI Profile to get to know Charissa Panuve, member of Grace Communion Suva, Fiji. To read her full profile, click the image below. #WeAreGCI
On March 18-19, more than 60 people gathered at the new GC Surrey Hills church and Ministry Training Center (MTC) in Oklahoma for a workshop on the Love Avenue. It was the third workshop in the series: the Hope Avenue workshop was held in the spring of 2020, and the Faith Avenue workshop was held in the fall of 2021. We’re grateful to the Cincinnati West church for hosting the first two workshops.
Background and Context
In the March 23 issue of Update, President Greg explained our 3-Year Plan Toward Healthy Church, including the process of identifying “Vision” churches. U.S. Vision pastors were invited to attend these three workshops with their Avenue Champions. This was the beta testing described in the President’s letter.
So, what is a Vision church? Over the past several years, each of the U.S. Regional Directors has been working with a handful of pastors and congregations within their region. These Vision churches work together within their region as a “Vision Team.” The goal is to collaborate in a community of practice and provide High Challenge and High Support as they work toward the Healthy Church vision and strategies of GCI—to grasp the denominational vision, live the vision, and in time, share the vision with others. The high support includes training, tools, and support from the Home Office, their Regional Director (and others), and monthly regional coaching for the pastor and Avenue Champions. These three Avenue workshops have been just part of the training and high support.
Tamar Gray
The Love Avenue workshop
The Love Avenue workshop included presentations made by two pastors, a church planter, and two Love Avenue Champions on the following topics:
The role of the pastor
Mapping your neighborhood
Making friends in your neighborhood
Missional events
The role of the Love Avenue Champion
Left to right: Tamar Gray, Terri Westerhaus, Dishon Mills, Linda Sitterley, Ceeja Malmkar
The workshop was interactive by design. Each presentation was followed by small table discussions, whole room debriefs, and application time for individuals or local teams. The workshop closed with a Question & Answer session by a panel of the presenters and Communion.
Aleck Thompson, associate pastor and Love Avenue Champion in Eugene, Oregon, gave us his takeaway:
What always strikes me at these workshops is the comradery. In this specific case, I think this feeling of a family reunion came through not only in the times of fellowship over meals and in the evenings, but also during the sessions.
Each of our congregations may be geographically and socially diverse, but we share the same struggles and, even more importantly, the same solution in the person of Jesus. I appreciate each speaker opening up about the struggles they have and some of the strategies we can embrace for each of our congregations to grow.
Terri Westerhaus is the Love Avenue Champion in Cincinnati West, Ohio. She had this to say about the workshop:
Terri Westerhaus
I came away with three points. I was educated on the “apprentice square” tool. The four sides of a square were correlated with the four steps in guiding someone into a new role. It was simple, to the point, and easy to remember. I will use it for many things in life—not just church! Another presenter shared this tip: to help finance neighborhood/church events, ask organizations from your community to be sponsors. What a great idea! Third, community events are a way of creating a space for people to share their stories. Yes, it might get challenging at times, inconvenient for some, or even “messy,” but that is okay.
Tommie Grant, pastor of Ladson, South Carolina and GCI Board Vice Chair, had the following feedback:
The Love Avenue Workshop was AWESOME! It was amazing to see the Holy Spirit at work in the presenters. Each presenter was a practitioner expressing best practices from their experiences. They were able to convey ideas on getting to know our neighbors and developing relationships so our rhythms can be coordinated with their rhythms to create spaces where ALL feel welcome to experience the unconditional love of our triune God.
We are extremely blessed to have pastors and key leaders working together in shared ministry. The strategy of Avenue Champions multiplies the effectiveness of a pastor and helps equip and empower the saints at the same time. There is some intentional work on the front end, walking the Avenue Champions around the apprentice square, but once this has been completed, the Champions are free to step into crucial areas of ministry within their congregations. We are beginning to see and hear just how freeing and empowering the Team Based-Pastor Led and Avenue strategies really are.
Mike Rasmussen Superintendent North America and Caribbean
Dr. Walter Kim, President of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), visited our Home Office in Charlotte on February 10. Watch the video of the presentation that he made to our Superintendents, U.S. Regional Directors, Home Office staff, and pastors who were in town for an orientation.
The winners you ask? The youth won the day this time, but the adults are already talking a comeback for next year. So, the buildup begins early, which goes to show just how much fun was had by all. Disappointments and ‘wounds’ were consoled by a pizza party that followed the Snowball Extravaganza.
