Category: Stay Connected

We want to hear from you!

October is Pastor Appreciation Month. How has your pastor engaged, equipped, empowered, or encouraged you? Please comment below.

Dear CB alumni and friends,

Crossing Borders (CB) mission ministry had to cancel our past three scheduled trips, and our planning team has decided that we will need to also cancel the trip we would normally schedule for December 2021.

As you would suspect, the COVID situation and increased instability at the border area are the major reasons. COVID cases in the U.S. have been reaching new high points, and the conditions in Mexico are worse than in our country. Although the border is open for two-way travel by U.S. citizens, our on-the-border partners tell us it is not yet safe to do so—especially with a group.

We cannot predict exactly what the situation may be like on the border by December, but looking at current trends, our planning team does not feel it is wise to bring a mission team to the border until the situation improves. We have considered a variety of ideas for an alternative mission trip/event, but no idea seems safe and feasible for the current conditions. There is not even a practical way for us to collect the shoebox gifts and get them shipped or delivered across the border under the current conditions.

This is heart-breaking for those of us who regularly plan and attend the mission trips. We will miss seeing our dear friends in person for at least another several months. For those who have faithfully contributed shoebox gifts over the years, we ask you to hold off for this time—but please don’t give up on CB. God willing, we will again be hosting in-person mission trips as soon as possible.

As we have been doing for the past 18 months, our planning team will continue to make extra efforts to remain in connection with our border partners and to communicate encouragement to them—they need it in their tough times.

Prayer Requests & Updates:

• A storm went through Nuevo Laredo in the springtime damaging the area, which still remains, to some extent, in disrepair.
• Sister Juanita Lopez runs a home for 20 or so children, who are always in need of supplies.
• Casa Hogar Douglas, the children’s home that Pastor Rendon and his wife Lupita run, is in need of some major repairs, including a lost roof and fence, and extensive water damage. The Mexican government will not assign them children to care for again until these repairs are made.
• Pastor Fernando and his wife Nora lost their roof in the storms. They both are facing critical medical issues, including Fernando’s battle with long-haul Covid symptoms. They also have a dire need for a vehicle. Besides pastoring his fairly large church, Pastor Fernando has to work various other jobs in order to make a living, and he needs a new vehicle to do his work.
• The Rodriguez family is our “adopted family” ever since we built them a home in 2012. We would love to be able to help them build a basic, necessary addition to their home.
• Pastor Pedro and his wife Lourdes are starting a new church several hours inland from the border. They could use help with stages of construction for the church.
• Con Mis Manos is a school and home for deaf children and otherwise challenged adults. The students and the very dedicated staff have a special place in our hearts. They are in need of basic supplies.
• Pastor Ray and his wife Lisa are still living at camp Laredo Stepping Stone on the U.S. side of the border while he continues to pastor his church in Mexico. Their church building needs repairs from storm damage and they are trying to help church and community members in their area with basic needs.

We’d appreciate your prayers for all the folks mentioned as they endure some very challenging times.

The CB team will continue to communicate with our friends across the border and support them as best we can from afar. CB missionaries are anxious to get back to the border and continue our relationships with our ministry partners in person as soon as possible. May God bless you and yours with his amazing grace and love.

Lee Berger and the CB Team

The region in general was spared any extensive damage due to the earthquake. It was certainly a time where the seconds dragged for many people, as structures vibrated, and possessions fell from walls or from shelving. It was the strongest, most prolonged incident I recall. Things could have been much worse. We’re thankful to God that they weren’t.

Lockdown continues for some regions, including greater Melbourne. Speaking with members through the week, comments about the quake were laced with humor, but many are very concerned about the actions of a small group of protesters whose actions place the community at risk of increased Covid infection rates and extended lockdown periods. Additionally, the actions of this minority fail to respect or show gratitude for the devoted self-sacrificing care given by so many health workers.

We are grateful for the law-abiding responsiveness of the vast majority, and prayerfully concerned for our leaders, our health workers and our police, who are doing the best they can during these difficult times. In the church, we’re thankful for the loving concern and prayers of our brothers and sisters.

Randall Bourchier
Church Pastor – Mooroolbark, Australia

I received a call from Mike Horchak and he requests prayer on behalf of his family and all those in the Southeast affected by Hurricane Ida and then again, Nicolas. He said a downpour of rain is causing additional flooding and hindering the efforts of the men and women working around the clock to restore power. Mike & Pam are still without power from Ida, with no internet service or home phone service.

Please take a moment now to beseech God’s mercy and intervention.

Anthony Mullins
GCI Regional Director, Southeast

Pastor Rick Shallenberger asked me to share with you something that happened here in Cincinnati. Two of our members, Mike and Mindy Lockard, are in the hospital with Covid pneumonia. They have been there for a week and are not expected to be out anytime soon. They are both very ill.

Today after church, our Cincinnati West congregation made some poster boards and a small group of us traveled over to the hospital. The nurses marked the windows with blue paper so we would know which rooms they were in. We stood outside waving the poster boards, waving to our dear friends, blowing kisses, and praying for them. It was a beautiful moment. Mindy told us that the nurses were really touched by what they witnessed from Mike and Mindy’s rooms. Mindy, still shining the light of Christ, told them about her church family and that the church is the one on the hill that overlooks the hospital.

We went to encourage Mike and Mindy, but God had more in mind. Today, the nurses at Mercy West Hospital witnessed the love of God. Oh, how I love the way God works!

In Christ,
Julie Frantz, Pastor Cincinnati East and West

Disclaimer: GCI congregations are following recommended CDC guidelines in their areas.

Ric and Michelle Thomas are overjoyed to announce the birth of their son, Layne Oliver Thomas, on September 14, 2021. Layne is the fourth of their sons, preceded by Ethan, Reed, and Zade. All are happy and healthy and enjoying their first week back home together.

Michelle is a Teen Ministry Leader for the Jacksonville, Florida, congregation and the daughter of Marty and Yvonne Davey, who pastor the Jacksonville and Woodbine congregations.

October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Pick one of the 4 E’s from the Pastor Avenue and let us know, how has your pastor engaged, equipped, empowered, or encouraged you.

The GCI Healthy Church Challenge is live! Young people of GCI, now is time to share your gifts while exploring the faith, hope, and love avenues.

Visit gci.org/challenge for more information and remember to get your entries in by Monday November 1, 2021!

I am not sure where the year has gone, but it is already time to wrap up the 2022 budget planning season at the GCI Home Office. As we look at 2022, we also look forward an additional three years to see how to sustain the path where Jesus is leading. We know that unless he builds the house, our work is not effective.

We also look back to see what is and isn’t working from this year and make prudent adjustments looking forward. Wow, what a year it has been! We expected to have been looking at Covid in the rear-view mirror, but here we are still planning around its impact.

Looking Back

As I look back on the impact Covid has had on GCI financial operations, it is evident that our Lord has been faithfully providing for GCI in unanticipated ways. It is easier to see his faithfulness looking back sometimes and connecting the dots where his hand is evident.

During the Covid pandemic, my prayer has been with those who have been affected by loss of loved ones and jobs. My heart goes out to those affected, and my prayer has also been that GCI could maintain operations in the face of Covid-caused financial challenges.

Despite concerns about how Covid would impact donations and the ability of GCI to carry out its mission of sharing the gospel, he has provided. Let me reflect briefly on how our heavenly Father has been faithful to GCI in the financial area.

God has been faithful in unexpected ways. Members who maintained jobs and congregations have donated more to help offset losses. Previously donated trusts have helped provide stability. The federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was expanded to include churches, and GCI was able to receive funds from that program to help continue operations and employment at the pre-pandemic level. Investments have provided positive returns and helped bolster the church’s balance sheet. Reduced travel and the expanded use of Zoom have reduced expenses and taught us how to use technology more effectively. Looking back, we can see that God has provided for the church, as he always does. Through this provision, we expect to end the year on or above budgeted income projections and under budget in the expense category.

Looking forward

Through God’s provision during Covid, we have also been able to start construction on a new facility! The church and Ministry Training Center near Oklahoma City is nearly complete (see attached photos). This exciting $3. 95 million joint construction effort between the Home Office, Central Region, and the local church in Oklahoma City (Surrey Hills) is nearly complete, and it will be a blessing to the local church and GCI well into the future. Members have been serving the neighborhood for years in preparation and have developed deep relationships with those they serve. Local leaders have focused their efforts on sharing the gospel through the love, hope and faith avenues, even while face-to-face meetings have not been possible. I look forward to the completion of this facility near the end of the year and seeing its impact for Christ in the years ahead.

The Board also recently approved the purchase of a church facility in Eugene, Oregon, where GCI started in the early 1900s. Much has changed since that time, but this purchase will provide a secure foundation for an already thriving congregation to better reach their neighborhood and community. We hope to finish the acquisition and start some improvements before year end.

The Home Office Operating Budget for 2022 projects income and expenses near 2021 levels at approximately $4.6 million. This does not include income and expenses processed at the Home Office for local congregations of approximately $3 million.

Through the challenges we face corporately and individually, I pray we always see that our Lord is faithful and is walking with us. He is not surprised by our struggles and will lead us faithfully in his plan for us.

I encourage you to pause and read the Psalm 23 passage below from the New International Version and thank him for his daily faithfulness. What a blessing to participate with him in sharing the good news of the gospel. In him, we lack nothing, and he is faithful.

¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³ he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

Thank you, friends, for your continued support and faithfulness in support of GCI as we strive to follow our shepherd and share the good news of the gospel.

Mathew H. Morgan, CFO