Category: Stay Connected

We are happy to announce some leadership transitions in Grace Communion International. Our good friend Joseph Tkach has stepped down as board Chair after many years of service. We thank Dr. Tkach and his wife Tammy for decades of service to the church, in leading with loving care, and for focusing our understanding on relationships with one another in the Incarnation.

In his early years of serving as both Board Chair and President, Dr. Tkach was inspired to see the need to change the Board of Directors from being an advisory council to become a governing board for the sake of accountability and to enable responsible transitions.

In recent years Dr. Tkach directed the revision of our church bylaws to grant the Board the governing responsibility to maintain fiduciary control, provide doctrinal oversight, and appoint and monitor the Chair and the President, now separate positions. Among other responsibilities, the Chair leads the Board of Directors in quarterly meetings, and the President leads the management team to fulfill the mission of the church.

As we recall, in 2018, Dr. Greg Williams was appointed by the Board to the role of President, replacing Dr. Tkach in that position.

Dr. Randy Bloom appointed Chair of the Board of Directors

Dr. Bloom has served on the Board for two years, and as a church elder for 45 years. He was a church pastor for eleven years before serving as District Superintendent from 1999 through 2006, then he worked in the Development arm of Church Administration from 2007 through 2013. He completed his fulltime service as Regional Director until his retirement from fulltime employment in 2020. Randy’s former role, GCI Vice-Chair, was appointed to Tommie Grant, who was chosen by the board. We welcome their leadership and commitment to Christ and to GCI as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of Grace Communion International (GCI). Click here to read the GCI Board bios.

Here are some thoughts on Randy’s leadership from fellow GCI leaders:

I have worked with Randy in different capacities since 2007. He is adept at asking pertinent questions, listening well, mentoring and coaching to increase capacity and developing opportunities, always following the lead of the Holy Spirit. I look forward to seeing where GCI goes under his capable leadership. -Becky Deuel

It was a privilege to have Randy Bloom as my Regional Director in the Northeast Region. Randy and I worked together in the region for almost six years. In that time, we became good friends so not only was Randy my spiritual leader and helper he was my friend. Randy helped with the formulating of vision for what Jesus wants to do in local areas but gave us the freedom to follow the Spirit at our own pace.

One of the qualities I love about Randy Bloom is he is so down to earth. What you see is what you get, no hidden agendas. If he knows, Randy will tell you and if not he will tell you. I learned a lot from Randy; he helped formulate some of the movement to help us make disciples for Jesus. -Leonard Banks

The GCI Board Chair also leads the Seminary Board, so Dr. Bloom now takes on that role as well. Dr. Bloom has taught on the GCS faculty for the last eight years. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Liberty University and a Doctor of Divinity from Trinity Seminary.

Dr. Michael Morrison Appointed President of GCI Seminary

Another important transition is taking place in the seminary. After seven years as President, Dr. Gary Deddo is retiring at the end of the year. We appreciate his teaching and leadership in the seminary, as well as his instruction in Trinitarian theology at church conferences through the years.

We are happy to welcome Dr. Michael Morrison as the new President of the seminary. Dr. Mike (as he is called by students) is eminently qualified, accomplishing his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Fuller Seminary. He served for 29 years in various editorial positions in Media Services for the church, also working as Executive Aide to the President and to the Director of the Church Administration Department during that time. Dr. Morrison developed courses in New Testament studies for the seminary from its inception, serving as Dean of Faculty for the past 13 years. He has been central to the academic work of accreditation, which continues to be a valuable asset to the seminary. We look forward to his continued leadership.

Here are some thoughts on Michael’s leadership from fellow GCI leaders:

Dr. Mike was really helpful in guiding me and I felt his efforts to ensure that I am able to get the best outcome and experience from my opportunity with GCS. Early in my studies, he made himself available for consultation, from the subjects I could credit to the best track that I could take. I have been blessed by his generous advice and genuine care. -Aron Tolentino

I have had Dr. Mike for several classes and now as a thesis advisor. He is an excellent professor that brings both high challenge and high support which has allowed me to grow both academically and in ministry practice over the years. He is available to his students, cares about their understanding and development, and goes above and beyond to create a setting in which his students can succeed. His leadership truly exemplifies the mission of GCS to equip the saints for pastoral ministry. I celebrate what God is doing in and through Dr. Mike and look forward to where God will lead GCS under his leadership. -Cara Garrity

To watch videos from the Succession Ceremony, click the links below:

2021 GCI and GCS Succession Ceremony

2021 GCI and GCS Succession Ceremony – Welcome and Opening Prayer

2021 GCI and GCS Succession Ceremony – GCS President Commissioning

2021 GCI and GCS Succession Ceremony – GCI Chairman Commissioning

What a full weekend of fun, fellowship, and worship at Grace Communion! Saturday featured our popular Fun ‘N Fall carnival, part of the Big Sandy Fall Heritage Festival. Families (200-300 people) enjoyed all the wonderful games, train rides and food that afternoon. Especially popular for all ages was the Gellyball arena (like paintball, but cleaner!) Thanks to our Love Avenue Champion Rick Peterson and all his volunteers for the best Fun ‘N Fall ever!

On Sunday, we gathered to thank and praise God in song and through his word. George and Sarah Strub led our song worship. One song was a prayer that we would be God’s instruments of peace, including this verse: “Lord, make us instruments of your peace, Where there is hatred, let your love increase, Lord, make us instruments of your peace, Walls of pride and prejudice shall cease, When we are your instruments of peace.” What a calling!

Our message was given by David Ferguson, “Where You Go I Will Go,” about being the people of God. The story of Ruth was used to show us that God calls people from all kinds of backgrounds to be his people and to be conduits of his blessing and compassion. Ruth was a foreigner, not a Jew, but she left her culture and her gods to go with her Jewish mother-in-law to Bethlehem. She told Naomi, “Wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God” (Ruth 1:16). Her devotion to Naomi and the one true God led to her becoming the great-grandmother of David, and an ancestor of Jesus!

God can and will call and use individuals from all backgrounds to accomplish his will. No matter what we have done in the past, we can choose to follow Jesus where he leads. Like Ruth following Naomi, we can follow Jesus to find true life. As Peter said in John 6:68 “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life.” After services we enjoyed that life together, sharing a potluck meal. Praise God for all his goodness!

By Jerome Ellard
Pastor, Grace Communion Big Sandy

The Home Office staff took a break from regular duties the morning of Friday, October 15, to keep the facility looking great! Everyone helped for a couple of hours to clean up trash around the property, plant flowers around the entrance, paint handrails along the roadside, trim trees beside the parking lot, and other general clean-up.

After the work party, we shared lunch together around the dining table. Thank you to the amazing Home Office staff who collaborated to keep the Home Office beautiful and to save money so more can be used for the gospel!

Mat Morgan, CFO

Tommie Grant, GCI Board member and Pastor of Grace Communion Ladson (SC), informed me that his mother-in-law Ruth Grant died last week. Robin, Tommie’s wife, had been caring daily for her mother for months. The past year has already been a season of suffering for the Grant family as Tommie has lost four siblings. Please remember their family in prayer.

If you want to send a note of encouragement:
Robin’s email: robin.grant322@gmail.com

Tommie’s email: tommie.grant@gci.org

Mailing address:
Tommie & Robin Grant
115 Heritage Lane
Summerville, SC 29483-3110

Anthony Mullins – US, Southeast Regional Director

The Denominational Celebration recordings are now available to all GCI members and friends! Click on the links below to access the videos:

• English
• Español
• Français

October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Thank you to all our pastors who reflect the character of our Creator God in the ways they engage, equip, empower and encourage their members and neighbors. We honor you and thank you for your service.

I appreciate you, respect you and pray for you often. The struggle through the pandemic has tested and stretched you in ways that none of us could anticipate. Yet here you are still standing, still leaning on Jesus and participating with the Holy Spirit. You deserve a hearty pat on the back and a huge personal “Thank You!”

The Apostle Paul reminds us that “He can do all things, but only through Jesus” (Philippians 4:13). Please know that when things don’t seem possible, God can do the impossible. When you think that leading the church cannot be done, Jesus is the Head overseeing the Body in ways that only he can.

During this month of pastor appreciation take a few moments each day to “Be still and know that God is God” and that he has you, your family and the church you shepherd in his hands.

In Sincere Appreciation!
Greg

Hello GCI Youth! Are you up for the challenge? Learn more about the Faith, Hope, and Love Avenues by entering the Healthy Church Challenge.

One aspect of a healthy church is a healthy Love Avenue, and it is all about witness and reflecting God’s love. Think about making new friends!

Love Avenue Challenge

Ages 8-10: Draw something to show us what you think it means to make friends and be a good friend.

Ages 11-14: Create a skit (written, drawn, solo, or with a group) that shows us what it means to reflect on God’s love in your community.

Ages 15-17: Use any creative medium (painting, poem, song, dance, screenplay, picture, etc.) to tell us what a healthy Love Avenue looks like to you or a practice of the Love Avenue that inspires you.

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

I semi-retired around Easter of 2019. Knowing that this was going to enter into full retirement within six months, I started considering my future plans.

The church I was pastoring had been going through a lot of changes over the past several years. While becoming smaller, older and with less actively involved members, COVID-19 hit.

I thought that maybe I should get out of pastoral ministry altogether. So, I took it to the Father, Son and Spirit. After a couple of months wrestling with Jesus, I understood that I would be in ministry of some form, but what that meant was very unclear. What was certain was that I was free and available for whatever he wanted to do.

In January 2021, we took a turn with Grace Communion Rochester. I let members know that they should get involved with a church local to them. I extended an invitation for those who would like to stay connected to join me in a small group. Only a couple of members contacted me to participate in that small group, so we started meeting on Saturday mornings and Friday evenings, having a connect group about twice a month.

While this was going on, I became more involved with members of the community where I live. A town of about 1,100 people. The community is served by a number of churches within ten miles but only one inside the town. I started volunteering at the food shelf, which has been a lot of fun and a tremendous opportunity to look at people of the community through the eyes and mission of Jesus.

In expressing these things with the connect group, advisory team, and with Rick Shallenberger, our regional director, we started to plan on launching a church in the town where I live. The next steps were to find a venue. I love the focus our denomination has with keeping ministry close to your home. Looking at options in Elgin, I found two venues within a few blocks of my home. I am happy to say that a venue has been selected and we had our first service on October 17!

During this process, we looked at using some of the funds available for evangelism. I like to call it ecumenical marketing, focusing on God and touching it with our “brand.” We put together a billboard and are planning some radio mentions. The billboard sits in a sister community of approximately 3,500 people. This town has our local grocery store, hardware store, auto parts store, etc. The billboard is situated along the highway and bike path between our two towns. The image used on the billboard was taken while my daughter, Breena, and I were riding along the local bike path. The thought for the message was to be positive, clear, and unassuming. A lot like how Jesus uses parables; for those who have eyes and ears to see and hear.

We are excited to participate with Jesus in this small community. We are only at the beginning of this adventure and have confidence, faith, and trust in him as we meet people he may call to participate with us in worshipping him in spirit and truth.

In Jesus,
Todd Fox, Pastor

Philippines Youth Converge is a monthly virtual huddle for young people ages 13-21. It is designed as a venue for the youth to fellowship with one another within their local church, and other GCI churches. At the same time, it is also a venue for the youth leaders to engage, reconnect and minister with the youth during breakout sessions.

Due to COVID protocols in the Philippines, activities to reach out to the youth have been limited. The leaders planned for two-hour monthly virtual meetings. Starting this past July, the meeting includes a devotional, fun games with prizes, ice breakers, and breakout rooms. Each month has a different theme. Local youth leaders some from neighboring countries like Malaysia are invited to speak.

For months now, youth and young leaders attending the converge came from fourteen local and international churches. The presence of the pastors/pastoral team members are greatly felt as they support their youth by participating during the activities. As the rise of isolation increases during this time of pandemic, we continue to extend our invitation to everyone as we want to encourage young people to fellowship, know more of Jesus and for leaders to participate in the ministry for the youth.

Testimonies:

The youth converge is one way to make our youth active again in church activities. I thank the people who are behind this because I can meet and know our fellow youth outside the local congregation. – Michael John Dadd

Before I was a part of the ministering team in Youth Converge, I was blessed to be a participant there, and it was a time to be refreshed, and more so to connect. In this time of the pandemic one of the greatest enemies is isolation and disconnection, but with youth converge, connection is possible. – Angelo Lizares

Sarah Bahinting
GCI Philippines Emerging Leader