On May 17, members of the Pikeville Kentucky congregation celebrated the six-year anniversary of our community outreach, Grace Community Kitchen. Dedicated church members and community involvement through word-of-mouth and materials donated, have made it possible for this part of our Love Avenue to continue to provide meals for those in need throughout the pandemic.
It is with sadness that we pass along the news that Cynthia Oglesby, wife of Pastor Larry Oglesby in Columbus, GA, died unexpectedly Tuesday, May 11, due to pneumonia complications caused by COVID-19. Please remember Larry and his two sons in your prayers.
If you would like to send a card:
Larry Oglesby
5000 Bondale Court
Columbus, GA 31907-1781
My family and I would like to thank you for all the prayers and support people have given us during Alan’s illness and recent passing. It was so encouraging for us to hear from so many with words of comfort.
God’s love is enduring and we can all look forward to being reunited with our loved ones in the future.
Carolyn Redmond
Just over two years ago the Board of Trustees of Grace Communion International in the UK and Ireland established a National Ministry Team as the leadership model for the governance of the Church. The team consisted of three individuals.
In December 2020 the board was asked to review this model with the intent of making the governance procedure more straightforward, and to address certain clarifications to facilitate a smoother process.
A board sub-committee was formed to look at these issues, and after much consideration and consultation, decided that a National Ministry Leader position would be a more suitable role for the future. The Board then initiated a process of legal consultation to ensure the relevant regulations related to creating a new role and subsequent employment issues were addressed as well as guidelines from the Charity Commission.
An interview process followed and after prayerful consideration, Mr. Gavin Henderson was selected as the National Ministry Leader for the UK and Ireland.
Gavin will begin his new assignment shortly and the Board of Trustees wish him and his family every blessing for the future.
David Silcox, Board Chair UK & Ireland
P.S. Gavin has already been actively working alongside our other GCI Superintendents and will continue to do so. Join us in praying for Gavin and his leadership. – Greg Williams, GCI President
Don’t forget to share Project Hope with the kids in your congregation! For more info on the challenge, click here.
Registration for the virtual 2021 Denominational Celebration is open! We will be focusing on the Hope Venue, shaping our worship services to be inspirational experiences that center around our hope in the person of Jesus.
Individual Registration for members and Watch Party Registration for leadership teams to participate and debrief together are both available. Make the Celebration a retreat for your congregation. Click here for ideas on how to host a watch party.
We are excited to present our GCI Superintendents and 2021 speakers! Each Superintendent will share stories of hope, revealing how the Spirit is moving in their regions. The main sessions will also feature an interview by GCI President Greg Williams with each Superintendent. Click here to visit our events page and read the Superintendents’ bios.
We regret to announce that Alan Redmond the pastor of the Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Thunder Bay, Ontario congregations in Canada died on Monday, April 26 after a battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Carolyn, their children, and grandchildren.
Cards can be sent to:
Carolyn Redmond
3 Matthew Bay
Winnipeg MB R2G 3L1
Grace Communion Cleveland (Cleveland, Ohio) hosted their 17th Annual LiLY Women’s Conference on April 24, 2021, via Zoom. Zoom has given us the opportunity to connect across the country and internationally. One hundred women registered to take part in the one day conference that highlighted the theme scripture “I Am Doing A New Thing” (Isaiah 43:18-19).
Our first speaker was Dr. Kim Carter, who led a session titled “Pray, Pause, and Pivot,” reminding us to be specific in prayer, listen for the purpose in your pause and be prepared to be obedient and move. Session two, “Running in Flats,” was held by Joy Trachsel. We were asked and explored, “What is stopping you from saying yes to God?” The day was filled with praise, worship and communion. The MC for the day was Pastor Tamar Gray. Zoom rooms were used for a “Getting to Know You” session. If you would like to hear the speakers and the worship music please visit https://gccle.church/z.
Mark your calendars for the 18th Annual Women’s Conference, which will be held on Friday, April 22, 2022 through Sunday, April 24, 2022 and is scheduled to return to the Embassy Suites in Beachwood, Ohio. More information to come.
Rosa Hulse
Women’s Ministry Leader
Grace Communion Cleveland
Don’t forget to share Project Hope with the kids in your congregation! For more info on the challenge, click here.
Registration for the virtual 2021 Denominational Celebration is open! We will be focusing on the Hope Venue, shaping our worship services to be inspirational experiences that center around our hope in the person of Jesus.
Individual Registration for members and Watch Party Registration for leadership teams to participate and debrief together are both available. Make the Celebration a retreat for your congregation, click here for ideas on how to host a watch party.
We are excited to present our GCI Superintendents & 2021 speakers! Each Superintendent will share stories of hope, revealing how the Spirit is moving in their regions. The Main Sessions will also feature an interview by GCI President Greg Williams with each Superintendent. Click here to visit our events page and read the Superintendents’ bios.
The pandemic situation has turned grave for India. The second wave of Covid has come like an avalanche, with some reports mentioning a triple mutant strain, more infectious, more deadly. The health system is inundated, made worse with a severe medical oxygen shortage. Some hospitals are unable to handle the number of patients needing treatment and have been forced to close admissions. The number of people being infected has been over 300,000 per day over the past several days.
A big concern for me is Nelson Philips, our team leader in Hyderabad. His symptoms turned serious after testing Covid positive. He currently needs a sizable quantity of oxygen round the clock due to signs of significant lung infection. We are all longing to see a turnaround for him. Several more members are ill, but some of them are turning the corner towards recovery.
We also heard from Amiyo Bacher, who reported severe economic stress for some of our contacts in Bangladesh due to continuing lockdowns. We are hoping to provide some support for immediate food relief.
Danny Zachariah
Pastor, Hyderabad, India
