As we prepare to go digital for our denominational celebration, we have a special 2-part challenge for all the young people in our GCI Family. “Project Hope” is open to all children and teens who would like to participate. Here are the details:
Part 1- The Project
As we focus on HOPE, we want to know, ”What gives you hope?” The challenge is to create something to show “what gives you hope”. Your child’s creation could be as simple as a picture or drawing, a sculpture, a poem, a dance, any way he or she would like to express themselves. The sky is the limit when it involves the creativity of young people. Whatever they come up with, we would love to see it!
Part 2-The Videos
We are creating something special and need your help! We are asking for a short video of each participant answering the question, “What gives you hope?”. Friends, there are no wrong answers here. We are looking for authenticity and are fully prepared for amazing and original answers. Each participant should display their “Project” they created while answering the question.
But wait, there is more!
We need one more short video Clip of each participant clearly saying, “Our hope is in Jesus!” When you’re finished, you can email both video clips and the Signed Release Form to us at challenge@gci.org no later than June 1, 2021. (if the files are too large to email, please use the free service on wetransfer.com)
Be sure to check out our GCI Church Hack link on the Basics of Recording for important information like shooting your video horizontally, instead of vertically.
We can’t wait to see your final products!
On Saturday, March 20, I had the privilege of ordaining and commissioning Kairis Chiaji, Michael Smith and David Houck to serve as the pastoral team for Living Grace Fellowship, our GCI congregation in Sacramento, California. In addition to other elders present, I was also joined by Michael’s father (who pastors a GCI congregation in Fairfield, CA) and Kairis’ son Dwight, who served as the former pastor in Sacramento until last year.
The day included an inspiring worship service, praise dancing, prayers offered by the spouses of each of the team members, the lighting of a unity candle by Kairis, Michael and David, and a message presented by Kairis. Many of us were able to continue the celebration outside at a nearby restaurant afterward.
Tim Sitterley
Regional Director USA, West
CenterPointe Church’s Love Avenue held its second Community Care Day on Sunday, March 21, 2021. The team spread smiles, warm wishes for a great 2021, and spring cheer in the neighborhood immediately surrounding the church. The team went door to door and gave away over 85 gift bags containing candy, flower seeds, an inspirational quote, and information about the church. Nearly twenty members volunteered in various capacities to make this day a huge success.
“We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”
– 1 John 4:19-21 (NIV)
Jen Gregory
Pastor, CenterPointe Church
Grove City, OH
Grace Communion Seminary, working in partnership with Grace Communion International, is happy to announce new diploma options designed for GCI members who lead the ministry avenues of faith (discipleship), hope (worship), and love (witness). This will include new courses designed for each of the three avenues.
The GCS Diploma of Christian Ministry involves seven classes. Six of the requirements are the same no matter which ministry a person is involved in; one class will be different based on the avenue of focus. The courses may be taken in any order, and at any pace, as fast as one course each semester, or only one course per year. Students are welcome to take one course without a commitment to take any others.
Not everyone will be able to keep to the same schedule, but we encourage the avenue champions (Faith, Hope, or Love) to take courses together and to stay together as a group.
Here is a basic sketch of the diploma program:
All courses are taught at a graduate level, discussions are held at a graduate level, and students are required to read several textbooks and to write papers. Each course will entail about 140 hours of work – about 12 hours each week for twelve weeks. Those who want to audit are still expected to read the textbooks and participate in the discussions.
Contact the GCS Registrar at registrar@gcs.edu with any questions.
Charles Young, GCI Pastor in Atlanta, sent me word that his older brother, Larry, died last week of a heart attack. Please remember Charles, Debbie and the entire Young family in your prayers as they grieve and say goodbye for now.
As last Sunday powerfully bore witness, we don’t grieve as those without hope. Thanks be to God for the promise of the resurrection!
If you would like to send condolences:
Charles & Debbie Young
6290 Ponderosa Court
College Park, GA 30349-4038
Blessings,
Anthony Mullins
GCI Regional Director, Southeast
GCI mourns the eight lives senselessly lost at Atlanta-area spas, including six women of Asian descent. The attacks took place against a backdrop of increased violence against Asian Americans and intensifies fear and trauma for many in the Asian-American community.
GCI denounces violence and hate in all forms against any person or persons made in the image of God. To raise your awareness, over the past year, nearly 3,800 incidents of name-calling, shunning and assault against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have been reported to Stop AAPI Hate. Some of the incidents include being spat at, coughed on or physically attacked while being verbally blamed for the coronavirus.
Christians are ambassadors of grace and reconciliation. We have a unique and compelling call to provide leadership for the benefit and dignity of all (2 Corinthians 5:16–20). The Bible uniformly teaches the essential dignity of all humans and the shared desire to belong in community. GCI understands that the heart of Jesus is for the “other” and the marginalized.
As Christians, we seek to stand with the marginalized. We encourage our members to grieve for the families and friends of the victims, then to seek understanding of the historical and contemporary facets of racism in our country, to willingly enter into hard conversations, and to humbly listen to the hurt while empathizing with the pain of others. All in the hope of the healing that can only come from Jesus.
Greg Williams
As previously shared, out of concern and caution, we have transitioned the 2021 Denominational Celebration to a virtual event. While this is a new experience to learn about and plan for, we are enthusiastic about the opportunity to connect and worship with even more members of our global fellowship through a digital platform. We are committed to bringing you a vibrant and inspirational time together celebrating how the Spirit is moving in GCI, as well as equipping opportunities for our pastors and ministry leaders.
The virtual event will provide our usual Celebration content and opportunities for engagement, including sessions featuring each of our regions around the world, interactive workshops for Hope Avenue leaders, worship and communion, as well as spaces to relationally connect.
Continue to visit https://www.gci.org/events/2021 to view and download the Event schedule and future updates. Registration will open on April 15th. We are looking forward to celebrating and worshipping with you all!
The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD. Proverbs 18:22 (NLT)
It is a blessing to share with the church the joy that lives in me. The grace of God has embraced me and on May 16, Valery and I will join our lives in marriage.
Natanael Cruz, Pastor
Mexico City, Mexico
