Category: Stay Connected

Dear church (and especially those who attended our Regional Gatherings),

Superintendent Mike Rasmussen and his team did a great job in designing the content of our regional gatherings. And they did an even better job in delivering their messages. The team’s level of transparency was moving, and their commitment to serving the congregations going forward is commendable.

I remind you of a request I made to the church back in the early spring to set aside a day for prayer and fasting if you were physically able. I must say that we felt the covering of those prayers, and the Spirit has been faithful to provide unity and peace. Thank you for your faithfulness and enthusiastic participation.

Now on to Mike’s letter,
Greg Williams

A big thank you to everyone who attended and helped coordinate our three U.S. Regional Gatherings this summer! It was so good to get together to worship, share meals, have sharing and training time, as well as much-needed fellowship. One of the major changes this time around was to host these events in our own GCI church buildings instead of hotel ballrooms. This was the brilliant idea of Pam Morgan – thank you, Pam!

In June, Pastor Julie Frantz and her congregation hosted our first Gathering in Cincinnati, Ohio. Our Eastern, Southeast, North Central Regions and guests gathered for this event. My congregation and I hosted our second Gathering in July in our church and Ministry Training Center (MTC) in Surrey Hills, Oklahoma. This was for our Central Region and guests. Pastor Manuel Ochoa and his congregation hosted our final Gathering in August in Hawthorne, California for our Western Region and guests.

We followed the same schedule for all three Gatherings. Friday was the kickoff, with Dr. Jeff Broadnax teaching the Third Option Similarity Training, by Miles McPherson. It was an exciting time of learning how we are more similar than different and how to honor one another as God’s beloved children. The lessons provoked healthy and important discussions. Repeatedly, I heard comments like “I was a bit nervous – but I am so glad I came!” and “We need more of this type of training!”

Saturday, we gave updates on where we are going as a denomination in 2025. We addressed the following questions.

• • • What is changing?
    • What is staying the same?
    • What is new?

We introduced that we will be moving from a regional model, which has served us well for 12 years, to a national model of oversight and support. We introduced the new National Team and shared what they will be doing to love and support the groups they will be serving. The U.S. National Team will be:

• • • Mike Rasmussen
    • Jeff Broadnax
    • Pam Morgan
    • Michelle Hartman
    • Cara Garrity
    • Heber Ticas

For the final session, I gave an update on Healthy Church and the things we are learning from our congregation in Surrey Hills. On Saturday evening, at all three gatherings, we held a worship night for the attendees, members, and neighbors, which was very uplifting.

On Sunday, we joined the local congregation for their worship service, and Dr. Greg Williams gave the message, titled “Harmonious Flow of the Church.” In Hawthorne, we had five baptisms during the worship service, which was wonderful to experience! Superintendent Heber Ticas also announced the launch of a Spanish-speaking Ministry Training Center in Southern California. The next issue will include a full story of the MTC launch.

The atmosphere in all three Gatherings was upbeat and encouraging. A dozen or so pastors and facilitators who are moving to a closed status thanked the speakers, expressing how they can see our hearts and how difficult this is for all of us.

If you attended, thank you for sharing the time with us. Please be praying for us as we are praying for you. Please also be praying for our next Denominational Celebration in 2026. Until then, keep “being” the church and reach out and love your neighbors as Jesus has loved us.

Love you all!
Mike Rasmussen, Superintendent of North America & Caribbean

Congratulations to Chan Thleng! He was ordained an elder on August 11. Chan lives in the Yangon Region of Myanmar. He provides pastoral care for the three GCI congregations in Myanmar. Join us in praying for him and the ministry in his country.

His ordination was a joyous event, held during a leadership retreat, so leaders from across Asia joined the celebration. Shown from left to right in the photo above:
Joselito Olaguer–Thailand, Rex Dela Pena–Philippines, Sachin Nirale–India, Chan Thleng–Myanmar, Danny Zachariah–India, Won Mein Kong–Malaysia, Devaraj Ramoo–Malaysia, Eugene Guzon–Philippines, Joel Alisbo–Thailand, Praveen Chinta–India, Aron Tolentino–Philippines, Audie Santibanez–Philippines

We asked Chan to share some background with our readers.

Discover the transformative power of Christ’s love in our new series GCI Testify. Join us as members from our global fellowship share testimonies of their experiences with Jesus through GCI congregations and ministries. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of the Spirit in and through GCI.

Watch the entire series here.

Dr. Sudhir C. Singh, one of the founding members of GCI India, died on April 30, 2024. He was 82 years old. He retired as Medical Officer from Saurashtra Chemicals, Gujarat. He was a prolific writer and had a witty sense of humor. He was part of the GCI India editorial team, and he contributed many spiritually enriching articles. GCI India cherishes the beautiful memories of Dr. Sudhir Singh and celebrates his life. He is survived by his wife, Sheeba Singh, a son, a daughter-in-law, and a grandson.

Congratulations on 50 years of service and participation!

Pastor Bob and Kathy Regazzoli, of Carina, Queensland, Australia, were honoured last month for their 50 years of devoted service to Jesus and his church. They were celebrated and acknowledged before the congregation for their many years of dedication to ministry in GCI. True partners in ministry, Kathy and Bob were also celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary.

Bob and Kathy, thank you for your faithfulness, and may God continue to bless your participation.

David Samuel Gilbert, III., 72, of Kintnersville, PA, U.S., passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

He was born on October 29, 1951, in McKeesport, PA. and was the son of the late David Samuel Jr., and Dorothy (Rudd) Gilbert. David was a graduate of Ambassador College in Pasadena, CA. and Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield, PA. He served his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as a pastor for 40 years leading churches in Ohio, Iowa, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Most recently he served as administrative pastor of Calvary Chapel Central Bucks in Chalfont, PA.

He was a talented singer and lover of worship music. He was also an avid hunter and outdoors person. He was the loving husband of 48 years to Hinka (DeVlugt) Gilbert. In addition to his wife, David is survived by his sons, David Samuel (Anna) Gilbert, IV of Mechanicsburg, PA. and Nathan Josiah (Aubrey) Gilbert of Brandon, FL. He was the devoted Pappy to his grandchildren, Esther, Levi, Elias, Ezra and Samson.

“I am passionate about helping young people have an encounter with the triune God.”

Meet Justine Paolo “Jep” Parcasio, the associate pastor of the Baguio congregation in the Philippines.

Click here or the image below to read the full profile.

Nicole Reyes Nakagawa
Eagle Rock Jr. High School, Multilingual Pathway
Pasadena, California, US

Eraine Igne
Santa Maria High School
Santa Maria, California, U.S.

Danielle Magat
Piedmont High School
Steele Creek, North Carolina, U.S.

Peter Lungile Chidothe
Mzuzu University
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
Lilongwe, Malawi

Zuriel Chirwa
Malawi College of Accountancy
Bachelor of Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Blantyre, Malawi

Christianna Doele
Georgetown University
Bachelor of Science in Business and Global Affairs, French Minor
Snellville, Georgia, U.S.

Chris Fell
Oxford University
Doctor of Philosophy, Early Modern Language
Hull, East Yorkshire, England

Wong Tian Heng
Tunku Abdul Rahman University
Bachelor of Environmental Engineering
Klang, Selangor, Malaysia

Aida Hotowa
Chiradzulu Teachers Training College
Primary Teaching Certificate
Mombezi, Malawi

Amelia Kugley
Ivy Technical
Associate of Applied Science, Paralegal Studies
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.

Tamika Tabitha Kunje
Malawi College of Accountancy
Bachelor of Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Lilongwe, Malawi

Candrha Lopez
University of California, Los Angeles
Bachelor of Cognitive Science, Specialization in Computing
Pasadena, California, U.S.

Serena Mills
University of North Carolina, Charlotte
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Steele Creek, North Carolina, U.S.

Chisomo Zoey Mkorongo
Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences
Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurship
Blantyre, Malawi

Charles Mphande
Teleo University
Bachelor of Pastoral Ministry
Mzuzu, Malawi

Arman Myers
Georgia Southern University
Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.

Kafulesi Nkosi
Catholic University of Malawi
Bachelor of Social Science (Development Studies)
Mzuzu, Malawi

Martha Phiri
Mzuzu Institute of Innovation Science and Technology
Certificate in Electrical Installation
Mzuzu, Malawi

Indya Porter
Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts & Sciences
Aesthetics Diploma
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.

Prisha Ramoo
UCSI University
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication
Klang, Selangor, Malaysia