Category: Stay Connected

Join us in wishing a very Happy 100th Birthday to Burniece Chambers!

Mrs. Chambers birthday was Sunday, January 12, and she celebrated with her church family, GC Maumee, in Ohio, U.S. Everyone enjoyed cake while she shared her well-earned wisdom.

Mrs. Chambers began attending GCI in 1964 and was baptized five years later. She says she is very pleased to have stayed with one congregation for her lifetime. (GC Maumee was formerly known as the Toledo congregation.)

Burniece Chambers, “100 & Fabulous,” is pictured below with her pastor, Stuart Mahan.

Would you help us highlight our 2025 theme, Kingdom Culture?

Even though we live in the tension of the “already but not yet” — signifying that the kingdom is here now, but not in its fullness — we want to embrace the “nowness” of the kingdom. We want to demonstrate the goodness of Jesus as we bear fruit in every good work. We want to proclaim the goodness of Jesus as we point others toward Him in all opportunities.

Through Update, we want to stay connected as a global family and learn from one another. Would you be willing to help us? Send us your pictures and stories of how your congregation is collectively living as citizens of the kingdom! Email elizabeth.mullins@gci.org

Join us in congratulating these GCI graduates from the Southern hemisphere who graduated in December 2024.

Conner Kurzawa
Seaford, Victoria, Australia
Trafalgar High School
Principal’s Award

Molly Regazzoli
Logan, Queensland, Australia
Lutheran Ormeau Rivers District School (LORDS)
Australian Defense Force Cadet (highest rank)

Miriama Marama Elliot
Suvi, Fiji
University of Fiji
Bachelor of Nursing Science
Honours

Dear Friends,

My recent CAT results are in, and the picture is far from rosy. The scan shows a clear advance of my illness, particularly in the liver and the lungs. My oncologist said he would tell his other patients, “It’s over.” He said in my case, he would not say so since until now, I’ve beaten all survival odds. I responded that it was not my own efforts that have been keeping me alive, but God.

Without delay, I began a new cycle of chemo treatment yesterday. The treatment has been adjusted to a “more aggressive” level. It is my 37th cycle.

I wish I could share better news with you, but we must recognize the situation as it is. Your prayers are an anchor of hope. Thanks for not giving up on me.

Together we are stronger!
Santiago Lange, Elder
Stuttgart, Germany

slange9762@aol.com

“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” — Martin Luther

Join us in a month of focused prayer for our neighbors, our church, and our mission. See the January prayer guide here or click the image below.

Would you like to receive this Prayer Guide straight to your email inbox before the first of the month? Sign up here.

Click here or the image below to learn more about practices for Epiphany.

I just want to share our eldest member, Divina Castillo who celebrated her 100th year birthday on November 16. Her husband Rupert died in December 2017. She has 2 daughters and one son, 10 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren whom she prays for them by name regularly. Her memory is still sharp. She was with us when we were still starting to plant a church in 2012. She is still my prayer partner up to this day. She is a great blessing to many. A woman who is not tired of praying for everybody. Praise God for her.