“The first step toward God is a step away from the lies of the world.”— A.W. Tozer
Step into December with prayer and truth. Download our Prayer Guide here and join us in drawing closer to God.
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Grace Communion International is a family of congregations and members from around the globe. As a body of believers, we live and serve together in Jesus’ ministry as a part of His spiritual body. We do so in the love, grace, and freedom we have as our Father’s beloved children. But we also must function within the legal guidelines required by governmental agencies. Accordingly, GCI is organized and established according to a set of bylaws and is “board governed.” That is, the GCI’s theological foundation, overall mission, financial procedures, and administrative policies are overseen by a board of directors.
The GCI Board of Directors is a diverse group of elders who serve four-year terms. Each of the directors brings an impressive range of gifts and experiences to serve GCI on a voluntary basis.
On behalf of the GCI Board, I want to thank Celestine “Cella” Olive and Jen Gregory for four years of outstanding service as they conclude their terms. (For Cella, it was her second term of service.) They have both served faithfully and graciously as co-stewards of the mission and resources Jesus has given GCI. We greatly appreciate their contributions to the board governance process and pray they continue to experience every blessing Jesus has for them as they continue to serve Him in other capacities.
This gives me the opportunity to welcome two new directors to the board: Rebecca Johnson and Philip Doele. As long-time GCI members and elders, they have also served as pastors and bring a wealth of wisdom and experience to contribute to the board dynamics. Read their full bios here.
Please pray the GCI Board of Directors have the wisdom and insight needed to discern the guidance of the Spirit as we seek to faithfully steward GCI resources and journey forward with Jesus.
Randy Bloom, GCI Board Chair
Helen Jackson, born December 25, 1936, died on October 30, 2024. She is the wife of the late Harold Jackson.
Her daughter, Sabrina Mayo, shared the following with Update:
For the past five years, mom has stayed very active. She spent time with her grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, attending soccer games, gymnastic meets, cheerleader competition, t-ball baseball games, and family trips. She liked concerts, and musical performances, and was a member of the Deaton Creek Village Singers. She attended adult dance classes, line dancing, art club, tai chi, water aerobics, Pilates, and women’s Bible study club. She enjoyed these past years of life; however, mom was tired and ready to go. She passed on in a peaceful sleep. She will be missed, but I am happy that God answered her prayers.
December 7, 2024 — 11 a.m.
Celebration of Life for Helen E. Jackson
Shepherd’s Community Church
10 W 150th Street
Harvey, IL 60426
Livestreaming will be available.
December 21, 2024
Memorial in Mountain View Chapel — 11:00 a.m.
Internment, Graveside Service — 12:30 p.m.
Mountain View Cemetery
2400 North Fair Oaks Avenue
Altadena, CA 91001
Condolences may be sent to:
Sabrina Mayo
5955 Chimney Rock Dr.
Hoschton, GA 30548
In October, GC Bellflower in Southern California hosted a three-day weekend retreat centered around the message of the nonviolent gospel as revealed in Jesus. Our guest teachers were Anthony and Linda Bartlett of the Bethany Center community in Syracuse, NY, and our invitation was to come and join others who are open to learning about the nonviolent Bible. It drew more than thirty participants over the course of the weekend (including a few virtual attendees). Half were neighbors from the community, including two followers of Islam.
The interactive teaching sessions took place in the shade of my family’s yard. Sitting in a circle, we were in the company of Jesus to learn from Him the way of nonviolence, His way of being human, which is hope for the world. We rehearsed what has happened before among Christians, the terror of war with its staggering death toll and the continuing threat of wars.
We talked of how violence is an illness between humans, a disease of mutual and mimetic nature, the economics of rivalry, to be cured only by forgiveness and love. We talked of war and the Bible, and how Jesus heals any connection between the two. We shared our stories and prayed for one another. We deconstructed key anthropological elements of the story of Jonah by comparing it to a parallel Japanese account and respected how Jesus can calm our storms of violence and destruction with his word.
On Saturday, our Muslim guests stayed from early morning to late in the night. They represent an eagerness to learn about Jesus and the Bible. We all enjoyed singing and praying; we were, in effect, together with Him, in love and peace like branches on the vine. We were in His house and communion of peace, which is the church.
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Congratulations to Elder Kairis Colter-Chiaji who was installed as the paster of GC Sacramento this month. We are sharing in your joy and will hold you in our prayers for this new role.
She shared this with our Update readers: “This experience is both exhilarating and intimidating. This isn’t one of those spaces where you can get it wrong without consequences. Not with being a guide for relationships with Jesus. Not with representing the Body of Christ in the world. Not with the impact of being in full-time ministry on family. I will certainly lean heavily on the Holy Spirit for guidance for how I act, think, feel, and lead.”
Praise from Regional Director Tim Sitterly:
“After working with Kairis as part of a three-person pastoral team, it was my pleasure to install her as the lead pastor of GC Sacramento. The congregation, which has recently gone through a change of day and location, is now in very good hands for whatever lies ahead.”
We are also celebrating the following elder ordinations. Please join us in congratulating and praying for them.
“I have an unending passion for Christ, His word, and the calling we have as a church.”
Meet, Paulina Salinas, MTC Coordinator for GCI-Latin America. View her full profile and story here.
“Thanksgiving is inseparable from true prayer; it is almost essentially connected with it.”— John Wesley
Let your prayers be filled with thanksgiving this November. Join us in seeking God with thankful hearts. Our November Prayer Guide is available for download here.
Two full-time positions are now open at the Grace Communion International (GCI) Home Office in Charlotte, NC, U.S.
The Media Coordinator position is currently available, and applications are being accepted. See the job description here.
The Assistant Operations Coordinator position is currently available, and applications are being accepted. See the job description here.
If you would like further details on either position or would like a GCI job application, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@gci.org or 980-495-3960.
Please share this announcement with qualified candidates who may be gifted for either position at the Home Office.
Paul Harold Kurtz, Jr., an elder in the Jacksonville, FL, U.S. congregation, passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 4, 2024. He was born on March 29, 1952, at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station hospital. Paul was a brilliant man, talented musician, avid reader, devout Christian, loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, friend, and an inspiration to all who met him. Read the full obituary here.
Paul is survived by his wife, Bonnie. She and Paul were married in June. Paul is also survived by his children, Paul III (Sarah) and Mallory (Andy).
Bonnie said, “He will always live in our hearts and, through his example, inspire us to be our very best selves. I am missing him terribly. What a kind, loving, Christian man he was. My heart is broken, but I will forever cherish our short time together.”
Pastor Marty Davey shared, “Paul was out with our church group last night to see a movie, and seemed to feel fine, and had a good time. Paul had health concerns and had even overcome cancer, and he knew the Lord was always with him and his life and healing were in His hands — so Paul kept on doing the things he loved to do. He was determined to live every day, until he died — and that’s exactly what he did! We shall miss him deeply, and his amazing ministry and amazing impact on everyone he touched.”
Cards may be sent to:
Bonnie Kurtz
4650 Nottingham Road
Jacksonville, FL, 32210
