Category: Stay Connected

In spring, Paul David Kurts, Regional Director of the U.S. Southeast Region, was offered a full-time position with the Air National Guard. It was an amazing offer he could not resist. I asked Pam Morgan to step up as the Interim Regional Director to help during this transitional period. Even though Pam already had a full-time position as Operations Coordinator in our Home Office, she graciously accepted the additional responsibilities and challenges. I am grateful to Pam for all her hard work and sacrificial love and service to the pastors and members within the Southeast. Pam has done a tremendous job of helping pastors and treasurers bring their Monthly Church Reports and Financial Reports into compliance. Pam also worked to host a fantastic Regional Celebration this summer in Charlotte, NC. Thank you Pam!

The plan was to have Pam serve until a full-time Regional Director could be identified and freed up to serve the Region. After much prayer and many discussions, I would like to announce that Anthony Mullins has agreed to serve as the Regional Director and is excited to lead and serve the pastors in this region as they join Jesus in “being the church” within your congregations and fellowship groups as well as to your neighborhood. Anthony and his wife Elizabeth have served in GCI in many capacities over the years, from being a youth pastor in Atlanta, to Director of GenMin – overseeing our regional camps, to heading up our Intern and Pastoral Resident Programs, and overseeing our GCI Coaching Program. I believe Anthony will serve well and will help share the vision we as a denomination are embracing. Please welcome he and Elizabeth in their new role of service. Anthony will step into the role on September 1.

Mike Rasmussen

Grace Communion Ladson celebrated their 4^th Annual Women’s Conference on April 26-28, 2019. Our theme was “An Intimate Relationship with Christ.”

It was three Spirit-filled days of building a more intimate relationship with Christ and bonding with our sisters. The speakers were amazing, the music was awe-inspiring and the fellowship was incredible. We had ladies travel from NC, SC, GA and FL. Approximately 40 women attended over the course of the conference.

Friday evening began with a reception followed by praise and worship. Saturday followed with praise and worship, inspiring speakers, worship stations, prayer and ending the day with communion. The ladies were then able to visit nearby Historic Charleston, SC in the afternoon. The conference ended on Sunday with the women leading the Grace Communion Ladson worship service.

The Holy Spirit was leading this event in every aspect. He set the hearts of the attendees on fire. Everyone left blessed and looking forward to the next conference to take place April 24-26, 2020.

Rose Hamrick, Grace Communion Ladson

 

This year at SEP Florida we created a Young Adults Track for people ages 18-30. Most of our participants were also staff or campers, but we did have two others come just for the young adult events. We have several campers who have become or are about to become too old for camper-status and are not yet ready to serve as counselors. This track gave us an opportunity to discuss where we are, where we want to go, and to bond together.

We shared testimonies of what we’ve gone through and lessons we’ve learned. We took a cycling adventure on beautiful Jekyll Island that focused on African American history. For our first time trying something new, it was a great success and we loved our time together. It was a nice opportunity to pour into each other and get even more spiritually nourished.

Michelle Thomas, SEP FL Assistant Camp Director

Would you like to take a step toward becoming a healthier leader in Grace Communion International?

Consider attending the ACCM Christian Leadership Intensive in Hickory, North Carolina, on August 30-31. This two-day intensive has been carefully crafted for ministry leaders, pastors or any GCI member who desires to take a deeper dive in leadership from a Christian point of view. Grace Communion Hickory will be the host church for this training event.

GCI President Greg Williams, wrote about ACCM, “I have used and taught the ACCM material and in my opinion they are outstanding. These classes help fulfill the ongoing educational pathway for our bi-vocational pastors, so please take advantage of this opportunity.”

If you have any questions, contact Anthony Mullins at anthony.mullins@gci.org.

Register Now!

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.”

You are invited to join us for four days of celebration, fellowship and Christian outreach at our 12^th annual Come & Drink Crusade.
It takes place at Courtyard by Marriott, Junkanoo Beach, downtown Nassau, Bahamas, October 11-14, 2019. This hotel is the ideal site for a fall get-together for the entire family. Rooms rates are $160.00 per night double occupancy, all taxes included. Space is limited, so register today.
For more information, email Robert.Mckinney@gci.org or call (242) 424-4062.

On June 28–30, twenty-seven emerging leaders came together for GCI Ignite Latin America. The event was celebrated just outside Bogota, Colombia. This was the first time Latin America has had an event of this nature. Young leaders from Mexico, Honduras, Peru, and Colombia were present. The event was coordinated by Andres Felipe Barrero (associate pastor in Bogota), and the workshops were presented by Heber Ticas (superintendent of Latin America), Natanael Cruz (Pastor in Mexico City), and Alejandro and Lilliana Acevedo (youth leaders in Bogota)

The presentations revolved around the theme “Responding to God’s Calling.” The idea was to invite young presenters who were already in pastoral ministry, so they could guide their peers. Attendees were young leaders, already involved in ministry within their local congregations, all between the ages 18 and 32.

The themes discussed throughout the weekend were designed to have a flow and progression. Topics included:

• Our identity in Christ
• Emotional healing and Christlikeness
• The life of Christ (service)
• Identifying our calling
• The joy in our calling
• A sent people
• Christian leadership (fan the flame)

The purpose of the weekend was to create a space where these young leaders could come together for shared learning, intentional development, and an opportunity to be invited to greater participation in Jesus’ ministry through GCI. Memorable highlights of the event included the pastoral interviews that were held. Andres Felipe served as moderator and the young leaders had an opportunity to ask Pastors Heber Ticas, Natanael Cruz and Hector and Paulina Barrero about the ups and downs of pastoral ministry. The thorough and provoking questions allowed for a time of reflection and growth. Another notable moment was the closing workshop when the participants were invited to commit to fanning the flame of their calling and to seek the Spirit for guidance. It was a joyous moment to see young men and women commit to a journey of Christian leadership. The pastors who were present prayed over and anointed them.

The move of the Spirit was evident, and the participants departed with a sense of calling and a renewed spirit to continue the journey of growth in Christian leadership. The challenge now is to provide ongoing developmental support for those who wish to continue with the joyful adventure of Christian ministry. We pray that the Lord will bring clarity, discernment, and resources to develop the new generation of pastors and leaders in Latin America.

Heber Ticas

Harvest Your Blessings! Don’t miss out on registration for the North Central or East Celebration.

In 2019, GCI will host Regional Celebrations in the USA:

• September 27 – 29: North Central – Noblesville, IN
• October 25 – 27: East – Ocean City, MD

Click the image below to for more information and registration options.

 

Register Now!

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.”

You are invited to join us for four days of celebration, fellowship and Christian outreach at our 12^th annual Come & Drink Crusade.
It takes place at Courtyard by Marriott, Junkanoo Beach, downtown Nassau, Bahamas, October 11-14, 2019. This hotel is the ideal site for a fall get-together for the entire family. Rooms rates are $160.00 per night double occupancy, all taxes included. Space is limited, so register today.
For more information, email Robert.Mckinney@gci.org or call (242) 424-4062.

Harvest Your Blessings! Don’t miss out on registration for the North Central or East Celebration.

In 2019, GCI will host Regional Celebrations in the USA:

• September 27 – 29: North Central – Noblesville, IN
• October 25 – 27: East – Ocean City, MD

Click the image below to for more information and registration options.

 

GCI Coach Clinic

For any ministry leader from a GCI church desiring to grow in areas of leadership, discipling others and building a healthy team through a dynamic relating style known as coaching.