Category: Stay Connected

Since our last update requesting prayers for GCI members in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, we have learned that Cyclone Idai did indeed affect many GCI members, especially in Mozambique. Although loss assessments are still being made, the Home Office has received a request from our leaders in that region for funds to purchase, food, water, shelter material, blankets, clothes and other urgent supplies.

The Home Office quickly responded sending approximately $22,000 from the GCI Disaster Relief Fund to help with these urgent needs. On behalf of those in need, I want to thank all our congregations who previously sent funds to the GCI Disaster Relief Fund so that we, as a church family, are prepared to help our brothers and sisters in need when disaster strikes.

Please continue to remember our friends in Africa in your prayers as they recover from this devastating event.

With appreciation,

Mathew Morgan, GCI Treasurer

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GCI Disaster Relief Fund

If your congregation has a heart to help members impacted by major disasters like the one in Mozambique, the best way to do so is to donate to the GCI Disaster Relief Fund. The Fund helps provide members in disaster areas with emergency needs such as food, water, medicine, clothing, temporary housing, home and/or church hall repairs, temporary local pastoral salary expenses and other emergency needs. Monies received into the Fund that are not immediately needed will remain in the Fund to be allocated in future disasters. In previous years, money from this Fund has been used to help members recover from Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, storms and flooding in Bangladesh, an earthquake and tsunami in the Solomon Islands, typhoons in the Philippines and an earthquake in Haiti.

If your congregation would like to donate to the Fund, you can set up a one time or monthly donation through GCI Online Giving (https://www.gci.org/online-giving/) by selecting Give for Disaster Relief under the drop-down menu.

If your congregation prefers to send a check, make it out to Grace Communion International, indicating on the memo line that the donation is for the GCI Disaster Relief Fund. Send the donation to:

GCI Disaster Relief Fund
Grace Communion International
3120 Whitehall Park Dr.
Charlotte, NC 28273

Christchurch Killings: The dreadful massacre of innocent people at worship in Christchurch on March 15th has shocked our nation and rightly dominated the news lately.

Dennis Richards sent a message Sunday on behalf of the Church to the Muslim Association as a mark of our shock and grief, and as a sign of solidarity with them. The message, which was drafted by Phil Baldwin, reads:

To our Muslim Brothers and Sisters,

The people of Grace Communion International in New Zealand are deeply saddened by the tragic violence and hatred perpetrated against New Zealanders at Masjid Al Noor and Linwood Masjid in Christchurch yesterday.

We know that many believers will be praying to the God of Abraham for your comfort and strength at this time. We will be praying for those who are grieving the loss of family and friends, for those who have been injured, and for those who are caring for them.

None of us believe that Muslims or members of any religious group should be targeted because of their beliefs. We share your shock and grief at the senseless death of so many.

May God’s love and blessings and peace be upon you.

Dennis and I have heard from a number expressing support and prayers, and we appreciate those messages very much. We are sure you will all want to acknowledge the selfless courage of the first responders and the hard work of the medical and forensic teams, and are joining in prayer for recovery and healing of the wounded, their families and community, as well as the nation as a whole. It is clear the healing process will be lengthy. We sincerely encourage everyone to remember our Muslim Kiwis and our nation in prayer.

It has been heartening to witness the national outpouring of grief and sympathy towards those affected. The thousands of flower bouquets left outside mosques, provide an acknowledgment that Kiwis haven’t always acted charitably towards our Muslim immigrants, and signify a commitment to draw together as one people even though we represent many different cultures. Despite their grief, the restraint and dignity shown by Muslim community leaders have been impressive, as has also been the open-hearted and determined response of our Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel, and others.

It, therefore, appears that some positive and powerful outcomes will yet emerge from this dark and dreadful tragedy. Thank you for your continued prayers for the return of peace in our Muslim and wider communities.

Warm regards to all,
Rex Morgan

 

Click the image below for the 2019 April Prayer Guide.

 

 

 

Vote for your favorite submissions from the GCI Photo Contest!

The three photographers of the most-liked photos will receive monetary prizes in the form of Amazon gift cards. “Like” to vote! Voting ends Tuesday, March 26th at 5pm.

Click the photo below to view and vote on your favorite photos.

This update is from Takalani Musekwa, GCI’s Regional Director for southern Africa. He requests prayer for those who have been affected by the devastation of Cyclone Idai.

The devastation has been very bad for Mozambique, followed by Zimbabwe and Malawi. Due to the destruction of communication infrastructure, we still don’t have reports from the areas where our churches are. We know that the provinces affected are where our churches are, but even the government is only doing assessments through international agencies which are able to fly in and assess the damage. They are conservatively estimating the death toll at 1,000.

Our National Ministry Leader in Mozambique is not able to reach most pastors. He was able to get in touch with the pastor in Chimoio, where two houses of members plus the church building have collapsed. There are no known fatalities as yet for church members. The areas most affected have no communication connection at the moment.

From public reports, the disaster for Mozambique is huge from initial assessments.

We will provide better information when we have better updates.

Click the image below to register online.

Making plans for summer? Don’t miss out on registration for the Central and Southeast Celebrations

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

• June 7 – 9 Central – Dallas, TX
• June 21 – 23 Southeast – Charlotte, NC
• 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.

 

The Women of Edgehill Community Church in Cleveland Heights, Ohio would like to invite you to their 16^th Annual LiLY (Living Life for You) Conference “Joy Intact,” held April 26^th-28^th, 2019 at the Embassy Suites in Beachwood, Ohio.

This is a weekend filled with wonderful worship, inspired speakers, lots of laughs and simply enjoying the presence of the Lord. The conference is attended by a diverse group of women and teens (Bonfire Sessions for ages 13-17) from every stage on their journey. We come from different churches and denominations. We are about meeting at the feet of Jesus and making him known.

We keep the registration prices low ($70 early bird special), meals are included, and you can fill your suite with up to six women to cut the cost of the hotel. This is a great opportunity for you, your family or group of friends to come together and share a weekend in Christ with no judgment or expectations.

Follow the link for more information. http://www.edgehillcc.org/lily

Tamar Gray, Assistant Pastor
lgraybass@roadrunner.com
Edgehill Community Church
Cleveland, Heights Ohio

With deep appreciation, we celebrate Paul David Kurts for his many years of service and love for the denomination and its members. In December, PD was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard. This is an incredible honor and elevation in position, which will require a larger commitment of his time and energy. Consequently, PD is stepping down from his position as Regional Director in the US Southeast region. Paul David will continue to co-pastor our GCI congregation in Hickory, NC, along with his brother-in-law Anthony Mullins. Your prayers and support for PD and his wife Emma Lee, are greatly appreciated as they embark on this new adventure.

Paul David started working for the denomination in 1988 at Ambassador College in Big Sandy, TX in the Mail Receiving Department. He then spent time in the Landscape Department, as well as assisting the Dean of Students. Paul David is passionate about developing young people and has served in camp ministry in one capacity or another for more than two and a half decades. In 1996, Paul David was ordained an elder in GCI. He has since served in five congregations in four states. He also served as a District Pastor and most recently as a Regional Director, serving pastors and congregations in nine states.

Thank you Paul David and Emma Lee, for your leadership and love.

 

As Treasurer, I have the blessing of observing what God does through generous hearts. What a privilege to be on this mission with all of you! I am excited to share some new options for giving that we are implementing this year. Instead of being limited to giving via envelope or by credit card online, you will now be able to give via text, either during the worship service or whenever you think about it.

You may be wondering why we are making these changes. It helps us serve you better! Electronic giving provides ease for our members and the Home Office staff. You can give easily at any time, and the system allows us to respond with a receipt more efficiently.

Another benefit of online or text giving is that it keeps your information safer and less vulnerable to theft or disruption than the envelope system. Online or text giving via credit card is probably the safest way to give, because your information is encrypted throughout the process making it difficult to disrupt or steal, and the information is permanently deleted after processing, – unless you set up a recurring donation. If you set up a recurring donation, which many people prefer, your credit card information is stored, but behind multiple layers of security. The security of the new options is the main reason we encourage credit card giving online or via text. However, we will continue to honor and appreciate the more traditional giving options.

The new giving options will be available on your congregation’s website, or you can find your congregation at gci.org by going to the home page, scrolling down to “Find a Church/Pastor,” entering the name of your church in the search box, and using the giving link provided. Text giving will be available after the Regional Celebration in your area. We will continue to communicate with local leaders and treasurers, as well as provide support as we roll out the new option.

Thank you again for your generous donations, which help us share the good news about Jesus! And thank you for considering something new. We think it will benefit you personally and help the Home Office and your local volunteers do their jobs more efficiently.

With appreciation,

Mat Morgan