Category: Stay Connected

Join us in celebrating Bermie Dizon’s retirement. He served as a GCI pastor for 40 years in the Philippines and in the U.S.

Congratulations, Bermie and Carmelita! We are very grateful to both of you for your many years of faithful service.

We wanted you to hear from Bermie in his own words.

After finishing high school in 1974, I moved from a rural area to Manila to take up my university degree. Because my older siblings were members, I started going to WCG services. In 1978, the regional director sent me to Ambassador College in Pasadena to represent the Philippines at the International Youth Leadership conference. There, I met Carmelita (wife to be), the other Filipino youth representative. In that conference, we were encouraged to attend Ambassador College.

In 1980, I started college at Ambassador. Adapting to a new culture was tough, but the prayer closets in the dorm and my new friends helped me through. My wife and I dated in our senior year and got married on campus two days after graduation in 1984.

After college, I was hired as a full-time ministerial trainee in the Philippines. I was assigned to pastor congregations in San Fernando, Pampanga, and Tarlac. I served in the area for seven years and planted churches in Cabanatuan City, Olongapo City, and Angeles City. In Pampanga, we had three children, Ben, Carmel, and Abel.

For twelve years, I served in different congregations. After Luzon Island, I was transferred to Mindanao Island. There I pastored in Davao City, Tagum, Kidapawan, and General Santos City, and planted a church in Digos City.

Throughout these years, I also served as S.E.P. camp director and festival coordinator every year. During our last year in Davao, we had our fourth child, David. I mention our kids because they were a part of our ministry. They were involved in our worship team, S.E.P. camp, and missions in other countries. For many years, Carmelita was a part of the worship team as a guitarist, nurse at S.E.P., and children’s church teacher.

There were moments that will stay in my memory. In 1990, a powerful earthquake, on a Richter scale of 7.0, hit the island of Luzon. A year later, only a few miles away from where we lived, Mt. Pinatubo exploded. It was considered one the most powerful eruptions in history. In both calamities, many members lost their livelihood and were evacuated. These terrible events showed me the faithfulness and generosity of our members. Most donated food, money, and clothing. Some opened their homes so others can stay temporarily.

In 1996, I was transferred to the U.S. to work with Filipino members. I served with Pastor Curtis May for five years in the Ambassador Auditorium. I planted the Pasadena NewLife Fellowship congregation in 1997 and later served the Los Angeles congregation until 2019. I continued to serve NewLife Fellowship and the Beaumont congregation until these churches were merged into Glendora, now including the Monrovia congregation.

Those times we opened our church facilities for neighborhood events, interacting and building relationships, have been one of the joys I will remember. I will not forget how we cooked and served hot meals for people without shelter for five years.

I was privileged to finish my Master of Arts in Christian Education at Azusa Pacific University in 2007. Because a regional director saw potential in me that I didn’t see, he empowered and encouraged me. I came to see that my role as pastor is both equipping people for ministry and pastoring. I’ve sought new emerging leaders. Several have become elders and leaders. Eugene Guzon and Jillian Morrison are two examples who I’ve had the privilege of working with.

I retired from full-time pastoring on January 21, 2024, after 40 years of full-time ministry and 50 years as a GCI member. I like considering my life not as my own but a journey together with God and those whom he has chosen. Whatever success I may have experienced it is all because it is God in the first place who took the initiative and brought success. It is also a journey with fellow saints, each contributing, sharing, praying, and working in obedience to the lead of our Lord Jesus.

“I am always thrilled to witness the work of the Lord Jesus in our congregation. It’s refreshing and encouraging to see members of all ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities united in serving the community, expressing love for one another, and worshiping our great God.”

Check out this month’s GCI Profile. Get to know Bermie Dizon, a longtime pastor in Grace Communion Glendora, before his retirement this month. Click here or the image below to read his full profile—which just touches on his impact and legacy as an encouraging pastor and lifelong mentor.

In December, Grace Communion Indianapolis hosted a celebration in honor of Mr. Abner Washington’s 100th birthday.

Mr. Washington is a much beloved, longtime GCI employee and pastor. He is held in very high esteem by members around the world.

The following is an excerpt from a video greeting sent to Mr. Washington from Rick Shallenberger, U.S. Regional Director

Happy birthday! I want to not only congratulate you but thank you for your many years of service to our denomination and to those that you have been entrusted to care for and love. You have done an amazing job.

One of my best memories of you was the 40th celebration of the Ghana church in Africa. You and Sharon were there primarily because they considered you a kind of father of the church there.

It was so amazing to watch the members there give you such honor and respect and to see their love for you. You were such an integral part of the congregation and the establishment of the congregation.

Your faith is well known. Your love for the brethren is well known. Your support for the congregation and for the denomination is well known. You are a friend to so many people; it is an honor to know you.

I pray God’s many, many blessings upon you. Thank you again for all you are, and for the fact that you have lived into the identity that God gave to you. God bless you.

Pam and Mat Morgan are thrilled to announce the birth of their third grandchild – Rosemary Jo Zeng (Rosie for short). Rosie was born on November 17, weighing 7 pounds 4 ounces, and 20 inches in length. Mom, Dad, and big brother, Henry, are all well and excited about the newest addition to their family.

Don Mason served faithfully as an elder in GCI since his ordination in 1970. He pastored both the Raleigh and Wilson, NC congregations from 1987 – 2007. He continued serving the members in Wilson, NC until his retirement in 2021. The following is the obituary provided by his family.

Donald Edgar Mason died peacefully on October 26, 2023. He was born February 13, 1941, in Houston Texas to Edgar and Lois Mason. Don graduated from Jefferson Davis High School in 1959 and immediately traveled to New London, CT for Naval Submarine training. While in the Navy, he was able to take courses at the University of Houston. Upon discharge in 1964, he transferred to Ambassador College where he met and married his lifelong sweetheart, Geraldine Mason.

After graduation in 1969, they moved to Evansville, Indiana; in 1970 he was ordained into the ministry of Jesus Christ. Over the next 52 years, he served seven congregations in Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and North Carolina. He retired from the ministry of Grace Communion International in October 2021. He is survived by his wife, Geri, his daughter, Elizabeth, and his sons, Derek and Dustin, and Dustin’s wife, Megan.

Dear Family,

On behalf of GC San Leandro, here’s a big thank you to all who came and celebrated with us on Sunday, November 12. As we gathered for the congregation’s final service, with “old” friends from far and wide, it really felt like a big family reunion. We sang old songs, viewed old pictures, listened to inspiring messages, and enjoyed great food and laughter. And the words of our first hymn came to life, “how good and how pleasant for brethren to dwell in unity.”

We give praise to our triune God for giving us this time to celebrate the many relationships we’ve enjoyed through the years. We can only imagine how great our reunion will be in the fullness of God’s kingdom. Until then, let us enjoy each day as we journey through the next chapter of our history—living and sharing the gospel to everyone.

For the video of the full service and celebration, click here.

With love and appreciation,
Jun and Yolly Caranto
San Leandro, CA, US

One aspect of my role as editor of Update is to recruit people to contribute stories. I attempt to engage contributors from a diverse range of backgrounds, ages, and locations. Yet one of the common responses I receive is, “oh, I’m not a writer.”

It reminds of when someone says, “I’m not creative.” Perhaps they are thinking of a literal artist, like a painter. But here’s what I say to that. You are made in the image of a creative God, so yes, you are creative. Writing is telling a story, putting it into words. And you are made in the image of the greatest storyteller.

So yes, you are a writer because everyone has a story. Every congregation has a story.

I engage folks, requesting they write for Update. I assure them they will be equipped to tell their story because I can help by editing and refining the writing structure. I empower them by convincing them that they don’t have to be the pastor to tell the story, and their unique perspective is needed.

You, the reader, help with the final “E” in the 4 Es. When you leave a comment, affirming what the contributor has written, you are giving them much needed encouragement. We’re grateful.

Here’s a special mention for the members who left the most comments. Thank you for cheering us on!

• • • Pastor Santiago Lange, Stuttgart, Germany
    • Bill Miller, Brighton, IL, US
    • Priscilla Krupp, Woodbine, GA, US

By Elizabeth Mullins, Publications Coordinator
Durham, NC, US

In 2023 GCI gathered and worshipped.

We loved and engaged our neighbors.

We learned and were equipped.

We graduated, retired, passed batons, and won.

On November 1 – 5, GCI Martinique gathered to fellowship and worship in a magnificent setting overlooking the sea. Our theme was, “Experiencing together the power of God’s love.” We thank our God for the inspiring and joyful time we shared with him and our brothers and sisters.

The highlight of our celebrations was the 60-year commemoration of the congregation in Martinique. We enjoyed a pictorial retrospective, an inspiring exhortation, a hearty meal, gift exchanges, and then the sharing of the anniversary cake. It was a joy to dance and sing together. And it was a joy to celebrate our journey with the Lord—past, present, and future.

We offer our gratitude to God and pray that the power of his love will continue to touch all our generations and overflow to those around us.

By Kernani Cheny, Pastor
Fort-de-France, Martinique

“Prayer is not constant positivity. It is honesty held in our hands and hurled at the sky.” – K.J. Ramsey

Join us in prayer this month as we lift our members and leaders. Click here or on the image below to download and print the December Prayer Guide and check out what’s happening in our fellowships around the world. #WeAreGCI

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