Category: Stay Connected

Here from Rod Matthews (GCI Mission Developer for Southern Asia and the South Pacific) is an update on GCI ministry activity in Nepal.

As seen in the picture below, smiling, shy and excited faces met our gaze when we addressed this year’s incoming students at the Himalayan Bible School (HiBiS), which began its 2018, three-month-long-term in February. My wife Ruth and I, along with Danny Zachariah (senior pastor of GCI’s north Indian pastorate), recently visited HiBiS to spend time with its leader, Deben Sam. GCI has partnered with Deben for over 12 years, doing ministry in Nepal.

Sixteen young people (pictured below) from several rural areas in Nepal, were chosen to come to Kathmandu this year for HiBiS. They were selected by a team from Kathmandu that visited those areas last year to conduct three-day mobile Bible Schools hosted by local churches. The young people selected are eager to undertake the intensive three-month course, which involves classes five days a week.

As we addressed the students in an interactive session through a translator, their responses made it obvious that here are some young people with great potential for future involvement in the commission of taking the gospel to Nepal. Their studies include courses in theology and pastoral care. After the three months of study is over, the students return home, where they assist their local pastors in practical ways for nine months. The hope is that some of the students will become fully engaged as pastors and missionaries in their rugged and challenging country.

We are glad that GCI has been able to help the school by providing our literature translated into Nepali and by providing financial assistance (given by GCI members in Australia). On this visit, Danny and I addressed the students and then Deben’s congregation (pictured below) at their weekly church service. The enthusiastic worship of the 65 men, women and children present was quite stirring.

This year Deben has faced many financial and logistical challenges. He had to make costly improvements to his meeting facilities to deal with periodic flooding (and more improvements are needed). He is now paying more to lease his home where he and his wife look after 15 disadvantaged young people originally from rural areas who are in Kathmandu to attend school. He’s also having to look for a new location to raise livestock to support his family. Please join me in praying that God will provide for the needs of Deben’s family and his ministries. Deben is grateful for the prayers of fellow-Christians across the globe.

Here are updates concerning GCI ordinations and church celebrations held recently in three countries.

France: ordination

Marie-Angelique Picard (in the black dress, behind the young girl in the picture below) was ordained an elder in the church in Paris. Participants included GCI President Joseph Tkach and his wife Tammy, and GCI-Europe Director James Henderson and his wife Shirley.

Netherlands: jubilee celebration and ordination

GCI in the Netherlands celebrated its 50th anniversary on Pentecost. As shown in the pictures below, a highlight of the celebration was the ordination of Denise de Moei.

Here are pictures of the celebration, attended by Joseph Tkach, Greg Williams and James Henderson:

Philippines: ordinations

Two elders were ordained recently in the Philippines: Dante Abatayo and Aprille Eunice Pompresert (she is being ordained in the picture below).

Here is a report from the coordinating team of the LiLY conference for women held recently in Ohio.

Our 15th annual LiLY conference was held in Beachwood, OH, on April 27-29. Its theme was “Rest in the Lord” with the theme scripture, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). God blessed us with an attendance of 91 women, including 11 young women (ages 13-17) who participated in our “Bonfire-teen session” facilitated by Tammy Johnson.

The conference speakers were Keysha Taylor (GCI worship leader, speaker and songwriter) and Amy Seiffert (speaker, teacher and mentor). Keysha, who also served as conference worship leader, spoke on “Falling in Love with God”—we belong to him and we have hope, peace and rest in Christ. Keysha’s testimony affected many of the women who have gone through similar situations in life. Amy spoke on “Resting in our Identity”—we are women chosen, delightful and loved by God. She also gave an address titled “Resting in Him,” encouraging the women to set aside a day each week to cease, rest, embrace and feast.

The women broke into small groups at the lunches to get to know each other better. Special praise and worship gatherings with a worship band were held on the two evenings. One evening included “Café Praise” at which women volunteers shared heartfelt songs, instrumental pieces, dance, visual art, poetry, and testimonies giving glory to God.

The conference included an outreach to 2nd Chance Ministry, a program that helps women transition from difficult situations, and limited spa services were offered between conference sessions by Sereniti Solutions. The conference closed with a worship service on Sunday, joining with the women of GCI’s Edgehill Community Church in Cleveland, which sponsors the conference. Conference organizer, Tamar Gray, who is the assistant pastor at Edgehill, recapped the conference: “We had a wonderful weekend and God was certainly present. We had women tell us that they would be coming next year and bringing family or friends.”

Here is a report from Anthony Gachanja (pictured below left, first row), GCI’s National Ministry Leader for Kenya and Regional Pastor for five East African countries.

We recently held our first Uganda national GCI leader’s meeting in Entebbe, Uganda. Also attending were the National leader for Rwanda, Eugene Munyampama and two leaders from western Kenya. The meeting theme was “Which way Uganda?” Here are some pictures (click to enlarge):

(left to right: Anthony Gachanja, John Amadala, Jane Miana, Jessica Othieno)

Leslie Asare-Akoto reports on a youth retreat held at GCI’s Kumasi church in Ghana, Africa.

With the theme, “2018, our year of involvement,” our retreat in February brought together youth from the Kumasi, Kutunse, Ashongman and Baatsonaa congregations, along with some students from Accra. The beginning worship led by the Kumasi youth was followed by workshops on relationships, music, maximizing potential as a youth, financial habits and peer influence. There also were team building exercises that involved both young and old.

In a talk on grace and spiritual gifts, the youth were encouraged to use their gifts to help their congregations grow (“When all hands are on deck, the ship will sail!”). A prayer session after dinner had participants overflowing with joy, singing songs of praise, and offering prayers. The retreat ended with a church service on Sunday. The youth and church leaders were all excited about the retreat and look forward to the next one, which will be held in the Volta region. Thanks to all who prayed and helped in various ways to make this retreat a success.

During 2018, the five GCI-USA Regional Pastors are hosting retreats for the pastors and their spouses in their respective regions. Here, from RP Paul David Kurts, is a report on the two retreats he hosted recently in his Southeast Region.

I was blessed to be able to recently lead two pastors’ retreats in my region. Both were very rejuvenating—we all returned home refreshed and encouraged, with some new friends and lots of good memories.

Louisville retreat

Twenty pastors and spouses joined me on April 20-22 at a beautiful resort in Louisville, MS (see the picture below). We enjoyed fellowship, relaxation and lots of good southern cooking. The group enthusiastically embraced the vision I shared with them for a Ministry Training Center (MTC) that we hope to start in the Southeast Region. Though battling cancer, Pastor John Novick of Jackson, MS, was able to join us for half a day. We gathered around him and prayed for his healing and comfort. A big thanks to Pastor John Ross for helping to organize the retreat.

Bahamas cruise

On April 26-28, 13 pastors and their spouses joined me for a two-day cruise aboard Grand Celebration, which sailed from Florida to the Bahamas and back as we enjoyed good food and fellowship (see the picture below). Several of us disembarked at Freeport, Bahamas, where we spent half a day, including sharing lunch with GCI Bahamas Pastors Robert McKinney and Calvin Parker. As in Louisville, I shared with this group my vision for an MTC in our region. Again, that vision was enthusiastically received. A big thanks to Pastor Marty Davey for coordinating the cruise.

We are delighted to report recent baptisms in GCI congregations in the Philippines and the United States. Congratulations to all!

Philippines

Nine members of GCI’s congregation in Binan, Laguna, Philippines were baptized recently by pastors Gemma Venus and Jun Osillos.

United States

GCI’s congregation in Rochester, New York, baptized three people at their Easter service. Here is a picture of one of the baptisms, conducted by Lead Pastor Leonard Banks (left) and Elder Lloyd Elwell.

This article is from Gill Khoury, bivocational pastor and member of the GCI-RSA board.

What do mind-boggling potholes, amazing fellowship, long border queues, superb music and incredible talks have in common?—the 20th edition of GCI’s Southern Africa Women’s Conference. Held this year in Zimbabwe, Africa, over 100 women attended, with delegations coming from Zimbabwe, Canada, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia and the United States.

Some travelled long distances from rural villages by minibus taxi—inefficient borders delayed their arrival by almost 20 hours. But they came. Others flew in, some bussed in, but they all came. Among those attending was Tammy Tkach (at center in the picture at right), who attended the first conference in 1998 and now was reunited with some of the conference founders who are still championing women’s ministry in Southern Africa.

The conference marked two decades of progress for GCI in Southern Africa. Twenty years ago there were no female pastors and few female church leaders otherwise. Reflecting the society at large, women were mostly relegated to unseen service within the church. Yet in the midst of that landscape, women’s ministry was birthed and the transformation began. Now 20 years later, standing side-by-side at the conference, were female pastors, medical doctors, missionaries, accountants, journalists, teachers, nurses, lecturers, entrepreneurs and farmers—all leaders in their local congregations. As a result, many of our churches have a much healthier balance with regard to leadership, actually reflecting the demographics of the congregation.

Talks at the conference targeted the issues faced by women: reconciliation, developing children’s ministries, listening and counselling techniques, and living with thanksgiving in societies where life for many is a constant struggle. Many women face discrimination, poverty, patriarchy and inadequate food security even though huge strides have been made over the past years. Each region represented at the conference outlined their particular challenges and successes. In many cases, women make up the bulk of the membership of GCI’s congregations in Africa. They must forge new social patterns that will allow for churches not only to survive but to grow.

The conference was not all serious. There was plenty of time for spontaneous worship and laughter. On Saturday evening, there was a “MasterChef Africa” event, with four regional teams competing for the trophy (a large bucket of ice cream!), amidst singing, dancing and chanting from supporters.

Though communion and a banquet ended the main conference, pastor’s wives gathered for two more days under the watchful eye of Nsama Kaoma, director of women’s ministry in Africa. Between times of laughter and worship, teaching sessions, the pastor’s wives attended sessions on children’s ministry, working in pastoral teams, thanks-living, marriage development and spiritual growth.

All too soon, the second conference ended, leaving no doubt that though these conferences are costly in time, travel and money, their impact is far-reaching. The networking alone allowed women across six countries and two continents to share ideas and a common faith, and to return home refreshed, energized, and equipped to serve the local church. The conferences also helped bind together women from generally isolated congregations into one international church. Participating in the divine nature knows no borders!

GCI’s congregation in Jacksonville. FL, recently held its third annual Neighborhood Fun Day on the grounds of their church building. Here is a report from Lead Pastor Marty Davey:

God blessed us with beautiful, sunny, spring weather and approximately 150 guests from the community. Activities included pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, kids’ carnival games, three-point shooting contest, bounce houses, free burgers and hot dogs, a dunking bucket, live music and a prayer booth with free Bibles. Our Fun Day is a big project. Though it takes about 60 church member volunteers to make it happen, it’s well worth it to us. Through this and other outreach events, the folks who live in the community surrounding our church are getting to know and trust us more and more. We enjoyed seeing many happy faces among the children and parents who attended. We were glad to share the love of Jesus with them.

Here are pictures from the Fun Day (click on the pictures to enlarge):

This update is from Rod Matthews, GCI Mission Developer for Southern Asia and the South Pacific.

The Holy Spirit made his presence felt powerfully in a conference of about 40 church elders and leaders (pictured below) held recently in Yangon, Myanmar. There was much excitement in that this was the first meeting between several of the participants, including those who had become part of our fellowship in 2016. Nine participants came from the Matupi area in the Chin Hills of Myanmar. They were joined by local GCI leaders and several pastors from other fellowships.

The conference featured presentations by speakers from Malaysia, India, Singapore and Australia. We were humbled and amazed by the way the topics dovetailed, presenting a comprehensive overview of God’s nature and his presence with us by the Spirit, enabling us to participate with him in ministry.

In order that the participants from Myanmar could meet their counterparts from other areas in Southeast Asia, we arranged for the attendance of Dr. Sellappan and Devaraj Ramoo from Malaysia, Joe and Anna Zachariah from Singapore, and Danny Zachariah from India. Danny gave presentations on pastoral counseling. As shown at left (with Regional Coordinator Wong Mein Kong speaking) translations were provided into Burmese, Myanmar’s national language.

On Sunday morning during the conference, a special worship service was held at our Hmawbi congregation’s building. The assembled group (pictured below) shared lunch prepared by the members. In the afternoon, several more sessions were held with the local members attending (note their T-shirts, specially produced for this historic gathering).

I received many expressions of thanks for the conference. The elders from Southeast Asia said they greatly enjoyed meeting their new brothers and sisters in Christ. Chan Thleng (at left), leader of our Hmawbi congregation, wrote, “To God alone be all the glory for the successful completion of our Asian GCI Conference. Thank you for the wonderful teaching your team is doing! We have learned a lot of the word of God from you especially about Trinitarian theology, pastoral service and counseling. It gives encouragement and motivation to follow Jesus Christ.”

During our time in Myanmar, Mein Kong and I, along with our wives, visited several local ministries with whom we have become friends. These ministries focus on caring for orphans and children whose parents cannot look after them. One of those visits was with a married couple that looks after 16 children. We had a delightful time with them. We had hardly got back to our hotel when the husband informed us that his wife had given birth to their third child within two hours of our departure—he reported that his wife and new daughter were doing very well (we didn’t expect our visit to be so effective in adding to the “congregation” in their home!).