Category: Stay Connected

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!).

Over 30 of GenMin’s camp and mission trip directors and staff (pictured below) gathered recently in Ohio for a conference led by GenMin national coordinator, Jeffrey Broadnax. Jeff set the tone with a presentation titled “A Compelling Vision for GenMin” based on Matthew chapter 10. He offered several examples of how Jesus both supported and challenged his disciples as they obeyed his command to go into the harvest field, sharing in Jesus’ disciple-making ministry.

Here are highlights of other topics covered during the conference:

• All participants completed the five voices assessment from GiANT Worldwide. The tool helps a person lead themselves and others more effectively by helping them identify their natural “voice.”
• Youth pastor Gary Pecuch (pictured below) shared The Faith Web—a tool he authored that helps congregations form intergenerational connections through shared faith development. Included in the tool are discussion starters that encourage cross-generational conversations. Gary gave examples of rebranding generation-specific activities so as to include all generations—for example, turning a youth cakewalk into an entire church cakewalk. He also stressed the importance of tying activities back to the congregation—doing things like having the youth talk about their trips or activities during church life, or hosting a time when everyone brings in hobbies they care about then hold breakouts to explain the details.

• GenMin advisory council members/camp director trainers Mark and Anne Stapleton reported on the 2018 GenMin camps teaching curriculum, “All In.” Based on Mark 12:28-31, it explores five aspects of loving God and one’s neighbor.
• GenMin missions leaders (pictured below) spoke about “living on mission,” helping conference participants explore developing a missional culture within GenMin camps and other programs and events that can be carried back home.

• Breakouts during the conference covered compliance, reporting and administrative work; online application/registration processes; re-imagining camp; and a regional pastor’s perspective on camp (led by Regional Pastor Mike Rasmussen).
• Jeff Broadnax introduced prayer with a pencil—jotting down the nudges received from God during prayer so that they may be recalled during future prayer and reflection.

Worship throughout the conference was led by Mohammad Ali (pictured below) a GCI intern in GCI’s congregation in San Jose, CA.

Grace Communion Hickory is a newly re-launched GCI congregation in Hickory, NC. Along with moving the congregation to a location central to the community (see the picture above), a new pastoral leadership team has been formed. GCI Vice President Greg Williams recently visited to commission the new team:

Greg commissioned PD Kurts and Anthony Mullins as co-pastors, Emma Lee Kurts as a member of the pastoral team (she also serves as a worship leader) and Elizabeth Mullins as a member of the pastoral team (she was recently hired by GCI as a Pastoral Resident with a focus on serving as the congregation’s Community Developer).

We rejoice in sharing the report from a GCI congregation in the Netherlands that January 28, 2018 was a great and thankful day for them. As shown in the picture below, two women were baptized that day: Cynthia Kahindo and Bora Rubuga. Pastor Kahindo performed the ceremony.

About 70 members from all over the Netherlands joined in the celebration, making joyful music and thanking God (watch the video below). After the service, the two newly-baptized women were congratulated with handclapping, flowers, music and shouts of joy. GCI’s national pastor gave each of the women a Bible in Swahili, their native language.

On YouTube at https://youtu.be/QLPyxExodOI.

Here are reports on recent outreach-related events in GCI-Philippines:

• Outreach to victims of recent fire (click here for the report).
• Youth “Talent Day” outreach (click here for the report).
• Celebrating ten years of outreach in Thailand (click here for the report).

New Life Christian Fellowship, GCI’s congregation in Surrey (Vancouver) Canada, recently held a special worship service and fellowship event to which they invited anyone who had ever been associated with the congregation. Over 100 attended, with about half being guests.

The special guest speaker for the service was Ryan Walter (pictured below), a committed Christian and professional hockey player who played four years with the Washington Capitals, nine with the Montreal Canadiens, and two with his hometown Vancouver Canucks. Ryan was part of the 1986 Canadiens team when they won the Stanley Cup. Ryan presented an interesting and scripturally sound message about the importance of building an effective congregational team, drawing lessons he learned as a Christian hockey player. He trusted the audience enough to pass around his diamond encrusted Stanley Cup ring.

Here are reports on the community outreach ministries in two GCI-USA congregations.

Federal Way, Washington

New Hope Christian Fellowship, GCI’s congregation in Federal Way, WA, has been involved for several years in outreach to the community through serving the homeless. This ministry has given the congregation significant visibility in Federal Way, as evidenced by a recent article in The Federal Way Mirror (click here to read). As noted by GCI member Rick Miller,

though we have not sought this exposure, the city views us as the “gold-standard” in sheltering and serving the homeless. This is the work we have found God providing for—it is the heart of our small congregation. We have an abundance of resources for this work.

Pikeville, Kentucky

As reported by a local TV station (click here for the report) Grace Fellowship Church, GCI’s congregation in Pikeville, Kentucky, recently held their annual community dinner. As the TV report mentioned, “Hundreds came through the doors to eat a warm meal and be surrounded by friendly company.” The report then quoted Debby Bailey, the congregation’s pastor:

What is heartwarming to me is that we are able to build a rapport with people—it’s not just coming in and providing food, but actually getting to know each other and know their names and catch up and say hello, and it’s more relational as well. By ourselves, we would be limited with what we can do, but when we have support from the city of Pikeville and others it takes what little we have and expands it and we are able to do so much more.

The city of Pikeville recently gave the congregation a $3,600 grant to help them continue their ministry to the community.

GCI President Joseph Tkach, accompanied by US Regional Pastors Rick Shallenberger and Tim Sitterley, recently visited the Philippines. The visit began with a training conference on February 16-17 in Tagaytay for 300 seasoned and emerging Filipino pastoral leaders (pictured below, click to enlarge). Along with inspiring worship, three ordinations, and a couple of special presentations, two workshops addressing the topics of healthy church and healthy leadership were conducted by Rick and Tim.

Following the Tagaytay conference, the group travelled to Manila for a worship service held at the Philippine International Convention Center on February 18. The service was attended by more than 1100 GCI members. One of the highlights was a worship song sung in eight Philippine dialects. President Joseph Tkach (pictured at right) gave the sermon titled “Here Comes the Judge,” addressing the profound love that God has for mankind. He also led the group in communion. Following the worship service, some of the Philippine members put on a show with presentations from several regions around the Philippines. According to Rick Shallenberger, “It was abundantly clear throughout the weekend that the Filipino members have a deep appreciation for President Tkach.”