Category: Stay Connected

GCI Ministry Coaching recently conducted a Coach Clinic for GCI pastors and ministry leaders. The clinic, which was held in Titusville, FL, was hosted by Charles Fleming. Anthony Mullins, GCI’s Coordinator of Ministry Coaching served as trainer. Most of the 12 participants (some are pictured below) came from the Caribbean (including the nations of Grenada, Martinique, Bahamas, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago). Others came from the U.S. (Florida, California and North Carolina).

According to Anthony Mullins, Coach Clinic participants spent two days

learning the empowering rhythms of intentional coaching conversations, mastering the dynamics of the C.O.A.C.H Model of coaching, and seeking to understand how coaching relationships can be implemented in pastoral leadership, discipleship and in developing emerging leaders.

Here are comments from participants:

The Clinic was a liberating experience. This has opened up a new way of connecting and seeing my own needs. (Elisha St. Louis)

It was a great learning experience. (Robert McKinney)

It was an exciting and delightful coaching session. I am praying for powerful renewal in our churches. (Kernani Cheny)

The Coach Clinic was timely—God’s timing. (Clifton Charles)

Anthony also noted that

upon returning home, several of the pastors have implemented a coaching posture in their leadership meetings, are using coaching in their personal relationships, and are charting a course for how coaching can enhance and facilitate discipleship within their congregations. Some of them are planning to host coach training in their areas next year. In the U.S., Daniel Leon and Elizabeth Mullins are taking the necessary steps to complete being certified as GCI Ministry Coaches.

GCI congregations in the UK and Ireland gathered on June 17 for a denominational conference in Northampton, England. Guest speaker Gary Deddo (pictured at left) gave two presentations: “Worship and Witness: Life as if Jesus is Lord of the Church,” and “Worldview and Vocation: Life as if Jesus is Lord of All.” During the conference, GCI European Director James Henderson commissioned Gavin Henderson, Pete Mill and Barry Robinson as the 2019 National Ministry Team for the UK and Ireland.

Hands for Christ Community Church, GCI’s congregation for the deaf in Staten Island, NY, was blessed with a wonderful baptismal day recently. Six members were baptized into Christ in Pastor Mary Bacheller’s swimming pool. Here are pictures and a video (Pastor Mary is in the dark blue shirt):

On YouTube at https://youtu.be/uQA8sPzUiRg.

Grace Christian Church, GCI’s congregation in Waltham, MA (Boston area), recently conducted a community-wide event called the Kaleidoscope Festival. According to GCI Pastor Dishon Mills, the congregation established and coordinated the event—determining its theme and theological foundation, designing its logo and other graphics, recruiting other event partners, securing donations for raffles, recruiting vendors, obtaining necessary city permits, recruiting and managing volunteers, setting up the space, and providing advertising. Dishon gave this report:

God has gifted our church to be multigenerational and multiethnic, and we wanted to share that with our community. We also heard from our community that many people were feeling our society was getting more and more divided. In particular, Waltham recently had a few ugly incidents as it adapts to its changing demographics. The Holy Spirit used all these things to guide us to create an event that would celebrate diversity and seek to heal man-made divisions. In addition to the joy that comes from participating in the work that Jesus is doing, our members got to build relationships with dozens of our neighbors. Since the event emphasized open conversation, we got to talk about the gospel in a relaxed, welcoming environment. We incentivized visiting the various community engagement tables, so most guests got to talk with someone who was different from them. Since God made us for relationship, this is part of what living and sharing the gospel means to us.

One of our volunteers, who is currently homeless and having a lot of family problems, was beaming throughout the event because it made her feel seen and useful. Another volunteer, one of our members, had a 45-minute conversation with a man about Jesus. The conversation started with him saying he didn’t believe in God and ended with him saying he wanted to visit our church. I had a wonderful conversation with a man who had negative experiences with religion. Interacting with us and being at the event made him want to hear more about our church. I will be having lunch with him soon. We had similar conversations throughout the festival. A captain in the Waltham police force told me that the city needs more events like this and he would be happy to be involved in the future.

Our church received a lot more visibility in the community as a result of this festival. As we continue to reach out, we believe we will become known as “the church that creates community.” Though sharing the gospel is our primary goal, we feel that events like this will attract people to our congregation due to the relationships that are being formed.

Here is a video from the festival:

On YouTube at https://youtu.be/YD8czI8uPTA.

GCI in the Philippines conducts multiple youth camps (called SEP) each year. Click the links below for reports from two recently completed camps:

• SEP Luzon: Steadfast
• SEP Visayas #3: Connect

Joseph, Tammy and Greg attend conference in Australia

Joseph and Tammy Tkach and Greg Williams recently attended a conference for GCI pastors and members held in Australia’s Gold Coast. They joined more than 230 people attending from six countries. The conference provided an opportunity to say “farewell” to outgoing President Joseph Tkach and his wife Tammy, and to welcome Greg Williams, who will become GCI president at the end of this year.

The conference was a wonderfully warm occasion for fellowship and learning. As one participant noted, “What an excellent conference. We love our church, and are grateful for the journey we have shared. We are going away encouraged and motivated to continue in faith, hope and love with renewed clarity and enthusiasm.” Another said, “We loved the interview format and learned so much. We appreciate the prayerful and professional transition taking place—so good to see the relationship between Joe and Greg.” As shown in the picture below, a highlight of the conference was the ordination of Daphne Sidney.

Joseph Tkach shared this concerning the conference:

Tammy and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Queensland for our Australian Conference. It was like a family reunion and a celebration! The praise music and the worship were excellent, and the food and fellowship were abundant. Even though I retire this year, we are planning a return visit in the future.

Greg Williams shared this:

I was overwhelmed by how receptive and welcoming the people were toward me. It was a lovely reunion since my last visit to Australia was in 1982 for SEP. I noticed among our members a deep appreciation about our past and a very positive spirit about our future. Daphne’s ordination, which reflects her deeper dive into ministry, was exciting. She has wonderful experiences and skill sets that should serve our Australian pastors and churches very well.

Greg visits New Zealand

Prior to meeting up with Joseph and Tammy in Australia, Greg spent three days visiting members and leaders in New Zealand. In church services during the visit, Greg gave a sermon titled “The Big Picture” in which he gave an overview of his vision for GCI’s future. He addressed the goal of developing healthy churches and outlined other goals as well as the structure and culture of GCI going forward. Pastor Dennis Richards submitted this report about Greg’s visit:

What a joy it was to have Greg Williams swing by Wellington, one of GCI’s most southerly congregations. Our gathering started with a finger-foods lunch allowing all to stand around and chat, so by the time services began, Greg had already met many who came. Our service began with an informal Mihi (greetings) given by Louis Smith in Maori, Samoan and English, followed by an explanation of the Maori welcoming customs by Janis Murton, who also spoke in Maori and English. At the heart of Greg’s sermon were his projections for advancing our vision for living and sharing the gospel, and how what he foresees for our future connects to and emerges from what has been accomplished under Joseph Tkach’s leadership. Generally, the word afterward was how much all were encouraged by the message, and how much each appreciated his effort in coming so far to visit us.

GCI’s congregation in Hickory, NC, recently re-launched, moving to a new location with a new ministry focus. The video below tells the story.

On YouTube at https://youtu.be/LHSHVXAWTpE.
To download it on Vimeo, click here.

GCI’s congregation in Bowling Green, KY (pictured below), celebrated its 50th anniversary on Pentecost Sunday. The celebration was led by Facilitator Bonnie Ferranti and the sermon was given by guest speaker Lloyd Briggie. The celebration capped off with lunch at a local restaurant.

Here is a video of the joy-filled worship in the GCI congregation in Limpopo, South Africa.

On YouTube at https://youtu.be/Xtpr8fUC_Ys.

Here are links to reports on recent developments and ministry activities in GCI-Philippines:

• 

  Eugene Guzon graduates. Congratulations to GCI-Philippines National Director Eugene Guzon who was awarded a Doctor of Ministry degree in Transformational Leadership.

• SEP Mindanao was held in Davao City.

• A high school leadership retreat was conducted by GCI for students being served by one of GCI’s congregations.

• A medical-dental mission where professionals hosted by a GCI congregation provided medical and dental services to people in the community where the congregation meets.