Category: Stay Connected

This report is from James Henderson, Mission Developer for Europe.

Though small in numbers, our church in Switzerland is big when it comes to caring and generosity. They help with many projects in Europe, among them our small church in Bulgaria, which is shepherded by Nicolay Nicolov. Several of the members there assist Nicolay in translating GCI articles to produce magazines in the Bulgarian and Russian languages.

In September, Swiss members Toni Püntener and Hannes Zaugg visited Nicolay in his home town of Jambol, about 185 miles from Sofia, the capital city. They had the chance to meet with the local congregation close to where Nicolay lives, and to visit another affiliated congregation composed mainly of ethnic Turkish and Romany people.

Toni commented, “We had a wonderful time with Nicolay and our contacts in Bulgaria, who are delighted to be linked to Grace Communion International. Please pray for them as they continue their church journey with us.”

Here are links to updates on several recent events held by GCI-Philippines.

1. A National Conference for GCI-Philippines pastors and leaders with guest speaker Dr. Gary Deddo: http://gci.ph/understanding-our-god-and-his-church/. For videos of the lectures Gary gave in the Philippines, click here.
2. GCI-Philippines National Director visits Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon: http://gci.ph/cagayan-and-bukidnon-leaders-welcome-national-directors-visit/.
3. GCI Kalibo Celebrates its tenth year: http://gci.ph/gci-kalibo-celebrates-its-tenth-year/.
4. GCI Bohol festival: http://gci.ph/gci-bohol-celebrates-festival-2017/.

Nearly 300 people gathered in late September in Wisconsin Dells, WI, to celebrate EngageGCI. The theme of the annual conference this year was Engage Neighbor. Guest speakers were Joseph Tkach (GCI President) and Heber Ticas (GCI Church Multiplication Ministries National Coordinator). With 24 breakout sessions to choose from, all attendees could see the practical application of loving others as Jesus loves us. Here is a one minute video with highlights of the gathering and an invitation to EngageGCI 2018:

On YouTube at https://youtu.be/wYwV-CdZBxk.

Here is a report from camp director Mark Yandt on GCI-Canada’s Camp Connections.

Camp Connections 2017 in Ontario was a huge success. We had three sessions: the four-night Junior Camp with 27 participants (ages 7-11) served by a staff of 17; the six-night Senior Camp with 41 participants (ages 12-18) served by a staff of 25; and the Leadership in Training (LIT) program, which ran concurrently with the Senior Camp with 10 participants (age 16+). I can’t say enough about the volunteers who ran these programs—their efforts blow me away year after year!

The camp teaching curriculum was themed around the idea of “mysteries.” When it comes to understanding God and our faith, God’s mysteries are intended to intrigue us, not confound us. We talked about Paul’s description of the gospel as the “mystery of godliness” (1 Tim. 3:16) and how it seems beyond comprehension that an all-powerful entity would suffer a mortal existence, allowing himself to be ridiculed, beaten and crucified. We also explored why God chose to bring us salvation the way he did. The camp chaplain put together a summary of each chapel along with some questions—some were asked during the chapel and a few were used to help stimulate dorm-time discussions.

It’s worth noting the success of Camp Connections efforts over the last few years to partner with various community agencies in serving the youth of surrounding communities by providing them with access to our camp. Doing so gives us a great opportunity to share the good news and to wrap vulnerable individuals in loving community.

In the video below, GCI Mission Developer Rod Matthews interviews Daniel Zachariah who pastors a GCI congregation in India. Danny shares what his congregation is doing to reach out to their community and beyond through various initiatives, including providing Christian counseling.

On YouTube at https://youtu.be/4LjbQQPErRg.

This report is from GCI-Canada director Gary Moore.

My wife Wendy and I experienced a most uplifting time at the Thanksgiving Retreat held recently in Penticton, Canada. About 80 people gathered for a lovely time of learning, fellowship and good food. The retreat’s theme was “God is on the Move,” and from what we saw and heard, there is no doubt that GCI is participating more and more in what Jesus is doing in our world and in our generation.

It was a special treat to have with us GCI President Joseph Tkach and his wife Tammy. During the opening service we ordained Debbie Minke as an elder, and later celebrated at an elders’ dinner at a local restaurant. Debbie (along with her husband Craig, who pastors our Vancouver–Surrey and Prince George congregations) has been serving in an elder capacity for many years. Her ordination was thus an acknowledgement of this reality, and a chance to celebrate her service to our church.

Mission Developer Eugene Guzon talks with pastoral leaders Rex dela Pena and Audie Santibanez concerning recent mission developments in the Philippines and beyond.

On YouTube at https://youtu.be/mYmEC9CzRD0.

Congratulations to Hands for Christ Community Church, GCI’s congregation in Staten Island, NY. They recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. Here is a report from Pastor Mary Bacheller, who planted the church and continues serving as its lead pastor.

What an exciting day it was—celebrating five years of God’s graciousness in leading our deaf church all these years. We have grown to trust God as he sends the Holy Spirit to each of us.

We were pleased to have with us as guest speakers GCI President Joseph Tkach and his wife Tammy, Regional Pastor Randy Bloom and his wife Debbie, Pastor Al Barr and his wife Edna, and Pastor John Newsom and his wife Vicki. Each played an important role in the planting and subsequent growth of Hands for Christ. As shown in the video below, the celebration began with a worship service with our deaf choir expressing its dedication in signing the songs “Made to Live for You” and “We Believe.” The service also included Communion.

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

As shown in the pictures below, the service ended with Communion and was followed by the 140 participants moving to the celebration hall for more fellowship, food and learning more about Hands for Christ’s future, which will (if all goes as planned, and as finances permit) include translating the Bible into American Sign Language (ASL).

On September 27, the youth group at New Beginnings Christian Fellowship (GCI’s congregation in Big Sandy, TX), gathered on the track of a local football stadium. The reason was to raise funds for the national St. Jude Children’s Hospital Run/Walk to End Childhood Cancer and the Gladewater, TX, Truman W. Smith Children’s Care Center. New Beginnings challenged their group of 50 young people to be a “Force4Good” by accumulating as many laps on the track as they could in 20 minutes. After a light sack-lunch supper, they took off, carrying with them a 3×5 card, which adult members of New Beginnings then punched each time they completed a lap.

The adults present cheered them on and weren’t disappointed—when the cards were tallied, the youth had run or walked 253 laps, or over 63 miles! The church pledged to donate $1 per lap and several corporate and individual sponsors made donations that brought the total raised to over $1000. The young people were reminded that, as Jesus said in Matthew 25, whatever you do for the least of these, you’ve done for Jesus.

Mission Developer Rod Matthews talks with GCI Pastor Wong Mein Kong from Malaysia concerning recent mission developments in Myanmar (formerly called Burma).

On YouTube at https://youtu.be/cupHI6ywDXs.