Category: Stay Connected

Worship festivals were held recently in Maryland, USA; and Majorca, Spain. Here are reports.

Maryland

At the Father Loves and Likes You Fest held at Ocean City, Maryland, 150 adults, teens and children gathered for four days of inspiration and celebration, focused on the theme, Worship-Oneness-Witness (WOW). Gospel-focused messages, all from John 14-17, emphasized the shared love and life of the Father, Son and Spirit, and our inclusion in their triune life and love. Some messages were given by GCI interns—their unique styles giving a living picture of GCI’s vision for All kinds of churches for all kinds of people in all kinds of places. The interns were the talk of the conference as attendees, filled with hope, got a glimpse of GCI’s present and future. In addition to worship gatherings, the festival featured a youth beach party (hosted by the interns) and a dance. Here are some pictures (click here for more):

Majorca

At the festival in Majorca, 58 attendees from 12 nations enjoyed uplifting messages that reinforced the theme, A Celebration of God’s Love and Grace in Jesus Christ. The messages emphasized God’s undeserved and unconditional love and compassion for all people. The festival included a talent show, and a special blessing was the baptism of Samuel Rufian, son of retreat coordinators Pedro and Brigida Rufian. Here are some pictures:

A huge typhoon (named Haima internationally, and Lawin in the Philippines) recently hit the Philippines. We thank God that its impact on our members there was minimal. Here is a video report from some of our Filipino leaders:

On YouTube at https://youtu.be/lfeVc1R63B4.

A 72-hour Experiencing the Trinity retreat was held recently at Garaywa Camp and Conference Center in Clinton, Mississippi. Participants (pictured below) came from Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida. The retreat was led by Odyssey in Christ spiritual directors, Dr. Larry Hinkle and Gracie Johnson, along with pastoral couple John and Cathy Novick.

The retreat was a new and refreshing experience for many of the participants, allowing for combined intellectual and experiential understanding of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each day focused on a person of the Trinity, with activities designed to foster a more personal walk with God. Here are comments from some of the participants:

This retreat was an open door for my personal relationship with God to become more intimate and real. You learn to slow down, relax and open your heart to God. Every believer should make plans to attend and realize you will see and experience God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) like never before. The staff…makes you feel included and gives all the attention necessary to experience God’s unconditional love. It is a wonderful blessing! –Mike Horchak

It was deeply meaningful, inspiring and spiritually replenishing. Underneath the main theme of “Experiencing the Trinity,” following God’s admonition to “be still and know that I am God” was absolutely thrilling! You don’t often associate coming to a complete stop with “thrilling,” but that’s what it was! I hope more and more people can attend this retreat in years to come and experience God in personal, new ways” –Dave Huffman

The Odyssey in Christ retreat was a real treat, walking in the woods with the Father, Jesus and then the Holy Spirit. I appreciate the lesson in silence and solitude; shutting out all the noise helps one to focus on prayer and meditation resulting in getting closer to God. –Walt Baudoin

This retreat was a new experience, but it was the best experience I have had. Learning about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit the way they were talked about this weekend was amazing. I and my friends have not stopped talking about it. Everyone we have told wants to attend. Having experienced this retreat makes me want to live my life out in Christ more than ever. –Eula Crowell

Fall is a busy season in GCI with many worship retreats, seminars and camps being held in various places around the world. Here are reports on a few of the most recent ones.

Penticton, Canada Thanksgiving Conference 2016 & Engage 2016

GCI-Canada hosted a Thanksgiving conference and Engage 2016 in Penticton, British Columbia. The events began with a combined community outreach event where a team of young and older adults offered live worship music, free popcorn for children, and invited people to attend worship services at the week-long Thanksgiving conference.

Ten young adults and teens enthusiastically participated in Engage 2016, a 3-day conference that included the community outreach, Bible study sessions, a movie, biking the Kettle Valley Trail along Okanagan Lake and the combined Thanksgiving Banquet.

The theme for this year’s Thanksgiving Conference was Empowered by Grace. Guest speakers included Rick and Cheryl Shallenberger. Over 60 participants enjoyed a week of inspiring worship, messages, fellowship and activities that included a Thanksgiving Banquet with a GCI Update. Other events included a potluck dinner and activities on the historic S.S. Sicamous, a visit to the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, catered lunches, movie and games nights. Conference delegates opened their hearts and donated an astounding total of $5,600 for Doing Well, the non-profit fundraising initiative founded by Tim Maguire to build and drill wells in Mozambique, where GCI has more than 5,000 members in over 100 congregations. This amount will cover the cost of drilling 10 wells!

Quebec, Canada conference

GCI’s French-speaking congregation in Quebec held a Life in Christ Celebration at the Jouvence resort in the region of Orford. Fall colors were at their peak and the scenery was overwhelmingly beautiful in the mountains. Over 100 French-speaking members from around Québec gathered for the weekend event. Its theme was “finding peace in a troubled and agitated world.” During the celebration, the group had the joy of witnessing the baptism of Vincent Labelle in the very cold waters of Lake Stukely. Vincent is the oldest son of Roger and Sylvie Labelle, who serve in leadership in their GCI congregation.

Moncton, Canada conference

The Moncton, New Brunswick congregation hosted a conference recently that provided worship, spiritual nurturing and fellowship. About 50 members attended from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Events in the Philippines

Here are several recent events held by GCI in the Philippines:

• A Journey with the Master Seminar/Retreat conducted by GCI-USA GenMin National Coordinator Anthony Mullins. For a report go to http://my.gci.ph/journey-with-the-master-seminarretreat-held-in-tagaytay/.
• A GCI-Philippines hosted festival in New Zealand. For a report go to http://my.gci.ph/gci-new-zealand-festival-2016-at-ngongotaha/.
• A sports camp in Malabon initiated by campers and staff from the GCI-USA SEP Tahoe camp. For a report, go to http://my.gci.ph/sports-camp-held-for-50-children-at-barangay-baritan-malabon-city/.

This update is from Pastor Gabriel Ojih, who tells about a recent outreach event in his GCI congregation.

On September 10, Pathway of Grace Church in Mesquite, Texas, invited the community to its annual Share Fair, where food, fellowship and prayer, along with free clothing, furniture and household items were shared with the community. Items were donated by members, Sharing Life Outreach (a local charity), community families, and local dry cleaners. A very large amount of clothing was made available for babies, kids and adults, and most found new homes with the 350+ people who attended. Leftover clothing was donated to a homeless ministry.

In conjunction with Share Fair, a food bank distribution hub was launched at our church building to provide food to needy families in the community once a week. This effort is a partnership with Sharing Life Outreach, which provides dignified, benevolent services to families in need in Mesquite and Southeastern Dallas County. Twenty-three families signed up, and about a thousand pounds of food, including canned goods and produce, were distributed.

Many meaningful conversations took place at Share Fair, in the prayer booth and elsewhere on the grounds. Members shared material goods and enjoyed the privilege of sharing hope, faith, and love with people in need of a window into the loving heart of God. One elderly African-American woman said, “This is fun and so helpful at the same time. I’m sure the good Lord is well-pleased. What you guys are doing is such a blessing and you didn’t have to do it!” And yet we did, for the love of God compels us in Jesus Christ our Lord.

GCI congregations and national and regional offices host festivals and worship retreats at various times throughout the year—the fall season is particularly popular. Here are reports about three such events—held recently in the Philippines and Canada.

Philippines

GCI-Philippines held a festival in September at Teachers Camp in Baguio City. The theme was Spread His Love, Share Your Life. It was attended by more than 800 people. GenMin’s national coordinator Anthony Mullins and his wife Elizabeth were guest speakers. For a report, click here, and here is a video with comments from the Mullins:

On YouTube at https://youtu.be/uyYN8bFYJ1g

Canada

GCI’s churches in Saskatchewan held a worship retreat in September at a resort hotel on Lake Manitou. The lake, which has a very high mineral content, feeds several pools at the hotel which are warmed, providing what is considered to be healing properties. This is the second year this event has been held with members (pictured below) attending from Regina, Saskatoon, Yorkton and Battleford.

A week later, a two-day worship retreat was held near Edmonton, Canada. Members attended from Edmonton, Westlock and Evansburg. The retreat included worship services on both days, an evening session, and meals (one pictured below).

Hands for Christ Community Church, GCI’s congregation in Staten Island, New York, recently celebrated its 4th anniversary as a church. Lead Pastor and Church Planter Mary Bacheller commented:

Jesus planted this church and with his guidance and blessing we look forward to good years ahead. We are grateful to those God placed in our path to love, guide and support us: New Life in Christ Church (our “mother” church in Queens, New York), Pastor Al Barr, Pastor John Newsom, Jonathan Browne, Regional Pastor Randy Bloom, my ministry coach Becky Deuel and our denominational president, Joseph Tkach.

At our anniversary celebration worship service, we had 64 in attendance, not counting our family who connects with us by live-stream video in Texas, West Virginia, Las Vegas and North Carolina. We look forward to next year when we hit our five-year mark and begin to cast a vision for the five years following that. Many thanks and blessings to all of you who have supported us through your prayers, donations and encouragement. We ask that you continue to keep us in your prayers.

Here is a short video showing highlights of the anniversary celebration service:

On YouTube at https://youtu.be/ntnoD2gnucM.

This update is from Gabriel Ojih who pastors Pathway of Grace, GCI’s congregation in Mesquite, Texas (in the Dallas metro area).

Four of our senior-aged members are using part of their retirement time to benefit young people in their community by helping elementary school students who are challenged in reading (due to English being their second language and certain mental health issues).

Once a week for the past two school years, Leo Burnett, Dick Rutter, Mike Read and Jack Zvorak have been visiting the Larry G. Smith Elementary School, across the street from where our congregation meets. The time is spent reading one-on-one with individual students who need to improve their reading. The seniors patiently help with pronunciation and comprehension, encouraging and supporting them in their efforts to overcome their reading obstacles.

As Mike remarks, “It is also a wonderful opportunity to positively impact the lives of these young people—speaking love and encouragement into their lives.”

The school sees Pathway’s volunteers as an integral part of their Roaring Readers program. Recently, the program received a $1000 donation from the district’s chief internal auditor. The school requested a representative from Pathway to be on hand as they received the donation and Leo was happy to oblige.

This report on recent developments in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is from John McLean who serves as National Director and Mission Developer for GCI-Australia.

Australia looks after the pastoral care and development of GCI’s congregation at Mt. Wilhelm in the remote highlands of PNG. Mark Latham and Rod Dean (pastor of our congregation in Sydney, Australia) recently completed a trip there to assist with development of congregational leaders and to help out with local community development, including working with the many children in the community.

“The Child in the Midst” was the theme of the talks Mark and Rod presented at the “study center” set up at Mt. Wilhelm. Instead of the expected 18-22 children in attendance, there were 66! Mt. Wilhelm is a church with an exciting future. The young people there have ambitions to become doctors, nurses, primary and high school teachers, office managers, lawyers, business persons, even ministers.

Mark visited the local high school to give classes and offer words of encouragement to the 122 year-12 students. The lack of support these young people receive concerning their future is disheartening. This made the contrast with the opportunities at our study center more stark. Mark also visited the local technical college to see what opportunities were there for young people.

Other activities on the trip included resourcing the local ministry and teaching on such subjects as worship, computer skills, public speaking, the GenMin “Celebrate the Grip” curriculum, the way God has worked with women in very different circumstances, the importance of Shalom, using the image of “the little child in the midst,” and women’s and men’s ministry. The team also held counselling sessions to learn about the needs of the community.

On the way to and from Mt. Wilhelm the team purchased supplies for the congregation, the study center and an area orphanage. Rod stated, “We are very grateful for the on-going support for these trips that make such purchases possible.”

Mt. Wilhelm is an isolated and challenging destination, and the work done there over the years has been outstanding. A huge thank you goes to Mark and Rod for their dedication, commitment to and loving care for our brothers and sisters in PNG. Please continue to pray for our members there.

GCI’s congregation in La Huaca, Cajamarca, Peru, recently held its annual seminar. Mission Director Hector Barrero was the featured speaker, hosted by the congregation’s leader, Juan Carlos Florian, who is a prosperous farmer and a mayor in the region. Among seminar participants were 60 adults and 25 children. The focus of the seminar was a study of the book of Colossians. As seen in the pictures below, the atmosphere was one of great joy and celebration. The food was delicious and plentiful.