Category: Stay Connected

This report was compiled from material provided by Assistant Camp Director, Leslie Asare-Akoto.

GCI in Ghana recently held their youth camp (called YEP Camp) with the theme “Come to Jesus” from Matthew 11:28. The 37 staff members served 49 campers age 12 to 18. The campers came from throughout Ghana and included a few from Liberia who are living in the refugee camp at Buduburam. Most campers were supported financially with grants from the Jon Whitney Foundation.

The camp, directed by Pastor Francis Ablordeppey, featured swimming, music appreciation, soccer, soft-ball, fireside chats, volleyball, hiking, Christian living classes, and Bible studies. Other activities included dancing, film shows, lectures, ice-breakers, debate, variety entertainment, Bible quizzes, a “prayer and exaltation night,” and a banquet.

Campers went into the surrounding communities to inform parents and their wards about the youth camp and its benefits. They shared some brochures and invited children in the community to attend the camp’s opening day. As a result, 36 children from the community (pictured above) visited the camp, partaking in some of the camp activities and enjoying lunch and a presentation from the camp director.

The campers toured the Ghana Air Force Base in Accra (picture at right). On the trip back to camp they visited a trade fair and shopping mall. During camp, ten campers accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and were baptized.

Camp ended with a banquet where campers and staff were awarded. Many campers shared how camp had helped them do many things they had not done before, both physically and spiritually.

 

New Life Fellowship (GCI’s Baltimore, Maryland, congregation pastored by Timothy Brassell) recently hosted an Outside the Walls (OTW) event. Pastors, ministry leaders and interns from other GCI congregations traveled to Baltimore to assist and join in the training.

A day of training was held on Friday. It focused on the “paradigm shifts” characteristic of churches experiencing renewal. It also addressed some of the structural modifications that facilitate renewal, including clear and consistent community-to-congregation “connecting points.”

The training was conducted by Heber Ticas (National Coordinator of GCI Church Multiplication Ministries and Lead Pastor of one of our Southern California churches) along with Dustin Lampe (Lead Pastor of one of our Cincinnati, Ohio, congregations). Both shared examples of the renewal that is occurring in their congregations.

On Saturday morning, as part of the training, participants went into the community around the church to invite neighbors to a “block party” that was held at the church that afternoon. Though it was an extremely hot day, many neighbors attended the fun-filled event, which featured live music, food and games for the kids.

The goal of the block party was to provide a hospitable presence for the church in the community, thus creating relational “spaces” where long-lasting relationships might be forged. New Life achieved this goal by meeting their neighbors in a non-religious, non-threatening fashion. Block party participants were invited to a worship service held the next day that included a special “blessing of children” ceremony.

Here is a short video with excerpts from a couple of block party music performances by Intern Xiara Lee and Pastor Timothy Brassell (on YouTube at https://youtu.be/1-Z3noIRkw0).

Recently, three of GCI’s Southern California congregations—New Covenant, New Hope and NewLife—gathered at a park in Arcadia for what Pastor Bermie Dizon described as “a great reunion of three congregations coming together for worship and a picnic.” Here are video highlights:

On Vimeo.

This report is from Jeff McSwain, National Coordinator of the GCI-USA Ministry Development Team.

A group of us recently met in Durham, North Carolina, for GCI’s third annual Orientation for U.S. Interns and Pastoral Residents. In addition to these young emerging leaders, Orientation participants (pictured below) included sponsoring pastors, coaches and various members of GCI’s Church Administration and Development (CAD) team.

Interns

The women and men participating in the GCI-USA Intern Program are given a chance to explore vocational options in a two-year-long Christian discipleship program that combines higher biblical-theological education with hands-on, practical ministry leadership experience. Instead of spending hours on administrative tasks or other pastoral duties such as preparing sermons and doing hospital visits, our Interns spend their time “outside the walls” of our churches, engaging with their communities through some sort of outreach-centered ministry expression.

Pastoral Residents

Those serving as Pastoral Residents (apprentice pastors) have either graduated from the Intern Program or come to us with extensive ministry experience. Other than age and experience, the Pastoral Residents are just a step away from being assistant pastors, senior pastors or church planters. A pastoral residency is a time when these women and men shadow an experienced senior pastor, doing the things and learning the patterns that are typical in the life of a pastoral minister.

I’m thrilled to report that after two years of vocational exploration in our first class of Interns, Jillian Caranto and Andy Rooney (pictured at right) have felt led to pursue the next step, which is to serve as Pastoral Residents. We congratulate them both!

Comments and pictures

The time we experienced together in Durham was truly rich. It was a blessing to hear first-time attendee Lauren Reierson say she felt rejuvenated and loved—ready to get out and engage with her community. That’s what we were shooting for! Following are additional comments and pictures from our 2016 Orientation.

From the inspiring worship, to the intimate breakouts, to the laughs during meals, the 2016 Orientation was unlike any of the others I’ve attended. There is a newfound level of spiritual rapport and healthy camaraderie between the Interns and Pastoral Residents, which is only a taste of what the Holy Spirit is doing for the future of GCI and its young leaders! (Jillian Caranto, Pastoral Resident with Pastor Bermie Dizon)

I’ve been taught to look at the kingdom of God as “already-not yet,” but it often seems a lot more “not yet” than “already.” That wasn’t true at Orientation! It was so encouraging to be immediately loved and accepted by such an incredible group of people. (Justin Cole, 1st year Intern with Regional Pastor Randy Bloom)

It was great to be able to dig into the theology of GCI a little more, and to ask questions and get a better general understanding. The most impactful thing for me was the experience of authentic community. I’ve always been aware of the inclusive community that GCI fosters, but it still astounds me every time how amazingly loving and accepting we are. In a moment when I was truly afraid and deeply doubting God’s calling for me, my community, my family, immediately surrounded me. It showed me that I’m not called on my own. God, through his Holy Spirit, is with me AND doing the work for me! It also showed me that God has blessed me with an incredible community who will have my back and point me back to Jesus when I am afraid. (Xiara Lee, 1st year Intern with Pastor Tim Brassell)

It was a unique experience of learning about the Intern Program through deep fellowship, theological engagement and seeing awe-inspiring examples of those theological commitments lived out in the Durham area. It was challenging, fun and moving. (Eddie Lowe, 2nd year Intern with Pastor Dishon Mills)

Getting together with my GCI brothers and sisters under the banner of Jesus was amazing! Our future as a denomination is so bright! There was so much love there! (Ceeja Malmkar, Pastoral Resident with Pastor Mike Rasmussen)

The young adults involved reveal a bright future for GCI. They truly are sold-out for the Trinitarian theology described in Scripture and will no doubt gain (and teach) a much deeper understanding of this Good News as time goes on. What a gift! (Associate Pastor Mike Urmie)

Momentum building

At this Orientation I saw powerful, Holy Spirit momentum building in the ranks of our younger generations. My friend Greg Williams, Director of our CAD team, saw it too. Here are his reflections on the 2016 Orientation:

I was overwhelmed by the variety, depth, personalities, talents and passion of these young women and men. They expressed deep love for the Lord and deep bonding with one another. They are so smart—it’s almost intimidating—yet they are personable and fun-loving. GCI is blessed to have these young people in our circle of trust and love. I invite the churches who host them to make space in their hearts and ministries to allow them to grow and shine. Our Interns and Pastoral Residents are a huge part of the renewal movement happening within GCI. Thank you Holy Spirit for joining them with us!

On to GCnext

GCnext is about planting seeds for GCI’s next generation. Toward that end, we will be holding a GC Next gathering in Durham over the upcoming Martin Luther King holiday weekend (January 13-16, 2017). The event, which will gather 18-28 year-olds from across our GCI nation, is led by Andy Rooney and our other Pastoral Residents. Many of us sense that it will be another pivotal moment in the development of future GCI leaders. Click here for additional information, including registration.

We want to express our thanks to the congregations that are financially supporting our Intern and Pastoral Resident Programs through donations to our GCnext fund. The fund also supports the GCnext work of Generations Ministries and Church Multiplication Ministries. If your congregation would like to join in, click here to learn about the fund, which advances our GCnext vision and mission.

GCI’s church in Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines, recently celebrated their 15th anniversary as a congregation. They did so by reaching out to the community by conducting a medical mission. In partnership with two local agencies, they served 245 adults and children. Each participant received counseling, followed by assistance related to their identified physical, emotional and spiritual needs. All were fed a full meal. These interactions provided ample opportunity to pray with those being helped, and to share with them the gospel of Jesus. Many said that they felt encouraged, having found hope in the midst of their trials.

For the past 13 years, Mike Stewart and Debby Bailey (members of the pastoral team at Grace Fellowship in Pikeville, KY), have been the driving force of an annual Christian music concert named JULY JAM (Jesus Unconditionally Loves You. Just Ask Me). Youth and young adults are the primary target audience for this free outdoor Christian music event held in one of Pikeville’s parks.

The purpose of JULY JAM is to share with area youth the love of Jesus through Christian music. A primary goal is to help them understand that there is an alternative to a life of drug use. Pike County has one of the highest per capita rates of death due to drug overdose. This year’s concert, headlined by national recording artist, Among the Thirsty, was held July 30. More than 350 people attended. The event received coverage in both local newspapers (pictured above).

This update is from Christine Ojih whose husband Gabriel serves as lead pastor at Pathway of Grace Church (a GCI congregation in Dallas, Texas).

“I just hope it’s not boring!” lamented 3rd-grader Amya when asked about her hopes for the summer by her Pathway of Grace Church Vacation Bible School (VBS) small group leader. In all, 50 individuals from the church and surrounding community participated in the VBS at this GCI congregation, in Mesquite, Texas. Twenty adult volunteers, including a Spanish-speaking staff member from the elementary school across the street, came together with 30 children and teens for five evenings in June to study how putting on Jesus, the full armor of God, helps us “stand strong against the devil’s schemes” (Eph. 6:11).

One parent from the community representing one of five new families who got involved at Pathway because of VBS said, “I don’t know what you guys are doing here, but the kids love it!” Another new child shared, “My uncle has a lot of things planned for us kids this week but I’m missing it. I want to be at Bible school!”

Pathway’s VBS was kicked off with a Saturday Community Family Fun Day where families were invited to bring their children to enjoy bounce houses, carnival games and face painting, along with slider burgers, popcorn and snow cones. At the Fun Day, children and teens were invited to register for the VBS.

Best of all, the fun didn’t stop when VBS week was over. Youth ministry team member, Teri Herrmann, who leads Pathway’s school-aged children’s ministry, took the lead to provide ongoing activities throughout the summer on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Kids have the opportunity to learn more about Jesus and how he is revealed to us through some well-known Bible stories while also enjoying crafts, games and meals together with the friends they made at VBS. Field trips to the skating rink, movie theater and Ranger’s Ballpark offered a special opportunity to get out on the town to many children who might otherwise sit home and play video games or watch TV all summer.

Judging from her enthusiasm—showing up an hour before events start and not missing a single summer activity so far—it seems Amya’s hope for a “non-boring” summer has been fulfilled. Likewise, Pathway of Grace’s hope of demonstrating God’s love that came near in Jesus to families in our community has also been fulfilled and a new hope has emerged—the hope that we can develop ways for even deeper, more meaningful and more consistent involvement with our young community members.

Here are links to reports of ministry events in GCI-Philippines:

• Teaching the art of mentoring: http://my.gci.ph/mentoring-lecture-in-pangasinan/
• Visiting a newly affiliated church: http://my.gci.ph/visit-of-national-director/
• Missionary work in Thailand: http://my.gci.ph/thailand-juvenile-ministry-opens/
• Community outreach VBS: http://my.gci.ph/gci-calamba-connects-with-community-through-vbs/

This update is from Steve Solari, lead pastor at Hope Community Fellowship, GCI’s congregation in The Colony, Texas, (on the north side of the Dallas metro area).

When there is a fifth Sunday in a month, we cancel regular worship services and hold a service project in the community where our church building is located. We’ve helped the city’s Volunteer Assistance Project repair fences and clean yards for disabled veterans or shut-ins. We’ve helped a local non-profit prepare boxes of food for children who need meals while school is out. We also helped a senior resident move into assisted living. This July (when it was too hot for an outdoor project) we hosted a meal honoring the community’s first responders (police and firefighters). When I announced the event to the congregation, there was a spontaneous outburst of applause. Like many in The Colony, our members greatly appreciate what our local heroes do for us. We wanted to show our thanks.

Our members brought food for a meal to which all the police and firefighters in the community were invited. The firefighters came in shifts to ensure coverage for emergencies, and police officers dropped in as time permitted (even though it was his day off, the Chief of Police stopped in). Apparently the community noticed—an anonymous donor (who never came inside) gave a cash donation of over $100 to help fund the event. The response was fantastic, and we’re looking forward to doing this event regularly to show thanks to community servants who often are forgotten.

GCI’s Cincinnati, Ohio (East) church was featured recently in a Cincinnati Enquirer article. Titled, “Dialogue on Race Difficult but Worth It,” the article notes the congregation’s involvement in Neighbor 2 Neighbor, a racial reconciliation organization formed following civil unrest in Cincinnati in 2001.

Vicki Hart, wife of the congregation’s lead pastor, George Hart, noted that the congregation “got connected about three years ago with a Neighbor 2 Neighbor group that meets in Milford, the city where our church building is located. The group has been meeting at our church building for over a year, and several of our members joined the organization and attend the meetings on a regular basis.”

Vicki notes that Kevin Aldridge of the Enquirer contacted the organization recently after the national racial flare-ups and violence, asking if he could interview the Milford group for an article.

Four GCI members are mentioned in the article along with the congregation. According to Vicki, “the article has been received by the community very positively.” To read the article, click here.