Category: Stay Connected

Here are reports from two recently completed GCI youth camps.

SEP Tahoe

This new GenMin camp was conducted for the second year in the beautiful setting of Lake Tahoe near the Nevada/California border. The 60 campers (a 43% increase from last year) were served by 41 staff members led by camp director Susan McKie. The staff included eight pastoral leaders from five different GCI congregations. Activities included camp chapel, archery, capture the flag, line dancing, skits, human foosball (a big success), an obstacle course on the beach, water skiing, boating and tubing.

SEP Silvermeadows

Held in Alberta, this GCI-Canada camp is led by Clay and Gillian Houghton with a staff dedicated to pointing campers to a real relationship with our Triune God. GCI-USA intern Andy Rooney joined the staff this summer. Andy’s passion for Christ, as well as his ability to identify strongly with youth and youth culture (he has been a professional rapper) added to the spiritual tenor of the week.

Grace Communion Seminary (GCS) now publishes a newsletter titled GCS News. To download the first issue, in which new GCS president Gary Deddo shares part of his personal story, click here.

Here are links to reports on recent events in GCI-Philippines:

• http://my.gci.ph/gci-pampanga-celebrates-38th-church-anniversary/
• http://my.gci.ph/gci-sta-rosa-414-window-team-echos-learnings-to-davao-city/

Here is a video from GenMin’s SEP Rockies summer camp, held recently in Colorado.

On YouTube at http://youtu.be/ZipgYwrZt_Y.

In addition to its ongoing gospel work in Bangladesh, the Bengali Evangelical Association (BEA), which is led by GCI members, holds multicultural gatherings for fellowship and worship in San Bernardino, California. Below are pictures from some of those gatherings. BEA also recently held a “Summer Kids Camp” in the same location.

This update is from Nancy Silcox

GCI in the United Kingdom held its annual Ladies’ Conference in May at the High Leigh Christian Conference Center, just north of London. The theme of the conference was Acceptance in Christ. Over 40 women attended.

Each conference session began with worship with solos, a quartet and praise dance. We heard from a variety of speakers. The opening address by Jackie Mill reminded us that we are one family, sisters in Christ. Guest speaker Marie Angelique Picard, GCI national coordinator for France, brought us two powerful messages. The first was about how God has his own timeline and how we can change the way we look at things! The second was about God being “The Anchor of Your Soul”—we do not need to give excuses for our failings, just trust in the mercy and grace in Jesus Christ.

Margaret Rose, in a talk entitled “To Hell And Back,” courageously shared her journey through depression, which occurred after she had a reaction to medical treatment. Jackie Mill then looked at the subject of “Being A Helpmeet,” with a video clip showing how changing your words can change your world. Other speakers included Jeni Ozumba, who contrasted human acceptance with God’s acceptance; Ashley Thompson, who gave a talk entitled “The Gender Agenda” that made us think carefully about society’s view of the female gender; Linda Halford slouched up to the front in a hoodie and an iPod and presented “Teenage Matters” about the dramatic development of the teenage brain. Irene Wilson then discussed some of the difficulties of growing old gracefully, explaining that “The Golden Age Is Before Us Not Behind Us.”

On Saturday evening we gathered for Music and Entertainment led by Beth and Eva from Scandinavia. The songs were punctuated by a quiz, skits and jokes, enhanced by cheese, champagne and chocolates. The conference ended with worship led by Jackie Mill, and communion led by Jean Dougall. Jean reminded us that as we take the bread and wine, we accept Christ’s sacrifice and participate in his life.

24-7 Community Church, the GCI congregation in Newark, New Jersey, has emphasized youth ministry for many years. As a result, they have many children and teens who are active in the congregation as evidenced by a recent celebration for seven teens who recently graduated from high school. The update below is from Eleanor Elcock and Cherri Long.

Embedded in the heart of Newark, New Jersey, our congregation recently celebrated the success of seven African-American high school graduates (five are pictured below). Under the tutelage of 24/7 Pastor Franklin K. Howard, these young adults have attended 24/7 since they were children. Naya Martinez, Joletta Robertson, Nashaya Lyons-Watson, Portia Thompson, Juwan Elcock, Derrick Knight, and Jesse May are all college bound.

We honored the graduates and their families with a banquet attended by about 50 people. It began with a meal of some of the graduates’ favorite foods, then Pastor Frank addressed the graduates and the group played a game consisting of five pieces of candy, each representing a question about the graduates’ futures. Wow, we were blessed by the answers! One question had to do with what humanitarian effort they would like to champion. We were excited when they spoke about supplying countries with books, helping wounded soldiers, teaching in countries where education is needed, and a benefit concert to bring help to war-torn Dafur.

Following that, the first-year college students in our congregation gave helpful advice to assist our high school graduates in acclimating to college. As these young adults spoke, it was evident that they are Christ-centered and prepared to make a difference in this world.

The celebration ended with Pastor Frank presenting each graduate with a Bible and gift card (see picture at right). The seniors then thanked the congregation for caring for them.

Our high school graduates have developed into loving and compassionate Christian young men and women. Praise God, they did it!

We’re pleased to report that Grace Communion Seminary (GCS) was recently notified that the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), in a meeting on June 26, voted to renew GCS’s accreditation through June 2020. The letter notifying GCS of this good news said this:

In receiving renewal of accreditation, GCS has demonstrated its commitment to educational standards and ethical business practices that assure quality, accountability, and improvement in higher education. The scope of GCS’s accreditation extends to the programs listed below.

• Master of Pastoral Studies (MPS)
• Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
• Master’s-Level Continuing Education Courses (MCLE)

In passing on the good news, Dr. Gary Deddo, the new president of GCS, wrote this:

Congratulations to all who contributed to the monumental effort that has brought GCS to this point. Most especially thanks should be extended to Dr. Russell Duke who so ably and with great perseverance led the charge.

SEP So Cal

This report is from SEP So Cal camp directors Anne and Mark Stapleton.

This summer SEP So Cal had 158 campers and 87 staff. We celebrated our 14th year as a GenMin camp, our fifth year meeting at Pine Valley Bible Conference Center (near San Diego), and the 50th anniversary of the founding of the SEP camp in Orr, Minnesota.

In keeping with the EPIC Story theme of GenMin’s 2015 camp curriculum, we used the idea of “story” to tell the story of SEP, using a timeline that stretched around the room (see below). As part of an opening celebration we pointed beyond the camp story and made sure that every camper and staff member knew they were part of the EPIC Story of God. To symbolize that inclusion, we had each person get up during a worship segment and place a colored dot on the timeline near the year they were born.

As in years past, this summer SEP So Cal was wonderfully diverse. We had participants age 18 months to early 70s; and participants who are African-American, Asian, Filipino, Hispanic, Middle Eastern and Caucasian. Sixteen states were represented at camp.

This year we added a horse program and rappelling for junior campers. For the senior campers we continued our equipping tracks where each chose a track to further their skills, education and ministry. The goal of these tracks is equipping youth to return to their home church, community and other places of influence so they can contribute to the growth of others, participate in church life, and simply help make the world a better place.

Pathways Camp, Ohio

This report is from Pathways camp director Aaron Frim.

In keeping with the EPIC Story theme, Pathways camp was once again an amazing experience. We had 49 senior campers, 27 junior campers and 8 mini-campers served by 54 staff members. About 20% of the staff members were first-timers. Pastor Jeff Broadnax served as camp chaplain, giving most of the chapel messages. There was much positive feedback from campers regarding the EPIC Story curriculum. That curriculum was adapted for use with the junior campers with Gary Weldon serving as story-teller.

Camp activities included archery, swimming, team-building, laser tag, woodworking, and dodge-ball. This summer we added bubble-ball (see picture at left). Once again we had life-equipping tracks for senior campers in photography, video, self-defense, worship, and missions. The missions track, led by Pastor Terry McDonald, was enhanced by the presence of two staffers and one camper from Colombia who came to Pathways to learn about running a camp in their own country.

In keeping with the missions theme, senior campers teamed up with 37 disadvantaged children from the local county who came to Pathways for an afternoon. Pastor Carrie Smith spearheaded this outreach, which has been going on at Pathways for several years. Carrie also led our inaugural CREW—a program in which we equip senior campers to become future staff members.

One day during camp we encountered a medical emergency and a torrential rainstorm. The combination reminded us that we are blessed to have on staff a registered nurse and three EMT/firefighters. One of our campers became ill and had to be transported to the hospital. Though he had to spend the night there, he was fine. That same night a storm flooded all roads in and out of camp and part of the camp grounds. We were left considering the reason behind these events. What was God’s plan, how did it fit into his EPIC Story? Perhaps it was the conversations that occurred between people later. Perhaps it was to prepare us to better face similar situations in the future. It definitely helped Pathways financially. The managers at the facility we use for camp decided to deduct one day’s rent, savings Pathways several thousands of dollars. In any event, we were reminded of God’s love and protection.

Here are reports of two recent events in GCI-Canada.

Elder ordained in Calgary

GCI-Canada National Director Gary Moore reports that during his recent visit to the Calgary congregation, he and his wife Wendy were privileged to participate in the ordination of Emily Lukacik as an elder. Emily and her husband Andrew (pictured at right) are long-time members and servants of the Calgary church.

Camp Connections fundraiser

Mark Yandt reports a successful fifth annual bike ride to raise money for GCI’s Camp Connections. A team of 15 riders (pictured below) raised a total of $13,400. Mark commented:

Not only did we raise more than in previous years, but almost 80% of our fundraising came from supporters with no previous affiliation with Camp Connections or with GCI. Our biggest fundraiser again this year was Karl Moore (in the red jersey below) who raised over $5300 and promoted the trip for months beforehand on Facebook and Twitter. He even posted updates during the ride and raised over half of his support during or after the ride was completed!