Category: Hear From the President

3. Obedience despite sacrifice and suffering

No matter what we give up in this life or what suffering comes our way, knowing that we are in union with Jesus and included in his eternal kingdom is more than enough.

• • Whether leaving the comfort of our physical homes and dwelling in tents.
  • Whether waiting on God and trusting for the conception of a child.
  • Whether thrown into a cage with lions or a consuming fire and not knowing if we come out alive.

4. Identity with Christ and the community of the great cloud of witnesses

Because of what we read in Hebrews 11, we move higher in our spiritual comprehension to the connecting thoughts of chapter 12.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of^] the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

No person in the Faith Chapter endured more or suffered more than Jesus himself, a perspective that brings clarity and evokes worship. Just as the people of faith looked to Jesus for rescuing from sin and the weights of this life, we join them in the race we are now running. It is a beautiful image to think about the amazing company of pioneer believers who have gone before us, and the leader of the parade is Jesus.

The bottom line is that Jesus is the Author and Finisher of this race. He has run the race in our stead and put up with everything along the way. All the people of faith who have run the race could only do it one way — by their union with Jesus, following in his steps, their eyes fixed on him.

As kingdom citizens in the 21^st century, we don’t know what we may be called upon to do, nor do we know what suffering or persecution may come our way. But we do know that Jesus is with us every step, and there is a city prepared by God for our eternal home.

Resting in the Author’s finished work,
Greg

Jesus is Lord of creation and Lord of His church. As head of the Church, He is the source and nerve center — guiding and directing us “body members” as His hands and feet. There is no church without Jesus and no Kingdom Living without the presence of the King.

He is pre-eminent in the widest scope possible, supreme in all aspects and at every point. It reminds me of the great hymn, “Be Thou My Vision,” and the line, “be thou my best thought in the day and in the night.”

When our identities, our thoughts, our purposes are fully wrapped in Jesus, we then are active citizens of His Kingdom. We have a mindset focused on Jesus above anything or anyone else.

A small Kingdom story that was significant to me involves a young man named Will Chitwood. Will is Vice President of CapTrust, a financial management company that manages our corporate capital account. We recently went through a trial that threatened to carry a potentially large expense to the church. Will was on standby to negotiate the anticipated rough waters, and the good news is that the threat was negated. I sent Will an email message to share the outcome. Instead of simply replying electronically, Will gave me a phone call. He shared how he had been regularly praying for us, and he recounted a sermon he had recently heard about God’s deliverance for Joshua and Israel as they populated the Promised Land. Will said that he rejoiced with us over God’s deliverance, and we mutually shared that the nature of our relationship was more than business, rather we are joined together as Kingdom partners.

Our purpose is to make the King known and to help believers grow up in Jesus. How encouraging is it to have a financial manager who embraces this and comes alongside GCI in the shared journey? And even more exciting is to realize that King Jesus is present and guiding at all points, even the next breath you and I draw.

Honoring and obeying King Jesus,
Greg

Looking ahead to 2025, I’m excited about the year ahead as we embrace our theme: Kingdom Culture. This theme invites us to identify more deeply as citizens of God’s kingdom and encourages us to participate more actively. GCI’s history is one of being kingdom-minded, especially praying for the fullness to come. But we hear the Spirit telling the church that we are kingdom citizens now, so therefore, live as such.

As we continue to move forward in our commitment to Healthy Church, we’re focusing on four key aspects of Kingdom Culture.

• • • Who: Focusing on the centrality of Christ and being centered in the relational presence of Jesus and allowing Him to shape us more than any social construct or distraction of this age. Jesus is our source.
    • Why: Joining Jesus through living by the Two Great Commandments and participating in the Great Commission. This is the soul of being the church, why we do what we do.
    • What: Living out our collective identity in Christ through our values, teachings, structures, liturgy, and church programs. This is the skeleton for Kingdom Living.
    • How: Reflecting Jesus in relationships with a special focus on the corporate expression of congregational life, being the light on the hill that embraces our neighbors and welcomes more and more disciples into the glorious kingdom of Jesus. This is the outward skin — what non-believers see and experience from church folk.

We will follow this framework for the stories and articles in the upcoming Update newsletter and in our resources throughout the year. It’s a joy to share inspiring stories of how God is at work in different corners of the world. I’m eager to see how the theme of Kingdom Culture reshapes you and me, and spills over to the transformation of our neighbors.

Wishing you a joyful close to 2024 and a 2025 filled with growth, connection, and a deepening of our kingdom calling, highlighted by our kingdom participation.

With gratitude and prayerful hope,
Greg

At the Last Supper, Jesus intimated that the point of the kingdom was to be with Him. The kingdom is about relationships. The apostle Paul amplified this understanding in Romans 14:17: “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (NIV).

Paul’s short verse profoundly describes the abundant life humanity can and will have in Christ. It is the “kingdom life” we are meant for with our King.

Let’s break down the righteousness, peace, and joy that comes from God, the Holy Spirit.

• • Righteousness means everything that is virtuous and good — everything, streaming from the virtuous, perfect nature of Father, Son, and Spirit. All good gifts flow from God!

What if we engage our thoughts with “throne room” realities where we are seated together with Christ? Whoa! Can we really do that? As kingdom citizens now, let’s make a spiritual practice of having our minds go there.

• • Peace is more than the absence of strife; it is harmonious interaction with our neighbors. You may recall the famous quote uttered during the 1992 Los Angeles riots by the victim of police brutality, Rodney King, “Can’t we just all get along?” The answer to Mr. King’s question is a resounding “yes,” we can all get along, and we will in the realized kingdom of God.

The fullness of the kingdom will be the fulfillment of the Great Commands to love God with our entire being, and to truly and selflessly love our neighbor.

This peace is about goodwill in all relationships.

• • • No more misunderstandings.
    • No more hurtful words.
    • No more stepping on the other to get ahead.
    • No judgment or contempt.
    • No malice.

There will be just, whole, peaceful relationships among all of God’s children.

• • Joy is our internal thinking and feeling about self, and the absence of negative, destructive self-talk. Many of us are our own worst critic. How many of us dominate ourselves with internal thoughts like:
    • “I’m not good enough or smart enough.”
    • “I can’t ever get it right” (when we demand perfection from ourselves).
    • “I’m such an idiot” (when we identify with labels that others have thrust upon us).
    • “Nothing goes right for me” (when perhaps our plane flight was delayed because of bad weather).

You get the point. On the other hand, I think about the uplifting, reassuring lyrics from the Christian band Casting Crowns, and their song, “The Voice of Truth.” Here are a few lines:

The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. “Boy, you’ll never win!”
“You’ll never win!”

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, “Do not be afraid!”
The voice of truth says, “This is for My glory”
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth!

It will take the fullness of the kingdom to completely eradicate and eliminate our self-doubt and negative self-talk, but oh there is joy to come!

Nestled in Romans 14, this tiny, little verse truly describes the eutopia that our inner beings and all creation long and groan for. The righteousness, peace, and joy that God has designed and will accomplish is what Christ the King Sunday is all about.

Keep in mind that Jesus is not only preparing heaven for us, but He is also preparing us for heaven. So, in 2025 our GCI annual theme is going to be “Kingdom Life.” I expect 2025 to be a fruitful year for GCI.

In the power and glory of King Jesus,
Greg

In his 2017 article, “Clarifying Our Theological Vision,” Dr. Deddo writes:

This theological declaration is based on the biblical revelation that Christ died for all, and that God has loved and reconciled the world to Himself (Rom. 5:18; 2 Cor. 5:14; John 3:16; 2 Cor. 5:19, Heb. 2:9). Jesus is “the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29), and He is the “ransom” for all (1 Tim 2:4, 6; 4:10; Matt. 20:28). Because this reconciliation is accomplished, and thus a present reality, God’s desire, which is fulfilled by the ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit, is for all people everywhere to come to repentance and faith so they may personally experience (receive and live into) this reconciliation and so not perish (2 Pet. 3:9; Ezek. 18:23, 32). Thus, when we declare that all are included, we are affirming several important truths:

• • • • • Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior of all humanity.
        • He died to redeem all.
        • He has atoned for the sin of all.
        • Through what He did, God reconciled all people to Himself.
        • Jesus is the mediator between God and all humanity.
        • He has made all his own by virtue of his redeeming work.
        • He is for all and against none.
        • He is judge of all, so that none might experience condemnation.
        • His saving work is done on behalf of all, and that work includes His holy and righteous responses to the Father, in the Spirit — responses characterized by repentance, faith, hope, love, praise, prayer, worship, and obedience.
        • Jesus, in Himself, is everyone’s justification and sanctification.
        • He is everyone’s substitute and representative.
        • He is everyone’s hope.
        • He is everyone’s life, including life eternal.
        • He is everyone’s prophet, priest, and king.

(I encourage you to read the complete article by Dr. Deddo. There is a great introduction by our friend, Dr. Joseph Tkach, as well.)

When we say, Jesus has done it all, we really mean that. However, to experience union with Christ through the Spirit, we are talking about an interactive relationship that involves response, communication, giving, and receiving. Ultimately, a relationship with Jesus means participation. This is why the apostle John says, “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.” (John 1:12 NRSVA) Becoming a new creation in Christ has depth and breadth of understanding, as well as active relationship that displays a level of truly receiving and participating with Christ. It signifies the image-bearer of the Creator now coming into union with Jesus through the power of the Spirit.

It is important that our understanding about inclusion follows what we see in biblical revelation, otherwise we can fall into a “lazy theology” that is governed by our personal feelings, desires, or social and cultural influences. It is equally important that we maintain a prayerful, hopeful posture that Paul expresses so well in the closing verses of Ephesians.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21 NRSVA)

This prayer of Paul is so beautiful in that it displays the inclusion of humanity in the Father, from whom all earthly families take their name. Then it takes it further to Jesus’ dwelling in the hearts of His children with a permanent faith and an experiential comprehension of His unfailing love. So, we pray to the triune God vigorously requesting that He draws all His children into a relationship of union with Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior of all!

Included and in union with Christ,
Greg Williams

P.S. On October 29, 2024, torrential rain brought over a year’s worth of precipitation and historic floods to several areas in southeastern Spain. Pedro Rufian, our ministry leader in Spain, has confirmed that none of our members or their families have been directly affected by the flooding. Please pray for Spain and all those suffering.

Paul Miller, the author of Nationalism vs Patriotism: What is the Difference? in a podcast with Walter Kim, president of the NAE, said this about patriotism:

Patriotism is the love of our country and our home. I think patriotism is actually a positive virtue, and everybody should be patriotic no matter what country you’re in. I think patriotism is the virtue of gratitude. We should be grateful for where we come from and our homes.

Christian Nationalism pushes for the obliteration of the separation of church and state and for the primacy of Christian beliefs and principles in U.S. governance. This might sound good, but one must ask, who determines the Christian principles? Our nation was founded on Christian principles yet, slavery was allowed, minorities and women were marginalized and excluded from educational and leadership positions, along with Catholics, Jews, and others. Likewise, not every tenant of “progressivism” is in alignment with Jesus’ teaching.

It is beyond the scope of this article to cover all the issues. The scope is to remind us to stay focused where we should be focused — on Jesus and his kingdom. I suggest that many forms of nationalism and progressivism are contrary to our true identity as children of God and citizens of the kingdom. But, before we continue, let’s make it clear that we should not treat anyone who claims a particular viewpoint with anything but love.

Politics divide us into left and right — us and them. My beliefs, loyalty to my nation can easily become more important than the kingdom and unity in Christ. As Christians we need to avoid such divisions. This “us vs them” approach was one of the main points of the “Third Option” training many of our pastors and leaders went through recently.

Jesus didn’t tell us to raise up nations for him, he told us to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). He made it clear that he came for all of humanity, including atheists, Muslims, and other religious groups (John 3:16, 1 John 2:2, John 12:44-50). He did not set one nation up as an example. Neither did he tell us to push our beliefs or political views on others through government and law. He did say we are to love God and to love our neighbors (Matthew 22:37-40). He also said to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). Further, he said we are not of this world (John 17:16). So, Christians are to adopt a biblical, Christ-centered worldview and avoid adopting alternate worldviews that are based on political or social philosophies or agendas.

The challenge isn’t to make our nation a theocracy or to force others to believe and act as we do, it is to be disciples of Jesus. It is to follow Jesus and to believe his word:

• • For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come (Hebrews 13:14 ESV).
  • But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself (Philippians 3:20-21 ESV).
  • He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son (Colossians 1:13 ESV).

Loyalty to a political party is not the answer, Jesus is. The Bible is our authority, not a political platform. Jesus is our Savior, not a political candidate. We are first and foremost citizens of the kingdom. Can we trust our King? It’s not anyone’s place to tell someone how to vote, or even whether to vote. We can give people the benefit of the doubt that they are following Jesus as best they can. And if we vote, let’s not vote for America to be the example of the world in how to follow Christ. Let’s not vote with the mistaken idea that any particular candidate is going to change our country the way it needs to change. That hasn’t happened yet. Let’s be informed, but let’s be informed primarily by Jesus and his gospel, trusting him to be with us no matter what our circumstances.

My ongoing prayers are for the good of my nation. I pray for our leaders to have strength and wisdom, and that all people in authority rule well so that we can live in peace and pursue a relationship with our triune God. My vote in November may count, but I know with certainty that my faithful prayers count for more.

No politician can save me or the nation I live in. There is only one Savior who loves all of humanity. Jesus is going to return, and he will establish his kingdom because he is, and always has been King of kings, Lord of lords, and our only Savior. And, thankfully, he is still in charge.

Let’s remain grateful and focused on Jesus,
Rick Shallenberger

We knocked on the side entrance door. We saw the dogs, but not Evan. After a few minutes, he appeared with a surprised look. Once the shock passed, we rejoiced in finding him upright and in good spirits. We listened to his harrowing story of nature’s fury that snapped trees, dumped torrents of water that carried off his firepit and rearranged his front yard. Evan was grateful for the provisions, but more so for human company; he was moved to tears that we made the effort to come to him. It brought a huge sigh of relief to Evan to know that we would tell his children, our mom, and brother that he was safe.

On our walk back to the truck, we encountered Evan’s neighbor trekking toward his house. It was heartwarming to see a concerned neighbor making the effort. Disasters can bring out the best in people.

Our visit moved to stage two — driving up the mountain to check on my mom. When we reached the family property, we first encountered my brother, Mark. He was on high alert, as he and his wife, Penny, were working through their church and county offices to get water and food to stranded people, to cut up trees blocking the roads, and to rally care and support as best they could.

My son, Glenn, was working extra shifts as a paramedic supervisor attempting to help so many people in dire situations. It is unbelievable the pressure and amount of effort that is expended in a disaster of this magnitude. The first responders are heroes, and yet they feel massive disappointment when they cannot rescue everybody. Please pray for them.

One of the most practical ways I could serve was to take my mom to stay at my house, along with my daughter-in-law and grandkids, until the power is restored so that folks like Mark and Glenn can continue to bring help where it’s needed.

Times like these amplify the reminder that we are our sister and brother’s keeper. I mentioned that we embarked on this Sunday venture at the prompting of Susan, but she would rather give credit to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. (In my experience, the voice of the Spirit often comes through my sweet wife.)

Fortunately, the Home Office fared well through the storm, and we are operating as normal now. The news of Hurricane Helene destruction will become old news in a matter of a few short weeks. Please do not forget these people who are left to rebuild their homes and lives. There is a tremendous loss of property and a growing number of fatalities. As we continue to pray for the many who are suffering, please keep in mind those affected by Hurricane Milton. It is currently bearing down on the west coast of Florida.

Made in the image of the One who keeps us all,
Greg

P.S. I recently traveled to Ghana for the GCI 50th Anniversary. Read the story here.