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October 6, 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Tammy and I just arrived home from the Gold Coast, Australia, where we met with 350 of our brothers and sisters in Christ. The weather was perfect, the fellowship even better. Not only was the music and worship renewing and inspirational, but I was delighted to participate in the blessing of 12 children, 9 of which were infants. Nearly everyone wanted me to pass greetings on to our families in fellowship around the world.

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Northwest Connections in Washington

Northwest Connections Family Camp was a success. We praise God for answering prayers and contradicting the weather predictions by blessing us with lots of sun!!! Fellowship and fun were the goals of the weekend as we connected with God and each other. The participants ranged in age from an infant to over 70 years old. They enjoyed a relaxing and laid back five days and four nights of camping.

Camp was held at the same state park as last year, but in a larger group site that was absolutely perfect. The group site was tucked away from most of the other camp sites so the impact of a full state park by Saturday night was barely felt. The kids had a giant field to play in and horses to admire on the other side of the fence.

The participants consisted of 19 overnight campers and 4 day participants representing 7 families with 11 children and 12 adults.

The days were unscheduled, with the exception of devotional time at 10 a.m. The families took great pleasure in a game of softball, created great artistic works at the arts and crafts station, played hours of capture the flag, and enjoyed many games of Uno. S’mores around the campfire at night and star gazing were highlights for all.

One family that attended camp has officially joined one of our congregations!

Shana Curd
Northwest Connections Director


BASE Camp in Tennessee

Our first official BASE Camp took place June 17-20 at the Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. We had 8 mini campers, 19 junior campers, 21 teens/campers, and 25 staff. Campers were divided into 5 “crews” for the duration of camp. We started camp off with each crew making a pirate flag since the theme of camp was High Seas Expedition. The next two days were broken into 2 to 2 1/2 hour blocks that started with all camp Worship, followed by games, crafts, and Bible lesson/Christian Living for the crews to rotate through.

Other day-time activities included cooking class for the older campers, and building and painting bird houses with some of the grandfathers at camp. Friday night was highlighted with an all-camp game that we call Night Fury, which is a variation of flashlight tag mixed with an obstacle course. This was our first time incorporating this into camp and it was a HUGE hit.

Saturday evening began with our homemade slip-n-slide competition on the activity field. The night was finished with a dance, complete with a game of musical body parts. Camp concluded Sunday morning with a worship service, slide show, and meal for all the parents, staff, and campers to enjoy before departing. We are thankful we could take a few days out of the real world to experience the love and peace of our amazing Father.

Check us out at www.basecamptn.org

Wayne Wendt
Director of BASE Camp


Update from Canada

Wendy, Kylie and I visited the Battleford, Saskatchewan, congregation this past weekend. We enjoyed a meal and fellowship with Bill and Averil Hall on Saturday night. On Sunday about 50 members assembled for the worship service and a wonderful potluck meal that followed. One couple came from Tisdale (about a 4 hour drive), with others joining the Battleford members from the Saskatoon, and Maidstone (formerly Lloydminister) congregations. It was encouraging to meet several people from the Battleford area who have only recently begun attending. There is a positive atmosphere in the congregation, and that is proving attractive to new people.

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We are off tomorrow to Edmonton for a weekend event that Bob Millman has planned. As always, it will be enjoyable to visit in an area where I once pastored. Included are two photos from our weekend in Battleford: one of the church group at worship, the other of Bill and Averil Hall.

Warm regards to all, Gary and Wendy


Prayer Requests and Updates

Joanne Barrie
We grieve with pastor Lloyd Barrie over the loss of wife Joanne. Lloyd wrote:

My wife, Joanne, passed away peacefully Friday, October 1. She was surrounded by her family and the on-call hospice nurse. “Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone” was playing in the background as she smiled and left to be with Jesus. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers over the past weeks and months! Her life, including the last nine months, has been an incredible journey.

Lloyd Barrie

Cards may be sent to:
768 North Main Street
Kalispell, MT 59901


Judith Omasta

Judith Omasta, wife of Larry Omasta, experienced pain in the lower abdomen and started hemorrhaging. At Huntington Hospital, they did an ultrasound and blood work. The blood work came back negative. The ultrasound did not show any masses or tumors, but did show a thickening of the endometrial lining of the uterus. The pain and hemorrhaging have both subsided. Judith was able to see her primary care physician on Monday and the doctor encouraged her by saying that she didn’t think Judith’s problem was severe, but they will probably take a biopsy of her endometrial lining.

God has dramatically intervened, and we are grateful.

Love,
Larry & Judith

Cards may be sent to:
1612 N Roosevelt Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91104

Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.

Love from my family to yours,
Joseph Tkach


September 29, 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Tammy and I enjoyed meeting with over 100 members in Rotorua, New Zealand, last week. I conveyed international greetings from all our members around the world to them, and I share their warmest greetings to you.

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Pakistan

Rod Matthew writes: The last time I wrote, there had been a disaster in northern Pakistan involving a massive landslide and growing lake on the Hunza River. Since that time, an even greater disaster affecting far more people has brought immense suffering across many provinces of Pakistan. Record-breaking rains have caused flooding affecting most parts of the country.

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The government has been overburdened trying to organize relief efforts across the country while engaged in a military offensive against insurgents and dealing with other political issues. It took some time before the magnitude of the disaster was appreciated inside Pakistan, let alone overseas.

Major relief and humanitarian organizations mobilized in an urgent effort to get food and water to tens of thousands of stranded people and to provide temporary shelter until the floodwaters subsided. Many homes have been totally destroyed by raging waters near rivers. Homes of mud-brick construction are less durable, and the waters have caused many to collapse. Countless thousands of people have nothing to return to, and crops have been destroyed as winter approaches.

In the midst of this, the government has been overstretched by the magnitude of the disaster and aid that has reached the village level is distributed by local officials who generally give first priority to Muslims. The Christian minority is often significantly disadvantaged in such crises, in spite of having protection under the constitution and mandated representatives in the provincial assemblies.

Dr. Muqaddam Zia, director of the Alpha Bible Church in Faisalabad, with whom we have a working relationship, immediately mobilized the personnel and resources at his disposal from his network of congregations and set out to provide a practical example of the love of God by taking relief supplies of food, water, tents, clothing and blankets to displaced people in a number of locations across Pakistan. He provides humanitarian assistance under the name Pak Care, which gives him much easier access to areas and all the people in need than would be possible using the name of a Christian church. While his goal is to help anyone in need, he pays special attention to those who have missed out, been disadvantaged or neglected in the general distribution of aid.

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In response to this crisis, we have sent him two amounts totaling $5,700 to go towards the purchase of supplies to help the neediest, to be distributed through his relief teams. Muqaddam has sent many photographs showing what his team is doing, and all the photos here are from his people. Your prayers and concern are deeply appreciated by the recipients and the aid workers.

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Prayer Requests and Updates

Update from Jerry Ortiguero:

Greetings from my family here in Dubai! We arrived here Sept. 11 after my third stroke which rendered me unable to speak. But thank God in his mercy and kindness I am well on my way to recovering my speech. We are here on a three-month visa; I hope and pray that at the end of our stay here in Dubai my speaking faculties have returned to normal.

I also am pursuing with fervency my R.E.D. program — Rest, Exercise, and Diet — and I lost 10 lbs. after almost three weeks. I learned late in life that when you’re putting on weight, a good thing to exercise is restraint.


David Husmann

Pastor Dave Husmann of our Sioux City, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska, churches sends his thanks for everyone’s prayers and cards during his slow recovery. The orthopedic doctor wants him to keep weight off his knee and pressure off his shoulder for another three weeks before serious therapy can get under way.


Lorraine Pelley

Retired pastor Dennis Pelley sent this update on his wife’s condition:

Lorraine has had difficulty for some time now with pain from chronic piriformis (the muscle in the buttocks) and extremely low energy levels. She has seen several doctors, has had a couple of different treatments and injections for the pain, but nothing had worked. It has been very painful for her to sit or walk. The eventual diagnosis was hyperparathyroidism, and surgery was scheduled to remove one (or more) parathyroid glands.

After a four-hour surgery in which the doctors removed her thyroid gland on September 20, and a difficult week in the hospital, Lorraine was released to go home on September 28. She is very tired and weak. Since she has had extreme fatigue since March, her recovery time will probably be slow, but we hope and pray that the surgery will allow her energy to return. We’ll probably know in a month or so. We are grateful for your prayers and many expressions of love. We are so blessed to have the best family and friends that anyone could ask for. Thank you!

Cards may be sent to:
8056 Old Exchange Dr
Colorado Springs, CO 80920-4807


Shelby Bragg

Pastor Thomas Friedrich sent this prayer request in for the family of Shelby Bragg.

With great sadness I must inform you that Shelby Bragg, loving wife of retired pastor Robert (Bob) Bragg, passed away Friday evening, September 24, following a lengthy illness. Shelby leaves behind her husband of 53 years as well as three sons, Scott, Stuart and Reginald. There was a graveside service for her on Tuesday at the VA Cemetery in Boscowen, NH. For those who would like to send a note to Bob and his family, his address is:

24 McDuffee Street
Rochester, NH 03867-1107

Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.

Love from my family to yours,
Joseph Tkach


September 23, 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Bermuda pastor Cecil Pulley reported that members experienced minimal damage and disruption from Hurricane Igor. All the members are safe, and no one suffered any structural damage to their homes. Cecil expressed the gratitude of the Bermuda church for everyone’s prayers.


Solomon Islands

Henry Kuper of Honiara, Solomon Islands, was ordained an elder July 25 by Doug Lewis, our Solomon Islands pastoral supervisor. Henry is one of our senior members in the Solomons, and is well known and esteemed in Honiara, largely because of his respected career in the police force. Henry comes from the remote island of Santa Ana in the southeast of the archipelago and with his wife, Elizabeth, has returned to live there in his retirement (right).

Missions director Rod Matthews wrote:

Henry was baptized in 1977 and ordained a deacon in 2001. As a result of his standing in the community and the church, his faith and spiritual leadership, managerial skills, and flexibility to travel when needed, he was appointed the national coordinator for the WCG/GCI in the Solomon Islands. He liaises with Doug Lewis and provides support for Derek Jiru, our pastor of the Qiloe congregation on the island of Ranongga in the Western Province area.

Henry was in Honiara for medical treatment for a kidney stone and some other conditions, and we are pleased to say that he is recovering well and growing in strength after the operation as he recuperates at home on Santa Ana.

Rod also reported that George Nake, a member on Ranongga, who had been diagnosed with leukemia, has now returned home to Qiloe much improved. George, his wife Amellin, their family and the whole congregation send their thanks for everyone’s concern and prayers.


Zimbabwe

African missions developer Kalengule Kaoma reported that Bulawayo was the site for this year’s annual family festival in Zimbabwe, held August 25-29. Only one congregation was not able to send its representatives to the convention.

Regional Pastor Takalani Musekwa and his family from South Africa attended as one of the guest speakers.

During the annual general meeting, which was held during the conference, members unanimously agreed to conform with the denominational name change from Worldwide Church of God to Grace Communion International.

On August 28, Messrs Vumisani Sithole and Serviours Mhaka were ordained as elders for the Harare Central congregation. Their wives, Rose and Elizabeth, respectively, joined their husbands on stage during the ordination ceremony, graced by some members of the National Ecclesiastical Council and guest speakers.


Prayer requests and updates

Verna Meyer

We grieve with Kansas City pastor Ray Meyer over the loss of his mother, Verna. Ray wrote:

I would like to thank everyone for their prayers for my mother, Verna Meyer, and for our family during this difficult time. After a lengthy struggle following colon surgery, she passed away on Sunday, September 12. Now Mom is at peace, and so are we. She is in a much better place in the bosom of the Lord. Mom was a wonderful Christian woman, and was a member of our church for many years – since 1966. We will miss her terribly, but are comforted by the wonderful truth of the resurrection and eternal life.

Cards may be sent to:
Ray and Carol Meyer
PO Box 28183
Kansas City, MO 64188-0183


Joanne Barrie

Our hearts go out to Pastor Lloyd Barrie and his family. Lloyd let us know that after battling cancer for nine months, his wife, Joanne, has now entered into hospice care at home, where she is resting comfortably. Lloyd said that Joanne will have all of her family around, including him, their son Matt, their daughters Rachel and Elise, and Joanne’s parents, and that they have done all they can to ensure that during Joanne’s last week or two she will be pain free and connected to those she loves.

Cards may be sent to:
768 North Main Street
Kalispell, MT 59901


Effie Pendergraft

We are sad to report that Effie Pendergraft, whose husband, Chad, had been in training for ministry in Joplin, Missouri, has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Effie has four active lesions, three on her spine and one on her brain. She is now unable to walk.

Pastor Jim Kissee wrote that Chad was doing well in the training program, but will now need to attend to Effie. The couple has two young girls, Page and Emma.

Cards may be sent to:
Chad and Effie Pendergraft
962 Country Crossing
Webb City, Mo 64870


Karen Sinner

Pastor Glen Weber of our Eagle Rock, California, congregation, sends his family’s thanks for everyone’s prayers for his sister, Karen Sinner. All the polyps were cancer free and the tumor on her colon is only pre-cancerous. They are waiting for a date for it to be removed.


Marcia Demarest

Please join us in praying for retired pastor Gary Demarest, whose wife, Marcia, died at 6:00 am Sunday, September 19, from heart failure after several months of illness.

Tyler, Texas, pastor Dave Orban said that Marcia and Gary had retired to Bullard, Texas, and during that time have served in the New Covenant Fellowship congregation in Tyler.

Marcia’s funeral is scheduled for 10:00 Friday at Burks Walker Tippit Funeral Home, 215 E. Front Street, Tyler, Texas. Visitation is Thursday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to PATH, 402 W. Front Street, Tyler, Texas, 75702.

Cards may be sent to:
Gary Demarest
706 Oak Street
Bullard, TX 75757-7738

Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.

Love from my family to yours,
Joseph Tkach


September 15, 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Update from France

Marie-Angelique and Jean-Pierre Picard are delighted to announce the birth of their second daughter, Estella, on September 9. Estella weighed 3.9 kg and was 51 cm long.

Here is a picture of four-year-old sister, Electra Christina Picard, holding her new sister, Estella.


Canada

Update from Gary Moore

My son, Daniel Moore, was married to Julia Cercone on September 5 at the Faculty Club on the campus of Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. Daniel and Julia are both finishing their doctorates in English at Queens.

Wendy, Rachel, Kylie and I flew into Toronto, picked up my mother and drove her down with us. Karl, Brigitte and their children drove down from Montreal, and other relatives and friends came from several provinces and U.S. states. It was a wonderful family celebration. The setting on the campus of Queen’s University was perfect for the occasion. This picture of Daniel and Julia was taken during the photo session that followed the ceremony.


Pastoral Internship Program

The Pastoral Internship Program is offered for potential GCI U.S. church pastors or planters. It includes hands-on training with a seasoned pastor and development of an education plan. Pastoral internships are part-time paid or volunteer positions and last 12-18 months. Those who successfully complete an internship will be considered for ordination as an elder and appointment as a GCI church pastor or planter.

Though paid pastoral internships are limited, volunteer internships are readily available for qualified candidates, including college and seminary students who need an internship for class credit.

For more information visit http://www.wcg.org/MinDev/internships.htm or contact Greg Williams at greg.williams@gci.org


Trinitarian Worship Blog

If you are looking for help with your congregation’s worship singing and special music, a good place to start might be the online discussion at GCI’s Trinitarian Worship Blog (http://trinitarianworship.blogspot.com/). Blog moderator Mike Hale notes that there is no one “right way” to design the music in a worship service. Much depends on the demographics of the congregation, available resources, circumstances, and what God is doing in the congregation. The blog is a good place to share your thoughts, experiences and ideas with others.


SEP Florida

From Camp Director Marty Davey:

Due to changes in Florida’s school calendar this year, we could only rent a camp facility for Aug. 15-17, when about half the kids had gone back to school. Although it cut our camper enrollment in half, we were still blessed with a wonderful 3-day camp enjoyed by 13 teens, 13 preteens, 10 young adult staff, and another 10-12 adults who served in the kitchen, arts and crafts, first aid, and helping out with the dorms. The camp we used has some great facilities, including a large pool, canoes on the lake, a zip line and climbing wall, BB and archery ranges, volleyball and basketball courts, and air-conditioned cabins and dining hall.

Our daily chapel service focused on the acronym CHILD, and what it means to be a child of God and a beloved friend of Jesus. Of the 26 campers, several were new this year with no previous church affiliation. It is our belief, hope and prayer that each one was able see the reality of our God, and has been inspired in the quest for a real and continuing relationship with him. Although our camper enrollment was small this year, each one is precious in Jesus’ sight.

We are planning a cruise-mission-camp for teens this winter, beginning December 27. For more information visit <www.sepflorida.com>.


Philippines

From National Director Eugene Guzon:

In May, a number of us from GCI Philippines attended the Tokyo 2010 Global Missions Consultation participated in by about 1200 delegates from around the world. This event was organized by the different mission agencies, including the Philippine Mission Association, which is now headed by our own Dr. Rey Taniajura. Aside from learning more about trends in world missions and the opportunity to visit our few members in Japan, we were also able to network with potential mission partners.

One of those contacts, Dr. Shingo Karazaki of Osaka Mission Center, visited us in the Philippines last June. We had meetings to explore the possibility of a partnership in sending a Filipino missionary couple/family to Japan, hopefully before the end of the year.

Also last June, we were able to conduct leadership retreats for pastoral team leaders in Bacolod and Baguio. These gatherings have become opportunities to help our leaders assess their ministry and become better equipped for service. Another focus has been to have a better understanding of the practical aspects of our Christ-centered theology. We also got to discuss upcoming activities, such as our festivals.


Prayer request

Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.

Love from my family to yours,
Joseph Tkach


September 8, 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand

On Saturday morning, September 4, at 4.35 am local time, a severe earthquake rated at 7.1 on the Richter scale struck just to the west of Christchurch, New Zealand. Rod Matthews sent the following report:

The quake caused significant damage to buildings throughout the city, especially older buildings, many of which are constructed of brick. Burst water mains caused flooding in some areas, and electricity and telephone services were severely disrupted. But remarkably, no one was killed (although it was reported later that one person died of a heart attack due to the shock) and only several people incurred major injuries.

We have only a few members in Christchurch, and NZ pastoral coordinator Dennis Richards was able to contact one member, Betty Thompson, soon after the quake. Betty had already heard from local elder Phil Baldwin who, with his wife, Susan, live about 30 km from Christchurch, close to the epicenter of the quake, but they were not hurt. For some time the other members in Christchurch could not be contacted.

Now all members have reported they are safe with no injuries, but several have structural damage to their homes, and one lady was trapped in her bedroom for some time when furniture shifted and blocked the door.

Dennis reported that the city center of Christchurch has been cordoned off and is under a 7 pm to 7 am curfew because of the dangerous state of some buildings. Many of the older churches are severely damaged but the staff have been out there helping people’s needs. There has been much comment on how neighborly everyone has been, checking on the elderly and people in need and seeing they get what they need.

It is estimated that the damage bill could be well in excess of $1 billion dollars with many buckled roads, broken bridges and infrastructure repairs needed. The low casualty rate is partly attributed to the strict earthquake-resistant building codes for newer buildings in this area of the world, which sits on the Pacific’s “ring of fire.”

The people of Christchurch and especially our members who have to face a disrupted life and home repairs in the months ahead would welcome your prayers.


Nassau, Bahamas

From Janet Morrison

July 30 through August 14, 2010, was our second mission trip to Nassau, Bahamas. There were 18 Americans in our team representing seven churches in California, Tennessee and Ohio. We joined members of the GCI Nassau congregation to hold a two-week day camp for 105 Haitian refugee children and Bahamian children.

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In Nassau, there are thousands of Haitian refugees who have fled from chronic poverty, hunger and violence and risked their lives at sea, hoping to start a new life. The children at our day camp ranged in age from 4 to 17 years. Some now live in shantytowns on the outskirts of Nassau. Their home is a room no larger than 12×12 with no electricity, running water or bathroom. Many of the children have been victims of crime, violence, abuse, rape, prostitution or even incest. Many have only one parent, who is in the country illegally and can only get a job that pays less than minimum wage. Young children are often raised by their older siblings and there is very little discipline or order. The Bahamian government provides little help to this growing population.

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The day camp we run is like Christmas for many of these children. It is something they could never afford to pay for. We started each day with praise & worship followed by a Bible DVD or message and debrief time. This was followed by activities such basketball, soccer, volleyball, team building, parachute games, biblical crafts, dance and more. We provided lunch for the kids and for some, this was the only meal they had that day. The day ended with praise & worship.

For our team, it was an opportunity to share the gospel, to serve others less fortunate, a time for growth, and a time where we learned to appreciate the blessings God has given us. In the words of some of our missionaries:

“I don’t think I came here to teach these boys how to know Jesus as much as I think God brought me out here to learn how to love like Jesus.” – Larry

“Today made me realize that I take a lot for granted.” – Jasmine

Today I learned that different cultures have different ways of connecting with people and if I want to be effective in ministry I have to adapt to those ways.” – Dwight

Great Commission Trips are open to those 16 years and older. Next year we plan to return to Bahamas and we also have tentative plans to go to Zambia and/or India. To find out more, go to www.gctrips.org and click on the country you are interested in. Read all about it and see pictures at: http://gctrips.org/2010blog.aspx


U.S. Summer Camps

Anthony Mullins sent these camp updates from Paul David Kurts, Tom Woods and Jeff Broadnax.

Higher Ground
Paul David Kurts wrote:

At Higher Ground in July, 60 staffers, 130 campers, and 10 mini-campers participated in the shared life of the Father, Son and Spirit in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Camp was marked with blood, sweat and tears, but the challenges were surpassed by victories.

For years our primary mission at Higher Ground has been to help campers and staff more fully understand and experience their real identity in Christ. Several years ago, we gave up trying to be a “behavioral modification” camp. However, the cool thing is that we now see in lives of campers the fruit of their understanding of the new identity.

Camp is living proof that when you believe you are God’s child and that you belong to him, then you can really become who he created you to be. Of course it takes time for people to process and come to believe what is true about God and themselves, but the truth does eventually transform one’s life. We see fewer behavioral problems at camp and more cooperation, mutual respect and peace between campers. There is also a greater sense of unity within our camp family. Here is one example from the parent of a camper:

When I saw the bond our son made with the guys in his dorm I was amazed. As I heard the reports of the friendships and the self-confidence he was developing I felt as if I were witnessing a miracle. After leaving camp, our son has walked with his head higher, his shoulders squared and he’s had a much more positive attitude. There is lightness in his spirit from his exposure to the godly environment. You will never know the healing God was able to do because of your efforts. May God bless your efforts as you prepare for next summer! It is such a privilege to impact the lives of so many young people. I know for a fact that my son will never be the same because of his experience at Higher Ground.

Another thing we are thankful for at Higher Ground is how the Holy Spirit is raising up a younger generation of camp and church leaders. We see young people who have come to camp for years as campers now becoming counselors. Some transition to camp leadership and then decide to start their own camps or serve in full-time ministry. We are focusing on leadership development and working with these young people in various ways year ‘round.

Three campers this year were immersed in the assurance of the Father, Son and Spirit’s love through baptism, and many more campers stated that they were going to get baptized back home in their churches.

This year marked our 9th year at Higher Ground and we are making big plans for our 10th anniversary celebration in 2011. We have already received 80 applications for campers for next year. We thank the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for what they are doing through those who joyfully serve in camp ministry.


Heartland SEP
From Todd Woods:

This year Heartland SEP Camp celebrated its tenth anniversary as a GenMin camp. Our programs this year featured a sharper focus on developing young leaders. In our Director’s Night program, campers who have exhibited leadership, growth, and spiritual focus were invited to a special night with me. We discussed their feelings about camp, about their level of commitment to the faith, and what being a disciple of Jesus means. The night ended with encouragement to tie in closer to people of faith, to actively participate in their life in Christ, including participation in their local church and returning to serve on camp staff.

We have also instituted a Staff In Training program. Trainees experienced every aspect of camp ministry from washing dishes to presenting dramas in camp chapel and spending time with the campers. Every day they were given leadership training by Pastor and GenMin leader James Newby. This year we had 88 staffers, 80 campers, and 16 mini campers. Departure day was topped off with five baptisms with many family members in attendance.


New Heights Summer Camp
From Jeff Broadnax:

New Heights Camp in Connecticut was held in August with 81 campers and 83 staffers. Campers were taught about their new identity in Christ and how to live out of that identity in their world. The camp had a strong focus on prayer—an all-camp “solo time” was held twice each day during which campers and staffers took time to study Scripture, pray and just sit silently in God’s presence, seeking his direction for the day.

Here are some comments from campers:

– “I loved camp! This was my first year and I’m so thankful to God I came. NH changed my life so much! I made friends that will last forever and became so much more in touch with Jesus” (Mya).

– “NH is like a release from all the stress and pressure of the real world. You can just disappear for a week and have fun and laugh again. Every single year I hate to go home” (Soleil).

– “I can’t even begin to explain just how much work God was able to do this past week. We reached NEW HEIGHTS in Christ! Thank you all, we are truly blessed!” (Jon).

– “This camp has been a whole new experience in that here I can get in touch with my inner feelings” (Kiya).

– “In this camp people love you, care for you and understand you” (Precious).

– “I give the glory all to God for the humbling experience I had at New Heights camp this week. It’s not about me; it’s all about God’s will” (Joya).

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Update from Italy

Our Italian ministry leader, Daniel Boesch, wrote:

Here is a brief note from our Italian congregation – Chiesa Cristiana della Grazia. From August 19 through 22 about 70 members from all over Italy and a few guests gathered in the town of Ferrara for their annual festival. Activities included worship and praise services, communion and a half-day excursion with a dinner together. Other highlights were three baptisms and a wedding. Guest speaker was John Halford. The theme of the festival was “Be not afraid.” The speaking schedule included encouraging messages on the topics of not fearing about our salvation and how to be positive and confident in a world full of fears.

It was especially encouraging to have Giacomo Tarroni attending with us. Giacomo was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident two years ago. At first it was feared that he might be in a coma for life, or at best, paralyzed.

Members around the world have been praying for him. Giacomo can now walk, and was able to join in the bicycle riding afternoon, with a specially adapted tricycle. He hopes to resume his education this year.

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Q & A

Q. Is it permissible for a GCI elder to perform a baptism of an infant if asked to do so by the infant’s parents?

A. Though it has not been the general tradition of GCI to perform infant baptisms, we have since 1999 accepted as members those who were baptized as infants in other churches. That decision was based on seeing the fruit of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Because they are already Christians, they don’t need another baptism.

In the NT we find examples of whole households being immediately baptized upon the conversion of the head of the household (Acts 16:15, 31-33; 1 Corinthians 1:16). It is likely that there were infants and children in these households, but these texts are not conclusive evidence that infants were baptized. For example, the fact that entire households believed (Acts 16:34; 18:8) suggests that the terminology is a generalization, and not meant to include every single person regardless of age.

A more persuasive text is Acts 2:39. In Luke’s account of Peter’s speech on the Day of Pentecost, Peter speaks of the covenantal promises of God given to believers and their children, verifying that believer’s children are already included in the household of faith prior to any personal profession of faith. First Corinthians 7:14 likewise indicates that the children of believers are in a different category than the children of unbelievers, although neither text specifies exactly what the difference is, or how it is to be denoted.

Trinitarian Incarnational theology affirms from the Scriptures that it is the faith of Jesus Christ, not our own faith, that draws us (Ephesians 2:8; Galatians 2:20 KJV). Christian baptism signifies what God by grace, of his own initiative, has done for us, and it is upon the truth of this already accomplished fact that faith comes to rest. As Paul says, “…while we were yet powerless” Christ died for all humanity (Rom. 5:6). Christ lived on behalf of all humanity, died for all humanity, and rose again for all humanity. Similarly, he was baptized on behalf of all humanity, and in that way all have already been baptized, whether or not we are old enough to understand it. Powerless and helpless humans (both adult and infant) are loved and affirmed by God in spite of their current inability to understand or respond.

When adults are baptized they are able to give their free, personal response of faith to God’s claim and call upon their lives. Those who are baptized as infants also come to a point in their lives when they can consciously give their allegiance to Christ. For those who are baptized as infants, a “confirmation ceremony” would provide an opportunity to give public acknowledgement of their faith.

James Torrance put it this way: “In the practice of infant baptism, we believe that in faith we are doing something for the child, long before the child comes to faith, in acknowledgement of what Christ did for all of us nineteen hundred years before we were born. But in faith we pray that Christ in his faithfulness, and in his own, time, will bring this child to personal faith. The efficacy of baptism is not in the rite or in the water, but in the faithfulness of Christ”.

In most churches, infants are welcomed into the community of faith and their special status before God is recognized either by a blessing or by baptism. Either way, the community of faith (parents, extended family, care givers, and all members of the local congregation) has the covenantal responsibility to work together to bring up the child “in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).

Daniel Migliori says: “While the practice of infant baptism is not absolutely necessary in the life of the church, it may be permissible. And whether it is permissible depends on whether it is being practiced as a routine social rite, or as a form of cheap, magical grace, or instead with the clear understanding that it proclaims the unconditional grace of God in Jesus Christ and calls both parents and community to responsibility for the care, nurture, and guidance of the baptized child in the life of faith, hope, and love” (Faith Seeking Understanding, 2nd ed., p. 286).¹

When infant baptism is practiced responsibly by the community of faith it can be viewed as a sign of God’s gracious initiative and a powerful expression of the fact that God loves us before we ever begin to respond to God. Infant baptism proclaims that God’s love, grace, and salvation are purely his gift. Any human response to this is just a matter of time as to when it occurs.

Therefore, GCI elders may baptize an infant when requested to do so by the infant’s parents or guardians. They are also free to explain these principles to parents or guardians and offer infant baptism as a scripturally permissible and spiritually blessed expression of God’s unconditional grace and love. They are also free to explain the principles involved in infant blessing and believer’s baptism.

In some GCI congregations, we already have children attending who were baptized as infants. As these children come to faith, it is not necessary to baptize them again. Rather, it will be helpful to have a confirmation ceremony in which they can publicly express their faith in Jesus, and provide a “rite of passage” that helps mark their conscious acceptance of the grace that has already been given to them. As we revise the GCI ceremony book, we will include instructions for infant baptism, confirmation ceremonies, and believer’s baptism.

¹Migliori’s book has an excellent discussion of the permissibility of infant baptism from a Trinitarian theological perspective (including a critique of Karl Barth’s negative position).


Prayer Request

Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.

Love from my family to yours,
Joseph Tkach


September 1, 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Dave and Hinka Gilbert are proud first-time grandparents! Esther Elizabeth Gilbert was born August 28 at 10:38 p.m. to David and Anna Gilbert of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Esther weighed 8 lbs. 1 oz. and was 20½ inches long. All are well. “Grandparenting is really neat,” said Dave and Hinka, after a couple of days’ experience.


Denver, Colorado

Last weekend members of the leadership team of the new Ground Zero Church in Denver participated in another session of Church-Next training for leaders of church plants. This session addressed the areas of evangelism, gathering a core group (of new people), evangelistic small groups and planning a “grand opening” for a new church.

On Sunday, Church Multiplication Ministries director Randy Bloom visited their worship service and participated in their outreach activity Sunday afternoon. Attendance at the worship service was 44, with about a dozen visitors, a few of them previously non-churched. The outreach activity was a pool party and cookout at the apartment complex where they hold their worship service. Several people from the complex enjoyed the food and met members of Ground Zero.

For more pictures of the Ground Zero open house, go to our US mission blog, “It Looks Like This,” at (http://gci-usa.blogspot.com/), and click on “seek.”

.


SEP SoCal

Mark and Anne Stapleton reported that SEP SoCal was held in July at Cedar Lake Camp in Big Bear, California, with 78 staffers and 170 campers. They wrote: “We are very grateful for the help of generous donors who helped scholarship 50 percent of these campers.” This year, the camp continued its emphasis on developing young emerging leaders with the theme “In Pursuit,” which emphasized that God pursues a personal relationship with each of us. Photos follow:

. .

. .


Dr. Inyambo Nyumbu

Zambia

African Missions Director Kalengule Kaoma attended a leadership meeting for pastors and congregational leaders in Zambia August 19-23. Dr. Inyambo Nyumbu, national ministry leader for Zambia, organized the event, which was held in Chongwe, fifty kilometers east of Lusaka.

Kalengule reported that the leaders and pastors who attended asked him to pass their love to all.

Photos follow:

. .


Dallas, Texas

Reconciliation Ministries director Curtis May, together with GCI pastors Tom Pickett, Arnold Clauson and Bob Persky, held a reconciliation seminar called “A Time to Reconcile” at the Omni Dallas Hotel Park West August 7-8 in Farmers Branch, Texas.

Curtis reported that 150 church leaders, community leaders and local citizens gathered for an energetic, eye-opening and encouraging two-day seminar. Asked their impression of the weekend, the most common response was, “Wow, this is more than I thought.”

. .

For more information, visit http://www.atimetoreconcile.org


South Africa

Update from Gary & Wendy Moore:

Two weekends ago, we visited three congregations in the Johannesburg/Pretoria area. We met with the Raslow congregation on Saturday morning, the Johannesburg Central congregation on Sunday morning, and then the Sizwe church plant on Sunday afternoon. The Sizwe congregation consists of people who are in the Sizwe hospital. This hospital serves those who are suffering from extremely difficult to treat cases of tuberculosis and AIDS. These are the cases that have become resistant to normal drug treatments.

About 15 percent of those admitted die there, while the rest are helped sufficiently they can be released. Patients come from all over South Africa, and even from other parts of the continent, as it is a unique facility. Several of our leaders approached the hospital administration some time ago, asking permission to start a church service on the hospital grounds, to serve those who would appreciate the chance to worship. This permission was granted with the desire that spiritual hope could be provided to these very desperate and at times very depressed and discouraged people.

Between 30 and 40 patients meet for worship each Sunday afternoon. Due to the contagious nature of the diseases, the service is held outside. Our ministers go through the wards wearing masks, inviting the patients to the service and offering to pray for any who would welcome prayer. Wendy and I went with them into the wards, which was a moving experience. Does it ever make you appreciate the blessings you have in life, and makes very clear that God and his love are the ultimate realities for every human being! The worship was really uplifting, and the church even has a choir group who performed a couple of inspiring worship pieces for us.

I spoke about God’s love and the fact that he has already secured our salvation through Jesus Christ. It but remains for us to say “yes” to what God has done, and choose to enter the father/child relationship with him through Jesus Christ. Speaking to that group, who have so little hope in this life, and being able to simply be a mouthpiece to express God’s love for each one of them and what he desires for each of them, was both humbling and an honor. Wendy and I left services moved by what we saw, and we will be keeping the people there in our prayers on a regular basis. Pastors Grant and Papike set a wonderful example of Christian ministry in the way they serve this congregation with love and tenderness.

Finally, last weekend we were able to fly four hours to the island of Mauritius on the Indian Ocean to enjoy two days of vacation (the beaches and coral reef are wonderful), followed by meeting with the congregation on the weekend. The island is primarily French speaking, but English is widely understood. It is a beautiful place, in some ways physically reminiscent of Hawaii. The culture is heavily influenced by Asian influences. We have a thriving congregation of 40 on the island. Wendy and I presented two messages on Saturday and two on Sunday, which seemed to be very well received. Yves and Lisbie Nayna, and Benedict and Mary Joyce Moutou pastor the members very well. We much enjoyed our time with them.

On Saturday night almost everyone was able to attend a barbecue held at a member’s home, which ended with a sing-along of some popular worship songs in both English and Creole. The church there has about 10 children in regular attendance, and has a nice mix of all generations in the congregation. It creates a very close, family atmosphere amongst the membership.


Prayer Requests and Updates

Pastor Dave Husmann of our Omaha, Nebraska, and Sioux City, Iowa, churches was injured when his motorcycle was hit by a vehicle that ran a stop sign. Dave sustained numerous scrapes and bruises, and is pretty banged up. It appears he has no broken bones, but an MRI is scheduled to check for other injuries. Please keep Dave and his family in your prayers.

Cards may be sent to:
250 N 8th St
Akron, IA 51001-8603


Ray Meyer’s mom has deteriorated since her surgery. Ray said, “She is semi-comatose and not responding to verbal commands. All of her doctors feel she will not be able to pull out of the severely compromised condition she is in. The prognosis is very poor. We are probably facing turning off the ventilator and life support in the near future. I’m sure you know this is a very hard thing to do. But God’s grace is sufficient. Please pray for his mercy and grace for Mom and for us, and his will to be done.”


Pastor Dave Orban underwent triple bypass surgery Monday morning. Dave has been pastoring in our denomination for nearly 40 years. His faithfulness and care for people has been a wonderful blessing for all those who know him.

Here’s an update from Sue Berger:

The surgeon saw no heart damage and expects a full recovery. Dave will be in ICU a couple of nights (sedated and on a breathing tube the first night, which will be removed early in the morning and he’ll be allowed to wake up). Then he will be in intermediate care for 4-5 nights. Doctors expect him to be able to return home in a week. The surgeon wants him to walk a lot for his therapy for the first month, but expects Dave will very soon be feeling better than he has in a while. We’ll pass along any other news as we get it, along with hospital room info when he gets out of ICU. Thanks for your continued prayers!

Cards may be sent to:
7 Ramblewood Dr
Longview, TX 75605-3348


Wendy Moore’s mom is in the hospital recovering from surgery for a blockage in her bowel. The surgery appears to have been successful, but she is still fighting nausea, and can’t seem to hold her food down. Your prayers for her would be much appreciated.


From Bob and Debbie Klynsmith:

As discussed, various tests indicate that Debbie has breast cancer, which is likely to require surgery after a protracted treatment of chemotherapy followed by radium therapy. We are meeting with the relevant doctors at Groote Schuur on Wednesday morning to get a more complete diagnosis of her condition and their recommendations regarding treatment. Your prayers and the prayers of the church would be deeply appreciated. We look to the love of Jesus for healing, guidance and wisdom during this very difficult time.

Cards may be sent to:
PO Box 2536
Durbanville
7551 SOUTH AFRICA

Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.

Love from my family to yours,
Joseph Tkach


August 25, 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

GCI African Missions Director Kalengule Kaoma sent a report from our national festival in Benin City, Nigeria, which took place August 12-15. Attendance reached 262 from 15 congregations across Nigeria. The theme was based on Ephesians 4:2: “Bearing With One Another In Love.”

.

Eunice & Peace

Grace & Paul

Kalengule wrote, “Dressed in their beautiful attire, brethren appeared magnificent in the sanctuary as they joined their voices in songs of praise and worship to our God.”

The group rejoiced with the Igbineweka family of the Benin City as Peace Osaruese and Eunice Osafueko, son and daughter of the Igbinewekas, were baptized on August 13.

On August 15, Paul Osa Igbineweka was ordained as a deacon.


Ontario, Canada: Camp Connections 2010

Camp Connections 2010 began July 16 with staff training. Staff heard messages about teamwork, health and safety training, and loving each other and the campers in preparation for our Ontario Camping Association visit (which we passed with flying colors! We are excited about that as it means we will be able to advertise more widely on the web).

The first session of camp began on the 17th with the arrival of 30 campers, ages 11-22. Second session we had 46 campers, which we consider a full house. More and more campers are bringing friends!

Special moments included a visit from Dennis Lawrence, our camp director, for a couple of days. Dennis was not able to be with us this year for health reasons, but it was great to have him there for a short time. We were excited to have eleven campers make first-time commitments to Jesus Christ. Camp closed with the baptism of a young lady from Montreal. We were able to celebrate that with campers, staff, parents who were coming to pick up their campers, as well as the day camp that shares the property with us.

We already have our first registration for 2011! To see pictures, check out our camp video at www.camp-connections.org


Wisconsin Dells

From Pastor Doug Johannsen:

You’re all invited to our annual Dells Celebration at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, from September 30 to October 3, 2010. Dr. Mike Feazell will be our guest speaker this year. Our theme is “On To Maturity.” Join us on this four-day journey as we examine four major areas of life that reflect maturity in our walk with Jesus.

Step 1: Reserve your room at the Kalahari by Sunday, August 29, 2010. The Kalahari is the premier family resort in the Dells featuring the world’s largest indoor water park and a new theme park. Phone 1-877-525-2427 for reservations.

Hut – $109.00 per night plus tax, 1-4 people only.
Lodge Suite – $129 per night plus tax, 1-4 people only.
Combination Suite (lodge and hut) – $238 per night plus tax, sleeps up to 8 people.
Village – (lodge and two adjoining huts) – $347 per night plus tax, sleeps up to 12 people.

You must call the Kalahari Resort no later than August 29 to reserve your room. After August 29, the low prices we’ve negotiated will no longer be available! Let the reservation personnel know you are with Grace Communion International or Worldwide Church of God. The Kalahari reservation number is 1-877-525-2427.

You may also book your room online. First, go to: https://res.kalahariresort.com/V1Web/GroupComments.aspx

Then enter: Group ID 14215 Password: 244 Contact Password (Optional): Leave this blank. Click on “Make Reservation” and follow the prompts.

Step 2: Register with Grace Communion International/Worldwide Church of God Headquarters online at: www.wcg.org/go/wisconsin. Follow the prompts and pay with your credit card.

Or you may download a registration form, fill it out and mail your registration with a check to:

Grace Communion International
P.O. Box 5005
Glendora, CA 91740-5005

If you do not have Internet access, contact me, Dells Coordinator Doug Johannsen, and I will mail the forms to you.

Doug Johannsen
14210 Uranium St NW
Ramsey, MN 55303
Phone: 763-576-1086

Step 3: Come celebrate Jesus with your family and friends. Enjoy good food and activities! The Kalahari is a very family activity oriented facility with a huge water park and a new theme park!

If you have any questions, contact Pastor Doug Johannsen at doug.johannsen@gci.org or by phone at 763-576-1086.


Higher Ground

Some have asked about the band that played worship music during the conference in Orlando. The band is named Higher Ground, and they regularly serve at the GCI Community Life Fellowship congregation in Altadena, California.

The band members serving at the conference were Mike Hale: vocals and worship leading; Kathy Killebrew: vocals; Al Killebrew: keyboards and vocals; Sue Braden: vocals; Nathan Braden: drums; Linda Willhoite: vocals; Terry Willhoite: bass guitar and vocals; and Buddy Nuanez: guitar.

Mike Hale also moderates our Trinitarian Worship Blog, at http://trinitarianworship.blogspot.com


Pathways Camp

Pathways Camp director Jay Richie reports that Pathways 2010, held July 17-23 near Jackson, Ohio, served 124 campers with 56 staffers this year. The group shared worship and fun, learning together about the life we share in union with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The camp curriculum is available at http://genmin.gci.org/Web%20Documents/Elation!%202010%20Curriculum.pdf).

A highlight of this year’s camp was an outreach event in cooperation with Jackson County Family Services. Pathways senior campers hosted a block party for 15 disadvantaged 8 to 12-year-olds to show them Jesus’ love in an environment of fun, fellowship and laughter. The Family Services manager said he hopes to send some of these kids as full campers next year.

. .


Prayer Requests and Updates

Dennis Lawrence

Pastor Dennis Lawrence reported that is recovering well from his two surgeries last April and May. However, he is now undergoing an even more aggressive chemotherapy regimen with all the resulting side effects. He wrote: “I’m in good spirits, and the medical staff is encouraging. They speak in terms of cure and successful management of this. My family and the churches, and so many around the world, have been so encouraging and helpful through prayer, cards, emails and their presence to offer whatever might be needed. I can only thank everyone for that, and God for his grace.”

Edith Rostant

Pearl Charles, wife of Trinidad and Tobago pastor Clifton Charles, asked for prayer for her mother, Edith Rostant, who has recently suffered two strokes. Pearl wrote, “We have prepared ourselves for however this turns out. She has had a full, active life and will be celebrating her 86th birthday in October, God willing. We deeply appreciate all she is to all of us and we are very much inspired by her focus as she sings and prays during all the health challenges.”

Verna Meyer

Kansas City, Missouri, pastor Ray Meyer requests your prayers for his 90-year-old mother, Verna Meyer. Verna is in intensive care with a major urinary tract infection, pneumonia, colitis and low blood pressure, and the doctors are concerned about sepsis setting in. Verna’s condition is very serious, and the next day or two are critical. Please remember her and the Meyer family in your prayers.

Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.

Love from my family to yours,
Joseph Tkach


August 18, 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

African Missions Director Gary Moore and his wife, Wendy, traveled to Pretoria, South Africa, after our International Conference in Orlando. They have been visiting congregations and helping with the tri-annual South African pastors conference, which was held last weekend near Cape Town.

“The South Africa pastors conference was a great success,” Gary said, “focusing on the implications of Trinitarian Theology for pastoral ministry through interactive group work and plenty of question and answer time.”

Gary said that UK Mission Director James Henderson and his wife, Shirley, were also able to attend the conference, and “contributed greatly to the four days we had together.” Gary added, “The Hendersons much appreciated the chance to visit South Africa again (where they lived for a number of years), and the ministry much enjoyed renewing acquaintances with them.”

Aubrey Toli

We had some very sad news just before the conference. Domingos, the leader of the group of about 60 congregations from Mozambique and southern Malawi who are in process of affiliating with GCI, died suddenly after a short illness. He left a widow with three young children. Please pray for his family and for the churches he led. One of their district superintendents has been appointed interim leader by their church board. GCI South Africa National Director Tim Maguire and one or two others are hoping to travel to Mozambique soon to see what we can do to help. Your prayers for God’s direction on this affiliation process would also be greatly appreciated.

On the bright side, Gary baptized Aubrey Toli during the conference. Aubrey is the youth leader on the pastoral team in the Mohlakeng congregation in the Johannesburg area. Gary said, “I was honored to be asked to perform the baptism, but as it is winter in the southern hemisphere, I thought later that Aubrey might have figured the minister most willing to do a baptism in very cold water would be the Canadian!”


Speaking of Life Voice-overs

Speaking of Life videos are now being translated into Spanish and French! Plans are also being made for German translations. Here are links to the Spanish voice-over, Hablando de la Vida, and the French voice-over, En Parlant de la Vie:

Spanish: http://comuniondegracia.org/blog/category/hablando-de-la-vida/
French: http://www.lemondeavenir.com/ftp/videos/17-noel.wmv


Reflections on leadership training

Some 40 International Conference attendees stayed afterward for a two-day Christian Leadership seminar sponsored by ACCM. Several commented on the seminar and the conference: Leadership Seminar Comments


Staff Changes

GCI treasurer Mat Morgan reported that our long-time, faithful and beloved accounting manager, Clark Miller, has announced his intention to retire in January 2011. Mat said, “Clark’s extensive knowledge and experience and his wonderful service to the Church as Accounting Manager over the years have been invaluable. We will miss him greatly, but we also wish him every blessing as he prepares for this transition.”

Mat added that IT Manager Robert Meade will assume Clark’s duties as Accounting Manager. Until Clark’s retirement in January, Robert will be working alongside him in preparation for his new responsibilities.

Bret Miller is the new IT Manager. Bret has extensive experience in the IT field and has worked closely with Robert for many years.


Haitian refugees mission trip report

GCI Media Director Michael Morrison and his wife, Janet, just returned from leading a mission trip to Bahamas to work with children of Haitian refugees. Here is a link to Janet’s daily blog: http://gctrips.org/2010blog.aspx


Estonia public lecture

Carl Fredrik Aas will hold a public lecture on Thursday evening in Tartu, Estonia, about the history of the Bible. He will talk about how the Bible has been preserved, copied and translated through the centuries. He would appreciate prayers for the success of the lecture.


Jesanya Scale

Jamaica

GCI Jamaica Pastor Leroy Joiles sent his thanks for the recent International Conference. Leroy wrote:

“Thank you for a wonderful conference experience. It was indeed a blessing for me to be there. I will send you another email in a few days to comment further on the conference and the two days of ACCM Leadership Training.

Jesanya Scale, who also attended the conference and the ACCM Leadership Seminar, gave her first sermon on July 31, our Youth Day. Our goal is to empower our youths and help them to see the church as their church too. We do not want to just give lip service to Youth Day, but we want to use it to empower our young people so they can become on fire for God and the mission to which they are called.”


Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

From Pastor Doug Johannsen:

You’re all invited to our annual Dells Celebration at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, from September 30 to October 3, 2010. Dr. Mike Feazell will be our guest speaker this year.

Our theme this year is “On To Maturity.” Join us on this four-day journey as we examine four major areas of life that reflect maturity in our walk with Jesus.

Step 1: Reserve your room at the Kalahari by Sunday, August 29, 2010. The Kalahari is the premier family resort in the Dells featuring the world’s largest indoor water park and a new theme park. Phone 1-877-525-2427 for reservations.

Hut – $109.00 per night plus tax, 1-4 people only.
Lodge Suite – $129 per night plus tax, 1-4 people only.
Combination Suite (lodge and hut) – $238 per night plus tax, sleeps up to 8 people.
Village – (lodge and two adjoining huts) – $347 per night plus tax, sleeps up to 12 people.

You must call the Kalahari Resort no later than August 29 to reserve your room. After August 29, the low prices we’ve negotiated will no longer be available! Let the reservation personnel know you are with Grace Communion International or Worldwide Church of God. The Kalahari reservation number is 1-877-525-2427.

You may also book your room on line. First, go to: https://res.kalahariresort.com/V1Web/GroupComments.aspx

Then enter:
Group ID 14215
Password: 244
Contact Password (Optional): Leave this blank.
Click on “Make Reservation” and follow the prompts.

Ste 2: Register with Grace Communion International/Worldwide Church of God Headquarters online at: <www.wcg.org/go/wisconsin>, and follow the prompts. Pay with your credit card.

Or you may download a registration form, fill it out and mail your registration with a check to:

Grace Communion International
PO Box 5005
Glendora CA 91740-5005

If you do not have Internet access, contact me, Dells Coordinator Doug Johannsen, and I will mail the forms to you.

Doug Johannsen
14210 Uranium St NW
Ramsey, MN 55303
Phone: 763-576-1086

Step 3: Come celebrate Jesus with your family and friends. Enjoy good food and activities! The Kalahari is a very family activity oriented facility with a huge water park and a new theme park!

If you have any questions, contact Pastor Doug Johannsen at doug.johannsen@gci.org or by phone at 763-576-1086.


Mission America event

The Mission America Coalition would like to encourage churches to register and participate in National Back to Church Sunday. This single-day event will be held on September 12, 2010, and has more than 2,200 churches participating.

Findings by LifeWay Research indicate that 82 percent of unchurched people would be open to attending church if invited by a friend, but only 2 percent of church members have actually invited someone to church during the past year. National Back to Church Sunday is an opportunity for every believer to invite their friends, family, and neighbors to church.

Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.

Love from my family to yours,
Joseph Tkach


August 11, 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Two new Filipino elders were ordained in our headquarters office here in Glendora on Monday. Sadie and Angie Tabin, who also attended our international conference in Orlando, Florida, were here with Philippines National Director Eugene Guzon. Besides their pastoral team work, the Tabins serve in a prison ministry and are assessing the possibility of planting a new congregation. Please remember them in prayer.

. .


Ted Johnston has posted some short videos from our GCI-USA mission blog on YouTube. The link is: http://www.youtube.com/user/pastortedjohnston. These can also be downloaded for use in presentations or embedded on local church websites.


Israel/Jordan Tour, June 2011

GCI pastors and members are invited to participate in a unique study tour of Israel with optional added trip into Jordan in June 2011. As noted in the attached brochure, the trip focuses on biblical stewardship and provides not only special access to popular sites in the Holy Land but also access to some seldom seen sites. This special opportunity is being extended to us by Dr. Scott Preissler, a friend of GCI and an expert in biblical stewardship.

The price for the Israel segment of the tour is $3963.00. This price includes airfare from Dallas to Israel and back to Dallas or another International airport nearer you. The price also includes all lodging in Israel (double occupancy), breakfast and dinner each day of the tour, ground transportation by tour bus, tips, and entry fees. The optional Jordan add-on trip costs an additional $900.00. These prices are quite low for what is provided because generous donors are subsidizing the trip’s cost. Dr. Preissler has generously extended this subsidy to us.

If you are interested in participating in this exceptional study trip, notify Ted Johnston in the next few days (by email at Ted.Johnston@gci.org or by phone at 330.497.7188). If our GCI group is large enough, there may be a small further reduction in the per person cost. Openings for this trip are limited, so act quickly.

Israel/Jordan Brochure


Interesting Stats

Prediction

According to the Pew Forum Weekly Update of June 24, 58 percent of white evangelical Christians say Jesus Christ will definitely or probably return to earth by 2050, by far the highest percentage in any religious group. Just 32 percent of Catholics, 27 percent of white mainline Protestants and 20 percent of the religiously unaffiliated predict Jesus Christ’s return to earth. Those with no college experience (59 percent) are more likely than those with some college experience (35 percent) and college graduates (19 percent) to expect Christ’s return.

Bible Readers and Debt

What is the best financial advice you will ever receive? The surprising answer is to read your Bible on a daily basis. New View (www.StateofthePlate.info) from the Pew research shows that the more faithful someone is in their daily Bible reading, the less debt they tend to have and the more likely they will be to give 10 percent or more to their church.

Church Attendance Increase

Gallup research reports more Americans are attending religious services weekly or almost weekly. Results of its study showed 43.1 percent of Americans regularly attending, up slightly from ’09 (42.8 percent) and ’08 (42.1 percent). Gallup aligns the increase with Americans’ increasing economic confidence, suggesting that more people attend church during good financial times rather than bad, as historically assumed (Gallup 6/25/10).


Prayer Requests and Updates

Pastor Gary Dry of our Lake St. Louis, Missouri, congregation and his wife, Diane, reported the pathology report for their toddler granddaughter, Laila, showed that the doctors removed all of the cancer during the surgery! Gary added:

Laila will still have to have a maintenance dose of chemotherapy as a precautionary measure, but that is all. Her strength and demeanor are improving daily and she has actually been sitting in a chair this morning. Not bad for someone who was basically sawed in two just four days ago. At this rate, the doctors think that she may get released from the hospital as early as Sunday.

We wouldn’t be where we are without your support. Thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts. Join us as we say praise be to the Lord.


Please remember Philippines pastor Ezra Raduban, who has just undergone an angioplasty. We are awaiting further information. Thank you for your prayers for him and for the rest of his family during this challenging time.


Ray Griffee, our pastor in Cadillac, Michigan, sent this note of thanks:

Thank you all for your cards and prayers for me and my family. I was overwhelmed by your response. I had to have a quintuple bypass performed and it was successful. There was no damage to my heart. I am home recuperating and my doctor said that I can resume normal duties by the end of August. Thank you again for your love.

Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.

Love from my family to yours,
Joseph Tkach


August 5, 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Correction: The prayer announcement in the current Weekly Update regarding toddler Laila Dry’s surgery should have read as follows. We apologize for the confusion:

Pastor Gary Dry of our Lake St. Louis, Missouri, congregation and his wife, Diane, want to thank everyone for their prayers for their toddler granddaughter, Laila, (daughter of Kristopher and Alicia Dry) who underwent successful surgery for removal of a grapefruit sized tumor. Gary wrote:

The surgery was successful, although the surgeon said it was one of the most difficult surgeries he had ever done. The estimated five-hour surgery ended up taking over eight hours. The doctors removed the kidney and adrenal gland as well as some lymph nodes but did not have to remove any other organs. Laila will have to undergo chemotherapy, but the prognosis for her recovery is very good. She’ll spend about a week in the hospital post surgery as they look after her wounds and help her start the healing process. We truly appreciate everyone’s concern for Laila. It’s so painful to see someone so small have to endure such a trauma, but then again, her age will work greatly in her favor as she recovers. Please pass on our thanks and love to everyone.