You have often heard me say that the Global Impact Celebration (GIC) week at our church is far and away the most important week of the year. I have said that now for 10 years; that has been and remains to be true to this day.
With that said, I’m writing this to remind you of the value of what is coming over the next few days. I am pleading with you, as your pastor, to treat this week with extra care and attention. If you miss this, you will miss the heart of LifeWay Church, and you will miss something that does not come around often.
So what am I asking you to do?
1: ATTEND THE GIC KICK-OFF SERVICE
November 10 at 7 p.m.
This service is essentially a celebration service. You will see and hear how God has worked this past year in our mission partnerships. You will also be introduced to our amazing group of missionary guests, whom we are bringing in from around the globe. You can end the service time by mingling with these individuals and becoming further inspired by what they’re doing in the world.
2: ATTEND A SMALL GROUP WITH A LIFEWAY PARTNER
November 11-12 at 6:30 p.m.
We have multiple small group gatherings scheduled on Thursday evening and Friday evening of GIC week. I am pleading with you—if you are not in a group already, find a GIC small group that is convenient for you. If you attend one group on Thursday night, you are welcome to sit in on another group on Friday night. You will sit in a living room—or, in some cases, at the church building—and hear what God has been doing through the lives of our global GIC guests. These highly personalized meetings, where you will get to rub shoulders with some incredible individuals and hear their stories, will truly change your life.
Visit the GIC event page for the small group schedule. If you need help finding a group to meet with, please contact Alvin Lin or the church office.
3: ATTEND THE SATURDAY MORNING WORKSHOPS
November 13, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
During this morning event, we have a whole series of workshops led by each of our missionary guests. You’ll find the workshop list on the GIC event page, or pick up a GIC booklet on Sunday morning.
4: ATTEND THE SATURDAY EVENING INTERNATIONAL DINNER
November 13 at 5 p.m.
This is the most delightful and delicious event of the whole week! At this international potluck dinner, you will dine with our missionary guests, hear more of their stories, and enjoy a fun evening together with them and your church family.
5: JOIN US FOR THE SUNDAY COMMITMENT SERVICE
November 14 at 10 a.m.
The whole week will be capped off with a worship service on Sunday morning, when we will collectively come to a covenant with God about what he is calling us to do as a church family, and what he is calling us individually to do about it. We will pray for our missionary guests, our missionary guests will pray for us, and we will worship and offer our faith commitments together.
Once again, I am pleading with you to take a good look at the GIC activities (here or in the printed booklet—available at the office) for the week and take advantage of every possible opportunity. LifeWay Church made a pledge many years ago to let God use the church in any way that he sees fit. It is critical that we treat this Global Impact Celebration as the most vital part of the ministry of LifeWay.
This is my challenge for you.
Love you all,
