Weekly Update – 5 April 2026

by Takalani Musekwa | Apr 2, 2026 | News

Resurrection Sunday

Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24 • Jeremiah 31:1–6 • Colossians 3:1-4 • John 20:1–18

Coming Events to Diarise:

Monthly Day of Prayer & Fasting – 11 April 2026

Denominational Conference 2026 – 23-26 July 2026, Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre, Dallas, Texas, USA. (Registration Closes on 15 April) – To Register, Click Here:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings from Musoma, on the beautiful eastern shores of Lake Victoria in Tanzania. I greet you in the powerful name of our Resurrected King, Jesus Christ.

This weekend, we step into the most glorious moment in human history—Resurrection Sunday, the beginning of the Easter season. Everything written in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John builds toward this moment. The cross was not the end of the story—the empty tomb is.

The Apostle Paul reminds us with striking clarity: “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” (1 Cor. 15:17). But here is the good news that changes everything: Christ has indeed been raised.

The resurrection is not just an event—it is a victory. It is the triumph of life over death. It is the declaration that sin has been defeated. It is the assurance that our future is secure in Christ.

Without the resurrection, the cross would be a tragedy. But because of the resurrection, the cross is our salvation. Because He lives; our sins are forgiven; our hope is alive; our future is secure; and even in death—we don’t mourn like unbelievers because we know we shall live again.

This is why Easter is not just another weekend. It is the defining celebration of our faith, the moment where despair is turned into hope and death into eternal life.

Here in Tanzania, the celebration has already begun. From Holy Thursday through to Easter Monday it is a public holiday, the nation pauses to remember and rejoice for 5 full days. It is a powerful reminder that this story is not just personal—it is a global celebration. Across nations, cultures, and languages, believers are lifting up the name of the risen Christ.

I want to encourage each one of you: do not miss this moment. Make it a priority to gather, to worship, to celebrate.

For those in Gauteng, you are invited to join the special combined services:

· Friday (10:00) – GCI Solid Rock

· Saturday (10:30) – GCI Pretoria (Raslouw)

· Sunday (10:30) – GCI Solid Rock

And across all our GCI congregations, there are beautiful celebrations planned. Wherever you are, be present. Be expectant. Be joyful.

Let this weekend not be routine—let it be an encounter with our risen Lord. Let it not be just attendance—let it be a celebration of our new life in Christ. Let it not be a memory—let it be a renewal of your faith.

My prayer for you is: May the power of the resurrection be felt in every gathering; may Jesus manifest His presence among us in a fresh and undeniable way; and may our hearts be reignited with hope, love, and unshakable faith.

Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Amen!

PRAYER REQUESTS & UPDATES:

Easter Celebrations: As we have our Easter celebrations this weekend, please pray that we may all personally and collectively experience God’s goodness that is revealed through the cross and the resurrection. Amen!

Sick Brethren: Please continue to pray for the brethren who are suffering from various sicknesses.

Have a blessed weekend!
Shalom!

Takalani

___________________________

REPEAT ANNOUNCEMNTS NOT TO BE READ IN CHURCH SERVICES

NATIONAL BUILDING FUND NOW ABOUT R1.6 MILLION

The National Building Fund has now reached R1.6 million.

Please support your congregation’s Building Fund by contributing additional offerings monthly or once off to the dedicated bank account as follows:

· Bank: First National Bank (FNB)

· Name: GCI Building Fund

· Account No: 6304 180 7835

· Deposit Reference: Name and Surname

You can also fundraise as a group or alone. You may have items that you no longer need or use which you can pawn and donate the funds, or approach friends and family who may be able to donate to the fund. If you need a letter to request donations please feel free to contact me.

Monthly Day of Prayer and Fasting –Saturday 11 April 2026

Our next Day of Prayer and Fasting is on Saturday 11 April 2026. Please see the dates for the rest of the year below, and diarise accordingly.

Please find some video links on Prayer and Fasting if you want to know more. Here are the links:

1. Fasting- The Forgotten Spiritual Discipline – https://youtu.be/7MgrVj_w9sY

2. Fasting Questions and Answers 1 – https://youtu.be/Mkk3U2KvPHg

3. Fasting Questions and Answers 2 – https://youtu.be/CghD-uxBbFk

4. Fasting Question and Answer #3 – https://youtu.be/ajKaWRgreLw (Question #3: How should I fast? Are there different types of fasts?)

Future Days of Prayer and Fasting:

· April 11

· May 9

· June 13

· July 11

· August 8

· September 12

· October 10

· November 7

· December 12

February 2026 ISSUE OF FACE TO FACE PUBLISHED

Our February 2026 issue of the online Face To Face magazine has been published. Please find it here: Face To Face

Parable of the Vineyard Workers

The Church Is A Temple

I Will Hold Your Hand

Online Bi-Weekly Bible Study – 15 April 2026 – Ephesians

Please diarise and join the biweekly Online Bible study every second Wednesday at 19:00. The current series is: The Book of Ephesians.

To connect to the biweekly Bible Study, here are the details: Click

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89054374373?pwd=NFZVaFJjVGxqQjc5K0YyeWEzVVZMUT09

OR enter the details below to join the meeting:

Meeting ID: 890 5437 4373

Passcode: GCI2021

Time: 19:00

OFFERINGS: (should Christians pay a tithe?)

Even though some churches are not able to meet, we urge you to continue to give your weekly Thanksgiving offering that you would normally give during church services. The bank details for EFT and Cash deposits are below:

The Banking details for both the weekly Thanksgiving Offerings and the monthly Freewill Offerings are as follows:

EFT PAYMENTS

GRACE COMMUNION INTERNATIONAL-S.A –

Account No: 593 800 27523 – FNB Current Account Number

Ref. NameSurname Church

Please reference your offering so that we can send a receipt.

CASH PAYMENTS