Weekly Update – 19 July 2026

by Takalani Musekwa | Jul 17, 2026 | News

8^th Sunday of Pentecost

Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 • Genesis 28:10-19a • Romans 8:12-25 • Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Coming Events to Diarise:

Denominational Conference 2026 – 23-26 July 2026, Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Bi-weekly Online Bible Study – 29 July 2026

Monthly Day of Prayer & Fasting – 8 August 2026

Women’s Monthly Bible Study – 11 August 2026

Women’s Retreat 2026 – 4-6 September 2026

Spiritual Equipping Program (SEP) – 12-19 December 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings in the name of our Triune God.

This Sunday Margaret and I are leaving for the denominational conference in Dallas, in the United States. Whilst the Conference only starts on Thursday 23rd, I will be attending some leadership training from Tuesday to Wednesday, and Superintendent meetings after the conference on Monday and Tuesday of the following week. We will arrive back in the country on Thursday 30 July. Please pray that we have a safe and uneventful trip, unlike the previous time.

Sometimes God reveals himself to us whilst we are traveling. When we feel uncertain and alone, God comes and whispers to us. In Genesis 28, God revealed himself to Jacob as the God of his fathers, Abraham and Isaac. This encounter happened in the middle of nowhere. Jacob was on the run from his brother Esau, and when the sun set, he found a spot to sleep for the night. He found a rock for a pillow. It was while he was asleep that God spoke to him. When he woke up in the morning, he realised that he had been sleeping in the house of God. A deserted and lonely place had become the house of God. He named the place Bethel, which means “house of God.”

When we wonder “where is God,” it turns out God is right there where we are, wherever that may be. Jacob was going through one of the darkest moments of his life, and he was feeling all alone. He could not be with his family, but the God of his fathers was with him. He took the rock he had slept on and set it up as a pillar, and poured oil upon it as a memorial of his encounter with God.

Jesus is the Rock of our salvation. He is the Solid Rock on whom we stand, sit, and lie down. If you are asking yourself where God is, remember that he does not live only in houses built by human hands. He inhabits the whole universe. He lives in us. We are Bethel. We are the house of God. How much closer can God get to us than being in us? His presence is not defined by who and where we are, but by who and where He is. He is in us and He is with us.

My prayer this week is for all of us to know and to experience the closeness and presence of God in our lives at all times. Amen!

PRAYER REQUESTS & UPDATES:

Offerings: Thank you for your continued generosity as God has blessed you. Our budgeted income shortfall has improved as at the end of June 2026 to -0.4%, from -3.7% in May. It is now 4.1% higher than 2025.

Peace: Please pray for peace in South Africa and across the world.

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

Have a blessed weekend!
Shalom!

Takalani

SINGLES & YOUNG ADULTS RETREAT.

A Singles and Young Adults Retreat is being planned as follows:

Date: 2-4 October 2026

Venue: Aruka, Bela Bela

Cost: R1600 per person, including all meals, plus a complimentary copy of Marriage is Not Obsolete by Pastor Takalani Musekwa. To book, please complete the booking form here: Singles & Young Adults Retreat.

SPIRITUAL EQUIPPING PROGRAM (SEP) 2026 – Applications Open

Applications for SEP 2026 are open. The closing date for applications is 27 September 2026. A non-refundable deposit of R600 is payable by 30 September 2026. The balance is payable by 31 October.

Please read the terms and conditions, camper and staff fees, and other details on the application form. The application form must be completed online by computer or mobile phone. To access the relevant application form click below:

Camper Application Form 2025 (13-18 years)

Vacation Bible School Form (9-12 Years)

Staff Application Form

___________________________

REPEAT ANNOUNCEMNTS NOT TO BE READ IN CHURCH SERVICES

Women’s Retreat 2026

The Women’s Retreat 2026 will be held as follows:

Date: 4-6 September 2026

Venue: Rocklands Centre, Simon’s Town, Cape Town

Cost: R1,600, payments due by 31 July

Registration Form

Further details: Speak to your local Women’s Ministry Coordinators for payment details. There are no private rooms available, only shared accommodation. Bedding is supplied. Bring own towels.

Women of Faith Monthly Online Bible Study – 2^nd Tuesday of the month

The National Women’s Ministry has started a women’s monthly bible study every second Tuesday of the month, from 7pm to 8pm. The next Bible Study will be on the 11^th of August. Please diarise it and join.

NATIONAL BUILDING FUND NOW OVER R1.7 MILLION

The National Building Fund has now exceeded R1.7 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 8 August 2026

Our next Day of Prayer and Fasting is on Saturday 8 August 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:

· August 8

· September 12

· October 10

· November 7

· December 12

May 2026 ISSUE OF FACE TO FACE PUBLISHED

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

Hands Held Out

Mission Possible

Stop Doubting and Believe

Online Bi-Weekly Bible Study – 29 July 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