May 2025 Update

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there, But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:10,11

We hope you were able to see the 55th anniversary livestream program on April 25th. Trevor Jenkins coordinated the technology as Mark and I spoke from Riverstone Church in Knoxville. We appreciated several short video testimonies from Aaron Kim, Rob Semco, Linda, Carrie, and ministry team members in India in South Africa. You can see the recording of this program at www.youtube.com/gracefellowshipintl

We welcome new members to our Guide team. Pastor Lynn Hill completed his Life Coaching certification and is servicing as a Life Coach Guide, primarily to church leaders. Bill Harnist completed his Exchanged Life Counseling certification and is now serving as a Counseling Guide. (Lynn is based in Nashville, TN and Bill is in Minnesota.)

We are grateful that GFI has published two more books; they are now in the GFI store and on Amazon. The first is the Discipler’s Guide edition of Life in Christ: A Personalized Discipleship Notebook (by Lynn Adams and Linda Gammon). This contains the standard Life in Christ notebook but also has a wealth of notes and insights to help the discipler use this 12 lesson notebook in one-to-one or small group ministry. The other publication is The Great News of Grace: The Law Has Been Transcended by Grace by Dr. John Best. This makes the eighth book of his that we have published. It has many important insights about the new covenant and what it means to live under grace.

As I write this, Mark and Carrie are returning from a trip to Rwanda, Africa. They have been part of a team doing a ministry exploration there on behalf of their Knoxville-based church.

Since Kristy took a job elsewhere, Mark has been handling the primary office administration while I help with book orders. Also, our remote accountant,  Linda T., has increased her scope of work. These adjustments have helped us manage this transitional time. (Linda and I visited Kristy this morning. The Seymour Volunteer Fire Department admin role seems to be working well for her and the department there.) We appreciate prayer for God’s direction and provision for the role of office admin here.

Thank you for your prayers for our ongoing counseling and life coaching (in person and on zoom) through Mark, myself and our team of Guides. As we celebrate the 55th anniversary of Grace Fellowship International, we stand amazed at God’s faithful provision over these years. His Word has not returned void, but continues to bear fruit. May God continue to use this ministry for His glory in these strategic times.

Yours in Christ,

John Woodward
Director of Counseling and Training