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Commission
Our mission includes bringing the church outside the walls of the building and into the communities that we serve. Our ministries below help us to carry out this mission.
Leader: Michelle Lear
Small Groups
Small groups at GCC are intentional opportunities for groups to gather during the week to fellowship and learn around topics that arise out of Sunday’s sermon. These groups are also places where individuals are able to experience a deeper relationship with one another. There is an expectation that small groups will places where members serve one another as well as welcome individuals who are looking to get closer to God and closer to others.
Leader: Pastor Larry Anderson, Jr.
Community Forgiveness and Restoration
GCC has been given the opportunity to reach men and women who are looking to reenter society after having served time. We have a presence within the prison system and our hope is that through communicating the hope of the gospel and demonstrating the love of Christ these men and women will grow in their walk with Christ as they become contributing members of their community.
Leader: Minister Joe Hale
Children’s Church and Youth Ministry
This ministry is dedicated to discipling our young people to know and make Christ Lord of their life. Children’s Church consists of weekly worship, Bible lessons, crafts and activities. Any staff working with our children have been trained, background checked and understand the importance of serving children. Our youth ministry will host discipleship opportunities, gatherings and other constructive.
Leader: Pamela Canty
Women's Ministry
GCC values the lives of women and we have a ministry dedicated to serving the various issues that arise when discipling women as they grow in their relationship with Christ. There are various aspects to the GCC Women’s Ministry but the primary focus is discipleship. There are studies, conferences, outreach initiatives and outings hosted by the women’s ministry staff throughout the year. It is important to note that there are a number of ministries that serve out of the women’s ministry that address issues of trauma and provide therapeutic support. (R.U.T.H., CHAI, etc.)
Men's Ministry
GCC values the lives of men and therefore we have organized a ministry dedicated to serving various issues that arise as we disciple men to help them grow in their relationship with Christ. The men’s ministry staff will organize and host events, trainings, outings and other initiatives for both young and old so that men can know and experience the love of Christ within a healthy and affirming environment.
Leader: Minister Solomon Jones
Evangelism Ministry
This particular ministry has an emphasis on providing opportunities where the members of Great Commission Church can be involved in the work of sharing Christ with the West Oak Lane community as well as within their respective spheres of influence. The evangelism ministry will organize and host events where the gospel is presented in a relatable manner.
Leader: Minister Solomon Jones
Hope 4 Philly
This is GCC’s biggest annual event. This event takes place at Penny Packer Elementary school and is a community wide event. As a church we invite the whole community for a time of games, food, social service vendors, free haircuts, etc. There are employers who are set-up to hire on the spot as well as artist performances, medical screenings and free groceries. Our desire to convey a message of hope through Christ to our community.
Leader: Deaconess Shirley Shimoyama
Hospitality Ministry
As a church we endeavor to always show the love of Christ to those who are familiar and those who are strangers. To that end our Hospitality Ministry has been organized to serve our fellow brothers and sisters as well as to serve those who are new to our gatherings. The weekly cafe is under the Hospitality Ministry and weekly serves various hunger needs for those attending worship as well as anyone who may be in need.
Leader: Kim Anderson
Greeters Ministry
This ministry has the task of welcoming individuals into the Sunday worship gathering at Great Commission Church. They are particularly focused on first time visitors to GCC and ensuring that they feel welcome within our worship gathering. The greeters are also tasked with handling weekly announcements during the worship gathering.
Leader: Deaconess Gloria Jenkins
Deacon's Ministry
These individuals have been selected and ordained to support the pastors of Great Commission Church in serving members. This group is made up of both deacons and deaconesses and they have positioned themselves in a manner to ensure that all the GCC membership, especially those who are unable to attend service, are served.
Leader: Deaconess Ayanna Johnson
Audio/Visual Ministry
This group of individuals have been tasked with ensuring that Great Commission Church’s gatherings have quality and sufficient sound and visuals. The audio/visual team works to upload and archive weekly sermons and ensures that the worship service is sufficiently broadcast over social media.
Leader: Marvin Johnson
Praise and Worship Team (Music Ministry)
The Praise and Worship Team has the unique task of leading the congregation in worship during corporate gatherings. This team provides a public opportunity for those who wish to attend GCC to sing and reflect on who God is and what He has done for His children as well as humanity at large. The Praise and Worship team would also facilitate the children’s choir and activities related to the production of music at GCC.
Leader: Deacon Sam Harris
Facilities Team
These individuals have a special task that involves stewardship over the facility that GCC uses to conduct ministry of various kinds. This team addresses any repairs or renovations that need to happen at the Great Commission Church facility. The facilities team is also tasked with the overall cleaning of both buildings at GCC.
Point of Contact: Deacon Sam Harris
Security Team
This group of individuals are tasked with the opening and closing of the GCC facility for any approved event. They also oversee security for these events as well as overall security for the facility. There are a number of task that fall under the Security Team at GCC.
Leader: Lila Young
Administrative Team
This team is tasked with executing the day to day running of the organization of Great Commission Church. They handle the relationship with the church vendors, contractors as well as record keeping and bill payments. The Administrative team primarily works alongside the Pastors and Pastoral Staff to ensure that GCC runs efficiently.
Leader: Deaconess Gloria Jenkins
Finance Team
This group of individuals have been tasked with the collection and counting of funds received by Great Commission Church through its various funding platforms. They are the primary financial record keepers as well as the liaison between Great Commission Church and the CPA for the church.
Leader: Nevada Vaughn
New Disciples Ministry
This ministry team ensures that anyone looking to become a member of Great Commission Church goes through the introductory phase of membership. They oversee the individuals who conduct the 6 week new members training, new believer baptisms and pastoral interviews and the Right Hand of Fellowship. They ultimately oversee new disciples’ engagement in the mission of GCC which involves participating in ministry and discipleship.
Leader: Sharon Kearney
Leader: Deaconess Marjorie O'Meally
'Gone Too Soon' Ministry
The ‘Gone Too Soon’ ministry focuses on helping individuals navigate through the trauma associated with the death of a loved one(s). They also address any kind of loss that an individual and/or family may experience in the course of life. This group meets regularly and is open to members and non-members alike.
Leader: Sharon Kearney
Pastor's Aide
The Pastor’s Aide group serves the pastors and preachers of Great Commission Church during the course of Sunday morning gatherings. This includes visiting pastors/preachers.
Leader: Quianna Reynolds
Intercessory Prayer Team
GCC has a weekly opportunity to pray as a church for pressing needs that occur within the fellowship. This team organizes the prayer request as well as the opportunity and digital platform used for this weekly event.
Leader: Deacon Sam Harris
Leader: Deacon John Barbour
Leader: Deaconess Shirley Shimoyama
Food Pantry
This particular ministry focuses on efforts to push back against food scarcity within the West Oak Lane community through the regular distribution of food for those in need. The food pantry is a monthly ministry but also includes the weekly provisions of meals before and after the GCC worship service on Sundays. The ministry also oversees food distribution during GCC’s biggest outreach event – Hope 4 Philly and the once a year Thanksgiving Basket community giveaway. This team oversees the collection and storage of food donations received by Great Commission Church.
Missions
This ministry is tasked with overseeing the organization and execution of Great Commission Church foreign and at home mission trips. If there are mission opportunities locally or abroad these leaders will recruit, train and ensure that GCC volunteers have raised funds and are properly prepared for the foreign mission environment.
Leader: Minister Solomon Jones
Mentoring Programs
This particular team is primarily focused on walking alongside young people within local elementary schools as they seek to help young men grow as contributing members of their community. This group works with the local non-profit organization ManUp PHL to mentor and train young men within key neighborhoods within the city of Philadelphia.