From his very first trip to India in 1963, God began to place some of the darkest and most difficult parts of the world on Jim Groen's heart. It was also on that first trip to India, that the indigenous Youth for Christ leaders - desperately in need of training, encouragement, and empowerment, also touched his heart. These men had no cultural or language barriers, and eventually, hundreds of them attended leadership training schools in the ensuing years.
On February 20th, 2000, Jim and Dotti Groen had lunch with Jack and Pat Forney to discuss the launch of a future ministry. Jack and Pat, along with Jack’s parents, JD and Rae Forney, had supported the Groens for nearly half a century, and after lunch that day, the Forneys wrote a check for $10,000.00 even though there was no 501(c)(3) to issue them a tax receipt. That was the seed money that paved the way for Global Connection International to open for business.
During this time, Jim Groen was meeting with a local, Christian attorney by the name of Cam Syke asking him to consider being a part of incorporating GCI. In the course of those early discussions, Cam offered the use of a small space available in his office suite, and on March 15, 2000, Global Connection International was incorporated as a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code. As we begin the 15th year of our ministry, we can look back with joy and pride on the miracles that have taken place, and the Lord's faithful provision of the resources to meet every obligation. As the details of GCI's early ministry focus were laid out, the nation of Cuba seemed to come to the forefront. Jim Groen's heart was drawn to the island of Cuba because years before, his parents had raised enough money to build a church near the airport in Havana. It was his desire to locate and visit this Church, and since the founding of GCI, over 40 trips have been made to Cuba to train, encourage and empower the growing, enthusiastic Cuban Church.
GCI Vice President, Cam Skye developed such a passion for Cuba and other Central American countries later on; that he took it upon himself to learn the Spanish language. With a special interest in caring for the needs of some of the world's neediest children, Cam has had a tremendous impact for the cause of Christ in these countries over the ensuing 13 years, as well as being a vital part of the growth of GCI's ministry and outreach.
In 1998, Jim Groen made his first trip to Cambodia. At that time, he and his family were attending Faith Presbyterian Church in Aurora, Colorado, and this church had sponsored 14 Cambodians from a refugee camp in Thailand. They were survivors of the infamous, "Killing Fields" in Cambodia, and the leader of the group, Setan Lee, translated for his fellow countrymen at the church. He often talked with Jim about going to Cambodia with him explaining how most of the pastors and 85% of the Christians were killed by Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge, guerrilla forces. The Church remnant there was small and divided - desperately needing someone to come with help and hope for his people.
On his way to Cambodia, Jim traveled through Singapore where he met up with a businessman friend of his that he had gotten to know well during his tenure as the President of Youth for Christ International. His friend advised him not to go to Cambodia stating that it was not safe due to fighting in the streets. "However," he said, “if you do plan to go, I have built and own the Cambodiana Hotel in Phnom Penh, and you will be my guest there." He also gave Jim the phone number of Prime Minister Hun Sen, and said "If you have a problem, please call him." Although there were no ensuing safety issues of any serious consequence, Jim did call the Prime Minister and they became well-acquainted. The Prime Minister informed Jim that they didn't receive much help from the USA. Only 26 doctors remained alive after the holocaust and their medical corps and hospital facilities were in desperate need of rebuilding. Thus, GCI became actively involved in this important initiative and has continued to provide medical assistance in a variety of ways to this very day.
On Groen's next trip to Cambodia, he took heart surgeon Dr. Dan Smith and Cardiologist, Dr. Mark Sheehan along. Since that visit they have returned to Cambodia with dozens of doctors and health care workers who have, in turn, trained many Cambodian doctors. Later, they created their own ministry called, “Jeremiah’s Hope," and continue to serve there on a regular basis, having earned great respect and the admiration of those around them.
On Jim's Groen's third trip to Cambodia he took Dr. Billy Kim along, and 500 church leaders, representing four different denominational groups, were brought together for leadership training. At the end of the conference, the group shared Holy Communion together. This was not only a historic event but a time of healing for the pastors with many tears and hugs. From this point in time, a revival began to take place in Cambodia. Jim Groen made numerous additional trips to Cambodia after which, current GCI President and CEO Jim Weber took the point for GCI's Cambodian ministry there - growing it into one of our most effective initiatives.
In 1998, a Tanzania student attending the Denver Seminary came to see Jim Groen, telling him of the tremendous economic needs and lack of basic training that pastors were facing in his home country. As a result of that conversation, Groen made a vision trip to Tanzania along with a team, and God began to work in wonderful ways. GCI founding board member, Dave Schlachter, went on the second trip, and he and his family have made numerous trips back over the past 15 years. He has built a strong friendship, partnership and relationship of trust with Bishop Unity Msami and his family over the past 14 years; and GCI has been instrumental in helping him establish a ministry center called "Voice of Victory" in an impoverished, Muslim community located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Today the compound includes 5 acres of land, a church, a school and a recently-completed medical clinic. The Lord used memorial funds given in memory of Cam Syke's wife Suzie, who unexpectedly lost her life back in 2006, for construction of this beautiful, new facility, and it was equipped with medical supplies and pharmaceuticals during the past year with a grant provided by the Concordia Angel Foundation.
Dave Schlachter also introduced a long-time friend by the name of Leslie Kotwica to GCI, and she served as the administrative assistant for about ten years. Leslie also took a special interest in Tanzania, and traveled there with our teams on a couple of occasions.