GLB Monthly - July 2026

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Stay Connected
From The Minister
Featured Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
Get Involved
Volunteer
Prayer Requests
Monthly Scripture
Good Fruit
July is here, and summer is in full effect.

GLB Church July 2026 Newsletter!

As summer continues, July offers a great opportunity to slow down, reconnect, and be intentional about growing in faith and community. Whether you’re traveling, spending time with family, or enjoying the longer days, we hope you’ll make time to stay connected with what God is doing at GLB. This month is filled with opportunities to worship, serve, and build meaningful relationships. Take a look at what’s coming up and join us as we continue growing together throughout the month.

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From The Minister

The De Anda Family

Dear GLB Church Family!

”I thank God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
– PHILIPPIANS 1:3-6

I have a very similar feeling to what Paul wrote in these verses to the church in Philippi, about the GLB Church. There is a deep sense of gratitude when thinking about our church family. Even in the middle of the chaos or tension or conflict or confusion, I feel very blessed to serve the GLB Church and very proud of this church. God is forming us into a community of love and attentive to His Spirit. I hope, in small ways, you can sense a similar feeling. There will always be problems and issues to deal with or resolve- the church is full of sinful humans! But, as we apprentice under Jesus and as we are empowered by the Spirit, we can find repentance and reconciliation and restoration and redemption, and rest.

Thank you for being led by the Spirit to give in such a generous manner for our annual global missions offering. Our goal was to give around $81K to support churches in Middle East, Mexico and Central America, Baltic/Nordic nations, and our local Spanish speaking ministries, MLA and El Mensaje. Empowered by the Spirit and out of an overflow of thanksgiving, the church gave over $84K to missions this year! Thank you for your kindness and generosity and being a ‘blessing to the nations.’

As we are in the middle of our summer season, I want to encourage us to continue growing in our apprenticeship to Jesus. Use this time and the concepts we learned from Practicing the Way to cultivate our apprenticeship- to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what he did. It’s been great to see such an awesome response to Practicing the Way from all of our ministries throughout the church. As we cultivate rhythms of prayer, Scripture, hospitality, and simplicity, pay attention to how God’s Spirit is forming you individually and also forming our church community. As we celebrate the victories of Youth Camp and Teen Camp and our upcoming GLB camping trip and also a few weeks in August where we meet in house church settings instead of at McBride High School, pay attention to what God is teaching us and showing us. What kind of church are we being formed into for the sake of our community? My hope is that we would continue becoming a people who are ambassadors of God’s mission to do His will ‘on earth as it is in heaven.’ Have a great July!

With love,
Ruben and Marina.

Contribution Corner

Average weekly contributions for May.

Budgeted – $11,000

Based on members pledges collected toward the end of 2025. 

May – $12,215/wk

Weekly average given

Contribution Corner

Weekly contributions for February and March.

Budgeted – $11,538

Based on members pledges collected toward the end of 2024. 

March – $12,327

Weekly average given

A look into the future

Upcoming Events

Campus Midweek Gatherings | 7:30pm Every Wednesday at the De Anda’s House
Email Ruben or Marina for address.

YoPro Midweek Gatherings    |    7:30pm Every Wednesday at the Gee’s house
Join us every Wednesday at 7:30pm at the Gee’s house for YoPro Midweek — a chill space to connect, grow, and do life together.

New Group: Seven Pillars of Freedom
Miles Branson will be leading a Seven Pillars of Freedom group for men who struggle with sexually compulsive behaviors. The group will meet on Thursdays from 7:30–9:00 PM via Zoom. If you are interested in participating or would like more information about the group, please contact Miles Branson at 562–209–3512.

New Group: Seven Pillars of Freedom
Timi Branson will also be starting a Betrayal And Beyond group in August for women who have experienced betrayal trauma in their marriage.  This group will be on Tuesdays. From 7 PM to 9 PM. If you are interested in participating or would like more information about the group, please contact Timi Branson at 562–235–4935.

LA Church YOUTH CAMP    |    July 7 – 11

AO LA Campus Ministry BeachFest   |    July 19

“Open Hands” Sunday/Family Picnic    |    July 26


GLB Church Prayer Night    |    July 29



ICMC    |    July 30 – Aug 2

Looking Ahead To August

House Church    |     Aug 2nd, 9th, and 16th
We will be meeting by group, life stage ministry, or group partnership for the first 3 Sundays in August. Communion supplies can be picked up at Wright’s house. 

Regional Service    |     Aug 23rd
We will be having our CLA Regional service at the park in Bixby Knolls. More details to come.

Sunday Worship Service    |     Aug 30th
For the last Sunday in August we will all be together back at McBride High School.

Get Involved!

Church isn’t meant to be something we attend—it’s something we belong to. Getting involved is one of the best ways to build community and grow spiritually. Whether it’s joining a team, a group, or simply staying after service to connect, there’s a place for you at GLB Church.

Midweek Services

Join the Campus or YoPro ministries every Wednesday night at 7pm (See your group leader for more details) as we explore what it looks like to grow spiritually as individuals and as a family.

Worship Team Interest

If you sing or play an instrument, our worship team is looking for new members to help lead our congregation in praise.

Small Groups / House Church

Don’t do life alone! Our small groups are launching again this month. Reach out to find one that fits your season of life.

Volunteer in Kids Ministry

We’re in need of volunteers with a heart for children. No teaching experience necessary, just a love for God and willingness to serve.

Want to help but not sure where you fit? Send an email to hello@glbchurch.com

View all of our upcoming events!

All Calendar Events
We all need a little help sometimes

We Serve Oportunities

Spreading Hope, One Backpack at a Time!

GLB Church Backpack Drive

On July 26th, we will be hosting our annual backpack drive to support foster youth. Please refer to the attached lists for recommended backpack contents. Frequently, children are expeditiously removed from their residences due to precarious living conditions, often necessitating the abandonment of their school supplies or the absence of such provisions from the outset. Fulfilling these essential requirements will contribute to mitigating these challenging circumstances.

A vital piece of the relationship

Prayer Requests

You don’t have to carry things alone. If you need prayer—for yourself, your family, or someone you care about—we’re here.

You can email prayer requests to glbprayerministry@gmail.com or enter them here.

Living with Purpose, Walking in His Love.

Devoted To Prayer

A look back in time

August Highlights

August has been a vibrant month for GLB Church! Here are some of the key highlights:

  1. House Church Sundays: We kicked off the month (3 weeks) with several house church gatherings, bringing our community closer through more intimate worship and discussion. Thank you to all the hosts and participants who made these gatherings special.

  2. Youth Ministry Success: Our Youth Ministry’s energy continues to shine as they embark on this school year. We can’t wait to see how God will use this generation of young believers!

  3. Back-to-School Prayers: This month, we rallied together to pray for students, teachers, and families as they transition back to school. Let’s continue lifting up the entire academic community in our prayers as they face new challenges and opportunities for growth.

Dwell well, my friend

Scripture of the Month: Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

July is often filled with activity. Between family gatherings, vacations, celebrations, and the busyness of summer, it’s easy to feel like life is moving at full speed. This month’s verse is a reminder that our strength doesn’t come from keeping up with a busy schedule. It comes from placing our hope in the Lord. When we intentionally spend time with Him, He renews us in ways that rest alone cannot.

Rather than letting the pace of summer leave us drained, July can become a season of spiritual renewal. God invites us to slow down, trust Him with what’s ahead, and allow His presence to refresh our hearts and minds.

Practicals for July

  • Make room to recharge
    Set aside intentional time each week to unplug from distractions and spend quiet moments with God.
  • Look for God’s faithfulness
    Keep a journal of answered prayers, unexpected blessings, or ways you’ve seen God at work throughout the month.
  • Serve someone intentionally
    Whether it’s helping a neighbor, volunteering, or encouraging a friend, look for simple ways to reflect Christ’s love.
  • Be fully present
    Summer often brings opportunities to gather with family and friends. Choose presence over distractions and make meaningful moments count.

As you move through July, remember that true renewal is found in Christ. When we place our hope in Him, He gives us the strength to keep moving forward with joy, purpose, and peace.

Growing in Faith, Bearing His Love.

Good Fruit

We all need a little help sometimes

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering is one of the best ways to deepen your connection with the GLB Church family, use your gifts, and make an impact for the Kingdom. Here are a few ways you can jump in:

Children’s Ministry Volunteers
Our kids need you! If you love working with children and want to help guide the next generation in their faith, consider serving in our Children’s Ministry. It’s a great way to invest in the future of the church.

GEM (Guest Experience Ministry)
Passionate about wanting guests and members to have an amazing experience? Join GEM and be part of an amazing team truly know what it means to serve those around us.

Sunday Service Setup & Teardown Team
Be a part of the behind-the-scenes crew that makes Sunday mornings happen! From setting up cameras to organizing sound equipment, your contribution ensures a smooth and welcoming service.

Serving in any capacity not only helps the church but allows you to grow spiritually as you give your time and talents to God. Don’t hesitate to reach out and get involved!

We all need a little help sometimes

Serving Opportunity - Love Our City

Join us in making a positive impact on our local community through Love Our City, a hands-on initiative focused on serving the needs of Long Beach. Whether it’s through neighborhood cleanups, food drives, or offering a helping hand to those in need, this is your chance to shine God’s love in practical ways. Let’s come together and show our city that we care!

Serve The Community With Us!
That's a lot of bananas

Day by Day

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