Empowering Underserved Communities Through Global Collaboration
Join us in our mission to connect and uplift communities around the world by fostering partnerships that drive meaningful change.
About Global Connection International
Building Bridges, Transforming Lives
Global Connection International (GCI) is more than just a networking organization—it is a dynamic force for global change. We are dedicated to fostering meaningful partnerships that address some of the world’s most urgent challenges. Our mission is to unite compassionate individuals, organizations, and communities to provide sustainable economic, social, and spiritual support to those who are often overlooked or underserved.
At GCI, we believe that collaboration is the key to driving lasting, impactful change. By connecting resources with needs, we create pathways for empowerment, resilience, and hope. Our expansive network has spanned continents for 25 years, bringing together like-minded partners who are committed to tackling critical issues such as poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, and community development.
Founded on the principles of empathy, action, and sustainability, GCI works to implement innovative and long-term solutions that uplift communities and foster self-sufficiency. Through strategic partnerships, advocacy, and hands-on initiatives, we strive to create a world where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
Join us in making a difference. Together, we can bridge gaps, transform lives, and build a future rooted in compassion and collective progress.
Meet the President & CEO
Jim Weber was born in Denver, Colorado, but spent most of his childhood days in Japan where his parents were missionaries, planting three churches and establishing a camp and conference center during their 25 years of service in that country. Upon graduation from the Christian Academy in Japan, Jim returned to the U.S. where he attended Rockmont College (now Colorado Christian University) in Lakewood, Colorado, graduating with a BA in Psychology and Bible in 1971. While at Rockmont, Jim met JoAnn, who was the secretary to the President of the College, and they were married on November 21, 1970.
Upon graduation from college, Jim attended the Denver Seminary and served as pastor at the Mountain Valley Baptist Church in Morrison, Colorado. In 1974-75, Jim and his family returned to Japan where they ministered with his parents among the Japanese churches and our US Military families stationed there.
Upon returning to the United States, Jim established the Wilderness Ranch Conference Association, and served as their Executive Director for about ten years. The WRCA provided outdoor recreation and biblically based character training for children and youth of all ages by way of camp and conference programs offered on a cattle ranch in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Jim and his family then moved to the tiny mountain town of Grand Lake, Colorado in the fall of 1983 where they expected to continue in the Christian camp and conference ministry, but as it turned out, the Lord had other plans for them.
During the ensuing years, Jim helped a neighbor supplement his failing hardware store in Granby, Colorado with a lumberyard that ended up flourishing. Later on, he and his wife JoAnn launched a very profitable interiors business of their own that secured contracts as far away as Breckenridge and Vail. Jim coached basketball in both the middle school and high school for seven seasons. As JoAnn served on the school administrative staff and their three daughters were all active in athletics, the Lord allowed their family to establish and lead a strong “Fellowship of Christian Athletes” program in their school district where many coaches and student athletes came to know Jesus Christ. He also served as the Chaplain and a volunteer fire fighter on the Grand Lake Fire Department where his peers selected him as “Firefighter of the Year in 2009.”
Jim and JoAnn were instrumental in founding and organizing the Stillwater Community Chapel just outside of Grand Lake in April of 1991. While he never intended to pursue the pastorate as a career, he served as a part-time, lay pastor through the fall of 1996, at which time the church leadership invited him to come and serve as their full-time pastor. He and his wife subsequently sold their building materials supply business and accepted that invitation. The church grew to an average attendance of around 200, and the Lord provided them with a beautiful, new, 12,000 square foot building addition. The construction project was taken on completely by faith – trusting the Lord to provide all of the resources as they built. The result was a church facility worth over $4,000,000.00 upon completion and no mortgage.
In addition to his pastoral duties at the Stillwater Community Chapel in Grand Lake, Colorado, Jim has always had a great heart for cross-cultural missions and began serving as an associate staff member with Global Connection International in 2006.
The GCI Board of Directors later invited Jim to take over the role of President and CEO of Global Connection International on January 1, 2012. GCI has historically focused on “Connecting People Who Care with the World’s Greatest Needs” in some of the most dark and difficult places around the world – resulting in over 50 mission trips overseas.
Under the direction of a re-vitalized board of directors and Jim’s leadership during the past 13 years, Global Connection International has clearly focused in on the battle against modern-day slavery and human trafficking. This has always been a vital part of the organization’s ministry in Cambodia, but an ever-escalating awareness of the problem right here at home in our own backyards, GCI was compelled to make it their top priority here in the US for the past eight years. There is a lot of evil out there in our broken world, but nothing’s more deplorable than the exploitation of fellow human beings for greedy profit – especially innocent children.
While the entire “Non-Profit” industry is facing serious challenges and donor-fatigue in efforts to secure sustainable income for their programs; Jim has also been involved with a creative financial commonwealth of equity partners who are exponentially creating sustainable, multi-generational asset growth that is now effectively revolutionizing charitable giving as well! This program simply makes the best business practices of the banking and insurance world available to its general membership equally on a pro-rata basis. Jim insists that “We must have the courage to think outside of the box if we’re going to make a difference in things that really matter!”
In 2014, Jim was awarded the “Values-Aligned Alumnus” award by Colorado Christian University for his commitment to maintaining a Godly character, accountability and integrity as the President and CEO of Global Connection International.
As both colleagues and best friends, Jim and JoAnn have been married for 54 years; have three daughters, five grandchildren, one great grandchild, and another on the way! With a grin, they will tell you that they have decided to “retread” instead of “retire” as long as the Lord provides them the health to keep encouraging and serving others!
Jim is an engaging and colorful communicator who loves nothing more than to network, collaborate and share in things that provide genuine significance in life, and will make a difference for eternity. If you could use a motivational speaker for your civic club, church, or special event, he would love to come and connect with old friends, or make some new ones!
Contact Jim at: Global Connection International
PO Box 194
Holdrege, CO 68949
Cell Phone – 303-489-5752
Email – jw@gciworld.org
Join Our Mission for Change
Your support can make a world of difference! At GCI World, we believe in the power of collaboration to uplift communities in need. Whether you choose to donate, volunteer, or partner with us, your contribution helps us provide essential resources to those who are often overlooked. Join us in creating a brighter future for all. Take action today and be a part of our mission to transform lives.