Makassar - "Invited at Fitness Center"

Jimmy is a very open person, friendly, and sociable. One time, when he was fitness, he met with Fen Ho (church leader of Makassar), and invited to attend Sunday services at the Makassar church. Although Jimmy is very busy with his work, he would study the bible and even very enthusiastic and intrigued by the word of God.

Jimmy's life changes and he leave the sins and mistakes of the past, especially in relation to his work as a trader of pirated goods. Now, he became a disciple of Christ who made God as the main priority in life. Also now, friend of Jimmy's has consistently study the bible.

Jakarta - "100 Years Old Disciple"

A 100 years old grandfather (Chinese: Akong) was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. The physical condition that is still relatively strong enabled him to study the Bible with a Bible Talk group namely PRIA ILAHI (Spiritual Men) – Jakarta Church of Christ.

Before baptism, the father of Sri Ratnawati that is named Peter Marajin Tani Djaja expressed and convey his message in Mandarin with a clear voice, straightforward, and did not stammer - just like a senior preacher who was delivering an important message for the congregation.

Firstly, he did not forget to thank everyone who attended his baptism. In front of his child, grandchild, family, extended family, and community members who were present at the baptism ceremony, Akong said that he was very glad and rejoice in Jesus and what is going on in his life. Akong also said to all the people to keep believing in Jesus, doing good, do not be greedy, do not cheat, be helpful to others, care and attention to the people who experience distress and hardship.

The baptism event began with sharing from his grandson named Listiana, then Budi Hartono and other family members, plus the sharing of some members of the Bible Talk PRIA ILAHI (Spiritual Men), and then closed with a prayer led by Harliem Salim. All sharing that is conveyed by those people about Akong were increasingly made people become more admire about the strong character of Akong and his love for Jesus. They said that Akong is a person who love to learn, diligent, and disciplined since his youth until now.

Baptism itself led by the Ivan Arianto that was accompanied by Reby Walandouw as the MC and a number of people who helped Akong raise from the wheelchair to the baptismal pool in the church building of Jakarta Churches of Christ, Menara Kuningan Jakarta.

Bandung - "Faithful & Fruitful"

To live alone with two children and with poor financial condition does not making Epi bitter, but instead she had become increasingly dependent on God. In 2009 she lived with a lot of tears.

Epi remained faithful to God, lead the group and still go to teach the Bible to other people sometimes just bring money that enough to go only and it was the last money on that week. A faithful like the poor widow who gave the greater offering that assessed by God.

Epi persevere teaches the bible to a mother named Mrs. Sri. After one year of study, Mrs. Sri (55 y/o) changed. She took the decision to repent and become disciples of Jesus and was baptized on Sunday, exactly on 10 January 2010.

Makassar - "Starting from the Story of A Friend"

Nelly attend the church service for the first time along with a sister named Imelda who visit Makassar from the Jakarta church. She heard the sharing from our sister, Imelda, on the communion, and was convicted and then take the decision to study the Bible.

Sisters in the congregation pray for her and slowly many characters of Nelly getting change. She became a much more cheerful, daring to speak the truth with people, and remained consistent in quiet time. Her heart is very tender to look at the Word of God & His Kingdom.

Nelly finally took the decision to be Disciple of Jesus and was baptized. Amen

Pekanbaru - Grow in HIM

Greetings from the Church in Pekanbaru!

Christmas Celebration
On December 24, 2009, the church held a Christmas Eve celebration with the congregation and friends who were studying the Bible in A & W Plaza Senampelan. We hope, celebrating Christmas Eve together with them, we can better acquainted, and those studies can be won in January next year.

Reaching Married Couples
In November, Asiong & Shelly, married couples from church in Batam moved to Pekanbaru. Shelly genuine and eager to Pekanbaru to saved her family here. Their presence was an opportunity to reach out to other married couples. We are now reaching Shelly cousin, Hartono family, owners of Aston where we worship. Also Yuliana & Edy Ong, Kasim & his wife and some married couples from different backgrounds. One of the resolutions of the church this year, we will immediately begin the married ministry in Pekanbaru.

Reaching Campus
Some people who were studying the Bible today comes from the campus, Jhonson Simamora, UNRI students majoring in fisheries, was studying the Bible with Jhonson Purba, former campus ministry in Medan. Sari, a student from the same campus with Steven also was studying the Bible with one of the sisters in the church. We pray this year we will immediately begin Campus ministry.

Reaching Single
In last December, Sugino, one member of mission team appointed as the Master of Ceremony and also coaches of drama in the celebration of Christmas in Pekanbaru Department Store that is attended by more than 200 people. The opportunity was used brothers and sisters in the congregation held a missionary there. From the Christmas Event in that Department Store, there are some people who study the Bible: Lastri've learned until “the baptism”. June also had to learn until “sin”. We continue to pray for the congregation in Pekanbaru.

Every Sunday night, at the RRI Pekanbaru, there is Batak singles gatherings in Pekanbaru, and in turn, brothers and sisters in church attend and reach singles out there. Romy is one of them that reached out in RRI and now studying the Bible until Discipleship. Currently there are 13 people who were studying the Bible. Please pray we continue to grow in God and they soon became a disciple of Jesus.

Bangka - "One More Baptism Plus 9 Studies"

On November 28, 2009, we baptize one more person named A Siu. A Siu is the aunt of one of our brothers, a spiritual teen named Jojo. A Siu follow bible study about a month. She was enthusiastic in bible study and did not hesitate in taking the decision to be baptized. There are 6 more people who were studying with the sisters and 3 learn with brothers. We continue to pray that there will be many more souls to be won for Christ. This month we are also visited by 5 single brothers and sisters from Jakarta. Some of them born in Bangka. They give us encouragement and introduced many family members and their friends to attend worship and bible study in our Church. To God be the Glory!

Medan - "Fruitful Spiritual Birthday"

James Nainggolan is a single brother – born in Medan, July 13, 1981. He is known as a member of the Song Ministry - self-taught drummer in the Medan church. In addition, he also was known as having the spirit alive of helping others.

A months ago, exactly on October 9, 2009, he evangelized two of his relatives and his family relatives that is Richard & Polma. They just come from the village and going to college in Medan. Not long after arriving there, James and their disciple invited them to discuss and study the word of God and thank God they were greeted with a very well. They even study the Bible up to three times a week.

Richard and Polma then decided to be disciples of Christ, repented and were baptized on 15 November 2009 that is exactly on the same date with James spiritual birthday.

Manado - "God's Call to Become a Disciple"

From her name, we may have clear about Nurul background of religion. He was born in non-Christian religious family background. Her mother was a Christian before marriage.

When she was about 8 years old, her mother suffered a mental disorder because she said that her mother received a vision of Jesus who called her back to be Christian. Since then her mother would be angry and talking to herself when not driven to the church. Nurul started to accompany her mother to church. There, the Lord Jesus began to catch the attention of Nurul. Until second grade of junior high school, Nurul was increasingly active in church activities.

But it seems that the Lord Jesus who loves Nurul wanted her to know completely about the truth of His Kingdom. One night, after work she was invited by a sister to attend the Special Service several months ago. She was immediately attracted to come and study the Bible.

Nurul is basically a good kid, but even after studying the Bible she could recognize herself before the Lord. She had changed even in small things, to be discipline, and to forgive those who could never been forgiven over the years, no complaining, but a lot of gratitude and she said that she knew the Lord much better.

Her mother and family were happy to see Nurul diligently has her quiet time although in difficult situation. Nurul has now become a disciple of Jesus. Her dream is for all family members to accept Jesus Christ and become His disciples.

To God be the glory

Makassar - "Work, Fruiful and 20 Studies"

One by one member of the mission team found a job but still there are 20 people who were studying the Bible up to the present. And, almost every week there are new people who come to church. Total attendance at the worship services each week from the Makassar church is 24 to 39 people with 13 people disciples of Jesus.

A brother named Roni willing to work as a salesman in charge of selling telephones door to door with a relatively low salary. However, because of his faithful, he was promoted to a higher level of position. Roni invite many friends and family to study the Bible. There are four people who were studying the Bible up to the present. Three of them had learned until "baptism".

The other brother is a single named Barthen, also worked with Roni - evangelizing many people. Most recently he was also considered as a model employee and was promoted to a higher level position as well.

A member of the mission is a sister named Susi, who is very happy & quick. She had just worked two weeks, and she was appointed as a manager. Because of the integrity and her hard working character are high, she was trusted to in charge of 30 employees. Although Susi came from the minorities ethnic there that is Chinese and Christians. Susi has helped her friend Yolda to be disciples of Christ, and she also had two people from the same office are studying the Bible.

Susi and Yolda is a long time friend. Susi has prayed two years ago, long before Susi has a plan to Makassar. Yolda was a single mother who is very insecure at first, was struggling with life, without a true purpose in life, desperate because her boyfriend left her after so long relationship. On her birthday, Susi presented a Bible to Yolda including cake and greeting cards, and two months after Yolda learning the Bible, and got baptized. Yolda children also rejoice together with her and eager to worship God together.

Pekan Baru Mission Team - "Evangelism in The Work Place"

Pekanbaru has become one of the largest city in Sumatra after the city of Medan in the last five years. This is marked by the establishment of grand buildings such as the Governor's Office, Library and hotel Labersa has become a new icon Pekanbaru city. Progress was achieved as the positive impact of economic growth in Riau Province that rely on oil and palm oil. Not surprisingly, many businesses began to grow and to invite the nomads from other regions to try luck in this town. Evangelism in the workplace to be one opportunity not to be missed.

Irvan Hurray, the first baptism of the church Pekanbaru brought some friends to study the Word of God, one of which is the Nius Harefa, coworkers. Nius has the same struggles with Irvan, that is smoking, when challenged to stop smoking, he's a bit heavy at first went along. When there Irvan work place, he does not smoke, but when Irvan not there, he's smoking. Until one day he realized the situation and stop smoking, not because of being challenged, but because he wanted to love God and seriously to repent. Finally after a month studying the Bible, dated October 11, 2009, Nius was baptized and become disciples of Jesus *).

Currently there are 15 people who are studying the Word of God, there are three sisters who study well, two of them named Yani and Lastri've learned "baptism", other study named Love is learning "repentance", please pray for them to be baptized at the beginning of November. Greetings from the congregation of Pekanbaru. To God be the glory!


*) Currently Nius was in Binjai (located near the city of Medan) visits his mother who is sick, please pray for her healing and also the spirituality of our brother Nius.

Manado - "God leads to an awesome life"

Formerly, Ronny and Jeny lived and worked in Papua. Economically they should be fairly steady since Ronny had pretty good job. However, they face serious financial problems because Jeny wasting their money. Finally, Ronny and Jenny together with their children moved to Manado.

In Manado, the Lord led them to a better life, Ronny and Jeny was invited by one of their relatives to the church, and study the Bible. The word of God working in their marriage and their relationships both restored.

Jeny turned into a more mature wives, honor husbands, serving, and diligently quiet time. Ronny was growing into a much better leader of the family.

They were faithful in their marriage even in a simplicity but also really shining. Moreover, they are also keen to share their faith and now one of their relative is studying the Bible. God bless them so much. In early November, they had lived in a better house after mid-October becoming disciples of Christ.

Solo Mission Team - "Twelve Ongoing Study"

Surakarta, known as Solo, is a city that located in central Java which is in 10th rank of a big city in Indonesia. Solo is one of the centers of Java culture that has many interesting place and also with plural society. And on October 1st, 2009 mission team to Solo was officially sent, with eleven members which is Didit and Astri (a steady couple whose lead the Solo team), Yanto and Olvi (married couple), Dedy and Elvi (married couple), Yuli, Vidya, Rangga, Agus and Indra.

And the journey begins...the journey of eleven disciples who have a huge dream for God. Since the first time we stepped on this city we directly fall in love to this city and its people. We build a huge dream for God's movement in this city. All of us start from the beginning even from zero but it is not makes us hold our steps or even steps back from our huge dream for the mission in Solo.

The first Sunday service was attended by eleven visitors and all of them are willing to study bible regularly. Week by week our service keep growing, even we can't say luxurious yet, but in a simplicity of all the people's heart that attended the service make it warm and so close. And after three weeks in Solo we are adapted and enjoying this city more and more. But the most important thing is God delivered us to many people who have an extraordinary heart who wants to know and loves God deeper. Until today we already have seventeen people who willing to study bible including twelve ongoing study bible.

We met a girl 15 years old, named Dita, who longing for a community that can help her get closer to God. And just right she's a niece of a sister from Jogjakarta church named Wiwin. Dita has a good comprehension concerning to bible, even her parent never took her to go to the church but she really show her willing to know God deeper.

God also let us met a man around 40 years old named Sholeh. He is so attracted in God's Word and every time he sharing bible he's always exciting and he admit that he found so many new things that he never found before. He learns how to love God through His Word, he learns how to put God in his first priority of life and he also learns how to make his wife attracted to bible like him.

Many good news comes more and more to Solo, there is a married couple whose in a restoration process. For six years they leave church and this is the day that they are waiting for. They are very enthusiastic to go back to God and guided by His Word. This story is not going to stop here, we're blessed so much by God with many souls who thirst of God's Word and sigh for a pure love in kingdom of God. Our goal is in the early of the next month we will baptize four disciples and we believe it will happen soon because God want it.


Reported by: Didit & Astri

Makassar - "First Baptism (Part 2)"

Ronal became a disciple of Jesus while in college in Surabaya. It was precisely in December 2003. He had a dream and always prays for the city of Makassar. Ronal parents asked him to return to Makassar after he finished his college. However, because there is no church there in Makassar, Ronal just went to Jakarta to open a small business. And after a mission to Makassar are going to be send, Ronal then decided to go even has to leave his steady. In Makassar, Ronal had been helped Burhanudin*), an old friend since they were study in the same Elementary School. More than that, there are also six of Ronal friends and family who were now studying the Bible. Ronal is a brother who is the most highly grown in the Mission Team Makassar.



*)Burhanudin was a single. He is a friend of Ronal who at the first time meet with Makassar Mission Team at the airport Hasannudin. Since that time, Burhan never missing attending church service even only sit on the floor of a modest house. Until finally he took the decision to be disciples of Jesus on September 19, 2009. Burhan previously was a very worldly and not interested in God but he has repented and changed by the word of God.

Makassar - "First Baptism (Part 1)"

Mrs. Silvana (51 y/o) is the mother of Revi*), a member of the Makassar Mission Team who strongly supports the mission team in that city. Before the Mission Team arrives there, Mrs. Silvana experienced a serious accident when accompanied by Revi’s brother named Cello. However, it does not make Mrs. Silvana stop giving and supporting the team. He prepared all things as finding a place to stay for the team for three months and the needs such as beds, appliances, cooking utensils and others. In fact, Mrs. Silvana has prepared a place to stay for the team for the next one year.

After studying the Bible with the Mission Team, Mrs. Silvana decided to become disciples of Jesus and states that she wants to devote the rest of her life for God. Because of the attention and concern for the members of the Mission Team, Mrs. Silvana seen as a mother figure for the team members and also as a prayer in the church.


*)Revi experienced bitterness toward Mrs. Silvana before she became a disciple of Christ. But after studying the Bible, precisely in 1996, Revi apologized to her mother. She prayed every day for Mission Team to be sent to Makassar. Revi also been fruitful that is her sister, Delia, and her brother-in-law from other religion backgrounds, too, now was studying the Bible. Revi is very oriented to the Lord.

Bangka - "Bangka Church Growing 4 Baptism"

Recently, God has added four new people in the Church of Bangka. Here, in the Church of Bangka, there was a 3rd grade junior high school teenager named Jordy. He is our neighbor who is very adept at playing music and very helpful in Song Ministry. His father and mother also adept at playing music and active in their church. However, they strongly support the Church of Bangka even always lend a keyboard to be used in the event our services.

In the church of Bangka there is also a man named Luken. He is the cousin of Ahen and Alfon that was recently baptized. Although opposed by his family and relatives, Luken did not waver. His wife named Vivi even support Luken because of course she can see the change of the personality and the life of her husband. More than that, she also was studying the Bible until now. She wishes to be baptized in the month of October this year.

Besides Jordy, Luken, Vivi, there are also A Lim and Renita who were actually preparing their wedding, but, it is God's plan because A Lim studied the Bible with the Church of Bangka. And not long after that, he took Renita to study the Bible together with him. Approximately 1 month of studying the Bible, they finally decided to be baptized to be disciples of Jesus and of course they will become the new married couple and the first in the Church of Bangka this year.

Pekan Baru - "First Baptism"

Mission team members Pekan Baru evangelize people anywhere in the city. At malls, markets, stores, houses, and various locations.

On the way home, Juwita and Princess, two members of the mission team met a man who asked a specific address to them. After answering those questions, they invited him to attend to the meeting of the Bible discussion on the next day. On the day, the man came with 3 of his friends as he had promised.

One of them is 24-year-old man named Irvan Hurray who worked as a construction supervisor. He followed the Bible lessons and stop smoking habit which is very difficult for him to left it. Once he understand the love and sacrifice of Christ through the study of the Cross, Irvan Hurray finally made the decision to be disciples of Christ and was baptized on September 27, 2009.

Surabaya - "Our father finally got baptized"

We are joyful because one by one of our family members become disciples of Jesus. Starting with my oldest brother, Muksin who was an occult believer. After a former school friend invited him to church, he studied the Bible there, and then he repented and was baptized in 1993.

Muksin experienced a very radical change in his life. I was very inspired to study the Bible and was also baptized in 1993. Then I took my sister, Akhim, to study the Bible in the following Sunday. She was baptized two weeks after that.

I wrote a letter to the oldest sister in Jakarta. I share my life story, and about God's plan. She responded well and also studied the Bible and became a disciple of Christ in 1995.

In 1996, when the mission team sent from Surabaya to Pontianak, Muksin, Akhim and I decided to go to reach our parents and our youngest brother there. He became a student a year later when he was in high school in 1997. My mother also studied the Bible. Although she could not read the Bible in Indonesian, she studied with my sister in law, Lily, by using Chinese language Bible. Mom finally was baptized in 2001.

My father was the last member of our family who became Disciples of Christ. He is our prayer for 16 years. During that time, Muksin, Akhim and her husband Doni always shared about how to live like Jesus. Once he was arrogant, irritable, and hard-hearted. However, in the mid of year 2009, he started visiting our church consistently. He studied the Bible every week with church leaders Surabaya, Alin and Johnson, and on August 9, 2009, my father finally got baptized.


Shared by: Ching Yong

Makassar - "First Church Service"

Makassar Mission Team has arrived on Thursday, August 20th, 2009 at 15:00 in Makassar, which has a population of 1.5 million people. They were picked up by Mr. Reinald, the brother of Ronald and Burhan, who is currently studying the Bible.

Although they were faced with hot air temperature, and a somewhat different language-accent-dialect which was a bit unusual for them, our team is still on fire for God.

The first church service held in Makassar was on August 23rd, 2009. It was conducted by sitting on the floor and an attendance of 26 people, including 5 children. Their first Bible Talk was attended by 28 people. Until now the Makassar Mission Team has had 7 people who were studying the Bible.

Keep praying for the Makassar Mission Team!

Bandung - "Eager to Understand the Bible"

After studying the Bible for one year with a group of brothers from the Kids Kingdom Ministry, Beni made the decision to be baptized in Singles Conference on August 16th, 2009. Beni was born from a non-Christian family background, and because of that at the beginning of his Bible studies it wasn’t easy for him to know Jesus and the lives of disciples. However, Beni constantly wants to learn more and more, and slowly his life and personal character had changed in a very positive way. Without a doubt, his family has seen that progress. Until now, Beni continued to advance and be faithful in the Lord.

Manado & Jakarta - "Mission Team to Makassar"

Mission team Makassar will be departed from Jakarta and Manado on the date of August 20, 2009. They consist of 10 members. For mission, those members have resigned from their job and will looking for the new job in Makassar.

Now, they have rented a place for Mid Week service and have found a rental house to stay for mission team members. And, for Sunday Service room with maximum capacity of 200 people, are now in a process of negotiation. Prayerfully, on September or October 2009, it will be able to be used by the mission.

These following are the profile of Mission Team Makassar:
Ronny had been disciple since 1998 and Sjully since 1997. They married on the year 2002 and became full time staff in Manado church. Sjully was an administration staff in the church of GKDI Manado. They were leaders for married ministry.

Barten is fruitful brother. One of his fruit also goes for mission to other city Manokwari. Barten is recognized as sold out disciple and always available. He grew very fast and become a great bible talk leader. Now, his friend had finished his Guard the Gospel study and will be disciple and ready to be baptized in the near future.

Susi was come from Makassar. He moved to Manado for job matter. Susi changed a lot, from a silent person and hard to smile, become joyful and warm just after she became disciple of Christ. She grew fast in her spiritual life and has led two sisters which are well-known as warm and friendly in the church.

Ronald also came from Makassar. He studied in other city, Surabaya. Before church existed in Makassar, he did not want to be back to his hometown but went to Jakarta to looking for job and worship Him together with church in Jakarta.

Revi also came from Makassar. Since was a kid, he stayed with his grandfather in Jakarta. In Makassar, his mother wanted him to be back to Makassar. But Revi want after the new church will be existed there. His mother know and happy to welcome her son and the mission team member. Therefore she helps church to find their residence and other things. Revi left the company that wants him to work longer.

Okton wanted to go for mission since 6 up to 7 years ago. He wanted to go to Jogjakarta, Semarang and other place but still unable to be fulfilled. Even though there are many challenges from his relatives, he still strong and committed. Okton have good reputation in his working place. The company wanted him to stay to work longer with them.

Fenho and Jouna firstly are hard to go and left the church they lead that is Bekasi Church. They have led Bekasi Church for two years. Many things they had plan and want to implement there. But, after meeting together with other church leaders, listening some considerations and advise from church leaders, they are ready and fired up to go to Makassar. Even though they are still new married couple with small kid, it does not make them sentimental.