Anniversary 2013 web.indd - Indonesian Evangelical Church, USA

Editorial ]
This year marks the 30th Anniversary of Indonesian Evan-
Anniversary 2013
gelical Church. A perusal of the pictures hanging in the courtyard
reveals God’s work in making this church grow and flourish. Each
smile, each celebration, each Kodak moment is evidence of God’s
handiwork. Surely, we can say,“Every good gift and every perfect gift
is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom
there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17). Yet a
church that grows is a church that will face sorrows, heartaches, and
challenges.
How do we, for example, deal with the issue of generation gap as a
multi-generation church? With the rapid advancement of technology and the speedy spread of information, lives are changing faster
than we had ever experienced. It is not unusual for people with an
age difference of merely five to seven years to experience a disconnect in the way they think or view life. Will such differences tear
apart a church? Are generation gaps correlated to spiritual gaps?
Or how do we answer the age-old question of evil? “If God is all
powerful and all good, then why is there evil in the world?” The assumption is that if God is all-powerful and all-good, then evil must
not exist; otherwise, He is good, but powerless to stop evil, or He is
powerful but not benevolent enough to stop evil. Thus, evil, in this
question, doubts the goodness of God. How can we answer such
a question without having our faith in the goodness of God shaken?
These questions and challenges often reveal the underlying assumptions of the questioner or the believer. To answer them, we have
to go back to the basic, and define what exactly is God’s goodness.
Advisors
Rev. Wilson Suwanto
Daniel Loe
Editors
Rachel Atmadja
Kenny Gozali
Merissa Halim
Hubert Kusdono
Jocelyn Lee-Tindage
Hendry Wijaya
Wemby Wijono
Designers
Buddy Chung
Eva Leony
Fransisca Sugianto
Vincent Yobeanto
Cover Page
Buddy Chung
Printing
Semiwati Oei
E-mail
[email protected]
Production
of GII Azusa
539 N. Sunset Ave.
Azusa, CA 91702
Telp: (626) 812-0326
http://lax.gii-usa.org
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How can we understand, measure, and identify the goodness of
Evangelist and biblical scholar, A. W. Pink (1886-1952) wrote, “The
goodness of God is the life of the believer’s trust.” If we cannot be
good time will end; in bad times, we wonder if the bad time will go
on forever. It opens us to doubt, to anxiety, to worries and fear,
to anger and bitterness. If we cannot be certain that God is good,
then we can only despair at every trial and tribulation.
So we hope to dive into the goodness of God, to understand what
N
6TH ST.
AZUSA ave.
acts of God in our lives. In good times, we will wonder when this
foothill blvd.
SAN GABRIEL ave.
certain that God is good, then we will forever be questioning the
ANGELENO ave.
Christopher Atmadja
Rev. Kristianto Hosea
Bina Kusnohadi
Eugene Laksana
Daniel Loe
George Macamay
Joy Simona
Ferry Soendjojo
Ev. Julia Suwanto
Rev. Wilson Suwanto
Jocelyn Lee Tindage
Hendry Wijaya
Darwin Wang
David Wangsa
Nathan Wangsa
Rev. Moses Yang
Vincent Yobeanto
SUNSET ave.
liever? These are all questions that we hope to answer in this issue.
ORANGE ave.
Contributors
vernon ave.
God? How important is such an understanding in the life of a be-
5TH ST.
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4TH ST.
it is or what it isn’t. We will see how it manifests in the world, even
in affliction and discipline. Most of all, we will see how it has manifested in the lives of our brothers and sisters here at IEC. In this
way, the next time we sing, “God is so good,” we sing with assurance and a Sunkist face, for we know that indeed,“No one is good
-- except God alone.” (Mark 10:18)
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T here was a woman who was mournfully wronged
She walked around singing a bitter song
Of a lover who scorned and bade her leave
In the bitter cold of Christmas Eve
S he walked and sank 'to a desponding mire
Her heart was heavy with a burning ire
She gave up hope and began to think
Into death and mire she shall surely sink
T ill Help came by with a lending hand
And pulled her up that she might stand
He told her of a Prince who saves
A new heart to the wounded He gave
W ith Help by her she began to seek
This Prince who's powerful, kind, and meek
Till she came to Him and bowed at His feet
Indeed a new heart He gave when they meet
N ow the woman who was mournfully wronged
No longer sang a bitter song
"Jesus Christ, my Lord and King,
Your Praises, glory, forever I'll sing."
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Menjelang HUT ke-30 GII Azusa, apa yang paling penting
kita lakukan? Yaitu hendaklah kita bersyukur kepada
Tuhan senantiasa. “Mengucap syukurlah dalam segala
hal sebab itulah yang dikehendaki Allah di dalam Kristus
Yesus bagi kamu.” (1 Tesalonika 5:18) Kehendak Tuhan
terhadap kita adalah Dia ingin kita bersyukur senantiasa
kepada-Nya. Bagaimana kita bersyukur senantiasa
kepadaNya khusus rangka HUT ke-30 GII Azusa?
1) Dia telah menyediakan rumah rohani yang indah untuk kita.
Pada tahun 1983, GII Azusa meminjam tempat di Azusa Pacific
University untuk tempat kebaktian. Tuhan tahu kita sangat
perlu mempunyai rumah rohani sendiri. Dan pada tahun
1991, Tuhan menyediakan rumah rohani untuk kita sehingga
kita dapat melayaniNya dengan bebas dan indah dan penuh
dengan sukacita. Dan pada tahun 2008, Tuhan menyediakan
rumah sebelah untuk anak-anak sekolah minggu oleh sebab
itu hendaklah kita bersyukur senantiasa kepada-Nya.
2) Dia telah memberkati GII Azusa selama 30 tahun.
Tuhan sangat memberkati GII Azusa selama 30 tahun. Berkat
apakah yang diberikan oleh Tuhan selama 30 tahun?
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a. Berbuah dengan berkelimpahan. Yesaya
2) He has blessed IEC Azusa for 30 years.
37:31: “…dan menghasilkan buah ke atas.”
God blessed IEC Azusa abundantly for 30
GII Azusa selama 30 tahun telah berbuah
years. What are His blessings?
banyak untuk Tuhan khususnya di Indonesia
maka hendaklah kita bersyukur senantiasa
a. Bountiful fruitfulness. Isaiah 37:31: “…and
kepada-Nya karena banyak jiwa-jiwa yang
bear fruite above.” IEC Azusa for 30 years
hilang telah kembali kepada Tuhan.
has borne fruit abundantly, especially in
Indonesia; therefore, we always give thanks
b. Berakar kemana-mana. Yesaya 37:31: “…
to God. Many lost souls have been found.
akan berakar pula ke bawah.” GII Azusa
selama 30 tahun telah berakar dimana-mana
khususnya di Indonesia banyak anak-anak
Azusa yang kembali ke Indonesia berakar
dimana-mana serta menghasilkan banyak
buah untuk Tuhan. Maka oleh sebab itu
hendaklah kita bersyukur senantiasa kepadaNya.
Akhir kata, hendaklah kita terus-menerus
As we are approaching the 30th
Anniversary of IEC Azusa, let us always
give thanks to the Lord. “Give thanks in
all circumstances; for this is God’s will
for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians
5:18) God’s will for us is to always give
thanks to Him in all circumstances.
How can we give thanks to God as we
b. Deeply rooted. Isaiah 37:31: “…will take
celebrate the 30th anniversary?
In closing words, let us always give thanks
bersyukur kepada-Nya karena Dia telah
root below.” IEC Azusa for 30 years has
grown deep roots especially in Indonesia.
Many of the church members that returned
to Indonesia for good have grown deep roots
and borne bountiful fruitfulness. Therefore,
we always give thanks to the Lord.
to the Lord because He has provided and
memelihara dan memberkati GII Azusa
1) He has provided a spiritual home for us.
blessed IEC Azusa for 30 years. All the glory
selama 30 tahun. Dan segala kemuliaan dan
In the year of 1983, IEC Azusa borrowed
and honor we give only to Jesus Christ our
kehormatan kita kembalikan kepada TUhan
a room from Azusa Pacific University for
Savior. AMEN!
Yesus Juru Selamat kita. AMEN!
Sunday service. God knew our need to have
our own spiritual home. And in the year
Give Thanks to the Lord (1 Tessalonians
1991, God provided us with a spiritual home
5:18)
so that we can serve him more comfortably,
wonderfully, and joyfully. And in the year
2008, God provided the next door house
for Sunday School children. Because of all
these, let us always give thanks to the Lord.
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Yesus juga berkata, “Tak seorangpun yang baik selain dari pada Allah
saja” (Luk. 18:19). Tuhan adalah sumber kebaikan. Segala sesuatu
yang baik dalam hidup ini datangnya dari Tuhan sendiri (Yak. 1:17).
Berulang-ulang Kejadian pasal 1 dan 2 menyebutkan bahwa segala
yang Tuhan ciptakan itu baik adanya. Allah itu baik, maka seluruh
ciptaanNya juga baik pada mulanya.
Zaman sekarang, banyak orang mempertanyakan kebaikan Tuhan.
Ketika ada gempa bumi, serangan teroris, kelaparan, peperangan
yang memakan begitu banyak korban yang tidak bersalah, beberapa
orang bertanya, “Mengapa Allah membiarkan semua ini terjadi?
Bukankah Ia baik?”
Mudah sekali berkata bahwa “Tuhan itu baik” ketika segala sesuatu
berjalan lancar. Siapa yang bisa melihat kebaikan Tuhan ketika krisis
datang? Siapa yang bisa memuji kebaikan Tuhan ketika kesulitan
menguasai hidupnya? Mungkin pertanyaannya bisa dibalik seperti
ini: Siapa yang meragukan kebaikan Tuhan ketika krisis dan badai
kehidupan datang? Kalau kita jujur, kita sering meragukan kebaikan
Tuhan di dalam masa-masa sulit. Mungkinkah juga kita meragukan
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kebaikan Tuhan sewaktu segalanya berjalan
dan melanggar hukum. Sebaliknya, seorang
dalam segala sesuatu (baik maupun tidak
lancar? Mungkin sekali, bahkan pernah terjadi
anak yang harus makan sayuran sedang
baik) untuk mendatangkan kebaikan bagi
Banyak orang mengerti istilah “baik” secara
mengalami kebaikan dari orang-tuanya. Anak
mereka yang mengasihi Tuhan, yaitu: mereka
subyektif dan relatif. Kalau sahabatnya
itu tidak suka akan sayuran, tetapi sayuran itu
yang terpanggil sesuai dengan rencanaNya.
menolongnya, ia menyebut orang itu baik.
baik dan sehat untuk anak tersebut. “Baik”
sempurna pada mulanya. Tidak ada dosa, Tetapi kalau sahabatnya berkata “tidak”
atau “kebaikan” itu tidak berhubungan
penyakit, kelaparan, bencana alam, kematian, terhadap permintaannya, ia menganggap
dengan perasaan, tetapi dengan firman Tuhan.
dalam sejarah.
Adam dan Hawa hidup di dalam dunia yang
dan lainnya. Suatu hari Iblis datang dan
sahabatnya itu tidak baik. Ketika seorang
mencobai mereka. Intinya, Iblis menaruh
ibu berkata “tidak” terhadap anaknya yang
Tanpa kebaikan Tuhan, kita tidak bisa
baik dan setiap anugerah yang sempurna,
benih curiga di dalam hati Hawa sehingga
meminta sebuah pisau, ibu itu sangat baik
membedakan mana yang baik dan mana yang
datangnya dari atas, diturunkan dari Bapa
Hawa dan Adam meragukan kebaikan Tuhan. kepada anaknya. Sebaliknya, ketika seorang
tidak baik. Tanpa kebaikan Tuhan, segala yang
segala terang; pada-Nya tidak ada perubahan
Mungkin di dalam hatinya, Hawa berpikir, ayah berkata “ya” kepada anaknya yang
jahat itu tidak jahat, dan yang baik itu tidak
atau bayangan karena pertukaran.”
meminta minuman keras, ayah itu tidak baik.
baik. Sering orang bertanya, “Kalau Allah
“Mungkin juga Tuhan melarang kita makan
buah itu karena Tuhan mau menindas kita,
sangat
relatif
itu baik, mengapa Ia membiarkan kejahatan
Kita sering memikirkan mengapa di dunia ini
dan tidak mau kita sama denganNya.”
Kebaikan
dan
terjadi?” Mungkin kita tidak bisa menjawab
ada begitu banyak kejahatan, padahal di dunia
Kecurigaan dan keraguan terhadap kebaikan
subyektif. Kebaikan manusia sering berpusat
dengan tuntas sehingga memuaskan orang
ini juga ada banyak yang baik. Matahari, bulan,
Tuhan adalah benih dosa di Taman Eden, dan
pada diri sendiri. Hanya Tuhan sendiri yang
yang bertanya tersebut, tetapi paling sedikit, bintang, dan musim yang teratur adalah baik.
kita tahu apa yang selanjutnya terjadi.
benar-benar boleh disebut baik, seperti kata
kita harus mengakui adanya Tuhan. Banyak
Persahabatan, keluarga, dan persaudaraan
Yesus sendiri. Karena Tuhan adalah standar
orang menjadi “ateis” karena melihat banyak
adalah baik. Pekerjaan, kesehatan, kecukupan
kebaikan, kita harus mengukur baik atau
ketidak-adilan dan kejahatan dalam hidup ini.
makan dan minum adalah baik. Gereja,
Sebagai anak-anak Tuhan, kita telah menikmati
manusia
Yakobus 1:17 berkata, “Setiap pemberian yang
dan mengecap kebaikan Tuhan yang terbesar, tidak baik dari sudut pandang Tuhan, yakni:
yaitu: keselamatan. Ketika kita meragukan
dari firmanNya.
kebaikan Tuhan, kita boleh melihat kepada
pelayanan, dan kebebasan beragama adalah
Ketika kita mengalami kesulitan,ketidak-adilan, baik. Begitu banyak hal yang baik di dunia
bahkan bencana, justru kita memerlukan
ini sehingga memungkinkan orang hidup,
Kristus yang diberikan bagi kita. Kristus
Apapun yang sesuai dengan sifat Tuhan
kebaikan Tuhan. Bisa dibayangkan kalau Tuhan
berkeluarga, beranak-cucu, membesarkan
memikul dosa-dosa kita, dan menerima
adalah kebaikan, dan apapun yang berlawanan
itu tidak baik, atau tidak ada Tuhan sama
anak, mencapai sesuatu yang berarti dalam
murka Allah dan segala sesuatu yang tidak
dengan sifat Tuhan adalah tidak baik. Sebuah
sekali, dari mana seseorang bisa mempunyai
pekerjaannya, bersukacita, dan hidup dalam
baik, sehingga kita boleh menerima kebaikan
obat terlarang (drug) bisa membuat orang
pengharapan? Kita tidak bisa menjelaskan
damai.
dan rahmat Allah. Bagaimana kita dapat
“feel good” tetapi obat itu sama sekali tidak
mengapa sesuatu terjadi, tetapi kita dapat
senantiasa menghargai kebaikan Tuhan? Kita
baik buat orang tersebut, dan orang itu
berpegang kepada kebaikan Tuhan. Roma
Tidak heran kalau Daud berkata, “Kecaplah
harus mengingat beberapa hal di bawah ini:
sedang melakukan sesuatu yang tidak baik
8:28 berkata bahwa Allah turut bekerja
dan lihatlah, betapa baiknya TUHAN itu!
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Berbahagialah orang yang berlindung pada-
seluruh ciptaan. Memang belum nampak
Nya! (Mzm. 34:9). Daud mengatakan kalimat
apa hasilnya sekarang ini, namun kita selalu
ini bukan waktu situasi lancar, tetapi ketika
ingat bahwa apa yang Tuhan mulai, akan Ia
ia dikejar-kejar oleh Saul untuk dibunuh. selesaikan pada hariNya. Di dalam dunia ini,
Bukan hanya itu, Daud harus berpura-pura
kita melihat kejahatan, tetapi kita juga melihat
seperti orang gila supaya luput dari ancaman. penghakiman Tuhan. Tuhan yang baik tidak
Di tengah kesulitan hidup, di tengah himpitan
akan tinggal diam. Semakin banyak kejahatan,
situasi, Daud masih melihat kebaikan Tuhan.
semakin besar penghakiman Tuhan. Dan
In this present time, many question the
goodness of God.When earthquakes, famine,
Tuhan menghakimi dan menghukum dunia
terrorism, and war claim the lives of the
ini karena Ia baik dan adil. Kalau Tuhan tidak
innocent, many ask, “Why does God allow
menghakimi yang salah, maka tidak ada
Allah kita itu baik dan berkuasa. Ia mampu
these disasters to happen? Isn’t He good?”
kebaikan dan keadilan.
menjalankan apa yang baik pada waktuNya.
Sementara kita hidup di dunia ini, kita melihat
Pada akhirnya, kita bukan hanya memuji
The fact that God is good is a theme that
It is easy to say that “God is good” when all is
begitu banyak kejahatan, tetapi semua itu
kebaikanNya,
is frequently found in Christian songs and
well.Who can see His goodness when crises
hanyalah sementara. Ketika Kristus datang
kekuasaanNya,
dan
hymns.The word ‘good’ is so close in spelling
strike? Who can praise God’s goodness
kedua kali, Ia akan melenyapkan segala yang
anugerahNya. Kebaikan Tuhan adalah jendela
to the word ‘God’ that when people write
when life is filled with hardship? Perhaps
jahat, dan Ia akan menghapus air mata dan
kepada isi hatiNya yang terdalam, yang
or describe that something is ‘good,’ it is
the question can be reversed: Who doubts
dukacita kita. Ketika kita di sorga, kita hidup
mengasihi manusia berdosa. Ketika kita
natural for people to also think of ‘God.’
God’s goodness when crises and life storms
di negeri yang baik, negeri yang hanya ada
percaya bahwa Tuhan itu baik sekalipun situasi
tetapi
juga
keadilanNya,
penghakimanNya,
come? If we are honest with ourselves,
kebaikan, dan negeri yang selamanya baik. kita sulit, mata kita bisa melihat lebih banyak
In the book of Luke, Jesus said to the rich
we will admit that we often doubt God’s
Tidak ada kejahatan lagi karena tidak ada
kebaikan Tuhan dalam hidup ini. Mulut kita
ruler, “Why do you call me good? No one is
goodness in difficult times. Is it possible for
dosa.Tuhan yang baik itu akan menjadi terang
akan menyanyikan pujian dan kidung tentang
good except God alone…” (Luke 18: 19). The
us to doubt God’s goodness when all is well?
kita selamanya.
kebaikan Tuhan. Ketika kita memuji kebaikan
Lord is a source of goodness. Everything that is
It is very possible; in fact history records
Tuhan, kita akan mengecap lebih banyak lagi
good in this life comes from Him alone (James
some of those instances.
kebaikan Tuhan dalam hidup ini.
1: 17). Genesis chapters 1 and 2 repeatedly
Ketika Tuhan menciptakan dunia dan segala
isinya, Ia melihat bahwa semuanya amat
proclaim that His creations are good. God is
In the beginning, Adam and Eve lived in a
baik. Dosa telah mencemari ciptaanNya,
good; and therefore His Creations are also
perfect world. The world was without sin,
namun rencana Tuhan tidak mungkin gagal.
good in the beginning before sin entered the
disease, famine, natural disasters, death, and
Ia mengirimkan Yesus untuk memulihkan
world.
other calamities. One day, the devil came
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and tempted them. The devil’s intention was
ultimate goodness of God: Salvation. When
God is the standard for goodness and we
the injustice and evil in this world, but we
to sow seeds of doubt in Eve’s heart. The
we doubt the goodness of God, we can look
must judge what is good and what is evil
must hold on to our faith that the evil in this
devil’s intent is for Adam and Eve to doubt
to Christ who was sent as our Savior. Christ
from His perspective according to His Word. world does not negate the existence of God.
the goodness of God. Maybe in her heart, took our sins upon Himself and bore the
Eve thought, “Perhaps the Lord forbid us
wrath of God in our place so that we may
All that is consistent with the characteristics
Romans 8:28 records that God uses all
from eating that fruit because He wants to
be righteous before God and become the
of God is good while all that opposes the
circumstances regardless of whether they
oppress us and prevent us from someday
beneficiaries of His goodness and wisdom.
characteristic of God is evil. A certain illegal
are good or bad in order to bring good to
being of equal level with Him.” Doubting
How can we always have faith in God’s
drug can make a person “feel good,” but that
those who love Him: that is those who have
God’s goodness was the seed of sin at the
goodness? By reminding ourselves that:
drug is not good for that person’s health. In
been called according to His plan.
Garden of Eden and the rest is history.
obtaining the drug, the person also places
As children of God, we have savored the
himself against the law.
Many understand the term ‘good’ in a
Conversely, a child who is being forced to eat
James 1:17 proclaims, “Every good gift and
subjective manner and relative to personal
his vegetables is experiencing the goodness
every perfect gift is from above, coming
circumstances. If a friend lends a helping
of his parents. The child hates eating the
down from the Father of lights with whom
hand, we tend to consider the friend a good
veggies; but eating the veggies is good for the
there is no variation or shadow due to
person. But if a friend says “no” and refuses
child’s health. “Good” or “goodness” has to
change.”
to help us, then we no longer consider the
do with the Word of God, not the emotion
friend a good person. When a mother says
of the moment.
evil; but we never consider that the world is
no to her children who asked for a knife,
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We often think of why the world is filled with
also filled with what is good. The sun, moon,
the mother is doing a good deed and she
Without the goodness of God, we cannot
is behaving in the child’s best interest. If a
differentiate what is good from what is evil. stars, and seasons maintain their perfect
father says yes to his children when they ask
Without God’s goodness, what is good
him for hard liquor to drink, that father is
becomes evil and what is evil becomes good. are all good things. Work, health, and having
not a good person.
People often ask, “If God is good, then why
enough food and drink are all good things.
does He allow evil to happen?” Maybe we
Church, ministry, and the freedom to choose
The goodness of man is very subjective
cannot give a satisfactory answer to people
one’s own religion are also good. There are
and relative. The goodness of man is often
who ask those questions, but at the very
many things that are good on this earth that
centered on himself. Only God Himself can
least we must acknowledge the existence
allow people to live, marry, raise children,
be called truly good because, as Jesus said,
of God. Many become atheists after seeing
achieve something meaningful and significant
order. Friendship, family, and brotherhood
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Evidence of God’s Goodness
By Jocelyn Lee Tindage
He was only a teen when the
people closest to him betrayed him.
They tore him away from his family
and subjected him to enslavement. The
enslavement was followed by wrongful
accusation and imprisonment.
But God was with him and gave
him success in all that he did. At thirty,
he was released and subsequently made
the second most powerful person in
the nation. Then, he would be at least
thirty-seven, if not older, before he was
reunited with his family. By then, his
family no longer recognized this man
who had been deemed dead for twenty
or more years. Despite all this, he said
to his betrayers, “As for you, you meant
evil against me, but God meant it for
good, to bring it about that many people
should be kept alive, as they are today”
(Genesis 50:20).
That was the familiar story of
Joseph: betrayal, enslavement,
false
accusations,
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imprisonment, and separation from
family. His early life was hardly the
picture of a good life. Yet despite it all,
Joseph was able to see the goodness of
God in his life of trials. And Joseph was
not the only one to do so. Scripture and
history are filled with men and women
who were afflicted, and yet still praised
and saw the goodness of God in their
lives: David, Naomi, Hannah, Paul, and
perhaps most well-known of all, Job, just
to name a few. The cloud of witnesses
that has gone before us often shares
with us their joys, pains, and sorrows; yet
through it all, we can still find evidence
of God’s goodness in all areas of life.
Goodness in Discipline
King David, known as the man
after God’s heart, famously affirmed
God’s goodness in Psalm 23:6 where he
proclaimed, “Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life, and
I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.” David was a man who believed
in and attested God’s goodness, yet David
was not without faults and consequently,
not without God’s discipline.
At one point, David ordered the
commander of the army, Joab, to take a
census of fighting men even though Joab
protested, saying,“May the LORD add to
his people a hundred times as many as
they are! Are they not, my lord the king,
all of them my lord’s servants? Why
should it be a cause of guilt for Israel?” (1
Chronicles 21:3). While taking a census
itself is not wrong, David’s motives may
have been – whether out of pride for his
army’s strength or a lack of trust in God’s
strength. So, as Joab forewarned, God
was angry with David and brought upon
a three-day plague. The result of God’s
judgment and discipline was David’s
repentance that he might walk closer
to God. As David himself wrote, “Good
and upright is the LORD; therefore he
instructs sinners in the way” (Psalm
25:8).
Although David sinned, God
disciplined the king as a loving Father
chastened his son (Hebrews 12:6);
otherwise, how could “God be ‘good’
if He punished not those who ill-use
His blessings, abuse His benevolence,
and trample His mercies beneath their
feet?” (Pink). Therefore, God’s mercy
and love shine through His discipline for
us as evidence of His goodness.
Goodness in Affliction
In 1940, Corrie Ten Boom was a
forty-eight year old watchmaker who
lived in Haarlem when the German
forces invaded the Netherlands. Two
years later, Corrie began running an
underground network of people who
helped Jews escape capture. Some stayed
in Corrie’s home by hiding in her secret
room while others were given safe
passage out of the country. However,
Corrie, her elderly father, and older
sister were arrested on February 28,
1944. Her 84-year old father died soon
thereafter, never having said goodbye
to his daughters. Corrie and her sister
Betsie were sent to prison and then
to a concentration camp where Betsie
died just 12 days before Corrie’s release
from the camp.
Before the war came, Corrie
had thought that her peaceful days as
a watchmaker were going to last until
the end of her life. The loss of family
and friends in the war and the abuse and
horror she endured in the camp was
an unexpected affliction that happened
through no wrongdoing on her part.
But from that affliction, wrought with
heartaches and sorrows, came a greater
trust in God’s
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faithfulness and a deeper conviction of
His love.
Corrie spent the rest of her life
speaking of God’s steadfast love and
providing a place for people to heal from
the scars of the war – both psychically
and emotionally. In doing so, she fulfilled
her sister’s dying wish to tell the world,
“There is no pit so deep, that God’s love
is not deeper still.”
Goodness in Protection and
Provisions
Gladys Aylward (1902-1970)
was a missionary in China when the
Second Sino-Japanese war broke out.
In an effort to save the orphans that
she had gathered under her care, she
proceeded to march all 100 of them
from Yangcheng to Xian, a journey that
took days of trekking over mountains
and rough terrains. Twelve days into
the journey, the group of children and
Gladys came to the Yellow River, only
to find that all the villagers nearby had
taken the boat to escape to the other
side. They seemed to have come all that
way for nothing.
Suddenly, one of the
children asked
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Gladys why they simply did not ask
God to part the Yellow River as He
parted the Red Sea. Gladys responded
dejectedly, “I am not Moses, Sualan.” The
little girl’s faith was unwavering in her
reply, “But God is always God” (Piper
97). When the children began to sing
hymns, an officer nearby heard their
singing. He was able to bring the boats
back for them and brought them safely
over the river.
In providing for Gladys and
the children, the goodness of God is
manifested through His faithfulness,
love, and omnipotence. Even when
Gladys thought that all hope was gone,
God came to their aid. He has fulfilled
his promise to care for His people, to
provide all that they need (1 Peter 5:7,
Matthew 6:32) because He cares for
them and has the power to do so.
Goodness in Redemption
In the beginning, when God
created the world, its creatures, and
the first Man and Woman, He declared
everything good. As “the heavens
declare the glory of God, and the sky
above proclaims His handiwork” (Psalm
19:1), Creation is another manifestation
of God’s goodness. The world was
perfect, but the Serpent tempted Eve to
disobey God, and the rest, as they say, is
history.
Yet God did not give up on His
marred creation or on Adam and
Eve who disobeyed Him. Instead, He
promised the couple that One will come
to bruise the head of the serpent. And
so, to fulfill this promise, Christ gave
up his heavenly throne to become one
of us, tasting sorrow, betrayal, hunger,
temptation, even death so that he is able
to sympathize with us (Hebrews 4:15). In
the most amazing act of love, faithfulness,
kindness, mercy, and grace, God sent
forth His Son “made of a woman under
the law, to redeem those who were
under the law, so that we might receive
adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5)
(Pink). This is the culmination of His
goodness: in the act of redemption, He
displayed his “good-will toward men”
(Luke 2:14), that “while we were still
sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans
5:8).
God’s goodness is manifested in all
aspects of life:
In discipline, we see His mercy and love.
In affliction, we see His faithfulness.
In His provisions we see His power and
strength.
In redemption, we see His justice, mercy
and grace.
God’s goodness reflects all His
attributes and “may thus be viewed
as one facet of His glorious nature
and character and also the overall
summation of His nature and character”
(Deffinbaugh). And so one cannot help
but make a joyful noise in praise and
worship, for the LORD is good; His
steadfast love endures forever, and his
faithfulness to all generations (Psalm
100:5).
Work Cited
Piper, Noel. Faithful Women and Their
Extraordinary God. Wheaton, IL: Crossway
Books. PDF.
Pink, A. W. “The Goodness of God.”
The Attributes of God. < http://www.
pbministries.org/
books/pink/Attributes/
attrib_11.htm>
Deffinbaugh, Bob. “The Goodness of God.”
Bible.org. < https://bible.org/seriespage/
goodness-god>.
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The Goodness of God
to All Generations
The Bible is full of testimonies of
the goodness of God throughout
generations. The Psalmist wrote, “For
the LORD is good; His steadfast love
endures forever, and His faithfulness
to all generations.” (Psalm 100:5, ESV
Bible). This passage alone attests to
God’s goodness towards His people.
Regardless of the unfaithfulness of His
people towards Him, God remains
faithful. Throughout generations, He was
known as the God of Abraham, God
of Isaac, and God of Jacob; the three
generations of patriarchs.
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Although God bestows His goodness to
all generations, the way that we respond
to His goodness is influenced by our
cultural backgrounds and the values
prevalent in the generation we belong to.
In today’s churches, it is apparent that a
gap exists between the spiritual cultures
of the older and younger generations
of Christians. However, God’s kindness
and goodness transcends all cultural and
generational boundaries and the church
should be united spiritually. What is that
spiritual culture in Christ that transcends
cultural and generational gaps?
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Perspective One
By David Wangsa
A united church will have strong spiritual
unity in terms of worship, prayer life,
ministry, and fellowship because Christ
will be the center of that church.
In my humble opinion, the spiritual
culture in Christ that transcends the
generational and cultural gap starts
with the Christ-centered life. Christcentered worship, Christ-centered
ministry, Christ-centered prayer, Christcentered teaching (discipleship), and
Christ-centered fellowship. When every
member of congregation realizes their
need for a Christ-centered life, they will
be able to transcend their age or cultural
differences because the need for Christ
trumps what cultural or generational
differences that exist within the church.
One important aspect of church growth
is discipleship (regeneration). The
younger generation needs to be
trained and
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equipped in order to someday become
leaders of the church. Some churches
prepare their future leaders by sending
them to leadership training classes or
training through mentor relationships.
Some churches do nothing to train the
future generation and hope when the
time comes, these future leaders will
rise to the occasion. The unfortunate
situation with the latter group is that
when the church does not devote
enough attention to train and equip
the youth, the youth may feel that their
talents are not needed and may decide
to go find other churches where their
talents will be appreciated more. When
we get the youth involved in church
ministry and leadership the way Jesus
involved His disciples in His earthly
ministry, the outcome will certainly be
positive.
We ought to look to Christ’s earthly
ministry as our model for discipleship;
this is why it is so important that the
church makes Christ the center of
its regeneration efforts. We must be
watchful and guard against anything that
detracts the focus away from Christ. For
example, our church has the habit of
always serving food any time there is a
fellowship. This is not a bad practice as
long as the food does not become the
center of the fellowship, or the fellowship
revolves around the food. Christ needs
to be the center of our fellowship. The
food is secondary. Fellowship should
appeal to people’s spiritual appetite for
fellowship, not food. When we adhere
to Christ-centered principles; there will
be a strong bond across cultures and
generations within the church because
then we are focusing on Christ who
unites us rather than our differences.
When we pray we need to pray as
Christ would pray. In John 17, Jesus’
prayer transcends the present and looks
to the future. Not only did He pray for
the present generation of believers;
He prayed for the future generation
of believers as well. His prayer was not
self-centered but rather focused on
glorifying God the Father.
Perspective Two
By Nathan Wangsa
A united church in Christ will have
church members who are more focused
on Christ who unites them rather than
what separates them. As long as church
members adopt the attitude of mentally
segregating one another based on age
and culture, the church will never attain
true unity. It is human nature to focus
more on the differences rather than
similarities. However, focusing on our
differences gives
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25
rise to the mentality that although
we belong to one church, there are
separations within the church. And
before we realize it, we use that
separation mentality as the basis for not
reaching out to one another.
The church should instead focus on the
common spiritual need of all members:
Christ. Our church has different
ministries that are geared to the needs
of certain age groups. On one hand, it is
good that there are ministries tailored
to the needs of certain age groups; but
on the other hand, this segregation of
services further reinforces the factors
that make us different from one another.
To rectify this problem, many times the
church would attempt to schedule an
inter-congregational fellowship event in
order to foster more unity across the
different members that attend separate
services on Sunday. However, a church
can not depend on a ministry program
to develop a heart for unity amongst its
members.The members themselves must
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have the heart for unity and be willing
to discard what mental segregation they
have against one another.
Being united in Christ does not mean
that we ignore the reality that there will
always be a gap within the church, be they
cultural or generational. Certain aspects
of Christianity are more emphasized in
one generation and less emphasized in
another generation. For example, the
younger generation tends to emphasize
the freedom we have in Christ while
the older generation tend to emphasize
debt we owe to Christ. The truth is that
we need equal emphasis on all aspects of
Christianity. We can not fully appreciate
the freedom we have in Christ without
understanding what it costs Christ
to give us that freedom from sin. We
must remember the blood of Christ’s
sacrifice; but that should not prevent us
from being overjoyed for having been
saved from the wages of sin.
Christians must be united in Christ
in order to be in the world, but not
of the world. With each successive
generation, the culture of the world has
become more and more hostile towards
Christians. It is much more difficult to
stand firm in Christ now because the
social persecution that comes with it
has grown much worse. Not only should
we be united in our joy for Christ, we
will also be united in suffering for Christ.
Let us stop focusing on our differences
and focus on Christ who unites us.
Conclusion
exist in all churches. These differences
manifest itself in the church members’
preferences for worship and ministry.
Some church members prefer a solemn
worship atmosphere from start to finish
while some prefer a more casual worship
atmosphere. But regardless of your
preferences for worship, Christ must be
the center of your worship. Churches
also differ in the way they focus their
efforts in ministry. Some churches have
extensive out-reach programs while
some others hold many revival meetings;
inviting many non-members to attend.
But when you are caught up with your
own ministry and forget to put Christ in
the center of it then you are laboring in
vain. Let us not forget that Christ is the
center. [RA]
The reality is that differences in culture,
generational values, and personalities
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27
Kebaikan Tuhan
untuk Semua Generasi
Indonesian Version of the article “The Goodness of God to All Generations”
By David Wangsa
Allah menganugerahkan kebaikan-Nya
kepada semua generasi, meskipun cara
kita menanggapi Kebaikan-Nya sangat
dipengaruhi oleh latar belakang budaya
dan nilai-nilai yang menonjol pada
generasi tertentu.
Alkitab penuh dengan kesaksian tentang
kebaikan Tuhan turun-temurun. Dalam
kitab Mazmur pasal 100 pemazmur
menulis, "Sebab TUHAN baik, kasih
setia-Nya untuk selama-lamanya, dan
kesetiaannya tetap turun-temurun."
Bagian ini sendiri memberi kesaksian atau
membuktikan kebaikan Allah terhadap
umat-Nya. Terlepas dari ketidaksetiaan
umat-Nya kepada-Nya,Tuhan tetap setia.
Dari jaman ke jaman, Dia dikenal sebagai
Allah Abraham, Allah Ishak, dan Allah
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Yakub, tiga generasi leluhur. Di dalam
Alkitab kita dapat membaca bagaimana
bangsa Israel mengalami kebaikan
Tuhan yang puncak nya terdapat dalam
kematian Yesus Kristus di kayu salib
sebagai korban yang sempurna untuk
penebusan dosa manusia.
Dikemudian hari di dalam Alkitab kita
juga belajar bahwa kebaikan Allah tidak
berhenti hanya di kalangan orangorang Yahudi, tetapi juga dilanjutkan
kepada orang-orang bukan Yahudi yang
menerima kasih karunia Allah melalui
Yesus Kristus. Lebih lanjut, kebaikanNya tidak berhenti di mana cerita
Alkitab berakhir tapi terus menerus dari
angkatan ke angakatan yang terdahulu,
sampai kepada generasi mendatang.
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Hal penting yang kita tahu pasti bahwa
Allah tidak berubah sepanjang jaman,
tetapi manusia berubah. Manusia
mengalami perubahan, tetapi mereka
juga berbeda berdasarkan batas-batas
geografis (budaya). Bahkan di dalam etnis
yang sama budaya masyarakat mungkin
berbeda berdasarkan kelompok usia
mereka. Orang-orang yang lebih tua
cenderung lebih konservatif, sementara
orang-orang muda cenderung lebih
progresif (liberal). Perbedaan-perbedaan
(etnis dan budaya) dapat menghasilkan
respon yang berbeda terhadap Tuhan.
Perbedaan
terutama
dipengaruhi
oleh pengalaman pribadi mereka atas
kebaikan Allah.
Dalam gereja-gereja saat ini, tidak dapat
disangkal bahwa ada kesenjangan budaya
rohani antara generasi
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tua dan muda Kristen. Budaya rohani
dari generasi tua cenderung didasarkan
pada ketakutan, rasa bersalah, dan
kewajiban (sungkan) sedangkan budaya
rohani generasi muda lebih cenderung
didasarkan pada konsep kebebasan.
Namun, kebaikan Tuhan melampaui
semua batas budaya dan generasi, dan
gereja harus bersatu secara rohani. Apa
itu budaya rohani di dalam Kristus yang
melampaui kesenjangan generasi?
Menurut pendapat saya, budaya rohani
di dalam Kristus yang melampaui
kesenjangan generasi dimulai dengan
kehidupan yang berpusat pada Kristus.
Setidaknya ini berarti ibadah yang
berpusat pada Kristus, pelayanan yang
berpusat pada Kristus, kenidupan doa
yang berpusat pada Kristus, pengajaran
(kaderisasi / pemuridan) yang berpusat
pada Kristus, dan persekutuan yang
berpusat pada Kristus.
Beberapa
gereja
menempatkan
penekanan yang berbeda pada ibadah
mereka. Ada yang berpusat pada suasana
khusyuk dari awal sampai akhir sementara
beberapa mencoba untuk membuat
suasana ibadah yang lebih santai. Ketika
anda melihat kedua jenis tersebut anda
dapat dengan mudah mengidentifikasi
bahwa gereja jenis pertama lebih
mengarah generasi tua sedangkan yang
kedua lebih mengarah orang yang lebih
muda. Beberapa gereja menekankan pada
pujian klasik sementara beberapa yang
lainnya berpusat pada lagu-lagu Kristen
kontemporer. Sekali lagi, anda dapat
dengan mudah melihat jenis gereja yang
menarik sekelompok orang. Kemudian
beberapa gereja-gereja lain mengadakan
beberapa kebaktian dengan pendekatan
yang berbeda untuk dapat menangkap
beberapa kelompok orang yang berbeda.
Tapi jika anda tidak hati-hati, anda bisa
dengan mudah terhanyut dan lupa bahwa
Kristuslah seharusnya pusat ibadah kita.
Ketika setiap anggota jemaat menyadari
keperluan tersebut tanpa memandang
usia atau generasi maka yang lain-lain
tidak menjadi masalah lagi. Semua akan
bersatu secara rohani melintasi batas
etnis, generasi dan budaya.
Hal serupa juga terjadi di pelayanan
gereja hari ini. Beberapa gereja
memiliki
program
penjangkauan
keluar yang luas sementara yang lain
banyak menyelenggarakan kebaktian
kebangunan rohani sambil
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mengundang banyak non-anggota untuk
menghadiri. Di lain pihak ada gerejagereja yang hanya memiliki kapasitas
untuk melayani kebutuhan internal.
Ketika anda terjebak oleh kesibukan
pelayanan dan lupa untuk menempatkan
Kristus di tengah-tengahnya maka siasialah pekerjaan anda. Sebaliknya, gerejagereja yang menempatkan Kristus
sebagai pusat pelayanan mereka akan
menemukan bahwa mereka melayani
sebagai satu tubuh dengan Kristus
sebagai kepala atau pemimpin.
Ketika kita berdoa kita perlu berdoa
sebagaimana Kristus berdoa. Dalam
kitab Matius pasal 6 Yesus memberikan
contoh bagaimana kita harus berdoa.
Lebih jauh sedikit, di dalam kitab Yohanes
pasal 17 Yesus menyatakan bagaimana ia
berdoa secara transendental. Bukan saja
Ia berdoa untuk orang-orang percaya
saat itu tetapi juga untuk orang-orang
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percaya yang akan dating (termasuk kitakita ini). Doanya tidak egois melainkan
terfokus pada kemuliaan Allah Bapa.
Salah satu aspek penting dari
pertumbuhan gereja adalah pemuridan
(regenerasi).
Calon-calon
anggota
generasi muda perlu dipersiapkan atau
diajar untuk suatu hari nanti menjadi
calon-calon penerus serta pemimpin
gereja. Beberapa gereja mempersiapkan
pemimpin masa depan mereka dengan
mengirimkan mereka ke kelas pelatihan
kepemimpinan. Beberapa gereja tidak
melakukan apa-apa dan berharap ketika
saatnya tiba pemimpin masa depan
akan muncul sendiri. Situasi yang tidak
menguntungkan dengan kelompok
kedua adalah ketika para pemuda
kurang mendapatkan perhatian yang
cukup mereka mungkin berpikir bahwa
bakat mereka tidak diperlukan dan
memutuskan untuk pergi mencari gereja
lain di mana bakat mereka akan lebih
dihargai. Ketika kita melibatkan generasi
muda dalam program kepemimpinan
gereja sebagaimana Yesus melibatkan
murid-muridnya, hasilnya akan sangat
mungkin positif. Jadikan Kristus pusat
upaya regenerasi gereja.
Gereja
kita
memiliki
kebiasaan
menyuguhkan makanan pada setiap
persekutuan. Hal ini baik selama makanan
tidak menjadi pusat persekutuan atau
persekutuan hanya berkisar di sekitar
makanan. Kristus perlu menjadi pusat
persekutuan kita. Makanan adalah hal
sekunder. Kita perlu merasa rindu untuk
menghadiri persekutuan apapun karena
pertemuan dengan Kristus bukan karena
makanan yang akan disajikan.
Saat kita menjalankan konsep kehidupan
yang berpusat pada Kristus akan ada
ikatan yang baik di dalam kesatuan
rohani lintas-budaya dan lintas generasi
di gereja kita. Seperti apakah sebuah
gereja multi-generasi dan multi-budaya
untuk memiliki kesatuan budaya di dalam
Kristus? Singkatnya, akan ada kesatuan
rohani yang kuat di dalam gereja dalam
hal ibadah, pelayanan, doa, pertumbuhan
dan persekutuan di mana Kristus adalah
pusat dari setiap kegiatan gereja.
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George Macamay:
IEC has grown tremendously compared to 6-7 years ago. Now we
see a basketball court, fish pond, renovated English sanctuary, new
library, multimedia office, a balcony in main sanctuary for sound
system, renovated restrooms, and more.We also see the fruit of the
spirit among the congregation, helping each other out and carrying
each other’s burdens, through prayer. All of these are the result of
being obedient to the Lord, and He, in return, has truly blessed IEC.
Hope these would carry on to our next generation.
Darwin Wang:
I’ve been in this church for 8 years, unlike most of the other youth
who’ve been here ever since they were born. In the beginning, I went
to church like a regular member, ate lunch, fellowship for a little, and
then went home.Then eventually, I was drawn closer to the church, like
we’re a big family. It was because of this church that I learned how to
play the bass. I never knew how to play an instrument before, then our
church held a guitar workshop, and ever since then I was part of the
worship team for a few times up until now. Through IEC, I learned how
much I really like worship, how important it is in preparing our mindset
for the word, and how we can use music to touch people. And now I’ve
also joined the worship team in my school's Christian fellowship.
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Christopher Atmadja:
I came to IEC when I was around the third grade. Back then, I didn't
take church as seriously because to me, church was just something I
went to with my family every Sunday, in other words, a routine. As I
grew older, I began to realize the significance of what it really meant
to be a Christian; how amazing it was for God to be in my life. With
spiritual mentors as well as fellow Christians who listen to each other
and who pray for each other for strength, support, or any other form
of need, I was able to see God and how He worked within each and
every one of us as His children. I began to see church as more of a
place I wanted to go to, rather than a chore every Sunday and I began
to see that worship, fellowship with other Christians, and supplication
through sermons and prayer meetings are a necessity for my life in
this world, which I still believe to this very day.Without IEC, I wouldn't
be the person I am today. With the guidance of my spiritual mentors
and fellow Christian friends, I learned to become a better person
through humbleness, being respectful onto others, to know what's
right and what's wrong in God's eyes in a more in-depth perspective.
I would like to thank God for this church and how He brought me
and my family onto it. This church is irreplaceable and holds a special
place in my heart because of all the memories I have growing up here,
both spiritually and physically, and for the many friends and mentors
I've come to respect and look up to.
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Nathan Wangsa:
My time at IEC has been one of growth. I first came to the church when I was
born and have been here ever since. Looking back on my nineteen years, I can
see the changes that occurred with my relationship with the Lord and with me
as a person. Growing up, many of us came to church just because that is what we
were taught. We came out of habit and out of obligation. I was guilty of this until
I was about fifteen or sixteen. I liked coming to church to hang out with friends
after service and eat good food for free. Overtime, I started to face more and
more difficulties. I was challenged physically, mentally, and spritually in the face
of depression, anger, and loss. Many times I was self-destructive and would hurt
myself physically and blame myself internally. In my mind, it was always my fault.
Whenever things went wrong, it was because I was not good enough. I won't
go into detail, but there were dark times when I did contemplate suicide. In my
heart, I had no real purpose and that nearly drove me over the edge. To make
matters worse, I did not want to talk to my parents. I did not want to talk to my
friends. Or rather, I couldn't. Everyone has their secrets and their demons.Things
that they wish did not exist. I started hating myself for my shortcomings and did
not tell anyone. One night I opened up the Bible, looking for anything to hold on
to. As the Bible's cover thudded against my desk, I looked and saw Isaiah 6:8. It
read, “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will
go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'” It was here that I found my purpose.
The world could not satisfy the need to know the Lord. It was that night that I
truly came to know Jesus. I prayed, tears streaming down my face, as I called out
for help. Since then, everything has changed. It is not like I do not face trials and
tribulations anymore, but the way I approach them is completely different. At the
same time I still fall and make mistakes, but now I move to change for the better.
I live not for myself, but for Christ who died for me. IEC let me learn more about
being a better Christian and let me learn to serve and not be served. I still have
a long way to go, but the Lord will be there every step of the way.
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Anniversary 2013
Vincent Yobeanto:
I have attended this church since 2003. From that time until now, many
things change and are different while some stay the same. For example
since I was in college when I first attended IEC Azusa, I recalled we had
active youth fellowships and activities. Since we aged and moved on from
youth group and no new college-age students came, we had to change
the type of the fellowship. People come and go in this church especially
since we are an Indonesian church, so some went back to Indonesia. Sadly
though, I think we have less people in the church now compared to when
I first came here. Spiritually, I can't speak for the entire church members,
but for myself, I am grateful that God has led me to this church. From the
teachings of the pastors, I have gain insight into the word of God.This has
led me to a better understanding of my Christian life. In the future, I hope
God will continue to bless this church, not only in numbers, but more
importantly in terms of spirituality. May God renew us daily so we can
make a blessed difference in church.
Bina Kusnohadi:
I remember the time when our Sunday School was just one class
attended by children of different ages. Under a tree, next to the Azusa
Pacific University Recreation Building, where Sunday Services were held,
Mrs. Paula Hosea taught seven children. That was 1984. Since then,
God has blessed our Sunday School tremendously. It has grown into 8
classes ( Nursery ,Toddlers, Preschool, Kindergarten - 1st, 2nd - 3rd, 4th
- 5th, 6th - 8th, and High School Class) to serve the needs of about 70
children of different ages and grades. As we celebrate our church's 30th
Anniversary, may God continue to bless our Sunday School to be a place
where children hear God's Truth," receive Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in
Him, rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith just as they were
taught, and abounding in Thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6)
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37
Eugene Laksana:
As a student aspiring to pursue an extensive career as a computer scientist, I've
always been able to relate with the apostle, Luke. He was traditionally known
to be a physician — a scientist, who like today's researchers, was on a constant
quest for practical truths and knowledge, made evident through his writing and
interpretation of the Gospel. His information was derived from personal testaments
and observations made throughout the Lord's ministry. This was real time data that
we researchers are very accustomed to collecting: an act evidently practiced at least
for two thousand years. Yet, the word, science, holds such a derogatory connotation
in today's religious society. Science— the art which proposes that we humans were
derived from primates, the heresy whose doctrine states that our universe was a
result of some arbitrary cataclysmic collision, the dark practice suggesting that God,
the Creator of this universe does not exist, and that our faith is a manifestation of
ignorance implanted by a corrupted institute.
I'm not writing to argue this logic because our editor has provided me a
prompt that explicitly stated for me to discuss my growth at IEC, not to harass a
flawed idea. Rather, I mention this perspective because of how faultless our God
is. For those who have been made to suffer Sunday school or Friday night Bible
studies with me in our younger days, you understand that I'm an extremely skeptical
individual, constantly questioning the validity of Scripture and sometimes of God's
existence. Nonetheless, anybody familiar with the scientific method also understands
that an inquisitive nature leads one to truth and further discoveries. In a 1825 letter
to express the intents of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson stated
to Henry Lee that truth is not an element to be feared.
the world, and other hotly debated topics. Sadly, many of them were raised in
an environment where their leaders seemed to have instilled this idea that faith
is not something to be questioned by to be blindly followed. Rather, they retort
by asking whether these are "forbidden topics" that are a sin to even discuss.
Though, I don't claim that our God will never ask us to walk by faith and not by
sight, He is faithful to never allow His children to fall back on blind assertions.
Romans 1:20 states how all of creation screams out God's name, and in His
encounter with Thomas, often known as "the Doubter," Jesus even allowed His
disciple to validate His resurrected body. In short, we serve a God that CAN be
questioned and will be found blameless every single time.
And this is something that IEC has tremendously blessed me with. I've
been plaguing my youth leaders for the longest time with occasional extremely
controversial questions, and to my initial surprise, they tolerated my attitude. As
a result, I've grown tremendously through this liberty to perform my "scientific
arts" of questioning and data collecting within this church. To add to it, there's
even been an anonymous Q&A box added to our ministry for quite a while that
especially appeals to researchers, such as myself. In conclusion, I've developed
exponentially as a believer because of how open our Lord is to questioning
and validation. Even those of us with little faith have no excuse to deny the
sovereignty of an omnipotent King, and this is one prominent element that has
stabilized my "crazy belief" in a dying world— that there IS a God, He loves us to
literal heartbreak, and His name is Jesus.
Yet, in many Christian communities, people are disappointingly terrified and
even repulsed by questions. I often attempt to raise discussions with my believing
friends about the Nephilim, free choice vs. predestination, God's purpose in creating
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39
Ferry Soendjojo:
I came to IEC back in 1986, I remember I joined the combined Thanksgiving Retreat with
our sister churches in San Francisco & San Jose. The retreat was held somewhere near
Yosemite, perhaps somewhere near Oakhurst?
Looking back, I really have grown with the church as Pastor Kristianto Hosea was
the minister officiating our wedding, both of our sons were dedicated and baptized at IEC
and I have the privilege to witness my mom baptized by Rev. Kristianto Hosea as well.
When I joined the church back in 1986, we met at the recreation room of the
Azusa Pacific University, and later on we moved to use the Chapel and from time to time
we have to move to different places since the Chapel might be used for other events. So
it was kind of difficult when you don’t have a permanent location to worship; however, I
remember the fun time we have even with these challenging situation we faced, since the
church itself is the body of Christ, not the physical building that we worship, even though
it will be nice to have it both.
There is no question that Our Lord has blessed our church grow both physically
and spiritually through all these years. Physically God has provide us with this special
church building that we are currently used, He even gave us the next building that we use
for Sunday School Classes and Youth Services and now even has the Basket Ball Court
to play. He has provided our financial need in miraculous way even during these hard
economic times through the generous contribution of our church’s members.
Spiritually, God has blessed our church with people being saved and become
believers and more importantly have our spiritual needs nurtured through IEC, thanks
to Rev. Kristianto Hosea, Rev Wilson Suwanto and all the pastors that has been serving
faithfully through this church.
There is no question that there is always room for improvement to have our spiritual
growth to grow even further, this is a challenge to each of us including myself to face.
And my prayer is for IEC to be able to reach out to more and more people to
know Jesus as their personal Savior, not an easy challenge but are we willing to give it a try?
Let’s each of us ask ourselves of what we can do for our church; instead of asking
what the church can do for us. With each of us pitch in and no matter how small our
contribution and effort is, we trust we could help our church to grow.
Soli Deo Gloria.
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good will be our light forever.
in his or her work, rejoice, and live in peace. When God created the world and all that
It is no surprise that King David wrote,
is in it, He saw that all was good. Sin had
tainted Creation, but God’s plan will not be
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
thwarted. He sent Jesus to redeem all of
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” creation. It is true that we do not see the
(Psalm 34: 8)
result of Christ’s redemption in this present
time, but we are always reminded that
David did not write these words when all
everything that Christ begins, He will finish
was well for him, but when Saul who seeks
on the day He returns. On this earth, we see
to kill him was chasing him. Not only that, evil; but we also see the justice of God. God
David must also pretend to be a crazy
is good and He will not stay silent. The more
person so that he can escape danger. In the
evil happens, the more severe His judgment
middle of life’s hardship, in the worst of all
will be. And Jesus judges and punishes the
situations, David still sees the goodness of
world because He is good and just. If God
God.
did not judge sin, then He is not good and
just.
In the end, not only will we praise the
God is good and powerful. He is able to
goodness of God, we will also praise His
execute His goodness in His time. While we
justice, power, and grace. The goodness of
live in this world, we see much evil, but all
God is a window to the deepest heart of a
that is only temporary. When Christ comes
God who loves sinful men. When we believe
for the second time, He will destroy all that
that God is good although our situation
is evil, and He will erase our sorrows and
is difficult, our eyes will see more of the
tears. When we are in heaven, we will live in
goodness of God in this life. Our lips will
a good nation under God. A nation where
sing praises of His goodness. We will praise
God’s goodness reigns forever and where
God’s goodness and taste more of His
evil and sin are no more. Our God who is
goodness in this life. [RA]
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41
There were a lot of tragic stories in the news
wholeheartedly in a loving and omnipotent
Our pain and suffering will also help us
who only know it from a distance.There is no
recently, from disaster to mass murderers. God, do we have to paper over the reality
realize how much we need God in every
skeptic that can deny a Christian who said he
One of the most tragic stories is the Sandy
of evil and pain around us? Of course, as
aspect of our life. They will always drive us
experienced God’s goodness through deep
Hook shooting that happened December
Christians, that is not an option. God’s love
back to God and to His Word. In 2 Corinthians
pain. It is a powerful testimony for a person
of last year. The shooting happened at
and the presence of evil are both true at the
12:7-8 Paul said: “Because of the surpassing
to say that God was holding his hands in the
greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to
deep – dark place and He infused his life
keep me from exalting myself, there was given
with a new purpose and meaning so that he
can make a difference to others.
an
elementary
school
in
Newtown, same time.
Connecticut where twenty kids were killed.
I cannot imagine the shock and grief of the
There is a quote from Augustine who said:
me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to
parents. They might even ask why. Why is
“Since God is the highest good, He would
torment me – to keep me from exalting myself!
this happening to me? Why didn’t God stop
not allow any evil to exist in His works
Concerning this I implored the Lord three times
Pain, suffering, and evil are there not to
By
Hendry Wijaya
it? Why doesn’t God care? These questions
unless His omnipotence and goodness were
that it might leave me. And He has said to
repudiate the existence of God and His
have been asked many times down thru the
such as to bring good even out of evil.” In
me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is
characters. It is the opposite; they exist to
centuries by suffering people as well, even
every suffering and pain that we experience,
perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore I
show that there is a God and we should
Christians. How can a good God allow evil
there is always an opportunity of good.
will rather boast about my weakness, so that the
depend on Him. Christ is a God who
to happen in this world?
There is always something that we can learn
power of Christ may dwell in me.”
understands all of our suffering because
He experienced the real world of pain in
from those hardships. I would even say those
We as Christians know the characteristic
hardships are necessary for me because
They will equip us to help and understand
the cross. I like the saying by a prominent
of God: all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-
they shaped me into a better Christian. Of
people who are experiencing pain and
British pastor, John R. W. Stott: “Christ laid
good; yet evil exist in this world. If He is
course, I am not saying Christians can always
suffering. Christians who have experienced
aside His immunity to pain. He entered our
good and there is evil, then He must not be
see the good when they are in a hardship
pain and suffering can be a better witness
world of flesh and blood, tears and death. He
all-powerful or if He is powerful and there
or immediately after that. I am saying we
because people will see that God can bring
suffered for us. Our sufferings become more
is evil then He must be not all-good. All
as Christians have a good God and He will
hope for people. Everyone will be more
manageable in light of His.The cross of Christ
of the characteristics cannot all be true if
always have a purpose in everything we
willing to listen to people who have been
is God’s only self-justification to the world of
there is evil in this world. Then to believe
experience; we just need to actualize it.
there and experience it rather than people
pain and suffering that we lived in now.”
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43
One petition in the Lord’s Prayer says, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”
(Matt. 6:12).The question is why did Jesus mention,“as we forgive our debtors?” It would be
much simpler and clearer if Jesus just said “Forgive us our debts” and stopped there. None
of us has a problem with asking for forgiveness, but when it is related to the command to
forgive others, we have a mixed feeling about it.
Forgiving sins is the nature of God, and not
forgiving others is the nature of human.We
were born in sinful condition so that it is
very hard for us to forgive others. It cannot
come naturally. We need the supernatural
power in order to forgive, and that power
can only come through the cross of Christ.
The petition in the prayer also reminds
us that we can truly forgive after we truly
receive God’s forgiveness. When someone
does not experience God’s forgiveness
personally, it will be hard for him to forgive,
and while this is probably understandable, it
is still inexcusable. But it will be much more
inexcusable when a Christian refuses to
forgive. Jesus concluded the Lord’s Prayer
with the warning, “But if you do not forgive
others their trespasses, neither will your
Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt. 6:15).
This is not to say that God’s forgiveness of
us depends on our forgiveness of others.
This does not teach that forgiveness is
human merit in order to earn God’s gift
of forgiveness. What it teaches is unless
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you forgive others, you will not experience
God’s forgiveness to its fullest extent. You
will think and live as someone who has not
been forgiven. In short, you will live in the
prison of anger, hate, and unforgiveness.
Forgiving others is hard, but it is necessary.
Christians are not called to an easy life.
Jesus described the path to follow Him as
the narrow road that few want to tread.
Forgiving others is part of our battle against
our old sinful self.What is forgiving others?
Forgiving others is releasing others from
the debt of guilt that they owe us. We do
not count those debts against them. Now
this sounds unfair and a bit unreasonable,
but actually it does not. There are several
reasons why releasing them of their “debts”
against us are reasonable:
God takes into account what they do to us.
So, instead of demanding them to pay, God
will make them pay. “Vengeance is Mine,” says
the Lord.
We are happier than the person we forgive.
This is in accordance with Jesus’ saying that to
give is more blessed than to receive.
We will experience the same power that
enabled Jesus to die on the cross in order to
forgive those who sought His death. It is the
power of the Holy Spirit.This power will be
released when we choose to forgive instead of
holding a grudge against our enemy.
We will have the assurance of walking within
God’s will. When we do what our flesh does
not want to do, we can be sure that we are
doing God’s will, not ours. Knowing that will
give tremendous amount of joy and strength.
These are but a few rewards that await
those who choose to forgive just like they
have been forgiven by Christ. In practice,
how can we forgive? How can we make it a
habit to forgive others?
Realize that we also make the same mistakes
in different or similar situation. Knowing your
own weaknesses will enable understanding,
which in turn, will make it easier to forgive.
Realize that the offenders act out of ignorance
of God. Even when we think that they were
strategizing their mistreatment of us, they were
still ignorant of the consequences that would
be brought by God upon themselves. Dealing
with ignorant people requires patience, and
yes, sacrifice.
Pour out your anger and sadness before the
Lord because He cares. Whenever we are
hurt by others’ treatment, bring it to the Lord.
Do not let it grow and develop into hate and
bitterness. Ask God for strength and wisdom to
deal with the sadness and anger inside.
Confront the party who wrongs you with
love. There are times to remain silent under
mistreatment, but there are times to speak out.
When we do so, do it with love and gentleness.
Remember that in the end, it is about your
own character as a person and a Christian.
Whether you choose to forgive or not will
impact who you are. It will also affect your
relationship with God as your heavenly
Father. It is a spiritual issue, and a spiritual
battle. You must be clear where you stand
with regard to the Lord.May God help
each one of us so that we may forgive our
debtors, as we have been forgiven.
Anniversary 2013
45
If
the
reach out to the unreached places and to
personal evangelism, then they cannot serve
share the good news of Jesus Christ. In the
in the CEC churches. They cannot be our
past forty-five years we did not hold large
evangelists, because we cannot wait for
scale evangelistic meetings and never invited
the sheep to come to the church on their
a famous evangelist to lead an evangelistic
own. I always say that CEC churches are
meeting. We did not hand out flyers for
not “spiritual nurseries.” CEC churches are
fundraising nor spend large amount of money
also not “ immigrant churches” in the sense
for mission. This is usually the secular ways
that we lure members from other churches
of doing things. We used the oldest method
to join our church. If visitors from other
which is sending a small group of 2-3 people
churches come to our church, they are
to scout out an area and prepare the ground
always welcome. But we do not grab church
work. Even though there are only a few
members from other churches.
the Life Fellowship which was established in New York City in 1968. In a blink of an eye,
needs of the Chinese, we are willing to go
forty-five years had passed. In another five years, it will be half of a century old. Although we
there. We have a set of personal evangelism
have established more than fifty churches within forty-five years, I still reflect on my service
tactics of our own called the fishers of men
in the past years. I wonder if I still fall short of the tasks that God has entrusted us. I wonder
evangelistic method.
During our forty-five years of ministry, not only we did we do pioneering work, but
at
Evangelical Bible Institute (EBI) do not master
Christians in that area, as long as we see the
we cannot see the vision that God wants us to see?
students
The emphasis of our mission is to
The ministries of the Evangelical Mission and Seminary International started from
if God is asking us to do more and greater things for Him. Or is our faith still so small that
seminary
After a new believer prayed to
accept Christ, we follow up and continue
All of our evangelists know how to
to nurture the new believer. We care for
evangelize. Not necessarily in terms of mass
their spiritual needs, and most importantly
evangelism, but in terms personal evangelism. we lead them to study the Bible. We help
The problem with mass evangelism is that them to understand God’s will and to walk
according to God’s will.
we evangelized, established, and built churches. Our strategy of evangelism is taught at the
after hearing the message, people left and
seminary. We call our strategy the three “precious” courses: personal evangelism, small
they were never seen again. In personal
The emphasis of CEC is that the
group Bible study and preaching. And of course our 50 plus CEC churches also subscribe
evangelism, we can minister to the people
pastors and evangelists should focus on the
to the same direction.
on a personal basis in order to bring them
teachings of the Bible, avoid vain chatter,
to the Lord. This is the evangelism method
and avoid bringing secular things into the
that the CEC has been using in these forty-
church. We prepared abundant spiritual milk
five years.
for the new believers. It is based on God’s
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47
Left: IEC Azusa members
in front of EMSI church
building, New Jersey,
during the 45th EMSI anniversary celebration
word. These are also the important training
EMSI is a pioneering organization.
for the evangelists in serving God at the
We find our own sheep, train our own
mission field.
pastors, and pastor our own churches. We
By faith, we are able to lead people
went to many unreached places. We follow
to Christ and establish churches. Sometimes
the Great Commission of our Lord to
we do not know the source of our financial
the disciples and spread the gospel to the
resources in purchasing a church building, ends of the world. Thank God that we have
but we purchase one when the need arises. established more than 50 CEC churches in
The CEC on the average purchases a church
these forty-five years. Out of all the churches,
building every two or three years. We do
26 have their own church building. We want
Word: the Bible. The evangelists of the CEC
We establish Bible study groups to
not wait for a church to have one hundred
to give all the glory to God. We believe that
are diligently and continually trained and
teach the newcomers to understand God's
church members before purchasing a church
when we follow God's will in serving Him,
equipped in studying the Bible so that they
Word. Little by little, the church is built up.
building. Some of our sister churches were
He will provide for all our needs.
may provide spiritual nourishment for the
We hope that when the church members
provided with their own building even if
spiritual lives of the church. This is how the
have their own spiritual home, a place to
they only have 40-50 members. We trusted
Bible study groups in CEC are established.
worship and listen to the Sunday sermons,
in Jehovah Jireh; not denominational support
Rev. Moses Yang
our
they will be rooted in God's truth. And they
or the number of church members we can
Towaco, NJ
seminarians and pastors not to become bi-
will use God's truth in solving the difficulties
marshal. This is how the CEC expanded our
July 30, 2013
vocational. We emphasize this especially to
in life.The CEC is God's family. We welcome
ministries!
seminarians that are still in training. The
everyone who comes to the church. But
purpose of this practice is for seminarians
we do not want to build the church on the
to exercise their faith in going into full-time
foundation of any other principles other
ministry. They need to depend on God fully
than God’s Word.
Additionally,
we
train
to provide for their daily needs. EBI made
For forty-five years, we serve by
this requirement so that all the pastors can
faith and God's Word. The Evangelical Bible
learn and experience God' s wonderful
Institute (EBI) trained our seminarians in
provision, and walk a life of faith in service.
three important areas: conducting personal
Right: IEC Azusa members with Rev. Moses
Yang during the 45th
EMSI anniversary celebration
evangelism in leading people to Christ,
leading Bible study to nourish spiritual lives,
and establishing churches to preach God's
48
Anniversary 2013
Anniversary 2013
49
Saya mengucapkan syukur kepada Bapa di Surga dan banyak terima kasih kepada anak-
anak dan cucu-cucu di GII untuk merayakan hari ulang tahun saya ke-80. Saya senang sekali
menerima banyak hadiah, juga cash, juga decoration, special dinner, birthday cake, dan
lainnya yang saya tidak sebutkan.
Tuhan berkati kalian (Lukas 6:38). Dan terakhir saya salut kepada Rev. Hosea dan Ibu Paula
dan Rev. Wilson dan Ibu Julia selama 23 tahun saya di gereja ini. Juga terima kasih kepada
yang memuatkan kabar ini. Amin
50
Anniversary 2013
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51
1
9
9
9
1999 Retreat
TAHUN 1999
persediaan makanan yang berlebihan
•
1999 KKR
1999 IECAzusa 16th Anniversary
•
1999 Mother's Day
2000 IEC Azusa 17th Anniversary
2000 Vocal Group
Anniversary 2013
2000 Easter Play
di
Ev. Timothy Chuang melayani Keluarga
siaga kalau kalau tahun 2000, sewaktu
GII Azusa sebagai Assistant Pastor ke-II
electricity system dan segala sesuatu
melayani di kebaktian muda/i, sementara
yang di kerjakan secara otomatis oleh
itu Ev. James Yu sebagai Assistant Pastor
komputer tidak berfungsi dengan normal,
ke-I melayani di English Fellowship.
karena
Sementara anak-anak sekolah minggu di
dengan digit 000. Kita sebagai orang
GII Azusa semakin banyak, maka gereja
Kristen harus bersikap bagaimanakah?
berbeban untuk menambah guru sekolah
Untuk menjawab pertanyaan tsb, gereja
minggu. Maka pada hari Sabtu tgl June
mengambil Thema MILLENIUM 2000
12, gereja mengadakan penataran guru-
di dalam retreat tahun 1999 ini, dengan
guru sekolah minggu bagi mereka yang
pembicara Pdt. George Onko Sanusi.
•
minggu.
2000 Easter Choir
2000 Retreat
Di dalam kepengurusan 1999 GII Azusa,
berbeban untuk menjadi guru sekolah
1999 Drama
52
orang, banyak orang mempersiapkan
•
2
0
0
0
Untuk
rumah
mereka, mereka
bilangan
komputer
guru-guru
dimulai
Puji Tuhan, salah seorang Saudara jemaat
GII Azusa Stephen Yustanto
mempersiapkan
besiap
menulis
drama Natal yang berjudul 'NOTE
sekolah minggu yang dominant dan untuk
DIDALAM
melatih guru-guru sekolah minggu yang
menjadi kenang-kenangan darinya karena,
baru maupun yang lama supaya mengerti
di tahun yang akan datang Sdr. Stephen
Firman Tuhan dan mengerti kebutuhan
dan keluarganya meninggalkan GII Azusa.
MELODY'.
Rupanya
ini
anak-anak sekolah minggu akan Firman
Tuhan
maka
gereja
mengadakan
TAHUN 2000
SUNDAY SCHOOL TRAINING, dimulai
September 19 sampai October 17, 1999
•
•
Memasuki Tahun 2000 ini, seperti halnya
setiap hari minggu setelah kebaktian. Di
memasuki
kordinir oleh Ibu Ev. Paula Hosea dan Ibu
Tidak terjadi computer error, atau utility
Ev. Mariany Chuang.
system yang stop karena mamasuki
Memasuki tahun 2000, ke-paranoid-an
tiga digit nol. Akan tetapi di tahun ini
akan tahun 00 menghantui hampir semua
Ev. James Yu mengundurkan diri dari
tahun-tahun
sebelumnya.
Anniversary 2013
53
2
0
0
1
2001 Children's Christmas Play
2001 Retreat
•
•
•
2001 Christmas Service
2001 Om Kiatt's dan Peter
Subadya's Birthdays
kepengurusan di English Fellowship, di
online. Perubahan lain yang dilakukan
gantikan oleh Ev. Timothy Chuang.
oleh Sdr. Tjandra terhadap majalah
Puji Tuhan di tahun ini mulai bulan
Agape adalah majalah ini terbit dengan
September, Ev. Edward Syu melayani di
sampul yang full color. Sebelumnya
GII Azusa sebagai Hamba Tuhan khusus
majalah Agape terbit secara sederhana
menangani Sunday School.
dengan cover yang tipis dan hanya
Di bulan October, gereja mengadakan
dengan warna hitam putih.
Refreshing Rohani, untuk seluruh
2001 Rev. Hosea's Birthday
•
Siapa yang akan menyangka bahwa
anggota jemaat GII Azusa. Refreshing
Negara America yang oleh bangsa-
Rohani ini di pimpin oleh Pdt. Joshua
bangsa lain dianggap sebagai Paradise,
Ong dan Ev. Dedy Sutendi, dengan
atau Surga Dunia ini akan menjadi
Thema 'Bertumbuh didalam Iman,
Sasaran atau Target serangan kaum
Berbuah didalam Pelayanan.'
Terrorist!! Di pagi hari dimana setiap
orang sibuk menuju tempat kerja
TAHUN 2001
di Gedung Pencakar Langit, di
2002 Christmas Play
2002 Rev. Hosea's New Car
•
2002 Christmas Cantata
2002 Retreat
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Anniversary 2013
2002 Retreat
2002 IEC Azusa 19th Anniversary
atau Kantor mereka, yang bertempat
2
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•
Setiap tahun pasti ada sedikit perubahan
Pusat Business yang terkenal di
di dalam susunan pengurus GII Azusa.
seluruh Dunia, di KOTA NEW YORK
Di dalam susunan pengurus yang baru
pada tanggal Sebelas September atau di
di tahun ini, Tjandra Afandi mengadakan
dalam bahasa Inggris nya 911. World
reformasi di dalam majalah gereja Agape,
Trade
perubahan tersebut adalah Sdr. Tjandra
tempat penting di East Coast
yang pertama kali membuat majalah
telah menjadi sasaran serangan
Agape yang selama ini terbit secara
kaum
Quaterly, bisa dilihat secara online.
yang tragis membajak beberapa
Perubahan ini adalah sangat tepat dan
Pesawat Terbang America dan
memang sudah waktunya lah. Dimana
menabrakan
sesuai dengan kemajuan tehnology dan
seluruh penumpang yang naas
komputer, maka mulai tahun ini siapapun
itu
bisa melihat majalah Agape secara
dan beberapa tempat penting
Center
dan
Terrorist
kegedung
beberapa
dengan
Pesawat
WTC,
cara
berserta
Pentagon
Anniversary 2013
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•
•
lain nya di bilangan East Coast.
orang Hamba Tuhan, yang secara
Tragedy sempat membuat seluruh
resmi melayani di GII Azusa. Yaitu Ev.
penduduk America berbalik kepada
Edward Syu yang dari September
Tuhan dan di dalam beberapa bulan
tahun lalu sudah mulai membantu
setelah terjadi nya peristiwa 911 ini
pelayanan di Sunday School, maka di
memenuhi gedung-gedung Gereja.
dalam susunan pengurus baru tahun
Jemaat GII Azusa sempat mengadakan
2002 ini Ev. Edward Syu secara resmi
Persembahan
untuk
melayani di GII Azusa. Pendeta Billy
meringankan sedikit beban bagi
Lim, membantu pelayanan di English
saudara seiman kita yang ada
fellowship, menggantikan Ev. Timothy
di New Jersey, yang sudah pasti
Chuang yang pindah ke Seattle untuk
terkena dampak yang merugikan
menangani cabang GII yang ada di Seattle.
gedung gereja dan tempat tinggal
Sedangkan Hamba Tuhan yang lain
para jemaat yang ada di New Jersey.
yang membantu GII Azusa adalah Ev.
Puji Tuhan di dalam perayaan Natal
Wilson Suwanto, yang khusus melayani
tahun ini, sekali lagi gereja mendapatkan
di kaum pemuda/i Indonesia.
khusus
•
kesempatan
untuk
melakukan
•
Pada bulan Agustus, Sdr. Rocky Tindage
Pementasan Drama yang ditulis dan
dan kawan-kawan dari English Fellowship
dipersembahan oleh Sdri. Tatean Paat,
mengadakan Musical Drama berjudul
pernah beberapa tahun melayani di GII
'The Truth Slayer'
Azusa. Dan sebelum Sdri.Tatean Paat dan
pada hari Sabtu dan Minggu 24 dan 25
keluarganya kembali ke Indonesia for
Augustus, 2002.
good, beliau berbeban menulis Naskah
•
Sementara
itu
Ev.
2003 Sunday School Drama
2003 Thanksgiving Drama Lenong Jakarta
2003 Christmas Cantata
2003 IEC Azusa 20th Anniversary
2004 Easter Baptism
dipentaskan
Edward
Syu,
Drama Natal yang berjudul 'Kristus
mengadakan
Telah Lahir', setelah 4 tahun kemudian
untuk para orang tua supaya mereka
drama ini baru sempat dipentaskan.
lebih mengerti jiwa anak-anak mereka.
Parenting
Seminar,
Sehingga sebagai orang tua Kristen
TAHUN 2002
2
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0
3
2003 IEC Azusa 20th Anniversary
2004 Summer Camp
2004 Chinese New
Year
mereka tahu harus bersikap bagaimana
terhadap anak-anak mereka. Parenting
•
Pada tahun 2002 ini kita mendapat tiga
seminar ini diadakan dua kali yaitu
2004 Retreat
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2004 Joel 1st Birthday
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2005 Retreat
2005 Caroling
2005 Thanksgiving
•
pada tgl 28 September dan 25 October.
Minggu tgl 30 Maret jam 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
•
Ev. Edward
mengadakan
Sabtu tgl 5 April jam 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday School Teacher Training
Minggu tgl 6 April jam 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Syu
juga
pada tanggal Nov 2.
2005 Children's
Christmas Play
•
Seperti
tahun-tahun
sebelumnya
setiap Sabtu pertama bulan Desember,
TAHUN 2003
2005 Cantata
gereja
Thanksgiving
mengadakan
Night, untuk memberikan kesempatan
•
Di tahun ini dimana film dan Novel tentang
pada jemaat yang berbeban untuk
Harry Potter begitu mendominasi jiwa
menyumbang pelunasan gedung gereja
anak-anak remaja. Sehingga ini membuat
dengan diramaikan oleh drama singkat.
kuatir para orang tua Kristen. Dan tentu
TAHUN 2004
saja hal ini juga tidak luput dari kaca mata
pengamatan hamba-hamba Tuhan
di gereja kita, khususnya Ev. Wilson
2006 Easter
2006 Easter
2006 IEC Azusa
23rd Anniversary
58
2006 Mrs. Paula's
Birthday
Anniversary 2013
2006 Mother's Day
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acara-acara yang meramaikan GII azusa.
malam March 14, di kebaktian Muda/i
Salah satunya adalah di dalam rangka
Indonesia, Ev. Wilson mengadakan
merayakan Paskah tahun ini, maka hari
cerama dan tanya jawab tentang Harry
Sabtu sore. Tanggal 10 April, 2004 jam
dengan
Thema;
“Harry
7 malam, dari Engish fellowship
Potter, Friend or Foe”
mengadakan drama symbolic dengan
Pada hari Minggu March 15, setelah
judul “The Character of God.”
kebaktian Ev. Edward Syu mengadakan
Sunday School Teacher Training.
•
Pada tahun ini Sdr.Rocky banyak membuat
Suwanto. Karena itu pada hari Sabtu
Potter
•
•
Gereja
mengadakan
Evangelism
mengambil
“Training
Explosion”
tempat
dan
yang
waktu
•
Pada bulan Mei tgl 8, hari Sabtu jam
6 Malam, sehari sebelum perayaan
Mother's day, di kordinir oleh Sdr.
Rocky Tindage dan kawan-kawan dari
English
fellowship,
selama 5 hari di dalam waktu dua
Appreciation
minggu. Jadwal Trainning adalah sbb:
Mothers. Acara ini adalah untuk
Jumat tgl 28 Maret jam 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
menghormati dan menunjukkan rasa
Sabtu tgl 29 Maret jam 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
terima
kasih
Night
mengadakan
kepada
for
para
the
ibu-ibu,
Anniversary 2013
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2007 IEC Azusa 24th Anniversary
•
dengan menjamu mereka makan malam
patut untuk dikenang karena untuk
bersama dan menghibur mereka dengan
pertama dan terakhir kalinya gereja di
serangkaian acara hiburan dan acara
dalam perayaan Hut gereja menyampaian
ini ditutup dengan memberikan door
pesan Firman Tuhan melalui drama.
prize kepada ibu-ibu dan pemilihan
tahun pertama ini yang terpilih sebagai
2007 Rev. and Mrs. Lim's Birthday
Mother of the Year adalah ibu
•
2007 Rev. Billy Lim Farewell
2007 Beach Trip
2008 Talent Show
2008 Mr. Yusran's 80th Birthday
English fellowship Pendeta Billy Lim.
sekeluarga pindah ke Texas,
disana
Siapa yang menyangka di ujung tahun ini
beliau
untuk
yaitu tgl 26 december 2004, hari minggu,
mencapai gelar yang lebih tinggi di dalam
sehari setelah perayaan Natal, terjadi
specialty in Children education.
•
melanjutkan
studynya
Pada tgl 10 June, 2006 Ev. Wilson Suwanto
dan sekitarnya meliputi Srilanka,
graduate from Fuller Seminary, Ev.
Philiphina dan Thailand. Waktu dan
Wilson mendapat gelar Master Degree.
•
Karena banyak anak-anak yang sudah
tgl 27 Desember, hari Senin. Sementara
menginjak dewasa dan memasuki High
waktu di America adalah tgl 26 Desember.
School, karena itu gereja membuka
persekutuan untuk mereka yang sudah
2008 Drama Penyakit Cinte
2008 Retreat
Anniversary 2013
Di dalam tahun ini Ev. Edward Syu
meninggalkan GII Azusa, karena beliau
tempat di darerah bencana Tsunami
2008 Mr. Kiatt's 80th Birthday
•
Naomi Lim, istri dari gembala sidang
Tsunami di Indonesia, di daerah Aceh
60
TAHUN 2006
Mother of the Year, dimana pada
2008 The New Church Building
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0
8
TAHUN 2005
remaja. Di bulan October tahun 2005
gereja membuka High School Service
•
or High School Fellowship.
Di awal tahun ini Sdr. Jeffrey Ibrahim
mengadakan basketball club for the kids.
•
TAHUN 2007
Di dalam perayaan Hut GII Azusa
tahun ini gereja merayakannya dengan
Ramah-Tamah dan pementasan
sandiwara
dengan
bergaya
Judul
Srimulat
“Walang
•
Setelah hampir dua tahun absent,
maka di tahun ini gereja kembali
Keke”
mengadakan Sunday School Teacher
(Lirikan Mata Seorang Bidadari)
Training. Mengambil tempat setiap
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•
•
hari minggu sehabis kebaktian mulai tgl
a little sanctuary untuk ibadah anak-
25 February sampai tgl 1 April, 2005.
anak Sunday School atau dalam keadaan
Di pertengahan tahun, Pdt. Billy Lim dan
darurat bisa dipakai untuk kebaktian doa.
Ibu Naomi Lim, mengakhiri pelayanannya
TAHUN 2008
di GII AZUSA, karena visa missionarynya telah berakhir di tahun ini, dan beliau
akan kembali ke Australia untuk kembali
•
Setengah
Tahun
setelah
pembelian
melayani di gereja dari mana mereka
gedung gereja yang baru, maka pada tgl 18
berasal sebelum mereka mengunjungi
May 2008, gereja mengadakan peresmian
America Serikat.
untuk gedung gereja yang baru. Khusus
Puji Tuhan!! karena Tuhan mengetahui
di dalam 'Dedikasi untuk Gedung
kebutuhan gereja kita dimana jumlah
Gereja' yang baru ini Founder dari
anak-anak sekolah minggu di gereja
GII Azusa, yaitu Rev. Moses Yang
semakin
lagi
dari New Jersey, khusus datang ke Los
persekutuan untuk anak-anak High
Angeles untuk menggunting pita dan
School. Setelah selama ini kita berdoa
meresmikan gedung gereja yang baru ini.
bertambah,
belum
maka tibalah waktunya, dimana tetangga
•
Pada tanggal 8 sampai 10 Agustus 2008,
kita sepasang suami-istri yang ramah
gereja pusat di New Jersey mengadakan
bermaksud menjual rumah mereka
HUT-nya yang ke-40. Karena itu gereja dari
dan mereka akan tinggal di rumah
pusat mengundang cabang-cabang gereja
untuk Senior Citizens. Dan gereja
yang ada di San Francisco, Sacramento,
membelinya dengan harga yang relatif
San Jose, Seattle dan Los Angeles untuk
murah, dan gereja juga mendapatkan
menghadiri perayaan ke-40 ini. Gereja
mortgage untuk pembelian rumah tsb.
pusat juga menyediakan tempat tinggal
Maka pada bulan November, gereja
dan makanan di hotel mulai dari hari
secara fakta telah memiliki gedung baru
Jumat sampai hari Minggu siang.
di sebelah gereja kita yang lama.
•
•
•
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2009 Chinese New Year
2009 IEC Azusa 26th
Anniversary
2009 Talent Show
2009 Rev. Wilson's Birthday
2010 Retreat
Gedung yang baru ini adalah untuk anak-
sengaja diundur satu minggu, karena di
anak sekolah minggu classrooms dan
dalam tahun ini gereja akan men-tahbis-
juga untuk High School service, plus
kan Ev. Wilson Suwanto
Anniversary 2013
2010 Children's Christmas Play
Ulang Tahun GII Azusa di tahun ini
2010 Thanksgiving Drama
62
2009 Caroling
2010 IEC Azusa 27th Anniversary
Anniversary 2013
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•
menjadi seorang
Pendeta.
Rev.
yang akan memimpin dan mewakili Pdt.
Moses Yang mempunyai kesempatan
Stephen Hosea untuk mengembalakan
untuk datang dan mendedikasikan Ev.
jemaat baru di San Diego ini. Dan banyak
Wilson menjadi pendeta pada minggu
jemaat GII Azusa yang turut meramaikan
ketiga September. Karena itulah Hut
pembukaan cabang GII di San Diego ini.
gereja tahun ini dirayakan pada tgl 20
TAHUN 2010
dan 21 September, 2008.
•
Pada tgl 19 October, Pdt. Wilson
memberikan ceramah untuk para guru
•
Tidak ada kejadian khusus yang terjadi
sekolah minggu dan para helper atau
di tahun ini, semua berjalan secara
mereka yang berbeban untuk mengajar
routinitas.Akan tetapi perlu diperhatikan,
sekolah minggu. Topic yang dibawakan
bahwa jemaat yang mengunjungi GII
adalah God's creation or Nature's
Azusa agak berkurang. Faktor ekonomi
Evolution.
bisa memegang peranan, karena resesi
2
0
1
1
2011 Easter
2011 IEC Azusa 28th Anniversary
2011 Mother's Day
2011 Easter
2011 IEC Azusa 28th Anniversary
di Amerika yang berlarut-larut banyak
TAHUN 2009
orang
yang
kehilangan
pekerjaan.
2012 Retreat
Sehingga membuat orang harus bekerja
•
Pada tanggal 25 January 2009, di
dalam
•
64
merayakan
perayaan
•
Alasan lain juga karena America adalah
Imlek yang pada tahun ini jatuh pada
negara immigran, sekarang sudah tidak
hari minggu tgl 25 January ini. Maka
seperti dahulu lagi dimana banyak orang-
Drama
orang yang sekolah di United States ini.
Chinese New Year berjudul “Wong
Akan tetapi sekarang semakin berkurang
Kam Poeng” (The Legend of A
orang-orang dari Indonesia yang sekolah
Swordman).
di Los Angeles.
Gereja
•
rangka
setiap hari Minggu.
mempersembahkan
Pada tgl 26 April 2009, gereja mengadakan
•
2012 Chinese New Year
Faktor yang paling besar adalah sekarang
Sunday School Teacher Training.
banyak sekali gereja-gereja Indonesia
Pada tgl 2 Agustus, gereja pusat telah
yang bertebaran di Los Angeles ini.
membuka cabang GII di San Diego pukul
Beberapa puluh tahun yang lalu gereja
5:00 sore Pdt. Jonathan Loawidjaya
Indonesia di LA bisa dihitung dengan jari.
Anniversary 2013
2012 Easter
2012 Christmas Cantata
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•
•
Tetapi sekarang gereja-gereja Indonesia
menangani kejiwaan dan pergumulan
di Los Angeles ini lebih dari 250 gereja
seorang anak di dalam menginjak usia
dan terus semakin bertambah.
yang semakin dewasa. Sehingga sejak
Jemaat yang menghadiri Azusa sekarang
tahun yang lalu Parenting seminar
adalah sektiar 200–250 orang.
selalu di pimpin oleh Ibu Ester Susabda.
TAHUN 2011
•
TAHUN 2012
Banyak anak-anak Sunday School yang
Mungkin untuk orang-orang tertentu
sudah menginjak dewasa dan sudah
mereka
kuliah sehingga mereka yang kuliah
'kekalahan'. Kekalahan disini adalah
di luar kota
sudah tidak menghadiri
bahwa kenyataan yang menghadiri gereja
kebaktian di Azusa lagi. Dan di dalam
kita secara total menurun 'drastis'
banyak hal banyak juga teman-teman
jemaat yang hadir secara rata-rata tidak
mereka yang biasa menghadiri kebaktian
melebihi 200 orang. Tetapi kita sebagai
di gereja juga tidak bisa datang karena
Anak Tuhan tidak melihat Quantity
mereka juga kuliah atau mereka segan
tetapi adalah Quality.
karena tidak mempunyai temannya lagi
•
•
•
tidak
bisa
menerima
kenyataan
yang membuat keadaan gereja pada masa
kita
ini adalah “survive”.
mengadakan
adalah
yang
terjadi
Chinese
di
'kebaktiannya
sejak tanggal 1 July 2012, Chinese
Cuma satu hal yang patut diingat. Biasanya
Fellowship di gabung dengan kebaktian
di dalam perayaan Father's Day, gereja
umum jam 10:30 pagi. Banyak alasan yang
biasanya meminta Pdt. Yakub Susabda
membuat kebaktian Chinese ini harus
untuk
Tapi
digabung, karena jemaat yang hampir
kemudian Pdt. Yakub Susabda berkata,
tidak mempunyai waktu datang pada
bahwa istrinya juga bisa memimpin
kebaktian setiap hari minggu jam 4 sore.
ceramah,
Waktu yang melintang diantara kegiatan
malah
ceramah.
khusus
di
dalam
2013 Mother's Day
2013 Mother's Day
2013 Easter
yang
berlangsung sesuai dengan schedule.
memberikan
2013 Easter
Fellowship,
terakhir' pada tgl 24 June 2012. Maka
acara
2013 Basketball Court
gereja
tahunan
biasanya
2013 Valentine's Day Drama
Hal lain lagi yang harus dilihat dengan
di GII Azusa ini. Itu semua adalah faktor
Seperti
2
0
1
3
2013 Easter
66
Anniversary 2013
Anniversary 2013
2
0
1
3
67
•
yang biasanya dilakukan oleh jemaat
merayakan Berkat dan Anugrah
gereja, baik untuk latihan choir, atau
Tuhan kepada Gereja nya di New
latihan apapun untuk mempersiapkan
Jersey selama 45 tahun ini.
diri
melakukan
suatu
penampilan
•
Puji Tuhan juga, memasuki HUT GII
adalah mengambil tempat yang kritikal
Azusa yang ke-30 tahun ini, gereja
dimana sewaktu kebaktian Chinese
mencapai
berlangsung. Di samping kadang-kadang
Quality
kesulitan untuk menemukan pembicara
Azusa yang datang stabil diantara 175–
yang only Chinese speaker, hal yang
200 orang. Dan banyak orang-orang
lain yang memberatkan adalah hampir
baru yang berbeban untuk membantu
semua jemaat Chinese Fellowship
Sunday School.
mereka bisa berbahasa Indonesia dan
sudah sejak tahun lalu ada Sunday
bisa menghadiri kebaktian pagi jam 10:30
School Choir, dipimpin oleh Sdri.
pagi.
Nadya Yobeanto dan Sdri. Fairlyn
kestabilan
baik
secara
maupun Quantity, jemaat
Gereja kita juga
Soetojo.
TAHUN 2013
•
Gereja juga mempunyai 'Choir untuk
orang dewasa'
•
Di dalam tahun ini, hampir baru pertama
Sdri. Binawati Kusnohadi,
kali jemaat GII Azusa mengadakan dua
Unique – kan dari Choir Dewasa
generasi tour ke San Fransisco di
ini, mereka seringkali bernyanyi di
dalam rangka merayakan hari libur 4th
dalam bahasa Mandarin.
of July. Ini adalah suatu tanda positive
•
•
ke –
Untuk kegiatan sekuler anak-anak
dimana tua-muda, dua generasi bisa
sekolah Minggu, bertempat di gedung
mengadakan tour bersama-sama selama
yang
tiga hari dua malam.
Lapangan Basket, setiap hari Jumat
Puji Tuhan, di tahun ini gereja pusat
jam 6 sore ada latihan basket buat
di New Jersey
anak-anak, yang dilatih oleh jago basket
merayakan HUT-nya
yang ke-45 dan juga mengundang jemaat
GII Azusa, untuk bersama-sama datang
68
yang dipimpin oleh
Anniversary 2013
baru
gereja
kita
Indonesia Joyo Prayitno.
mempunya