Editorial ] Anniversary 2013

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 Anniversary 2013

1

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.

210

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)

2

Anniversary 2013

Anniversary 2013

3

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." 4

Anniversary 2013

Anniversary 2013

5

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? 6

Anniversary 2013

Anniversary 2013

7

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.

8

Anniversary 2013

Anniversary 2013

9

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 10

Anniversary 2013

Anniversary 2013

11

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!

12

Anniversary 2013

Anniversary 2013

13

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

14

Anniversary 2013

Anniversary 2013

15

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,

16

Anniversary 2013

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

Anniversary 2013

17

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,

18

Anniversary 2013

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

Anniversary 2013

19

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

20

Anniversary 2013

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>.

Anniversary 2013

21

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. 22

Anniversary 2013

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? Anniversary 2013

23

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

24

Anniversary 2013

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

Anniversary 2013

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

26

Anniversary 2013

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

Anniversary 2013

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 28

Anniversary 2013

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. Anniversary 2013

29

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

30

Anniversary 2013

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

Anniversary 2013

31

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

32

Anniversary 2013

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.

Anniversary 2013

33

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. 34

Anniversary 2013

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.

Anniversary 2013

35

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. 36

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) Anniversary 2013

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

38

Anniversary 2013

Anniversary 2013

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. 40

Anniversary 2013

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] Anniversary 2013

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.”

42

Anniversary 2013

Anniversary 2013

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

44

Anniversary 2013

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

46

Anniversary 2013

Anniversary 2013

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

Anniversary 2013

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 54

Anniversary 2013

2002 Retreat

2002 IEC Azusa 19th Anniversary

atau Kantor mereka, yang bertempat

2 0 0 2

•

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

55

•

•

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 0 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

56

Anniversary 2013

2004 Joel 1st Birthday Anniversary 2013

2 0 0 4

57

2 0 0 5

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

2 0 0 6

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

59

2 0 0 7

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

2 0 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 Anniversary 2013

61

• •

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. •

•

•

2 0 0 9

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

2 0 1 0

63

•

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 Anniversary 2013

2 0 1 2

65

•

•

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