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hging@skyenet.net

    Raymond Mooi said it best, "There is no such thing as a closed door to the Gospel". In spite of religious persecution, the Church in Indonesia is exploding with spiritual and numeric growth. Thousands of young people are turning to Christ and are literally beginning to change the face of this, the largest and most radical Moslem county in the world.

    From June 10th through July 6th, Janice and I ministered in the nation of Indonesia. We were there at the invitation of Pastor Petrus Agung who pastors the 3,500 member, Gospel of the Kingdom Church. I also taught for five days at the School of Acts Indonesia (TSOA) which is now in it's third year. We also ministered among the churches of Indonesian Christian Fellowship (JKI) and spoke for their annual Pastors Retreat that brought together over 350 pastors and leaders. God gave me grace and I was able to preach and teach 29 times without losing my voice.

    JKI is the youngest of the three Mennonite groups in the county. These churches are moving in the power of the Holy Spirit in spite of open persecution. God is confirming His Word with signs and wonders. These brothers and sisters are like none we have met in the world. They have a passion for Jesus and for worship that defies description. Our greatest concerning was that we would not do anything to hinder the work of the Spirit among them. Frankly the Indonesians do not need us, but the North American church desperately needs them and their vision for the "Harvest".

    In Semarang (Central Java) the church pastored by Petrus Agung continues to experience phenomenal growth. In 1999 they baptized 1,500 new believers. Today they have 3,500 members (not counting children) and will most likely by at 5,000 members by the end of this year. God has also sovereignty given them the last FM radio frequency in their area. Rhema Radio is on the air with the Gospel and has the potential of reaching 30 million people. They are currently building a permanent studio on the church property. They are experiencing nothing short of a miracle.

    One hour south of Semarang is the city of Salatiga. Salatiga has a Christian university and one of the most exciting churches we have ever seen. Pastor Samuel Handoko had a vision to reach high school and college age young people. While he continues to pastor JKI Maranatha in Ungaran, God has raised up a church of 500 members in Salatiga. No one is that church has had their 25th birthday! I shared with them the vision God gave me of one million Indonesian youth people assembled in radical worship and praise to God. I also made them promise that they would invite to me when it happens. Janice and I want to be there.

    While the move of the Spirit is glorious, the struggle is real. Pastor Johnaes and his wife, Martha, are a good example. They pastor a small church high in the mountains. It took us four and a half hours to get there by car. They are the only Christian church within 30 kilometers. In their village of some 6,000 to 10,000 people, there are many members of the radical Jihad (Moslem) army. Pastor Johnaes has been receiving threatening phones call, stones have been thrown through their windows, but they know that this is the place God has called them. Pastor Johnaes cried for joy over our coming. They told us that we were the first North Americans to come to their church. Johnaes, Martha, and their three small children desperately need our prayers.

    We rejoice over the open door God has given us to Indonesia. This was my fifth trip to that nation. In January of this year, my book "Let This Mind Be In You" was published and released in the Indonesian language. Plans are currently being made to in Indonesia again next year. We are also working to bring in an exciting young lady by the name of Lilly Adi ( a high school senior) from Southern California between Christmas and New Year of this year. And by God's grace, Pastor Petrus Agung will come in January or February. To God be the Glory!

    We'll keep you posted.

hging@skyenet.net

Last updated 9/20/03gc