genesis: i am willing
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IFGF Pinole Monthly Newsletter ifgfpinole.orgTRANSCRIPT
IFGF Pinole Monthly Newsletter
March 2015
I Am WillingInterview with Bob Sutedja
Devotional by Glorio YuliantoSummer Mission Trip
Church Ministry Recruiting
The amazing story of our Christian lives starts when God is willing. Out
of His own will, no pressure from anyone, He is willing to do everything in
His power to save us. It is His own initiatives to come to earth, meets us in
our messy sinful circumstances, and makes us fit for heaven by washing
us with His own precious blood. This willingness is because of His love. We
can say, it is the nature of God to love because He is love. And to love is
to sacrifice whatever necessary for the object of His love.
This initiative is not the end of the story, however. The final
outcomes, or the end of the story as people called it, is
determined by how we, the object of God’s love, respond to
this initiative. The best course of our action is to respond to
this willingness and offer of redemption by accepting Christ
and His redemptive work at the cross.
The blessing of receiving the gift of eternal salvation is also
complemented by the blessing of victorious living while we are on this
side of eternity. And again, how far we can experience this victorious
living is determined by how we respond to God’s provided opportunities.
The quality of our Christian lives is directly proportional to our willingness
to respond to the opportunities to serve others, to share the good news to
others. Through each positive response to these opportunities to minister,
we come to know more and more, and grow deeper and deeper, in love with
the lover of our soul, Jesus Christ. Are we willing to respond?
From
Pastor’s
Desk
Shown on Front Cover: Emmanuel Calica
Hi Ko Bob, how are you? Tell us a bit about your background. Where you are originally from? What made you stay in the US?
Hi Irene - I grew up in Bandung (the best city to live in
Indonesia!) and came to the US, like many of us here, after
high school. I’ve been living in quite a few places here,
actually - I spent half a year in Oregon, then 3 years in
Michigan, attending Western Michigan University where
I got my degree in Industrial Engineering, and then the
Bay Area. I wasn’t planning to stay in the US, actually, but
things change after a while and I guess I got used to live
here - the Bay Area is a great place to live!
What made you move to the Bay Area?
Mainly the food and the weather! I applied to Cal and got
accepted, so I moved here.
So are you currently working in industrial engineering related job, ie: IEOR-related?
Haha, I was! My first job after Berkeley was actually at a
factory. I worked for four years but then the factory got
closed down. That’s when I moved to Boston..
You’ve lived in Boston?
Yes, I went to Babson College in the Greater Boston Area
for my MBA. Although, Bay Area has always been my home
- I spent all my Christmas holidays and summer in the
Bay Area, and I came back to the Bay Area as soon as I
graduated.
Well, great choice! So you’ve been in the church for a while. Share with us how IFGF Pinole like in the past. What was your experience like when you first came here?
The first time I came to the Bay Area, I actually went to
the SF church, IFGF SF. Then after a few months, IFGF
Pinole was having a special Sunday Service to celebrate
their anniversary. So I went there with my friend. It was a
simple celebration with maybe one or two presentations. I
still remember Pastor Sugi was in one of them. I went again
the following week for the regular service, and that was
when I felt in my heart that this is the church where God
wants me to serve and grow. The church was much smaller
at that time, maybe about 20-25 people.
This Is Our Church
Bob SutedjaAnalyst at Levi’s / Church Advisor / Care Group: Frontier
Was it at the same place?
Yes. We only used one side of the room, though. The
service was simple, only one musician who played a
keyboard or the big piano. Pastor Fendy from IFGF SF
preached almost every week - our Pastor Sugi was not an
ordained pastor yet at that time and only preached once
in a while. For the next several months, I was actually still
attending both churches, IFGF Pinole and SF every sunday.
I see. Is there any particular reason why you joined two churches?
Well, I had made a lot of friends in IFGF SF since I moved
to the Bay Area. There were a lot more people there,
maybe 100. They were having a revival and it was so
exciting. Every Sunday Service was packed and you would
not get a seat if you came late - you would have to stand
in the back. At that time we (Pinole) were much closer with
SF - we did our Bible Studies together and a lot of other
activities together, like camping for example.
What is one of the most memorable experiences for you seeing how the church has grown so far?
Because we were much smaller, we were closer with one
another. I remember we started our prayer meeting with
just three of us, Pastor Sugi, myself and my roommate
who is now in Indonesia. From there it grew to 15-20
people, which was almost the whole church, joining. It was
an exciting time - we would fast, pray, and ate together
06 • GENESIS NEWSLETTER
Bob, a veteran
member of our church,
accompanied by his peers
Edo and Martin.
every week. Sometime we even had an “all-night” prayer
meeting where we prayed together until very late at night.
I can testify that our church started to grow as we started
having our prayer meetings. It grew to a point where
we split and started a new church in Hayward. We were
probably about 70 people at that time, and 20-25 of us
went to open that church in Hayward.
What about care groups?
When I first joined IFGF Pinole, there was no care group
yet. Later on, a couple of friends started a care group in
Emeryville and I joined them. After that few others started
a care group in Pleasant Hill, and then SF.
So the Summer Mission is coming soon. Just wondering, have you ever gone to any mission trips?
Yes. I joined Indonesia Summer Mission twice and also to
Nepal once.
Can you share a little bit about your experiences?
All three of them are memorable. The first one was the
most eye-opening, life-changing experience for me,
maybe because I didn’t really know what to expect - the
whole experience was totally new. There’s no doubt that
God wants His children to come to Him. People are also
seeking and longing for Him. And through the mission
trips, we had the privilege to connect them, preaching
the Gospel to people and leading them to God. It was
such a rewarding and blessed experience. I would say if
you have opportunity, you should go. Do not worry or get
discouraged by the cost or any other challenges. What’s
important is your willingness. Just keep praying about it.
God can open the way. God can move people to willingly
support financially, parents & employers become favorable
and supportive. It happened to me and I have seen it
happened to other people as well.
Great! Tell us about one of your early ministries in Pinole back then. What did you do?
I did the announcement, no video yet during that time. I
was usher too at that time.
Were the ministries similar to today’s dynamics?
There were not as many people back then, so one person
could serve in several areas of ministry and sometimes
served in multiple services. For example, praise and
worship team that served in Pinole might also served in
Hayward on the same Sunday. There was even a season
where PVCC, our host church, was lacking a worship
team. So our worship team ministered at their services on
Sunday morning before ministering at our own services in
the afternoon, and then went to IFGF Hayward to minister
over there as well - 3 times in a day.
Can you play any musical instruments?
Yes. I played drum. At the time, we did not have any
drummer in our church so we had to rely on IFGF SF
musicians. But a lot of times they had to rush back to
IFGF SF for their 5pm services. So I started to learn to
play drum - it was fun.
Wow. I did not know that. Do you have any advice for the new generation people particularly in ministries and serving God and his church?
For me, ministry is a privilege. Some of my friends who
used to minister here while in the US are not ministering
anymore after they went back to Indo. They told me how
they want to, but they didn’t get the opportunity. One
person even told me how he really missed ministering.
In Indo, if you go to a big church, most ministries are
already filled in and it’s harder to join - they are more
selective. So, since we have those opportunities here, why
not use them. Just be sensitive and always be ready to
serve - you will see the needs and opportunities. It’s really
a privilege to be used by God.
Any last words for the church?
We are one big family now. Get to know each other
and do not hesitate to talk to those who are older - the
working people, parents, families. Most of us were foreign
students too before. So ask questions, get insights, and
learn from our experience, so you don’t make the same
mistakes we did. And of course, keep serving Him and one
another as there are opportunities •
MARCH 2015 • 05
Bob Sutedja is one of our veteran members of our church. Originally from IFGF SF, Bob felt God’s call to help grow His church in Pinole. Bob has been involved in important decision makings regarding the growth of IFGF Pinole.
LET’S PRAY FOR MARCH
with Joan Wirolinggo
Our pastor and leaders
that they abide in Him.
Our care group gathering.
Let ’s pray that Jesus wil l
be the center of each care
group and relationship as
brother and sister in Christ
wil l be built .
Our new friends who are new
in the States that they may
find a new family in Christ
through this church .
Our friends who are stil l
looking for a job.
Easter drama production:
Let ’s pray that all members
that is involved wil l be fil led
with extra joy of the Lord
and have a good time
management. And also for
each person who wil l come
to the event wil l have a
personal encounter with God.
Care group Warriors.
Let ’s pray for their
planning to launch the
second service and people
who are wil ling to help.
Speed recovery for our
friends and family members
that are sick .
One day a son was asking his father,
who always teaches him to follow
Jesus and to live his life faithfully,
a question: “Hey dad! Why does our
life seem to be more challenging
than others’ who do not believe in
Jesus?! His dad remained silent,
and unexpectedly, instead, invited
his son to go hunting in the woods.
The son was confused about this
invitation, but he followed his dad
without question. While hunting,
his dad asked his son one question:
“Hey son, what do you want to hunt
today?” Son responded, “A deer?”
His dad replied nothing and smiled.
A few minutes later, his dad pointed
out and said: “Look son! there is a
dead deer over there.” Son answered
with confusion, “Yeah... I see the
dead deer.” Then the dad said,
“Didn’t you say you want to hunt a
deer son?” The son replied with a
disappointment, “Yes dad, but I want
to hunt a living deer not a dead one.”
The dad said, “Exactly! We want to
hunt something that is alive! Not
dead! This is exactly what the Devil
wants. It wants to hunt someone
that is alive not dead. We are alive
because we believe in Jesus!” The
son looked at his father and smiled.
He has now gotten the answer to his
question. Jesus never promised that
our life will be free from challenges
once we believe in Jesus. However,
He said that He will be with us until
the end of the world.
And Jesus came and spoke to them,
saying, “All authority has been
given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Go therefore and make disciples of
all the nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching
them to observe all things that I
have commanded you. And surely
I am with you always, even to the
end of the age.” Matthew 28: 18-20
Look at the last word before Jesus
went up to heaven, he said I am with
you always, even to the end of age.
Isn’t that beautiful?
Devotional
Following Jesusby Glorio YuliantoCare Group: Heroes
Interested? Come join our mission trip to Nepal this summer to serve God and his people on June 28 – July 8, 2015. Talk to your care group leaders so we can get you registered!
Briefly describe one memorable thing about your summer mission experience.
There are so many memorable things about the trip,
travelling in a helicopter, enjoying the Himalayas at
such close distance from the helicopter, and of course,
seeing so many people getting saved! We had a few
crusades during the mission trip. One of the most
memorable thing from the trip was a crusade that we
had in Lukla. Lukla is a small town located at 9,383 ft.
Because it’s located at such high altitude, we could
feel that theair was thinner there. But that’s not the
point... Back to the crusade that we had in Lukla. When
we arrived at the hall where the crusade was scheduled
to happen, it was full of people, we believe there were
around 2000 people there. Ps. Danny started preaching,
translated by Ps. Phillip who is the pastor from IFGF
Kathmandu. At the beginning, we could feel that not
many people were listening, the atmosphere was very
chaotic. Ps. Sugi and myself were sitting on the stage
and we started praying, speaking in tongues, after a
few minutes, we began to feel that peace started to
fill the hall. We could see that more people started to
listen attentively. At the end of the crusade, dozens of
people asked for healing and were healed, hundreds
of people raised up their hand and accepted Christ
as their Savior. The Holy Spirit is just so amazing, He
transformed the chaotic atmosphere and touched so
many souls.
How different is it to share gospel here versus in Nepal?
I would say that both here in the US and in Nepal,
we need to show the love of God when sharing the
Gospel. However, due to different circumstances that
people experience here vs. over there, the way we show
God’s love is a little different. Over there, many people
don’t even have access to basic necessities, such as
healthcare. Thus, during the trip, we organized dental
camp in several villages and provided free dental
service for the people in and around the villages.
Summer MissionTestimony by Nita Stephanie Lie
As people came and received dental care, we would
pray for their needs. This was such a huge blessing for
the people there as some people had actually been
experiencing toothaches for years without knowing
what to do.
Any message God gave to you personally through the mission trip?
During the mission trip, God allowed me to see that
there are so many people out there who have not heard
the Gospel and are in need of this Good News. He also
showed me how fortunate we are here in the US. We
have access to any kind of resources we need that we
sometimes take them for granted, whereas there are so
many people out there who don’t even have access to
basic needs.
As I’m writing this, I am reminded of a song by Matthew
West called “Do Something”, this is what it says “So, I
shook my fist at Heaven and said, ‘God, why don’t You
do something?’ He said, ‘I did, I created you’. Let’s be
the salt and light that God has created us to be and be
a blessing for others.
08 • GENESIS NEWSLETTER
Sound System
WHO ARE WE?
We are the coolest people in the church.
HOW COME?
Because we do our work behind the scene.
WHAT DO WE DO?
We set up the whole sound system in the church during
services and special events like Valentine’s day, Easter
and Anniversary. We make talented singers, guitar
players, pianists and drum players to be heard. We make
them sound better with our little touch.
WHO CAN JOIN SOUND SYSTEM MINISTRY?
To be honest, everyone who has the heart to learn and
serve. If you have no experience at all, don’t worry, we
were once in the same position. We are here to learn
and to serve. Together stronger!
P.S. We use the most advanced technology to control
our sounds: iPad!
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Contact Glorio (Om)!
Ministry RecruitingThere are numerous ways you can contribute to the life of the church.
Through sound, refreshments, and many others, you can find ways to help
God’s house function better. Here are some ways you can be involved at church.
These ministries are currently recruiting!
Contact : Glorio Yulianto (922-222-8675)
09 • GENESIS NEWSLETTER
Genesis
WHO ARE WE
We produce the monthly newsletter (online and paper
copy). We unite church congregation and welcome new
members through testimonies, articles, and devotions.
WE’RE LOOKING FOR...
A passionate graphic designer who has the basic skills
in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustration. We are also
looking for two people who are keen to be our journalists
and writers.
TESTIMONY
Catherine Santoso said, “What I learned from
this ministry is that good communication is
required to produce something great. Without the
communication the relationship inside of the team
is not clear and creates a lot of confusion.”
Contact : Irene Chandra (510-612-3394)
Website & Social Media
WEBSITE
Develop a website platform and design for
ifgfpinole.org.
SOCIAL
Publish content through Instagram, Facebook page
and group, and ifgfpinole.org website.
WE’RE LOOKING FOR...
Digital designers and programmers who are motivated
and able to self learn with the current design trends
and technologies, and people who are passionate about
our church and social media.
EXTRA INFO
Some people has already come to our church by
finding it through the website, the content of our social
media postings really encourage and strengthen the
message that has been given in the sermon. It has
gone all over the world reaching people on the other
side of the world.Contact : Yosia Urip (206-459-7566)
10 • GENESIS NEWSLETTER
Revelation Videos
WHO ARE WE?
We help to make sure that the church would know
of the various upcoming events through the weekly
video. We would do things such as scriptwriting, video
directing, video editing, and filming.
WE’RE LOOKING FOR...
We are looking for creative people that will commit to
be the director, producer, scriptwriter, videographer,
and video editor of Revelation Ministry. Not having any
idea on how to direct or edit a video is never a problem
because many of us started from not knowing anything
too, but as we commit ourselves in the ministry, our
skills keep on growing as well (it means that we will
teach you how to direct, write a script, and edit videos).
TESTIMONY
Maxwell Chen said, “Through serving in the revelation
ministry, I’ve learned that when you use teamwork,
you are able to achieve goals far greater in quality,
and more imaginative than you could ever do yourself.
And those two qualities are, in my opinion, the most
important qualities to possess when serving in this
ministry.”
Documentation
WHO ARE WE?
We’re in charge of keeping up with the life of the
church through capturing important events. We update
pictures on Facebook and IFGF Pinole Flickr.
WE’RE LOOKING FOR...
Documentation ministry is hiring people who are
passionate in people and journalistic photography.
Contact : Eric Timotius (510-712-8401)
Contact : Jessica Tjahjady (925-334-2289)
IFGF Pinole 2885 PINOLE VALLEY ROAD
PINOLE, CA 94564
(925) 609 4343
IFGFPINOLE.ORG
SUNDAY SERVICE EVERY 2:15 PM
CARE GROUPS
PRAYER GROUPS
PASTORAL TEAM MARCH BIRTHDAYS
MINISTRIES UPCOMING EVENTS
CG FAITH
SAN FRANCISCO
Melanie 925.586.7770
Jason 925.305.1278
CG KING
SAN FRANCISCO
Jessica 415.758.8645
Benny 510.367.0664
CG WARRIORS
PINOLE
Maxwell 510.374.2686
Chris 510.837.7867
FAITH (Every Thursday)
Melanie 925.586.7770
KING (Every Monday)
Vincent 925.356.1375
HEROES (Every Thursday)
Alus 408.904.8001
Nicky 650.417.8228
LEGENDS (Every Thursday)
Shirley 415.990.8178
Evelin 925.289.6785
WARRIORS (Every Wednesday)
Jeffri 510.499.5966
FAVOR- HOPER (Every Thursday)
Melvin 510.708.0540
Documentation - Eric Timotius
Genesis Newsletter - Irene Chandra
Men’s Ministry - Christian Liong
Multimedia - Melanie Thio
Praise & Worship - Adi Julianloo
Prayer & Intercession - Joan Wirolinggo
Refreshments - Nathalia Prasetyo Jo
Revelation Videos - Jessica Tjahjady
Sound System - Glorio Yulianto
Sunday School - Jen Hendric
Sunday Service Coordinator - Emmanuel Calica
Transportation - Leonardo Saerang
Ushers - Renaldi
Website - Yosia Urip
Women’s Ministry - Karen Liong & Elissa Irma
SUGI HENDRIC Senior Pastor
JEFFRI HALIM Associate Pastor,
Biblical Teaching
Mar 5-7 BASS Church Workers
Convention
www.bassconvention.org
Mar 14 Corporate Prayer Meeting
Mar 6 & 20 Caregroup Gathering
CG LEGENDS
BERKELEY (SISTERS)
Shirley 415.990.8178 (Freshmen)
Evelin 925.289.6785 (Transfers)
CG HEROES
BERKELEY (BROTHERS)
Alus 408.904.8001 (Freshmen)
Nicky 650.417.8228 (Transfers)
CG FAMILY
PINOLE
Ps. Sugi 510.724.5400
CG FAVOR
PLEASANT HILL
Rebecca 925.482.5562
Jessica 925.334.2011
CG HOPER
PLEASANT HILL
Karen 925.577.6634
Melvin 510.708.0540
CG FRONTIER
SOUTH BAY
Antony 408.685.1540
Adi 415.463.9010
03 Ivan Salim
06 William Tjandra
07 Karina Soenjoyo
09 Jessica Tjahjady
10 Reynaldo
19 Angelin Susanto
22 Nathaniel Wilson
23 Irene Chandra
25 Philbert Wiradjaja
26 Jeannie Natasha
30 Raechel Soebandi