Weekend in Berastagi, Indonesia 🇮🇩 – Part 2

A Full and Blessed Sunday

Sunday was a full and busy day, but also a deeply blessed one.

The first service began at 7:30 AM. As usual, the worship was vibrant and full of life. Jonathan also had the opportunity to lead a worship song during the service, and it was wonderful to see how naturally he connected with the congregation through worship.

I shared the Word on the topic “When You Don’t Know What to Do”, from 2 Chronicles 20, the account of King Jehoshaphat and the great multitude that came against Judah.

The message was about those moments in life when we come face to face with situations that are beyond our ability to handle. Like Jehoshaphat, there are times when we simply do not know what to do- but we can still look to God.

At the altar call, many people responded.

As I looked at those who came forward, I could sense that there were many different needs represented—people carrying burdens, facing uncertainties and perhaps going through battles that others knew nothing about.

It was a reminder that the pulpit may be public, but the needs of the heart are often private.

We may not always know what people are going through, but God does. And He knows exactly how to meet them where they are.

The Second Service

The second service began at 10:00 AM.

Jonathan travelled to Tiga Pana to share the Word, while I stayed back to minister at the second service in Berastagi. Pst Cindy later told me how powerful the service was at Tiga Pana. They were blessed with Jonathan's sharing.

The congregation at KCC was smaller, but the presence of God was no less evident. Numbers do not determine God's presence. Whether the gathering is large or small, Jesus is still worthy of our worship and His Word still has power to transform lives.

I shared on the theme “Open My Eyes, Lord”, based on the prayer of Elisha's servant in 2 Kings 6:8–17.

Sometimes our greatest problem is not what is happening around us, but what we are unable to see.

Fear can blind us to God's protection. Problems can blind us to God's provision. Circumstances can blind us to God's presence.

Elisha's servant saw the enemy surrounding them, but Elisha saw something else—the army of the Lord surrounding the enemy.

What we see determines how we respond.

My prayer was that God would open our spiritual eyes to see Him more clearly, especially in those moments when circumstances seem overwhelming.

A Taste of Berastagi

After the service, Pastor Daniel and his wife, Pastor Yusli, kindly treated me to lunch at a new restaurant.

We had bakso, and it was really good! It was a simple meal, but these moments of fellowship are always special. Ministry is not only about preaching and leading-it is also about sharing meals, conversations, laughter and life together. We had good discussions on family, ministry and just laughed our hearts out.

Investing in the Next Generation

Later in the afternoon, Jonathan conducted a worship workshop for the worship team.

It was a powerful and meaningful session. He shared not only about worship as music, but about the heart of a worshipper and what it means to minister to God and to His people.

I was told afterwards that the Holy Spirit moved powerfully during the workshop. 

It was also wonderful to see how quickly the young people and worship team connected with Jonathan. They really took to him and were already asking when he would be coming back!

For me, this was especially encouraging.

Ministry is not only about what we do today; it is also about investing in those who will carry the baton tomorrow.

Seeing Jonathan minister, teach and connect with the younger generation reminded me again of the importance of raising and releasing the next generation of leaders.

The Power of Unity

In the evening, I told Bishop Ezra and Pastor Daniel that I would like to spend some time with the church leaders speaking about “The Power of Unity.”

About 55 leaders, representing the various departments and ministries of the church, came for the meeting.

I wanted the session to be informal and interactive rather than simply another teaching session. So, instead of beginning with a sermon, I divided the leaders into groups and asked them to discuss three questions:

1. Is unity good or bad? Why?

2. What are the hindrances to unity?

3. How can we maintain unity?

The discussions were lively.

What encouraged me most was that the issues raised were real, current and practical. This was not a theoretical discussion about unity. The leaders were talking about the realities of working together in ministry.

I could sense that everyone genuinely wanted to preserve the unity of the church. At the same time, they recognised that there were issues that needed to be addressed and relationships that needed attention.

That honesty was encouraging.

Sometimes we speak about unity as though it simply means that everyone agrees with everyone else. But biblical unity is much deeper. It is the willingness to walk together, to communicate, to forgive, to bear with one another and, above all, to remain centred on God's purpose.

Unity does not mean the absence of differences; it means choosing to pursue God's purpose together despite our differences.

It was heartwarming to see the response of the leaders.

We ended the evening in prayer, committing the church, its leaders and its future into the hands of God.

Afterwards, several leaders expressed that they would like to have more gatherings like this, opportunities for the leaders to come together, interact openly, pray for one another and seek God together about how they can fulfil His purpose for the church. Pst Daniel said we need to do this again!!

I left the meeting encouraged.

Perhaps one of the greatest ways we can strengthen a church is not simply by adding more programmes, but by strengthening relationships, building trust and keeping the leaders united around God's purpose. we discovered that the purpose was to reach the unreached.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” - Psalm 133:1

It was a full Sunday—but also a Sunday filled with God's presence, God's Word, worship, fellowship and meaningful conversations.

Right now Jonathan and I are waiting at the departure lounge waiting for our departure to Singapore, with hearts of gratitude. to the Lord