To Live is to Care Article by Stephen Son Testimony by Melvin Wongso 4 Tips to Improve Your Leadership Skills
IFGF Pinole Monthly Newsletter June 2016 JUNE 2016 • 1
From Pastor’s Desk
We are living in a world that is too busy to care. A world with short attention-spans. A world that is filled with ambitions, selfpreservations and fights for survival.
A hungry soul, a broken-hearted old man, a disappointed child, and a miserable lover are like decorations to this contemporary life. Who cares? They were always there and they will always be there. We need to take care of our own lives. Who pays attention to irrelevant matters such as those that do not add value to our lives? At the same time, we are always aware of our need to be noticed, to be heard, to be cared for. Is there anybody out there, we cried. Does anybody care? Does anybody feel our broken hearts, our pain and suffering, our dreams and wishes? The fact that we are asking these questions are an indication that we have looked for love at all the wrong places. And we are too blinded by our own pains that we could not see other’s. God from heaven is shouting loud to say that He cares. “Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.” Isaiah 49:15. He cares for us more than our mother! That should catch our attention immediately. We come from Him. We are his handy work and we mean so much to Him. He cares and He wants us to know that. He sent Jesus for us. He cares for everyone in this world. He wants those who are already aware of His love to let others know about his love and caring heart. The Bible teaches us that caring is not just a feeling. It is a specific action applied to specific people in specific circumstances. It starts with the love of Christ, and the end goal is to make the whole world to know and experience the love of God. The bible also shows us the patterns of caring: that we can duplicate so we can grow in Christ-like character. Let’s build a community of caring people in Pinole so we can enjoy life together, be a blessing to people around us, and live for the glory of God! Show on Front Cover: Nathaniel Wilson, Stephanie Hartono, Kevin Go 02 • GENESIS NEWSLETTER
Truly Human by Stephen C Son
Everybody has family problems. It seems that no one
expectations and false religions. I accepted Jesus into
grows up without some sort of family issue whether
my heart at an event called the Harvest Crusade led by
it would be divorced parents, sibling rivalry or abusive
the now famous pastor of Orange County, Greg Laurie.
stepparents. I know all too well about family dissention. My parents divorced when I was 9. I grew up in the ghetto
Of course, being young and immature as I was, what I had
neighborhood of LA. I saw and did things as a child that
thought was supposed to happen like a Disney story of a
I should have been protected from. My Father’s version
prince rescuing a princess, turned out to be yet another
of love was trying to make a lot of money through
lie, or so I thought at the time. Everything I was brought
scams and schemes, gambling and drinking. My Mother’s
up to believe seemed to be a lie and nobody had any of
version of love was making sure my two younger sisters
the answers to my questions regarding my newfound
and I stayed busy with the “do’s and don’ts” of life. With
faith and how to incorporate it within my everyday life.
my Dad gone and Mom working all the time, there was virtually no time for cultivating and nurturing intimate relationships. My parents were always just a force to be reckoned with; taskmasters of a biological relation. My Father was a ghost and my Mother was a Robocop.
“The loneliest feeling anyone could feel is when the very thing(s) that you thought was supposed to bring you the most pleasure, the most fulfillment, fails you,” said Christian apologist, Ravi Zachariahs.
When I was introduced to Jesus at the age of 10, I attended a megachurch called Calvary Chapel South
No soon after what I thought was the ultimate heart break,
Bay whose head pastor was Steve Mays at the time.
which was my disappointment from my false expectation
Going to Sunday school, vacation bible study and
of God, was when I had decided to rebel against everything
memorizing bible verses were yet another taskmaster
and everyone. I distinctly remember stating as a child
to be enslaved to; just on a divine level. Everything that
that I had wanted to experience all the pleasures of life
was preached seemed contrary to the actual life that
regardless of the cost. I had become my own god.
these “Christians” demanded and portrayed. Needless to say, it was a very difficult and confusing time for
Through my journey of independence from God, I became
me. Everyone, my Mother and Sunday school teachers,
a villain. Feelings of justification ramified all that I did.
all contradicted themselves. But if anything of the
It didn’t matter who got hurt or the reputation I was
gospel I was taught was true, then I gave it a chance
unknowingly signing in my resume of life. In fact, the worst
to be freed from this life of slavery. Slavery to rules,
it got the higher, or better, I thought I was being in life. It JUNE 2016 • 03
certainly felt that way. The lies that enveloped me during
stronger, bigger, just and much wiser than any other being
my youth inevitably led me to believe my own lies. The
in the universe to bring order out of chaos. Good out of
cycle of insanity began; believing that a certain outcome
bad. For chaos is order yet to be deciphered by God.
to be different by doing the same thing each time. As I contemplate and explain the goodness of God which As I entered into the world of addiction and licentiousness,
he has so graciously taught and admonished me through
the battle between two worlds ensued. The battle of
much pain and suffering, the only conclusion that I could
the gods, as it were. Having both feet, one foot on each
muster at the time being is that he has “pulled me out of
side of the trench in war, I was torn apart. Jesus said,
the muck and the mire,” and “has adorned me with Jesus’s
“no one could serve two masters. Either you will hate
righteousness.” That, “though I was still a sinner” with, “sins
the one and love the other. Either you will serve one or
as red as scarlet” He (God) has made me white as snow.
despise the other.” Ultimately, I kept choosing to serve the gods of addiction, debauchery, or to sum it all, idolatry;
Again, I grew up in the church believing in God through
and these gods were merciless. Just like the Israelites,
many trials and struggles. But once I had that ultimate
when God had miraculously delivered them from the
encounter with Jesus, my heart’s disposition to him
hand of pharaoh, I grumbled and whined and did not
kept nudging at my heart every step of the way. No
dramatically changed. Humans are created with a longing for something more; something infinite. God is the missing puzzle piece to that in our lives. As I tried to fill that gap with anything and everything that the whole world had to offer, I was virtually broken to the very core and fabric of my being. Jesus said to store up treasures in heaven
matter where I went, no matter what I was doing He
where “moth and rust cannot destroy and where thieves
was essentially saying that he wanted to “woo” me
cannot break in and steal. For where your treasure is,
back into his arms. Then slowly and surely, he started
your heart is also.” He further says to, “seek first the
to convince me more and more of my need to depend
kingdom of God and all else will be added unto you.” My
on him. That the separation I had caused had
treasure was in the things of this world. All hope was
been the very reason why I was dying. As it was written, “For God so loved the world, He gave his only begotten son that who should believe in him should not PERISH, but have everlasting life.” I was perishing and I didn’t even know it.
lost and the will to live, ceased. But as God would have
believe in the God of love, the God of mercy, the God of redemption and kept running back to the land of Egypt to be willingly be enslaved to pharaoh, the lord of my sin. As I got older and furthered in my journey of life, God
it, He had his victory through Jesus and won my heart. Supernaturally, God reunited me with my mother and reconciled what was broken; all of our relationships between God myself and my family which is currently his
People have questioned my God as God of the Old
active work and my training grounds for ministry. Just as
Testament and the God of the New Testament, the God
Jesus met Saul, who later became Paul, on the road to
of wrath that somehow became the God of mercy. Again,
Damascus, so has the gracious Lord came to me, and so
as Ravi states that, “these two are a false dichotomy.”
he would for anyone that God has written the names in
God was, is and always will be holy and true which is his
his book of life. Jesus said that “when he calls his sheep
sovereignty. When people believe in this false dichotomy,
they will answer” because they know him and he works the
Ravi discovered, it is because they have forgotten
good for those that he calls and loves. I believe, I was one
the rest of the stories. They didn’t see what God was
of the many sheep who have gone astray. But as the Lord
accomplishing. Such is the story of Moses and the
says even if one of his sheep have gone astray, he as the
deliverance of his people. God smote many Egyptians
good shepherd, will leave the ninety-nine to find the one.
for the sake of the Israelites. There was absolutely no mercy in that. Yet, when he delivers people in the New
But that didn’t mean the struggle ended. In fact, because
Testament, he uses Jesus. But was there any mercy in the
the devil knew that he was losing his grip on me, he fought
crucifixion of Christ on the cross? I think not. Therefore,
even harder to keep me enslaved. Even so, as we wait on
we can only conclude that God is, was and always will be
the Lord, as the broken cry out and call upon his name,
the same forever. A God of love, compassion and grace.
He is faithful and just to answer; that through Jesus
A God of kindness, “...for it is by kindness that leads us
we are more than conquers. Through Jesus, we become
into repentance...”; that through our fallen nature, God is
heirs to the throne of God’s kingdom by being adopted
04 • GENESIS NEWSLETTER
as sons and daughters of the most high; being able to join in an everlasting family of the greatest Heavenly Father, the only Heavenly Father of the universe. What this meant for me was, if it wasn’t for IFGF Pinole and its citizens displaying Jesus’ character so faithfully, then I wouldn’t have anywhere to run to for refuge. I believed for the longest time that Jesus really didn’t love the church but Paul says in Ephesians that husbands should love their wives for he is the head of the family
LET’S PRAY
just as Jesus loves his church as the head of the church.
FOR JUNE
When I worked for a ramen house in the Pacific East Mall
with Joan Wirolinggo
of El Cerrito, CA, I met a young man named, Maxwell, who invited me to a caregroup night on a Friday. This sparked a close friendship with Max and a brotherhood with other
For this month let us pray for:
male church members. Through these relationships, I have experienced what it really meant to be a church. Because
Our pastors and their family. Pray
of IFGF and the love of Christ shared by everyone, it has
for protection upon them, and
effectively convinced me to view my relationship with
zealous heart in their walk with
Jesus differently. This in turn ultimately brought about a
God.
new life that God promises each and everyone when they come to Jesus for salvation. For Jesus came to give life
Our two services in downtown
and life abundantly. Therefore, as my relationship
Pinole and San Ramon. Pray for
with Jesus and my church grew, the more I felt I belong. I was discovering and rediscovering who I really was in the light of Jesus. I joined
the church to have unity and zealous heart in serving their community and fruitfulness.
the newsletter ministry which rekindled my passion for writing and reading. I was free to sing and dance without
Unity and compassionate heart
judgement and condemnation during worship on Sunday
in our congregation to put others
services. I’ve resumed my art portfolio by drawing again.
need above themselves.
In conclusion, though I was a son of perdition and
Holy Spirit to comfort and
disobedience, God called me to become a son of light.
strengthen us in facing though
He took my heart of stone and molded it into a heart
season in our lives.
of flesh; that once I was blind but now I see. Once I was lost but now am found. I was dead but now I live. This is
Our care group gathering. Let’s
what the grace of God does. This is what the journey
pray that there will be unity,
of life is truly about. This is what it truly means to be
growth, and evangelism heart.
human, to know and understand Jesus and him crucified, died and on the third day rose again. That through his resurrection, we are called to solely depend on him, and through this dependence a relationship with God can and will allow us to be who we truly were created to be.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
JUNE 2016 • 05
Testimony
Rebuilding the Temple by Melvin Wongso
This testimony is not going to be one of those, “this
circumstances are, there’s always a way to get back on
is how God turned my life from good to bad.” In
track with God because God works in the impossibilities.
contrast, this is the one that talks about how it goes from being good to less than good, and yet I’ll sing
Further down the chapter, God stirred up prophets and
praise because I’m confident that God is good.
Levites to equip the rebuilding process. Today, we have the Bible (God’s very Word), the Holy Spirit and amazing
2016 started great. The last two months, however, have
pastors and leaders who love you to help in rebuilding
been challenging. I can’t help but feel discouraged by the
your Temple. My point is, God’s plan is and always
lack of bonding within the Davis community (and whether
that, my relationship with God was going downhill.
will be sufficient. He will fully prepare the tools required to build that relationship with Him. Make full use of the tools that God has prepared for you and stop trying to struggle on your own!
Those of us who have experienced spiritual dry
It’s also interesting to note that Cyrus himself saw
patches would know what I mean, feeling lost
the importance of the Temple. As God was about
and wondering if going the distance is worth it, or
to bless him, God made him build the Temple finely
looking back at the time you were at the peak in
beforehand; before Cyrus went on to build one of
your spiritual life and wondering how you ended up
history’s greatest empires, he first got into God’s
here. As you struggle to get back to that point,
good books. Likewise, I believe that before we set off
you can’t help but feel like a lone soldier.
to build our empires, and before asking God for one,
we’ll get newcomers next quarter.) My classes are getting tougher, and I’ve got a lot more on my plate. On top of
let’s make sure that our hearts are right with God’s. While having my quiet time today, God reminded me of another quiet time I had a few months back entitled
I am hopeful of what God has in store ahead not because
“Rebuilding the Temple”. It’s funny how God gives you
I’m optimistic, but because I know that it’s in His character.
something before you actually need it. In Ezra 1, we
Just last week in LA, I might have found our very first
see that after 50 years of exile following the destruction
newcomer to the Davis CG for next Fall, my classes are
of Jerusalem, the Jews were decreed by Cyrus to return
apparently turning out better than I thought and I believe
and rebuild the Temple. Do note that Cyrus is not a
many more testimonies will be coming up in due time.
believer. This all highlights that it doesn’t matter what your
06 • GENESIS NEWSLETTER
Article
4 Tips to Improve Your Leadership Skills LEARN TO FOLLOW I think it is essential for a leader to learn how to follow first. In following, you develop how to do it yourself. When you are able to do it yourself and have done it, it shapes you to be a good leader because you know how to teach and guide people, as well as know what they are going through.
CHRISTIAN LIONG
CHALLENGE YOURSELF Dive into the water and challenge yourself to go to the next level. You grow when you go out of your comfort zone.
PS. JEFFRI HALIM
HUMBLY SERVE OTHERS One of the most important lessons about leadership in biblical perspective is that we lead by serving others, which is contrary to the popular secular belief. Just as Jesus lead the disciples by serving them with a humble heart, we need to lead others by humbly serving them. This could mean joyfully covering up for others who bail out in the music team, genuinely initiating an intentional relationship with a not so friendly new Caregroup member, and gladly helping out to coordinate a church event despite the super demanding school work or busy life (shout out to Shirley!). Easier said than done, but thankfully we have the Holy Spirit who can teach us all things!
ELISSA IRMA
SEEK GOD’S WISDOM Don’t be a prideful leader, feeling like you already know everything. Learn to accept criticism. My advice is to always ask God’s help to remind us to always be humble. You always learn whether you’re a disciple or a leader.
ADI JULIANLOO
JUNE 2016 • 07
IFGF Pinole AFTERNOON SERVICE (2:15 PM)
MORNING SERVICE (10 AM)
SOUTH BAY SERVICE (10:30 AM)
2885 PINOLE VALLEY ROAD
2850 ESTATES AVENUE
2300 TALAVERA DR
PINOLE, CA
PINOLE, CA 94564
SAN RAMON, CA 94583
Community Room
Multi Purpose Room
Pinole Senior Village
Bollinger Canyon Elementary School
CARE GROUPS
PRAYER MEETINGS
JUNE EVENTS
SF ARISE - SAN FRANCISCO
FAITH (Tuesdays, 8PM)
3 & 17
Caregroup Gathering
Joan 415.690.9808
Joan 415.690.9808 11
Corporate Prayer
CG WARRIORS - PINOLE
KING (Thursdays, 7PM)
Maxwell 510.374.2686
Jessica 415.758.8645
Chris 510.837.7867 HEROES (Wed or Thurs, 7PM) CG FAMILY - PINOLE
Kevin 510.316.8758
Julietha 510.323.5747 LEGENDS (Thursdays, 8PM) CG FAVOR - PLEASANT HILL
Michelle 408.874.5098
Dana 925.690.7561 Stephanie 925.331.7818
WARRIORS (Tuesday nights) Maxwell 510.374.2686
CG HOPER - PLEASANT HILL Nathaniel 925.888.9420
FAVOR & HOPER (Thursdays, 8PM)
Andrew 925.888.9421
Nathan 925.888.9420
CG LEGENDS - BERKELEY SISTERS
FRONTIER (Thursdays, 9PM)
Clarissa 510.541.2076
Tinus 510.673.7334
CG HEROES - BERKELEY BROTHERS Hendry Yang 925.75.8922
MINISTRIES
JUNE BIRTHDAYS
Documentation - Eric Timotius
13
Stephen Son
CG FRONTIER - SOUTH BAY
Publication - Melanie Thio
21
Jennifer Wongsosaputro
Adi 415.463.9010
Multimedia - Catherine Santoso
22
Amos Hendranada
Antony 408.685.1540
Praise & Worship - Karen Liong
22
Ivander Tee
Prayer & Intercession - Joan Wirolinggo
23
Olivia Chandrawinata
CG FRONTIER - EAST BAY
Refreshments - Nathalia Prasetyo Jo
24
Philmon Tanuri
Renaldi 510.710.6316
Sound System - Ronald Arnanjaya
29
Antony Setiawan
Nita 408.718.0834
Sunday School - Jen Hendric
30
Tara Calista
Ushers - Renaldi Website - Yosia Urip
PASTORAL TEAM
CONTACT
CONNECT
SUGI HENDRIC Senior Pastor
IFGFGISIEASTBAY@GMAIL.COM
FACEBOOK: IFGF Pinole
JEFFRI HALIM Associate Pastor,
IFGFPINOLE.ORG
INSTAGRAM: ifgfpinole
Biblical Teaching
(925) 609 4343
E- NEWSLETTER: issuu.com/ifgfpinole
08 • GENESIS NEWSLETTER