GENESIS: The Good Life by IFGF Pinole

The Good Life Interview with Julie Arifin Devotional by Virginie Poetry Thanksgiving Retreat Info & Testimonies

IFGF Pinole Monthly Newsletter October 2015 SEPTEMBER 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ 1

I like action movies. I like fire, explosions and special effects. I like loud bangs and fast paced music that accompany high speed chases. After watching this kind of movie, I would exclaim, ”That is good!” However, my wife would strongly disagree. ”Too violent and too loud”, she said. “But that is the point. Those are what make the movie so good.” I would argue to no avail trying to convince her to change her opinion of what constitutes a good movie. From

Everyone has their own ideas when the word ‘good’ comes to

Pastor’s

mind. Some would think of it as a pleasant quality of something,

Desk

as an expression of unbelief and dismay- as in “O my goodness!”

What is goodness? What does it mean when God puts this word as one of the expressions of the fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23? I’d like to offer my own definition of what goodness is, but it is more beneficial for us to know what God think about goodness. After all, we often say that ‘God is good all the time’ as an expression of our faith. In this upside down world, where bad things are perceived to be good and vice versa, the understanding of goodness becomes so important. We need a sure anchor in this world but we know that the world cannot give us a sure foundation we need to live as God’s children. Yet, we are blessed because, as King David recognized that someone who is good and knows what is good is willing to teach us goodness. ”You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees” (Psalm 119:68) Knowing this, let us proceed to learn goodness directly from the source, and become the good all-around in all aspects of life: relationships, career, academics, and everything else God has provided for us to live in. Ps.Sugi “Gal 5: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.”

Shown on Front Cover: Artwork by Joan Wirolinggo 02 • GENESIS NEWSLETTER

This is Our Church

Julie Arifin Media Studies Student at UC Berkeley / Worship Leader and Keyboardist / Caregroup: Legends

Hi Julie, how are you doing? How do you feel about this being your last semester at UC Berkeley?

come here for the experience, being in LA, studying

Hi. I’m good. It’s been good. I have mixed feelings

first, my major was Accounting because my mom

actually. I’m finishing school but also entering

told me that accountants make a lot of money and

a new world. Graduating this December.

I just wanted to make money. But after my first

abroad. I came not knowing what I wanted to do. At

semester at Pasadena College (PCC), I realized that

Do you have any plans after graduation? Are you planning to stay here?

I didn’t want to do Accounting. I started exploring

Yeah, of course. After studying in the States for 3-4

and be engaged in Communication. So something

years, you want to apply what you learn to your work. I’m

like Media or Communication really interests me.

other classes and found that I love to communicate

really hoping to get a job somewhere in the Bay Area.

about Marketing and Advertising, so I’m looking for

Yeah, I think it really suits your personality as well. Let’s say you are doing a Marketing Campaign for the church, what are the three adjectives you would use to describe IFGF Pinole? Just for fun!

a job in Digital Marketing or Marketing in general.

Vibrant. We are a vibrant church with people from

Nice! What kind of job are you looking for? I’m studying Media Studies but I’m also very passionate

different age range and different background. Second, I

You said that you are studying Media Studies, any specific reason / goal for picking that major?

associate the church with Worship. I feel that we have

Honestly, I am not the kind of person who really knows

church, you can free yourself, forget about your problems

what she wants and knows what she is doing in her

and worship God. And lastly, Family. Pinole fosters a

life. When I first came to the States, I just wanted to

sense of community and is like a big family to me.

a very solid Worship Ministry. When you come to the

OCTOBER 2015 • 03

Julie and her friends at Graduation Photoshoot

Spot on! Oh, you mentioned that you were from LA. Do you want to share with us about your experience in the States? Particularly in how you transition from LA to Berkeley?

As you mature, you just have to learn to pick up the pace and deal with it.

Coming fresh from Indonesia makes it hard to adapt to the

Heroes and Legends!

So which care group are you in?

American culture already but transferring to Berkeley took my life in LA for the past two years. I had my community

How do you like it so far in the Berkeley Caregroup? Is it a lot different from the caregroup in LA?

there and everything was good. But I was really called by

Of course it’s different. In LA, when I was attending a

God to move here. Although I really wanted to go to UCLA

community college, it was pretty chill. But here, being

(which I also got accepted), I knew when I am called, I

Berkeley students, of course... we study. But I love it here.

need to obey what God really wants me to do in my life.

Legends as my caregroup has really helped me connect

it to a whole new level. I had friends and had established

with my sisters. It has also been a platform where I can It has been tough. My first semester in Berkeley was

share my struggles, feelings and what I have been going

insane. It was hard to adapt - part of me did not want

through. The CG people have been really supportive

to. I had to deal with it in LA once, why did I have to do

- we pray together in prayer meetings and this has

it all over again? It was also painful to leave my friends

really helped us grow together. They also have helped

and miss out on a lot of fun stuff. But then, I realized

me on my transition to Berkeley. It’s the place to be!

that I was missing out by not opening myself to the started to open myself more and be immersed in the

Any memorable caregroup experience you would like to share with us?

community here. The experience has helped me grow. This

I think every CG is very memorable because I get

is life and life keeps on changing. As you mature, you

to meet different people with different stories but

just have to learn to pick up the pace and deal with it.

I really love the Tahoe trip last year. It was a really

community here. This realization opened my eyes. So I

04 • GENESIS NEWSLETTER

good bonding experience. For Berkeley CG, we are

So what excites you when you are ministering?

segregated by our gender (Heroes for the guys and

I think as a Worship Leader (WL), it is really exciting to

Legends for the girls). The Tahoe trip reminded us that

know that God has entrusted you to lead the worship.

we are one caregroup from the same church. I think the

When He comes, it is cool to know that He wants to come

trip was really the highlight of my year in Berkeley.

through you and He wants to use you as an instrument for the people to feel His presence. When God wants

Do you have any advice for the newcomers who are still adjusting here to Pinole?

to use you, that means something and it brings me so

Yes. For all the freshmen, particularly those in community

keyboardist, it’s fun to play in a band and harmonize. And

colleges, you just need to open up. Find friends who

you know while there are many world-class musicians and

are also in the same situation as you. Take classes

more talented people in the team, you are playing with

together with them and have buddies you can study,

your whole heart and God wants to use you. What really

eat and go to the library together with. For transfer

excites me is that I get to serve God and the people.

much joy that there is something I can do for God. As a

students, you also need to open up. I know community in your comfort zone, but you have to be ready to meet

Have you encountered any challenges as you are ministering?

and engage with new people. So you need to open

Yes, of course. Sometimes we face life problems that

up and trust the new community you are in now.

college life is a lot of fun and you are probably already

exhausted this week and I have to wake up at 6am

Can you share with us the ministries you have been involved in in IFGF Pinole?

for my 7am practice, it can burn me out. But when

I play keyboard, was a singer and am now a worship leader.

for yourself or for people to see how good you are,

you know that you are doing this for God and not then you know that it is really not about you. I believe

Were you also involved in LA’s music ministry?

that even when you are tired, you have to fix your

Yes, but not only in LA. I’ve been involved in music

eyes on Jesus - you are serving Him and Him only.

ministry since I was in Sunday School. Ministry has really been a part of me serving God and the congregation. It’s something that I have been doing for almost my whole life.

When God wants to use you, that means something and it brings me so much joy that there is something I can do for God.

Known for her joyful and bubbly personality, Julie is a Media Studies student at UC Berkeley. She faithfully serves in her caregroup as well as in the Music Ministry. OCTOBER 2015 • 05

LET’S PRAY FOR OCTOBER with Joan Wirolinggo

Devotional Our pastors and leaders that they

He is Awesome

abide in Him. And also unity among

by Virginie Poetry / Care Group: Legends

the leaders. Our church that it will be filled with passion for His name and

These past few weeks are like deja

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be

evangelism heart.

vu to me. They have reminded me of

anxious about anything, but in every

what I had gone through back when

situation, by prayer and petition, with

I was in DVC. I recall how I started

thanksgiving, present your requests

writing my personal statements over

to God. And the peace of God, which

Our new friend who are new to the

the summer last year and ended up

transcends all understanding, will

states or just transferred that they

putting my first few drafts through

guard your hearts and your minds in

may find a new family in Christ

the paper shredder, went back and

Christ Jesus.” Our God is a just and

through this church

forth to meet my professors asking

righteous God. Even if no one sees

for feedbacks, and emailed my

all of our hard work, He does and

friends with a bunch of drafts to

He listens to all of our prayers. So,

review for the sake of transferring

I decided to pray every time before

Our morning church, Let’s pray that

into my dream school. Sounds

I wrote or edited my essays, and of

through their ministry many people

familiar?

course, before and after I submitted

Our care groups for growth

Our friends who are looking for job

will come to know Jesus. Pray for

my application.

strength and joyful heart for all the

In the first two months of Fall 2014,

workers

I cried and felt insecure every time

After getting my acceptance letter

I wanted to start writing a new

from Haas - UC Berkeley, I realized

draft. I worried so much about what

that it wasn’t my resume or my essay

others were doing, what I could’ve

that got me in. It was Him answering

Syrian Refugee. For their safety

done wrong, and what if I didn’t

my prayers. From that day on, I told

and providence.

make it. At that time, I thought

myself, and so should you, good

that if the admission officers said

things come to those who pray, for

I wasn’t a good fit for the college,

He is a Father who gives you peace

then working for three jobs, running

and in Him you lack nothing. Most

multiple student organizations, and

importantly, His plans for you are

volunteering for hundreds of hours

nothing but the best because He is

would mean nothing. But, you know

an awesome God.

Nepal Mission

what, God noticed.

06 • GENESIS NEWSLETTER

IFGF CONFERENCE - WEST COAST THANKSGIVING 2015 LOCATION

PRICE Early Bird (ends Oct 15)

Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach 450 East Harbor Boulevard Ventura, CA 93001

SPEAKERS

DATE

Adult Kid

Jimmy Oentoro Joey Bonefacio Joseph Bonefacio

$139 $65

Regular Adult Kid

NOV 26-28

$159 $75

All Prices Subject to Change

CONTACT

Julie Arifin 323-599-6717 For more info, visit ifgfla.com/tgr2015

TESTIMONIES FROM LAST YEAR It was compelling, full of joy and happiness from God’s gracious love poured unto me. I really love seeing how His miracles worked between us and how His love has reached into our hearts during our previous Thanksgiving retreat, my favorite part was when I was baptized by the Holy Spirit. It was so miraculous how God’s love molded and mended both my heart and my mind. What I’ve gained from joining the retreat were good fellowship, a healthy relationship with God, and a tremendous change of character as a true Christian. ANDREAS DEDINATA

If I were to describe last year’s IFGF retreat in 3 words, that would be: enlightening, strengthening and awesome. Last year’s Fall retreat was a changer for me, my reliance on God grew by a huge amount and that was the favorite part of the retreat. On top of growing my reliance, I commit myself to believe in God regardless of the circumstances placed in my life and was baptized then. KEVIN RAHIM

OCTOBER 2015 • 07

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CARE GROUPS CG FAITH

CG FAVOR

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SAN FRANCISCO

PLEASANT HILL

BERKELEY (SISTERS)

Melanie 925.586.7770

Dana 925.690.7561

Irene 510.612.3394 (Freshmen)

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Clarissa 510.541.2076 (Transfers)

CG KING

CG HOPER

CG HEROES

SAN FRANCISCO

PLEASANT HILL

BERKELEY (BROTHERS)

Jessica 415.758.8645

Nathaniel 925.888.9420

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CG WARRIORS

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PINOLE

SOUTH BAY

PINOLE

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PRAYER GROUPS

MINISTRIES

UPCOMING EVENTS

FAITH (Every Thursday)

Documentation - Eric Timotius

Oct 02 & 16 Caregroup Gathering

Melanie 925.586.7770

Genesis Newsletter - Irene Chandra

Chris 510.837.7867

Men’s Ministry - Christian Liong

KING (Every Monday)

Multimedia - Melanie Thio

Vincent 925.356.1375

Praise & Worship - Adi Julianloo

Oct 10

Corporate Prayer Meeting

Nov 7

Anniversary & Ministers

Prayer & Intercession - Joan Wirolinggo

HEROES (Every Thursday)

Refreshments - Nathalia Prasetyo Jo

Alus 408.904.8001

Revelation Videos - Jessica Tjahjady

Nicky 650.417.8228

Sound System - Glorio Yulianto

Appreciation Dinner

Nov 26-28

Thanksgiving Retreat

Sunday School - Jen Hendric

LEGENDS (Every Thursday)

Transpor tation - Leonardo Saerang

Shirley 415.990.8178

Ushers - Renaldi

Evelin 925.289.6785

Website - Yosia Urip Women’s Ministry -

WARRIORS (Every Friday)

Karen Liong & Elissa Irma

Jeffri 510.499.5966 FAVOR - HOPER (Every Thursday) Hoper: Jason (925) 888-9270 Favor: Stephanie (925) 331-7818

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS 03 Wenny Chandrawinata

15 Phil Ander Leo

Jen Hendric

04 Surya Halim

16 Clarissa Surjadi

Jef fri Halim

09 Terrence Tif fany

16 Maria Wahono

Karen Guinadi

11 Maxwell Chen

17 Michael Jagadpramana

Jonathan Darren

11 Bryant Gunawan

19 Catherine Darmawan

30 Sugi Hendric

JEFFRI HALIM Associate Pastor,

14 Edo Budiarso

21 Christa Lorenzia

Biblical Teaching

14 Yudisaputra Betaubun

22 Raymond Hirawan

PASTORAL TEAM SUGI HENDRIC Senior Pastor

08 • GENESIS NEWSLETTER