Set Free Interview with Christian Liong / Devotional by Michelle Handoyo / Q&A: Dear Genesis IFGF Pinole Monthly Newsletter July 2015 JUNE 2015 • 1
Once I heard a story of a chicken who loves to take adventures. The chicken would roam around the backyard, so free and happy--until it discovered that it could only roam as far as the backdoor gate. Turns out, there was a rope tying its foot to a pole. As long as it did not roam any further than the length of the rope, the chicken experienced false freedom. It might have felt happy and comfortable just like the eagle that flew above it. However, it did not realize that it was actually living in bondage. From Pastor’s Desk
Jesus told many Jews of his time that they were under the same predicament. The Jews were insisting that because they are the children of Abraham, they must be free people. Jesus, on the other hand, told them that they were slave to sin. Unless they knew the Truth, they would stay under bondage no matter who their ancestors were and what they believe (go read the story in John chapter 8).
Many of us think we are free. But unbeknownst to us, our feet are tied with many lies that prevent us to live in the freedom that God has provided to us. The only way we can be set free is by knowing the Truth from Jesus, rejecting the lies of the devil, and the bad influences of the world. This month we will learn what this Truth is so we can be really free. Then we can go on accomplishing what God has intended to do through his freed servants. Freedom for God’s glory!
Shown on Front Cover: Jessica Sanjaya
02 • GENESIS NEWSLETTER
This is Our Church
Christian Liong Family Advocate / Local Ministry Lead / Care Group: Warriors
So, What have you been doing recently?
California and been here since 1996. I pretty much don’t
Recovering from back surgery!
recall anything from Indo. Living here is all I know, so there is not much to really compare to!
What happened? disks, so disks in your back begin to enlarge due to either
Where did you go to school and what major did you take?
emotional stress, physical stress, or playing sports things
I went to Albany High – same as Maxwell. I graduated in
and over time it just got worse and began blocking off
2008 then I went to San Francisco State University. Then
nerves that were going down my legs. So, I finally took the
I was actually a business major for several years... Then
time take care of that and get it fixed. So far it’s been
I decided to switch to Psychology. It was a pretty big
good. There are still some minor problems, but all in all it’s
switch and my parents did not like the idea. They kinda
been getting better.
found out through Facebook too through my sister...
How does that affect your work? I took quite a few days off work to recover. I’ve been at
Wow. What were you trying to do through Psychology?
home laying down and walking around. Really can’t do
Originally I wanted to work in MFT (Marriage and Family
much in terms of physical activity, like lifting and bending.
Therapist) so I started working with YMCA, since it was
That has been pretty much cut down to nothing. Yeah it’s
big in community work such as counseling and mentoring.
been slow!
So when I got in, I thought I would be working as a
It’s kind of complicated... But to sum it up, I have bulged
therapist, but that has slowed down a bit and I found
I heard that you were born in Indonesia but you were raised here in the States. Can you shine some light upon that?
myself wanting to work more in schools and other family
I was born in Indo, but our family moved out to Michigan
housing, jobs. Anything that really helps the family. As
when I was 5 or 6 months, and from there we moved to
of now, it’s geared towards schools because I have had
needs, but not necessarily pertain to therapy. I provide them with resources and support revolving around kids,
JULY 2015 • 03
Chris chilling at his hood, El Cerrito Hills.
that exposure. But, who knows! Maybe MFT may still be
Where and how did you find IFGF Pinole?
something down the road but as for now i don’t see it just
Willie Soedewa (some of you guys know him). We used
yet.
to hoop together. My sister Catherine went a couple of times with my cousin. So I’ve known IFGF Pinole for a
As a graduated Psychology major, do you have any advice that you would suggest to future pursuers of Psychology?
while. But yeah hanging out with Willie more, and then
Talk with people! It will be very hard as a Psychology
I can’t really take the credit for moving here; I think God
major to stay quiet and feel that it is all theoretical type
had it all planned out.
just understanding where the church is going and where my passion is. I believe it was really a God-led move. So
of work, unless you want to get into Research Psychology. Psychology: you have to read people, how to understand
Were your previous churches Indonesian-based as well?
them, pick up on the influx of their voice, reading their
Super Indonesian! It was very family-oriented, but there
body language. Both verbal and non-verbal communication
was barely any youth. So growing up, I was kind of in the
is huge. Practice it, try it. Enhancing these skills will
middle of a few people who were my age. Either they were
definitely help you down the road.
10-15 years younger or older. I got a chance to learn a
They always say that communication is a necessity in
lot from the adults, then now I find myself able to apply
So is IFGF your first church?
those things at a different stage in life.
No it’s been my second... and a half. I was in one church,
training, served, learned how to play drums. Basically I
Growing up here, is there anything that you have struggled with, by being a part of an Indonesianbased church?
learned everything that I know there. Then they merged
Finance for sure. I think it’s not just me but it’s part of the
with C3, Christian City Church. When that happened, I saw
culture. Growing up, I was used to a five-dollar meal two
that as an opportunity move a little closer to East Bay, and
days a week at most. But switching over to IFGF Pinole:
also establishing something more local. So that why I said
if we have nothing to do, it’s easy to go spend $10-$12
“two and a half” churches because there was City Harvest,
on a meal. It was pretty hard to keep up with that and I
C3 was a short time, and then IFGF Pinole since then.
definitely felt it. My wallet felt it! (Laughing) More than
City International Harvest Church in Daly City. I grew up there– went to Sunday school, youth group, discipleship
04 • GENESIS NEWSLETTER
money issue, I think it’s just a big culture shift in my
certain things are not going to be done if I am not a part
opinion.
of it. That’s where I have to take a step back and have God speak to me if I need to include myself in certain
Definitely. I heard you started a Christian club with a local high school through IFGF?
tasks. But at the end of the day, when you do God’s work,
Yeah. Pastor Jeffri and I were just talking about how a
struggles.
you are going to feel very satisfied regardless of the
pastor from Albany High have wanted to start a Christian Club but didn’t know how. During that time I was still looking for work; so I had a lot of downtime. Pastor Jeffri pushed me to just go for it. Fortunately, our friend Andrea had a couple of friends who were still in Pinole Valley High. We connected with them and took it step by step.
When you do God’s work, you are going to feel very satisfied regardless of the struggles.
We did it one week, and didn’t know if it was going to again to a point where as we speak today, we celebrated
Are there any last wishes that you have for current ministers, or the church in general?
our one year mark! I can honestly say that we’ve only
Just be confident in your identity, because that is how
missed two weeks. God opened up a way for us to be in
you are going to dictate your life inside and especially
there. So now we just have to pray for the next steps and
outside of church. I don’t know who is reading this and
strategies. But what really matters is just trusting God
what struggles you have gone through. But whatever they
that he’s going to open up doors and continually grow the
are, I’m sure that they are legit, that they are real. But put
kids there.
your trust and insecurities in Jesus, knowing that he has
happen the next week. But through faith we just did it
made you a very certain way; exactly the way you are. He
I also heard you helped launch our second Sunday Service? How has that been?
created you to be you so you can accomplish something
Yeah, we launched it on Easter Sunday. It’s going well!
step out. Don’t be afraid to say that you are a believer of
People probably feel that it should be big, hip, popular
Christ, because people need to know; whether you are in
but the truth is, it’s going to take time. So it shouldn’t
school with your friends, family, or even work. Your family
be something that blows up for 3-4 weeks; be around
and friends are going to put a label on you, but ultimately
for 5 months and you don’t see the church anymore. We
God places the ultimate label on us saying we are His
want to be in the community for a long time. For that to
and we are beautifully and wonderfully created. Don’t
happen, it is going to take time. We’ve been working to
back down from it, just live a very exciting life and enjoy
build our foundations, so I have been really pleased with
Him to the fullest.
as you are, not as someone else. Be bold in your faith and
it! It’s been a blessing to be on the team that started that service and really I feel like I’m not worth starting or doing something as big as this. We just need to continue be faithful in the small things, such as coming in to set up at 8 in the morning, playing music and rolling cables every week, picking people up, load and unload stuff. Basically all the little things! The amount of people that show up is up to God. It’s just been a huge blessing for me.
Put your trust and insecurities in Jesus, knowing that he has made you a very certain way; exactly the way you are.
What are your current struggles as a busy minister that juggles all these things? Stress for sure! We all hear it so often that God is going to take care of things, along with all the other great things He promised. But I feel that there is such a fine line of letting God take care of things and me not going to do anything and just wait around. It takes a very sensitive spirit to manage both of those extremes, and sometimes I get carried away at wanting to do everything: High School Club, Service, Care Group, meetings and my own work. And when I get caught up in the “doing”, I feel like
Joining IFGF Pinole in 2011, Chris quickly immersed himself in the church life through the fellowship and multiple ministries. God gifted him with a heart for the community and together with Ps. Sugi and the team, he started Open Arms Christian Club in Pinole Valley High School and helped launch the second Sunday Service for the locals. Currently, he works at YMCA Potrero Hill Urban Services as a Family Advocate. JULY 2015 • 05
Dear Genesis, LET’S PRAY FOR JULY with Joan Wirolinggo
Our pastor and leaders that
Hey Church! We are starting a new column where you could ask questions about God, life, family, relationships, and other issues. If you feel like it is a good point to talk about, please send it to us at tinyurl.com/ DearGenesis.
they abide in Him. Our church that it will be fi lled with a passion for His name and an evangelistic heart.
You can address the question to our columnists (Jeffri, Chris and Nita) or to ANYONE (pastors, leaders, or even friends). We will publish it here with our answer and we will try our best to provide godly guidance for you, so ask away!
Our Care Group gatherings. Let’s pray that Jesus will be the center of each Care Group and relationship where our
Dear Genesis,
brothers and sisters in Christ
if God is so powerful, why can’t He defeat evil?
will be built up.
We believe that God is so powerful that He has defeated the devil. He defeated the devil before Jesus’ time (1 Kings 18, 1 Samuel 5:4).
Our new friends who are
He defeated the devil when Jesus was on earth (Matthew 4, Mark 5).
new to the States or just
God is even still actively beating the devil to the pulp up until today.
transferred. Pray that they
The Cross is the foundation for Satan’s Final defeat (Hebrews 2:14-15).
may fi nd a new family in
A follow-up question might be:
Christ through this church. Our friends who are looking for a job.
if God is victorious over the devil, why can I still see evil all over the place in this world? We can still see evil and suffering in the world because SIN still exists in this
Pastor Sugi and his team who
world. The devil is still the “god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4) and many people still
are in mission for Nepal. Let’s
to choose to be under the devil’s influence.
pray for God’s protection and anointing upon them, that
God is omniscient, omnipotent, and sovereign over the heaven and the earth
through them the Gospel will
(to name a view of His characteristics); however, he still has not seized the
be spread.
devil in eternal flame and instead, give everyone the freewill to choose to follow God or be enslaved under sin.
Healing and comfort for
But the time will come, when he will seize the devil forever in the eternal flame
nation of Nepal, especially for
and completely get rid of sin from this world. And this will happen when He
the victims of earthquakes.
comes again the second time (Revelation 20-22).
Got a burning question? go to tinyurl.com/ DearGenesis 06 • GENESIS NEWSLETTER
Devotional
Freedom to Go by Michelle Handoyo | Care Group: Legends
What is freedom? Many times, I hear people talk
But no, I was frustrated. I feared that the money I
about the freedom from sin that Christ has bought
was going to spend would become the straw that
for us at the cross; I’ve always known this, but
breaks the camel’s back. What if my sister couldn’t
have never truly understood this freedom. I didn’t
study in the US because of me? What if my mum
feel any more “free” than I was before I accepted
couldn’t fix the house because she has to support
Christ. I prayed, searched the Bible, and browsed the
me? I panicked, worried, and panicked all over again.
Internet, but didn’t seem to receive any revelation. Little did I know what God had planned ahead.
Then I felt God say, “I love you. That’s all there is to it. This is my gift to you, and it is good, What God has
I was invited to organize an event in Vietnam, but have
given, it is given; it wouldn’t affect your uncertain future.
rejected the offer due to financial reasons – at least
That money you worry about – if it is truly My will, do
until my mum, knowing how much it meant to me,
you think that money from a flight ticket could stop
insisted me to go despite the plane ticket price. Within
your family from going bankrupt? But this is a free gift
minutes, I confirmed my availability and was told to
for you, so be thankful because I have given it to you. “
wait for an approval by the Vietnamese committee. Then, I realized – this entire time, I was upset about I immediately regretted my decision. What have
getting what I wanted! The worry of the future grips onto
I done? I selfishly took up the offer – but at what
my mind, binding me to the confines of this world when
cost? It was too late to undo my decision, so I naively
in truth, God has set me free from the law that governs
prayed: “God, if it is good let the committee approve
earth. I also realized that it’s not my circumstances
my travel, but if not, let it be rejected. I don’t want
that define my freedom, but how much I let trust or the
my mum to be broke because of me. Please.”
confines of the world control my thoughts. To prove a point, even though I finally got what I wanted, I was
If I go to Vietnam, not only do I have to pay for the
worried about its future impact and was far from being
plane ticket, but I also have to request a four-week
at peace. However, once I understood that God was
leave from my internship – that’s if they don’t fire me
in control and had authority over my life regardless of
on the spot! Part of me wanted to be rejected so as to
the ways of the world, I was no longer bounded by the
save myself a lot of trouble– but guess what? Both my
“logic” of this world. It was bliss, and I tasted freedom.
employer and the committee gave me the green light! I should be happy right? This was something I wanted deep down, and God is giving me the go ahead! JULY 2015 • 07
IFGF Pinole
MORNING SERVICE EVERY 10 AM
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IFGFGISIEASTBAY@GMAIL.COM
ALEX CLARK ROOM
2885 PINOLE VALLEY ROAD
IFGFPINOLE.ORG
880 TENNENT AVENUE
PINOLE, CA
(925) 609 4343
PINOLE, CA
CARE GROUPS CG FAITH
CG FAVOR
CG LEGENDS
SAN FRANCISCO
PLEASANT HILL
BERKELEY (SISTERS)
Melanie 925.586.7770
Rebecca 925.482.5562
Shirley 415.990.8178 (Freshmen)
Jason 925.305.1278
Jessica 925.334.2011
Evelin 925.289.6785 (Transfers)
CG KING
CG HOPER
CG HEROES
SAN FRANCISCO
PLEASANT HILL
BERKELEY (BROTHERS)
Jessica 415.758.8645
Karen 925.577.6634
Alus 408.904.8001 (Freshmen)
Benny 510.367.0664
Melvin 510.708.0540
Nicky 650.417.8228 (Transfers)
CG WARRIORS
CG FRONTIER
CG FAMILY
PINOLE
SOUTH BAY
PINOLE
Maxwell 510.374.2686
Antony 408.685.1540
Ps. Sugi 510.724.5400
Chris 510.837.7867
Adi 415.463.9010
PRAYER GROUPS
MINISTRIES
UPCOMING EVENTS
FAITH (Every Thursday)
Documentation - Eric Timotius
July 3 & 17
Caregroup Gathering
Melanie 925.586.7770
Genesis Newsletter - Irene Chandra
July 11
Corporate Prayer Meeting
Men’s Ministry - Christian Liong
KING (Every Monday)
Multimedia - Melanie Thio
Vincent 925.356.1375
Praise & Worship - Adi Julianloo 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 Sunday School - Jen Hendric
LEGENDS (Every Thursday)
Sunday Service Coordinator -
Shirley 415.990.8178
Emmanuel Calica
Evelin 925.289.6785
Transpor tation - Leonardo Saerang Ushers - Renaldi
WARRIORS (Every Friday)
Website - Yosia Urip
Jeffri 510.499.5966
Women’s Ministry Karen Liong & Elissa Irma
FAVOR - HOPER (Every Thursday) Melvin 510.708.0540
JULY BIRTHDAYS 02 Mariska Tjoeng
11
Stanley Subiantoro
20 Jessica Adeline Wijaya
02 Fendy Soegiono
12
Jason Chang
25 Melanie Thio
04 Catherine Santoso
13
Brandon Budidjaja
25 Nickson Dalimar ta
05 Christian Hendric
16
Imanuel Junaedy
27 Joan Wirolinggo
05 Jonathan Sumar to
18
Nick Soenar to
30 Florencia Kristiani
JEFFRI HALIM Associate Pastor,
08 Adi Julianloo
20 Larry Susanto
Biblical Teaching
10 Shirley Ng
20 Andrea Djitowibowo
PASTORAL TEAM SUGI HENDRIC Senior Pastor
08 • GENESIS NEWSLETTER
31 Yudhi Tanaka