ICCC INDONESIA NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2020 EDITION

OCTOBER 2020 FROM THE DESK OF THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT Shalom .... Our beloved partner at a market place.

Many businesses in Indonesia these days have been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the same is happening around the world.

The government will certainly soon announce that Indonesia will enter into an economic recession after two consecutive quarters of minus economic growth.

As an entrepreneur, a business owner or as a professional and even if you are a believer in God, of course this should not be neglected, you may experience the impact.

If you experience the impact of this inevitable situation, we invite you to contact the ICCC-Indonesia Emergency Clinic team, support of course in the form of a community praying for one another, providing consultation and giving time to grow together in the experience of true faith to get through the years. -this difficult period, together going through a situation that is not easy is better than alone.

ICCC-Indonesia also now routinely holds virtual TWL (Transformed Working Life) every month, these sessions in teaching plus online discussions are very contextual to what is being and maybe we have or will experience in our business or professional life, please take advantage of this to grow together to answer the challenges of the times in the market place.

What is new for tomorrow is only because we make or allow what we have got to this day become obsolete, renew our hearts with His Word which is always new every day.

Friends in the marketplace, let's win together through this difficult situation, you are not alone!

God’s partners in an extraordinary market place, representing the entire National Board, we would like to thank you for all your prayers, donations and participation for ICCC-Indonesia (International Christian Chambers of Commerce).

See you in the next issue.

Umbu Pekuwali National President ICCC Indonesia www.iccc-indonesia.com 1

NATIONAL BOARD ICCC INDONESIA The ICCC Indonesia ‘s National Board again on Saturday, September 19, 2020, to hold a discussion regarding the preparation of the ICCC Transformed Working Life Training program for the public. Present member of the National Board: Umbu Pekuwali - National President, Benjamin B. Juwono - V.P. Teaching. Other NB members: Johanis S. Najoan, Manimbul Luhut Sitorus, Maria Sitorus and Eliezer H. Hardjo

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WISDOM & TESTIMONY

Spiritual and financial lessons from COVID-19 pandemic By: April Lee-Tan

Holy Week is always a good time for spiritual reflection. I confess though that I usually spend my Holy Week vacationing in the beach or in other countries to escape the heat of summer in Manila. But if there’s one thing good about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and the ongoing enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), is that it has forced me to redirect my attention to things that matter most, like my relationship with God, family and the people around me.

Here are some of my reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic, God and personal finance.

The importance of stewardship. In the Bible, God emphasizes the importance of stewardship, which means acting responsibly with the blessing He has given us. Jesus had many parables on stewardship, including the “Parable of the Talents” where servants who acted responsibly with the talents given to them were commended and rewarded with more.

As far as our finances are concerned, stewardship means that we should stay prudent and prioritize saving during the good times to prepare us for the bad times like this. It also means that we should not borrow money to buy frivolous things we don’t really need and can’t afford. People who are heavily indebted risk having to downgrade their lifestyles during difficult times because they can no longer afford to pay their debts.

This experience is very painful for people already accustomed to a lavish lifestyle.

Moreover, they will be judged by others for trying to be something that they are not.

For those of us who are blessed with more, stewardship means sharing our resources with those in need. For the ongoing crisis, this means giving donations for the purchase of medical equipment and food for our front-liners, or donating relief goods for those who have lost their income or livelihood. By doing so, we are acting as God’s servants, blessing others with the abundance He has given us. Through the act of giving, we are also blessing ourselves because we get fulfilled by helping others.

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Don’t be overconfident. The risk of a pandemic has always been there, similar to the risk of fire, flood, earthquake and other “acts of God.” However, when COVID-19 was first reported in China last December, people didn’t take it seriously because nobody expected it to turn into a pandemic. Epidemics in the past such as SARS and MERSCoV have always been successfully contained and put under control before they spread globally. In fact, nobody I know has lived through a pandemic, let alone survive a pandemic-driven economic slowdown and bear market.

Despite being an analyst for more than 20 years, this is the first time I’ve seen defensive consumer companies like SM Prime and Jollibee suffer from significant revenue losses as they were forced to close most of their stores. Even after the ECQ in Luzon is lifted, there is a possibility that most SM malls will remain closed and that people will avoid going to restaurants like Jollibee.

During good times, it is easy for us to become overconfident and proud. And because we are rewarded significantly for taking risks, there is a temptation to become very aggressive and to forget risk management.

However, we have to remind ourselves that “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21) Times like this remind us that God is sovereign and that He can allow anything to happen, even widespread disease, such as the COVID-19 to humble us. As such, we must avoid being proud and consistently manage our risk. For traders, this means limiting the use of margin loans only for short-term trades and for limited amounts. For businesses, this means controlling our expansion so that debts will be minimized.

Although being less aggressive means earning less or taking longer to reach our goals, at least we avoid the risk of being totally wiped out.

Have faith in God. The ongoing pandemic is not a problem that can be solved by throwing a lot of money at it. Developed nations, such as the United States and United Kingdom, are suffering as badly and sometimes even worse than developing nations like the Philippines. Everyone is having a hard time containing the spread of the disease, including the most careful countries, such as Singapore. Both rich and poor, young and old are also vulnerable to contracting the disease and possibly dying.

Medical facilities everywhere are overwhelmed because it takes time to expand the number of medical workers and to develop a vaccine.

In times like this, when everything seems hopeless and we can’t do anything to solve the problem, we can stay hopeful if we have faith in God. Pray to God and have faith that He is merciful and that He will heal us from this pandemic. In times like this, I am reminded of the verse Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.” God wants us to turn to Him and ask Him for help. Let’s continue to pray to God and trust that He will allow us to overcome these difficult times.

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A PRAYER FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS God has granted each one of us a spirit of wisdom and creativity – and we each express that creativity in different ways. For some, that spirit ignited a passion and drive to pursue something new and unique. As our nation works to battle this pandemic, the economic impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus on small business owners and entrepreneurs has been great. Many businesses have been shut down, threatening the well-being and prosperity of business owners and the people they employ. We offer a prayer of thanksgiving for these creative individuals who chased their passion, and for the communities that are working to support them. We pray for continued support from communities so that the dreams, jobs, and income of these small business owners and their employees may be sustained.

Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and the door shall be opened to you.”

Let us pray: Spirit of wisdom, Creator God, we give you thanks for all the ways you inspire your people, the ways you provide for them, and set great paths before them. We are grateful for the many small business owners who felt your creative call and pursued their dreams. Gracious God, we know that you are the sustainer of our dreams, in prosperity and in hardship.

We pray for all those businesses who are suffering hardship because of the economic crisis caused by COVID-19. May the communities these businesses serve rally to support them. Provide for all the people being impacted by this economic crisis, O God, the people employed by these small businesses and the families that are supported by their income. Protect them in this time of economic uncertainty, and fill their spirits with hope. Amen.

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International Christian Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) lahir dari kepatuhan terhadap visi yang diberikan selama kurun waktu enam tahun kepada seorang usahawan Swedia J. Gunnar Olson, yang diteguhkan dengan nubuatan dan terbukanya pintu kesempatan disekitarnya yang sebelumnya tertutup.

ICCC merupakan panggilan yang serius dan menantang bagi pengusaha Kristen untuk mengenali jaman yang sedang kita masuki dan dengan terang dari pengenalan itu memasuki dimensi iman yang baru yang disediakan bagi mereka yang …” takut akan TUHAN … berbicara satu sama lain … dan menghormati namaNya.” (Maleakhi 3: 16) Visi ini memanggil para pengusaha dan kaum profesi di seluruh dunia yang terbeban untuk saling berhubungan, bertukar pendapat, memperdagang-kan barang dan menyediakan jasa, saling mendukung dan menguatkan secara rohani dan materi.

Berdasarkan eksistensi dari visi itu sendiri memproklamirkan otoritas Kristus yang mutlak diseluruh dunia.

Pada intinya ICCC adalah kehendak TUHAN untuk memperluas tali kasih-Nya, melalui gereja-Nya, didalam dunia usaha. Hal ini menuntut para pelaku bisnis mencari terlebih dahulu Kerajaan-Nya dan segala Kebenaran-Nya. Urapan tersedia bagi mereka yang dengan mata melihat dan telinga mendengar panggilan jaman.

Sebagaimana halnya Raja Daud yang menerima urapan untuk menjadi raja, jauh sebelum dia menjadi Raja, yang keadaan pada saat urapan diberikan sama sekali tidak mungkin bagi Daud untuk menjadi Raja, demikianlah ICCC memanggil para pengusaha Kristen sebelum peristiwanya terjadi untuk mengalami kebebasan masuk ke dalam dimensi baru, dimana sasaran, strategi dan perencanaan bersama-sma diwujudnyatakan sesuai dengan iman di dalam Kristus.

ICCC mencanangkan panggilan itu sejalan dengan rencana TUHAN bagi jaman ini sebagai kunci memperoleh berkat dan pertumbuhan dan agar dapat bangkit berkemenangan diatas gelombang ombak yang mengancam.

Panggilan ICCC: “Mereka akan menjadi milik kesayanganKu sendiri, firman TUHAN semesta Alam pada hari yang Kusiapkan. Aku akan mengasihi mereka sama seperti seseorang menyayangi anaknya yang melayani dia. Maka kamu akan melihat kembali perbedaan antara orang benar dan orang fasik, antara orang yang beribadah kepada TUHAN dan orang yang tidak beribadah kepada-Nya.” (Maleakhi 3: 17-18) 7

KEYAKINAN IMAN ICCC: 

Satu-satunya TUHAN pencipta segala sesuatu dalam kesatuan Trinitas: Bapa, Anak, dan Roh Kudus.

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Keilahian TUHAN Yesus Kristus. Kelahiran-Nya dari rahim seorang Perawan. Karya penebusan dosa manusia melalui kematian-Nya diatas kayu salib. Kebangkitan-Nya. Hak otoriatas diri-Nya atas dunia dan Kedatangan-Nya yang kedua kali dalam Kuasa dan Kemuliaan-Nya.

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Alkitab, sepenuhnya sebagai Firman TUHAN yang memberikan inspirasi dan berbagai peraturan bagi kehidupan yang dilandasi iman.

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Keselamatan pribadi orang berdosa dan kebutuhannya untuk mengalami proses regenerasi melalui karya Roh Kudus dalam menuju menjadikannya sebagai manusia yang dikehendaki oleh TUHAN, seutuhnya.

Transformed Working Life (TWL) adalah Pelatihan resmi dari Kantor Internasional bagi anggota ICCC dalam memperlengkapi anggota dengan pengetahuan dan pemahaman latar belakang, tujuan dan penerapan prinsipprinsip Kerajaan TUHAN bagi dunia bisnis dan profesi.

TWL diperuntukkan bagi anggota dan dapat diikuti secara cuma-cuma, namun terbuka juga bagi siapa saja yang berminat untuk mengikutinya.

TWL diselenggarakan dalam bahasa Indonesia dan dilengkapi dengan buku panduannya, yang telah diterjemahkan kedalam Bahasa Indonesia juga, sehingga para peserta betul-betul akan memperoleh manfa’at yang besar dan mengalami transformasi dalam kehidupan pribadi maupun bisnisnya.

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TWL difasilitasi oleh anggota National Board yang terlatih dan dikoordinir oleh V.P. Teaching: Benjamin B. Juwono bersama dengan Teaching Team: a.l.

Johanis S. Najoan dan Eliezer H. Hardjo Transformed Working Life (TWL) akan ditayangkan dalam salah satu channel di Indonesia agar dapat dimanfaatkan oleh para pebisnis & profesional Kristiani di Indonesia bagaimana menerapkan prinsip-prinsip Kerajaan Tuhan dalam kehidupan berbisnis dan bekerja mereka.

TWL bagi members secara rutin diadakan pada hari Sabtu ke 2 setiap bulan dan terbuka dan dianjurkan bagi semua member untuk mengikutinya sebagai pembekalan wajib.

Tansformed Working LIfe

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EMERGENCY CLINIC ICCC Indonesia dalam rangka membantu perusahaan yang terkena dampak pandemic Covid-19 dan mengalami kesulitan dan kebuntuan serta membutuhkan pemikian jalan keluar membuka diri bukan hanya bagi anggota ICCC Indonesia namun juga bagi dunia bisnis dan profesional umum untuk memberikan konsultasi, networking dengan pihak dan perusahaan terkait.

Pada tingkat Pusat / Eropa juga menyediakan pelayanan darurat Emergency Clinic untuk membantu dengan cara yang sama.

Selaku pebisnis dan profesional Kristen, kita harus selalu berfokus kepada TUHAN dan pimpinannya termasuk dalam penanggulangan masalah Riel yang sedang dihadapi saat ini.

Roh Kudus adalah guru dan pemimpin kita yang paling tahu jalan keluar dari setiap permasalahn yang dihadapi termasuk dalam dunia bisnis yang kita geluti.

Anda dapat menghubungi melalui WhatsApp, salah satu Anggota National Board ICCC berikut: 1.

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Benjamin B. Juwono - +628111152808 Tonny Soetjoadi - +6287880338045 Hendro Tjahjono - +628111869989 Simon Aditan - +62 81285847155 Johanis S. Najoan - +62811132586 Eliezer H. Hardjo - +6281513203415

Silahkan baca juga uraian Corporate Mediation and Services (CMS) dibawah ini untuk lebih mendetil.

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CORPORATE MEDIATION AND SERVICES Corporate Mediation and Services (CMS) is known as the emergency clinic provided by the ICCC Indonesia to help and assist any company owned by the ICCC Indonesia members, individually and/or a partnership corporation belong to two or more members. In addition, CMS is also providing assistance to any company belong to non-members as long as they are willing to follow the rules and biblical principles offered by and through CMS. I.

SCOPE OF SERVICES: 1. To link and bring the companies together.

2. To provide consultation to the company in trouble.

3. To provide training to the staff using Transformed Working Life (TWL) training materials.

4. To act as a mediator between two or more parties that involve in conflict due to many reasons.

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PROCEDURE: 1. The ICCC Member to contact CMS Centre 2. The participating consultant to visit the company or companies which require help, to discuss about the problems and possible help and assistance to solve the problems.

3. To pray together 4. To set-up the follow-up 5. The CMS will evaluate and submit a proposal on how to handle the problem.

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DEVOTIONAL I see great trees

By Peter Michell …. And many smaller bushes. The big trees will protect the plantation when the storm is breaking loose. The trees and bushes are full of fruit and berries containing great power. (A quotation from the founding prophecy of ICCC) ‘Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly …..He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.’ From Psalm 1:1-3. ‘The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree.’ Psalm 92:12 ‘Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord…. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters which spreads out its roots by the river. And will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.’ Jeremiah 17:7-8 ‘That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that He may be glorified.’ Isaiah 61:3b Let’s consider the planting of the Lord for a moment. First The Root. There are two reasons why the root is very important. I) It anchors the tree safely to the ground so it can withstand the storms and winds. 2) It is the source of the life of the tree. The root produces the sap which rises up throughout the trunk and branches bringing life and fruitfulness.

Jesus is referred to as The Root – we find that in Revelation 5:5 and 22:16. He is our steadfast security. He is the source of life for us. The safe place for us to be found is in Jesus The Root.

Here is a very profitable meditation. I am rooted and grounded in love in Jesus . Ephesians 3:17 ‘As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith.’ Colossians 2:6-7. Consider this – the ‘sap’ is rising from the Root. In me, in my being, in my body, the ‘sap’ of the blessing of Jesus is rising bringing wellbeing and health.

I see great trees - rooted and grounded in the love of Jesus as He dwells in our hearts through faith. (from Ephesians 3:17) ‘Grounded’ refers to a strong foundation.

I see great trees firmly grounded in Jesus.

I see smaller trees and bushes with fruit and berries of great power – as the life of Christ wells up in us, just like the sap of the tree, bringing His presence, His life, and His power in greater measure.

‘As He is so are we in the world.’ We have an anointing from the Holy One which abides in us. (1 John 4:17 and 2:20).\ The Lord will use these for many remarkable miracles. The Lord is showing the Kingdom that cannot be shaken. He will send it down to all those who believe that the Lord is faithful and real, already here. It shall not be taken away from the Lord’s people and will remain when Jesus comes.

Dear friends - dwell on this – the sap from the Root is rising in you. Be safe in the storm!

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NATIONAL BOARD - ICCC INDONESIA National President

- Umbu Pekuwali

Vice Presidents:  Admin/Secretary - Tonny Soetjoadi  Finance/Treasurer - Johanis S. Najoan  Membership/Mentoring/Network - Simon Aditan  Teaching / Training - Benjamin B. Juwono  Business Development/Micro-Enterprise - Efendi Sitorus - Hendro Tjahjono - Darius Pasaribu  Young Professionals –

Maria E. Sitorus

 Board of Advisors - Manimbul Luhut Sitorus & Mohan U. Vasandani  “ Kantor Nasional ICCC Indonesia: Website: www.iccc-indonesia.com Pertokoan Pulo Mas Blok B I / 8, Jalan Perintis Kemerdekaan. Jakarta 13260Telp (021) 4890211, fax: (021) 4722274.

E-mail: iccc.indonesia@yahoo.com, iccc.indonesia@gmail.com

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