The Light 2010 Volume 18

True Knowledge | Faith in Christ | Godly Character

18th Edition/2010

contents Editorial Team PUBLISHER Yayasan Pendidikan Pelita Harapan

18th Edition/2010 3 Light of the World By Brian Cox 4 Extract from a Sermon By Charles Haddon Spurgeon 5 Jesus Saver and Server By Gregg Faddegon

ADVISOR Brian Cox

MANAGING DIRECTOR Hana Herawati

6 The Salvation Army By David Michel

8 A Modern Incarnation Parable 9 Report on Lausanne Congress By Brian Cox

EDITOR & TRANSLATOR Budi Alto, Anita Purwanti

10 Saved to Serve By Budi Legowo

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Iwan Werlin

11 CPR Orientation By SPH International Lippo Village PAG

PHOTOGRAPHER Hariyanto, Clifford, Andreas, Jonathan Mauer

18 Why Do We Need to be Saved?

10 Servant of Christ By Lukius Kailimang 12 SPH International Lippo Cikarang Writing about the School 19 Book Corner 20 Friendship Day 2010 By Devita Gunawan

Address 2500 Bulevar Palem Raya, Lippo Village Tangerang 15811, Banten Phone: (021) 546 0232-33 Fax: (021) 546 9663 www.sph.edu

COVER

: School Activities

LOCATION

: SPH International Lippo Cikarang

22 Bulan Bahasa Celebration 2010 By Pitaya Rahmadi 23 Christian University By Dr. Niel Nielson 24 Grade 6–8 SPH International Lippo Village Spiritual Retreat 26 A Responsive Prayer for the Christmas Season By Coty Pinckney

PHOTOGRAPHER : Hariyanto

Bulan Bahasa Celebration 2010 SPH International Lippo Village, 5 November 2010

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HE first chapter of the Gospel of John is amazingly profound. We are introduced to the “Light of the World”—Jesus. We hear that Jesus is full of grace and truth, and that from His fullness we have all received grace upon grace; that grace and truth come to us through Him. I have pondered grace for many years, I have read extensively about grace in the scriptures and the only conclusion I can come to is that grace is totally beyond my comprehension. I conclude that no matter how much I may read about it, talk about it, discuss it, meditate upon it … it remains beyond my grasp. Sure I can use sentences that talk about grace, but I know that my words never capture the sense of it.

I can marvel at the amazing grace of Jesus Christ but in reality my concept of “amazing” is so pitifully short of what God means by amazing! My understanding of the grace of God remains pathetically shallow because my understanding of my own sinfulness is so woefully false.

The Scriptures state clearly, and unambiguously, that only the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ can cure the human condition. The extravagance of the cure indicates the seriousness of our disease.

There is simply not an atom of goodness that we possess that can be used to work our way out of sin and condemnation.

Grace is an offence to us because it exposes us to the awesome truth that there is simply nothing within us that can appease the judgment of a righteous God. Our sinfulness is constantly at work within us telling us that we deserve salvation and restoration with God; our pride tells us that the sin of others is worse than our own. Sin matters, because sin is a flagrant disregard for the righteous Creator; it is installing ourselves in the place of God. But grace ... Grace is not some weak or cheap, way of overlooking the depravity of sin. Grace is robust and strong and powerful.

The grace that comes through Jesus Christ grabs sin by the throat and hammers it to the cross.1 Grace killed the Son of God. The price paid for our redemption is so far beyond anything that the collective universe has to offer; it’s a price that only the Creator of the universe can pay and that price has been paid. Hallelujah! Christmas is a time to reflect upon the profound truth that Jesus

Colossians 2:13–15 Galatians 3

1 Corinthians 15:10 1 Corinthians 9:15

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Brian Cox

Head of School SPH International Lippo Village and Coordinator of SPH International Schools

Christ, fully God and fully man, is born into this world to transform us. So, yes, salvation comes through the Grace of God. But so does our life and living. Paul challenges the Galatians2 to see that the grace that comes through Jesus Christ and is illuminated by the Holy Spirit, is not a one time medication but a life-long therapy! Paul is consistent in his view that whilst grace determines his status and position with God; it also determines how he lives his life. Paul is not arrogant when he says he has worked harder than anyone; that he has not ceased to preach and live the word of the Gospel in all places and at all times, because he is also clear that this did not arise from his own motivation but

“the grace of God that is with me.”3 So Jesus Christ, the Servant King, causes us to become servant disciples. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”4 As we approach the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, let us meditate deeply upon this universe changing event and recognize again that God takes us from the total depravity of our sinful selves into the glorious righteousness of His perfect Son. We are then able to live lives that are pleasing to Him by His grace.

Blessings upon your family this Christmas, Brian Cox

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Extract from a Sermon

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon Let Bethlehem tell that he had compassion.

There was no way of saving us but by stooping to us. To bring earth up to heaven, he must bring heaven down to earth. Therefore, in the incarnation, he must bring heaven down to earth. Therefore, in the incarnation, he had compassion, for he took upon himself our infirmities, and was made like unto ourselves.

Matchless pity, indeed, was this!

Charles Haddon Spurgeon was a renowned Christian preacher in the 19th century. This extract from one of his sermon deals with the critical issue of the Incarnation of Christ. The language is not easy but persevere to see the great truth he communicates.

"He was moved with compassion."

Matthew 9:36

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ESUS was moved with compassion.

His whole nature was agitated with commiseration for the sufferers before him ... ... He saw the fall of man; he marked the subtle serpent's mortal sting; he watched the trail as the slime of the serpent passed over the fair glades of Eden; he observed man in his evil progress, adding sin to sin through generation after generation, fouling every page of history until God's patience had been tried to the uttermost; and then, according as it was written in the volume of the Book that he must appear, Jesus Christ came himself into this stricken world. Came how? O, be astonished, ye angels, that ye were witnesses of it, and ye men that ye beheld it.

The Infinite came down to earth in the form of an infant; he who spans the heavens and holds the ocean in the hollow of his hand, condescended to hang upon a woman's breast—the King eternal became a little child.

Then, while he tarried in the world, a man among men, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, he was constantly moved with compassion; for he felt all the griefs of mankind in himself. He took our sicknesses and carried our sorrows: he proved himself a true brother, with quick, human sensibilities.

A tear brought a tear into his eye; a cry made him pause to ask what help he could render.

So generous was his soul, that he gave all he had for the help of those that had not. The fox had its hole, and the bird its nest, but he had no dwelling-place. Stripped even of his garments, he hung upon the cross to die.

Never one so indigent (helpless) in death as he, without a friend, without even a tomb, except such as a loan could find him.

He gave up all the comforts of life—he gave his life itself; he gave his very self to prove that he was moved with compassion. Most of all do we see how he was moved with compassion in his terrible death. Oft and oft again have I told this story, yet these lips shall be dumb ere they cease to reiterate the old, old tidings.

God must punish sin, or else he would relinquish the government of the universe. He could not let iniquity go unchastened without compromising the purity of his administration.

Therefore, the law must be honoured, justice must be vindicated, righteousness must be upheld, crime must be expiated by suffering.

Who, then, shall endure the penance or make the reparation? Shall the dread sentence fall upon all mankind? How far shall vengeance

proceed before equity is satisfied? After what manner shall the sword do homage to the sceptre? Must the elect of God be condemned for their sins? No; Jesus is moved with compassion. He steps in, he takes upon himself the uplifted lash, and his shoulders run with gore; he bares his bosom to the furbished sword, and it smites the Shepherd that the sheep may escape. "He looked, and there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor; therefore, his arm brought salvation." He trod the wine—press alone, and "bore, that we might never bear, his Father's righteous ire."

Are ye asked what means the crucifixion of a perfect man upon a felon's cross, ye may reply, "He was moved with compassion." "He saved others; himself he could not save." He was so moved with compassion, that compassion, as it were, did eat him up. He could save nothing from the general conflagration: he was utterly consumed with love, and died in the flame of ardent love towards the sons of men. And after he had died and slept a little while in the grave, he rose again. He has gone into his glory; he is living at the right hand of the Father; but this is just as true of him, "He is moved with compassion." Is proof wanted? Let faith pass within the veil, and let your spirits for a moment stand upon that sea of glass mingled with fire where stand the harpers tuning their never-ceasing melodies. What see you there conspicuous in the very midst of heaven but One who looks like a lamb that has been slain, and wears his priesthood still? What is his occupation there in heaven? He has no bloody sacrifice to offer, for he has perfected for ever those that were set apart. That work is done, but what is he doing now? He is pleading for his people; he is their perpetual Advocate, their continual Intercessor; he never rests until they come to their rest; he never holds his peace for them, but pleads the merit of his blood, and will do so till all whom the Father gave him shall be with him where he is.

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Jesus

Saver and Server We are about to celebrate Christmas in Indonesia because Jesus came for people in the tropics as well as those with snow. The essence of Christmas does not require the Christmas snow of my country, Canada, nor the giftgiving of the West, nor the Christmas tree. Christmas does not depend upon the stars hung on the outside of believers’ homes in little villages in India. Our grade 3/4 office boy, Pak Sitohang, tells me that, other than a Christmas tree, the main visible evidence of Christmas in villages in his island of Sumatra here in Indonesia is the big family gatherings around traditional food. They go to church on Christmas. Christmas is all about Jesus and that’s what these families are gathering to celebrate, regardless of the decorations or lack of them.

“Behold the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the World!” (John 1:29).

This was the message from John the Baptizer, as Jesus began his ministry.

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E hear these words followed by God’s voice, “Behold, my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased”(Matthew 3:17). Up to that point, at the Jordan River, Jesus had not really done much on record as a human (of course He had created the heavens and the earth already … no small service!). It was thirty years after the first Christmas day. God knew that Jesus would do much, in Jesus’ capacity as true God and true man. In fact, from before the beginning of time, God established that Jesus would come to an earth, stained by sin, so that what was already established in heaven about God and His holiness, and His way of reconciliation to holiness, could be seen on earth. By His blood shed for us He serves humanity more than all the combined services of every person.

Yet, at His birth, when the angels declared, “Joy to the world” it was not with reference to service already demonstrated, but rather to service already hoped for … service to come, already fully believed. Yet there was still joy! Similarly at 30 years old, beginning his ministry, the dove landed on Him (John 1:32).

Jesus simply was being. He was born and lived as a carpenter’s son, read scriptures in the temple, but his earthly ministry really had not begun when God already pronounced His son, as one in whom He was well pleased.

Our service to God pleases Him, but it does not save us. God is pleased with us, when He sees us as He intended us to be, with clean hearts (God sees Jesus’ purity in us), ready to serve Him: “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

Jesus loves you! If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Jesus called the little children to come to Him. He healed the broken hearted, and made the blind to see. He raised people from the dead, and offered “living water” to the woman at the well. The King will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40). Our service to God

may be big, and noticed by others, or it may be quiet, humble obedience to God to do unseen acts of charity, physical, financially, and prayerfully caring for others. Whether it is our class Christian service projects or helping with our Junior School project, Dutasia, to meet the needs of low income children in our area of Jakarta, or responding to the local disasters of the Merapi volcano, or the Mentawai Island tsunamis, these are all only our surface responses. They are important indicators. “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16). Still, there is something very deep, of importance in our response to needs around us, some of which we could not display on these pages.

Our acceptable service comes out of our new nature which is “in Christ” (“transformed … that we may know what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2). So we are saved, transformed, empowered miraculously, given faith, and equipped, … to serve.

I trust that we will all relate more closely to Jesus, learn more of Him and how we might respond to Jesus’ call and His work through us. Being a servant isn’t about how big, or small, or how hard or easy the task. It is about being available to God to allow Him to work through us. As we have served one another this year; we have learned more about the servant heart of Christ. This is only a taste of what God has planned and equipped us for! Merry Christmas to Indonesia and all the world!

Gregg Faddegon Junior School Academic Principal

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Saved to Serve

The Salvation Army T

HE Salvation Army is both a church and a social organization and it has been my privilege to be a member for most of my life. For over thirty five years I served as a church lay leader, and over twenty of those years as bandmaster of a Salvation Army band. The ministry of the band included participating in church worship services, playing in hospitals, and performing concerts throughout the city of Vancouver and all over North America.

Understanding Saved to Serve within the context of the Salvation Army requires one to appreciate the history of this well-established organization. The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth. It is an evangelical Christian church known for its charitable work and it currently operates in over 120 countries. In Indonesia the organization is known as Bala Keselamatan.

Saved to Serve is this year’s theme for all SPH International schools. This theme was selected as an expression of the SPH mission statement, that being, to nurture students to become servant leaders with a Biblical Christian worldview. It is noteworthy that over 130 years ago, the same theme was chosen as the motto of an international organization called the Salvation Army. All over the world salvationists wear uniforms that are designed with two ‘S’ insignia, one on each lapel of the uniform jacket.

These two S’s symbolize the motto, Saved to Serve.

William Booth was a Methodist minister who was called by God to bring the Christian message to the poor, destitute and hungry by meeting both their physical and spiritual needs. The quasimilitary structure provided a disciplined approach to the newly converted that came from all walks of life and that approach was considered essential for those who found salvation on the streets of East London.

William Booth himself summarized the organization’s approach saying, “The three S’s best expressed the way in which the Army administered to the ‘down and outs’: first, soup; second, soap; and finally, salvation”.

William Booth became the Army’s first General, preaching to the poor while his wife, Catherine, also known as the “Mother of the Salvation Army”, spoke to the wealthy in London’s high society and gaining financial support for their outreach to the needy. In the

course of raising her own children, Catherine repeatedly told them, “Now remember, you are not here in this world for yourselves.

You have been sent for God and for others.

The world is waiting for you”. Catherine’s influence on her children and upon the entire organization presented a clear picture of a Christian serving in ministry for God.

Over the course of time, the Salvation Army has adopted additional mottos consistent with Saved to Serve. General John Gowans, recently retired, stated that God invented the Salvation Army to “save souls, grow saints and serve a suffering humanity”. Saving souls is being God’s messenger through sharing the news of hope for deliverance from sin and accepting His grace offered through the blood of Jesus Christ. Growing saints is learning to be Christ like and serving humanity allows opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Jesus who declared that he came not to be served but to serve. “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”.

(Matthew 20:26b–28 ESV). He is our perfect example—giving himself in obedience to God for the sake of others, both in his life and through his death.

examples Over the years, the Salvation Army has been involved in many servant ministries including rehabilitation and social programs; hospitals and schools. More recently, the Salvation Army has become known for its efforts in disaster relief. A non- governmental relief agency, the Salvation Army is usually among the first to provide immediate help after a disaster. For example, in addition to immediate assistance to victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the Salvation Army helped to rebuild homes and construct new boats as the victims attempted to recover their livelihood. Currently the Salvation Army is involved in the movement to abolish sex trafficking and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation.

William Booth’s conviction and commitment to servanthood was eloquently expressed when he decried, “While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight; while children go hungry, as they do now, I’ll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight to the very end”.

Just as the Salvation Army is intent upon reaching out to a ‘suffering humanity”, we too are called to work for God as servants to those around us. As people blessed with healthy families, homes, and educational advantages we need to be mindful of

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our Saviour’s admonition, “Everyone to who much was given, of him much will be required and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand more”.

(Luke 12:48b ESV).

My prayer for all students and staff associated with the SPH International schools is that they will grasp the meaning and capture the spirit behind the words, Saved to Serve, and that they will rely on God’s guidance as they seek to serve others in their communities and beyond.

David Michel Principal SPH International Kemang Village and Member of the Salvation Army

AC Milan Junior Soccer Camp

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(Grade 8) AVID Nathan Palinggi ior Indonesia represented AC Milan Jun al tournament team for a big internation . There were thirty-six in Italy on October 2010 an world and the Indonesi teams from all over the le sty p”in this “World Cu team took the first place they played the Italian tournament. In the final, the only goal in the team and David scored er of the tournament, game to win. As the winn a proud by running the team makes Indonesi und the AC Milan San the Indonesian flag aro e of an AC Milan game.

Siro stadium at half tim Indonesia, they were When they came back to er of Sport and media. Aft greeted by the Minister the Presidential palace that, they were taken to is is an outstanding to meet President SBY. Th an soccer. We believe achievement for Indonesi e other students and i what David did will inspir David Nathan Palingg cer. de 8 encourage Indonesian soc tional Lippo Village, Gra

SPH Interna

Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan, is an Italian professional football club based in Milan, Lombardy. It was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others. The club has spent most of its history in Serie A, the top-flight of Italian football. Milan's home games are played at San Siro, also known as the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. The stadium, which is shared with Inter, is the largest in Italian football, with a total capacity of 80,074. The owner of the club is Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi while the vice-president is Adriano Galliani. Milan is one of the wealthiest clubs in Italian and world football.

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A Modern Incarnation Parable (Source: Unknown)

“It was Christmas Eve. There was a man who had been in a family where his wife and his children were Christians but he was not. He rejected all the claims of Jesus Christ. He sat at home that Christmas Eve in front of the fire. It was cold out and the snow was falling. His wife and little children had gone to the chapel in the nearby village for a Christmas Eve service to honor the Christ they loved. He sat by the fire reading the paper.

All of a sudden he heard a loud and repeated thumping.

He thought someone was banging on the door. He went to the door and opened it but found no one was there. By the time he got settled back into his chair, he heard it again and again. He was bewildered as to what was causing it until he realized that something seemed to be smashing against the window. So he went to the drapes and he pulled them aside and to his amazement, a flock of birds was flying into the window.

A snowstorm, you see, had blown in. And the birds had been caught far away from their shelter and they couldn't find their way back. They couldn't fight the wind. They saw the lighted window and the warmth of the light had attracted them. They were literally flying into the glass trying to get to the light to get warm.

They would freeze to death, if they didn't find some shelter.

Well, the man who had refused to go with his family to the Christmas Eve service because he had no interest

in the Christ of Christmas was all of a sudden very compassionate for these poor birds. He wondered how he could help them. So he opened the door and went out into the cold and tried to chase them away so that they wouldn't kill themselves against the window. Then he ran to the barn and he threw the doors open and he whistled and he shooed them and did everything he could to get them to fly into the barn, but they wouldn't do it. He even went so far as to take some corn and some bread and make a big trail from the window to the barn. They wouldn't follow it.

In frustration, he said to himself, "If I could just communicate with them. If I could just tell them that I don't want to hurt them, that there's warmth and shelter and that they need to stop beating themselves to death against the glass. But I'm a man and they're birds and we don't speak the same language. Oh, if I could just become a bird, I think I could tell them."

And then it hit him. In that moment, the whole meaning of Christmas dawned on that man. Mankind has been beating itself to death against the barrier that kept him from the warmth of God's love until somebody became a man and told us the way.�

He, who was fully God, did not cling to His privileges but laid them aside, became a servant and approached a sinful people.

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Report on Lausanne Congress October 17–24, 2010

I was fortunate to attend the Third Lausanne Congress in Cape Town recently. 4500 Christian leaders from 198 countries were invited to gather together to consider issues facing the Church and, in particular, the issue of evangelism.

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HE congress was structured around the book of Ephesians. Each morning we personally read a chapter, discussed with a “table group” of six. Then we listened to an exposition by a different well known theologian; then back to table groups for final conclusions.

A great way of studying the Scriptures. The table groups were really the centre piece of the Lausanne structure—750 tables of 6 in one room takes up a lot of space!

Each day focused on a theme suggested by the Ephesians study:  TRUTH Truth of Christ  RECONCILIATION Peace of Christ  WORLD FAITHS Love of Christ  PRIORITIES Will of Christ  INTEGRITY Church of Christ  PARTNERSHIP Body of Christ

how she wants to become a lawyer/missionary and minister to those who are being repressed by an unjust regime. ... the story of Libby Little whose husband served as a medical missionary in Afghanistan and was murdered along with nine others in August of this year—she read excerpts from his last sermon holding the blood soaked pages of his journal. ... Bishop Ben Kwashi of Jos Nigeria who testified humbly and powerfully about God’s grace sustaining him despite the physical abuse towards his family and the constant threat of death he faces for witnessing to the good news about Jesus in a fundamentalist Islamic part of Nigeria.

There was some excellent challenging and thought-provoking inputs from a variety of people.

... The African delegation gave public thanks to the many western missionaries who sacrificed their lives in bringing the Gospel to this country and rejoiced in the fact that Africa now sends missionaries out into the rest of the world. ... Antoine Ruytashire from Rwanda challenged the conference to think about the depth of the Gospel message we communicate by drawing attention to the fact that despite a claim that 91% of the population of Rwanda were Christians before 1994 there was insufficient depth to prevent “Christian” people from participating in a genocide that killed a million people in a 100 day period. ... A Jewish Christian and a Palestinian Christian shared the stage together to point out that the Middle East crisis would only be remedied when people found their common humanity in Christ.

There were some difficulties; 230 Chinese delegates were unable to attend; their Passports having been confiscated in Beijing. We prayed behind our empty chairs ... Computer hackers disrupted the IT system for the Congress. It was described as “malicious hits from multiple locations.”

Each evening there was a focus on a geographical area of the world and an analysis of a set of global issues.

Highlights included: singing in multiple languages—at one point seventeen different ones .... Having conversations with people from all over the world and re-realizing just how cosmic God is ... being moved by personal testimonies of suffering related with a deep sense of security and joy ... being humbled by the sacrificial lives of so many people all over the world ... ... the Testimony of the 17 year old North Korean girl who told her powerful story of losing both her mother (of sickness) and father (to religious persecution in North Korea) and

... John Piper made an impassioned plea for us to continue to make every effort to alleviate human suffering in this world, but to recognize the importance of preaching the Gospel to those who face the prospect of immeasurable and unending suffering in eternity without Christ. ... Os Guinness persuasively set out the case for why we should hold truth in the highest regard. ... Vaughn Roberts talked about how many churches treat people as little children so we have a childish church ... the Word of God is weak or even absent .... Instead of carrying out the “Great Commission” we are stunted because so many churches, by poor Bible teaching, are carrying out the “Great Omission”.

In summary, a very rich time of understanding the issues relating to Christians around the world, a challenge to continue with evangelism based on the glorious truth of Christ as found in the scriptures, and a rejoicing that God is working out His plans and purposes.

Rejoicing in the Gospel together, Brian Cox

Head of School SPH International Lippo Village and Coordinator of SPH International Schools

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Saved to Serve Our theme this year is ‘Saved to Serve’. For us as Christians, sometimes it is easy to understand that Jesus Christ who died for our sins, calls us to serve. But what kind of ‘service’ has he called us to?

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O answer this, we need to revisit the very purpose of why God created people and all other creation. The reason is for us to reflect His Glory, or in other words, to have creation glorify Him. Why? Because He deserves to be glorified. Why? Because He is God. Hence, sin can be defined as ‘not treating God according to what He deserves.’

Anything that is not intended to glorify God is the fruit of sin, and God despises that, both the intention/thinking/action and the person. After the Fall, man is unable to not sin, which means we are unable to intentionally glorify God. We became slaves to sin.

When Jesus redeemed us from sin, and the penalty, which is death, he freed us from sin and enabled us to glorify God. ‘Saved to Serve’ then means that we, as redeemed people, are now enabled by the Holy Spirit and are called to glorify Him through everything in our lives, including service. It is a two-edged sword that implies that firstly, un-redeemed people cannot glorify God, and secondly, any service that does not glorify God, is sin.

Budi Legowo Director of Administration

Servant of Christ As part of my role as Treasurer on the Student Council this year, I have been given new challenges which are stretching me and helping me to understand better this year’s school theme ‘Saved to Serve’. Let me share some of my new understandings with you.

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HEN you think of the word ‘servant’, what pops up in your mind? Better yet, who pops into your mind? Is it your housemaid or driver? How about a security guard or waiter? For most people these are common understandings.

But what about the phrase ‘God’s Faithful Servant’? This likely conjures up a totally different set of images in your mind. Some might include Mother Theresa, William Wilberforce, or even your own church pastor.

For many of us, however, we often need a

reminder that this call to be ‘God’s Faithful Servant’ isn’t just for those select few. That is why this year’s theme, Saved to Serve can help us to be more conscious that Jesus welcomes us to a new world filled with hope and a burning spirit to continually glorify Him in every part of our lives. In fact, we were created to serve! Like it or not, we are all servants of one sort or another. The question is, who are we serving? Servant of the World, or Servant of Christ?

Thus, when we ask ourselves again, what does it mean to be God’s Faithful Servant, think of what a good servant would do for you: He would be quick to hear and heed your requests with a willing spirit. And at the end of the task, you would express your appreciation for his service.

Now put yourself in the position of servant, and God is your master. Will you take care to listen to His orders and to obey them swiftly? Will you

Lukius Kailimang hear the words, ‘You have done well, good and faithful servant?' We must each ask ourselves what it is that God is requiring of us. To know this, we must know Him. The servant must trust the master’s plan and wisdom. Thankfully, Christ is a master who is true and faithful. In fact, He promises to equip us for the tasks He has prepared in advance for us to do. Now it is up to us to remain faithful in serving Him!

Lukius Kailimang

SPH International Lippo Village Student Grade 12

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SPH INTERNATIONAL LIPPO VILLAGE

CPR ORIENTATION On November 2, 2010, the Class Parent Representative Orientation was held at SPH International Lippo Village.

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T this meeting all Junior School and Senior School Class Parent Representatives (CPRs) gathered together, along with the Lead Teachers from each grade, from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

We were very blessed to also have the Head of School and all Principals with us.

Mr. Brian Cox, Mr. Don Mercer and Mr. Gregg Fadeggon talked about 3 different aspects in the relationship between parents and teachers. Mr. Don mentioned about the importance of relationship between parents and teachers. Mr. Brian talked about the bigger picture of this relationship and the responsibilities of parents and teachers.

From Colossians 1:9–2:3. Mr. Brian mentioned about shared responsibilities between parents and teachers, which are to encourage and to teach our children so that they can reach full understanding and knowledge of Christ, in whom ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. Mr. Gregg talked about conflict, how we should see or view the conflict between parents and teachers and how conflict can be used constructively to make improvement.

CPRs were reminded of their roles and responsibilities. The main role of CPRs is to serve the school and serve parents. This is achieved through being the main line

of communication between parents and the school. CPRs assist in disseminating information from the school to parents, and their other vital role is to be the communication channel for feedback and input from parents to the school.

CPRs are also encouraged to actively participate in events and Christian Service Projects organized by the Parents Advisory Group (PAG consists of one CPR from each grade level). Through these events and projects CPRs can serve the community, and also serve our country, for example through fund-raising bazaars for the recent Merapi and Mentawai disasters.

CPRs had a valuable time to discuss plans for the 2010/2011 year with their respective grade level Lead Teachers. This was a great opportunity to share plans and ideas, including for Christian Service Projects, field trips, and events throughout the year.

We hope that through this meeting, a greater partnership can be established between parents and teachers, so together we can teach our children full understanding and knowledge of Christ.

And our prayer is that all CPRs will share a unity of purpose and be able to serve our Lord with humility. May we as parents truly put into action this year's SPH theme "Saved to Serve".

Contributed by SPH International Lippo Village Parent Advisory Group 2010–2011

PAG and CPR Team SPH International Lippo Village 2010-2011

Comments from Parents

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S parents of three children at SPH International's new campus in Kemang Village, my wife and I looked forward to the Soft Opening scheduled for October 13, 2010. Nearly a year had passed since our November 2009 introduction to the SPH team of administrators at an Open House event in the Kemang Village marketing office.

It was during the Open House that our daughters, Rachel, Hannah and Naomi, were interviewed and had their placement exams.

A month later we were thankful to learn that each daughter had been placed exactly according to their age. By February 2010, through payment of very favorable pioneer rates, we became members of a growing international school community whose vision—true knowledge, faith in Christ and Godly character—was in line with our own desire for our children.

In May 2010, a glimpse of the new campus held out hope that the school facilities would be ready to hold classes on schedule a couple of months later. And ready they were! The Soft Opening, held on October 6th, turned out to be a celebration of God working among all the administrators, teachers, students, parents and even the school's founder gave glory to the One who made it all possible and "Who continues to work all things in Christ Jesus."

(Colossians 1:16–17).

It warmed our hearts to see our three girls among a choir of 108 fellow students giving glory to God through praise and worship.

Today, their school week includes regular classes along with extra-curricular and afterschool programs, like Student Council, Special Choir, Basketball, Robotics and Swimming.

Have you ever heard your children come home on Friday afternoons and say things like, "I can't wait for school on Monday?" Praise God, we have.

Lars and Tanya Nielsen SPH International Kemang Village

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SPH International Lippo Cikarang

COMING TOGETHER WE are a family; albeit, a rather large one. Our students will testify that their teachers care for them in a deeper way than just about how they perform in mathematics, science, or history. Our teachers will say too, that one of the reasons they choose SPH is to minister to their students, within and beyond academics. [ Evan Brammer – Teacher ]

IN many other schools students do not feel the care of their teachers and friends, at SPH I can feel that my teachers and my fellow students do care for me. So, it is a pleasure for me to be in this environment with such warm teachers and caring friends. [ Lee Chi Won – Student ]

SPH was where I spent six years of senior school. To say the very least, it was a blast! In the era of schools focused on only producing the smartest, most intellectual students with the greatest achievements, SPH provided a ‘second home for its students.’ At least, that was how I always felt at school. Going to school every day was a joy for me. It was never a drag. At school I was with my second family; the one that was brought together by love. [ Dea Mongkar – Alumni ]

A Second Home for Your Children

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WHEN my son started Kindergarten he could only speak German and a little bit of Indonesian, but now he can speak English. He also knows more about Christianity. He is always so happy to go to school. SPH is a good school with great facilities and qualified teachers. I have no regrets sending my son to SPH. [ Diana Jachmann – Parent ]

WHEN I was in elementary school, I didn’t have lots of chances to show my talents in front of my parents and others. I really envy the students who are in SPH. My daughter is learning lots of things in various ways and developing her talents. Most parents will be satisfied if their children are happy because like me they will be happy about good relationships with friends and teachers. I always thank God for giving my child a good education and environment in SPH. [ Lee Soon Ki – Parent ]

AS an international school, SPH International not only offers quality implementation of an international curriculum, but SPH International itself is a culturally diverse learning community in which students gain global knowledge and understanding. This exposure to cultural diversity really challenges our students to think critically as they become widely aware of the uniting pulse of different cultures. [ Maria M. Inten Kusumo – Teacher ]

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SPH International Lippo Cikarang

GROWING STRONG I believe SPH International provides students with an excellent education because our students become knowledgeable learners who can significantly contribute to society. As an SPH International teacher I realize that school goes beyond the classroom.

Excellence is achieved when we all of work together to create a positive learning environment which enables our students to use their potential to the utmost. [ Meicky Shoreamanis P. – Teacher ]

LEARNING knowledge is important, but it is more important to learn how to learn and to be able to apply in life what we learn. That is why the school focuses more on developing students’ learning skills through inquiry and emphasizes on the importance of action. To facilitate learning, not only reading books, the Internet research, or inviting guest speakers, but students also have field trips to learn firsthand from the experts in the community and to see how learning in the classroom is related to real life situations. [ Ratna S. Putri – Junior School Curriculum Coordinator ]

I can honestly say that SPH has been and always will be a major part of my life. SPH gave me the educational experiences, as well as the motivational and spiritual support I needed to excel in university. With its supportive staff and friendly environment, the school provided excellent educational experiences for me and the other students. The IB Diploma Programme helped me to develop both educationally and in character because of the rigorous classes, research and service projects. I was mentally prepared and excelled in university because of IB. [ Ricardo Surya Jaya – Alumni ]

A Second Home for Your Children

special report I’VE learned that I can’t simply preach to my students. I have to prove my words with my actions because children need real examples. If I teach them about humility, then, I must be humble. As an SPH teacher I ‘walk the talk’. I try to show my students that God is not an entity far removed from our lives as human beings. [ Fidelia Ratri Yojani – Teacher ]

SERVICE projects give me another opportunity to help my students to be more aware of others.

By supporting those in need, my students are challenged to be more caring, generous, humble and loving to others in difficult conditions. Of course, being a role model and helping students build Godly character is not easy, but as God says in Deut. 6:7 “You shall teach then diligently …”, I accept this as one of my responsibilities as a teacher here at SPH. Therefore, I am committed to helping this young generation mature to be able to show Godly character in their lives. [ Sofia R.D. Sinaga – Teacher ]

SEVEN years ago, when I was looking for a school for my grade one daughter I was certain about one thing: I wanted an international school with a visionary leadership, compassionate teachers, an interesting and challenging curriculum and a caring and warm atmosphere promoting the highest of human values. Seven years on, SPH has proven that it has it all. Their commitment to their students and mission and vision statements are inspiring and help us parents to do the same. Today it can be easily ranked as one of Indonesia’s top schools. [ Sunitha Girish – Parent ]

WHEN I graduated from SPH, I heard the quote, “people don’t care how much you know, but people will know how much you care”.

This quote taught me that as I grow older my knowledge could fade and I may even forget the content of the subjects I took, but the content of my character will always remain. Without a doubt, SPH is a place to grow—physically, mentally and spiritually too.

At SPH I grew from the inside out and everything I experienced there will live permanently in my heart. [ Yoas Arnes – Alumni ]

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SPH International Lippo Cikarang

GOING BEYOND I am the President of Student Council, and it has been a challenging responsibility for me. However, SPH has given me great leadership experiences. From all the lessons I have learned about leadership, Godly leadership is the style of leadership thatI believe has the greatest value. It is leadership with a servant’s heart. [ Setyo Mahatmo – Student ]

THE After School Program at SPH International allows students to develop skills they are interested in learning more about. Whether it is basketball practice, swimming class, playing chess, or joining the robotics club, students are given an opportunity to interact with other students, who have similar interests, in a more relaxed atmosphere. As a teacher who has had the privilege of helping in the after school program, I have been blessed with getting to know the students on a more personal level. [ Rebekah Schmidt – Teacher ]

AFTER a hard day at school, you just want to relax and have fun for the rest of the day. SPH provides us extracurricular activities during which we can socialize and just have fun. Being a part of the girls’ basketball team, I’ve had the chance to meet students from different grades and get to know them well. I also got to hone my skills in basketball and our team had opportunities to play games with other schools. From this, I got to know even more people and I’ve made many new friends and I had a great deal of fun. [ Lasmyr Edullantes – Student ]

SPH International has an Environmental Club called the ‘Go Green Club’.

I joined this club because I knew that our Earth is our only home and as humans we need to take care of it. I am also fond of our God’s marvelous and wonderful creations! Therefore, I want to be a part of keeping them this way. In my opinion, all the activities we do in our club are ways to serve God. Why, you ask? When we care for God’s creation, we are serving him. [ Yarra Arnes – Student ]

A Second Home for Your Children

special report AT SPH, we believe that our Creator God has given each one of us some kind of talent, skill, or gift, and that God calls us to use those talents for the benefit of others. Sometimes these gifts are easily recognized in students, but often they are lying just under the surface, waiting to be nurtured and grown as a witness to God’s glory. Often it takes an opportunity to SERVE before these gifts rise to the surface. With the “tools” of compassion, kindness, patience, joy, love, and sacrifice students are then given opportunities to serve in our surrounding communities and beyond by being the Hands and Feet of Jesus! [ Tom Going – Teacher ]

DURING my last year in Junior School we had a project to help the underprivileged and people with a disability. We planned to teach them a skill with our talents. By doing this I learned that, besides donating money, clothes, or toys, I can actually help the unprivileged by teaching them skills. In this way I acted on Acts 20:35 which states: "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak.

And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" [ Clara Tandi – Student ]

I'VE benefited from the service projects at SPH International. I was able to increase my self— awareness. I am now more aware of my strengths and I have developed new skills. The service projects exposed me to new experiences that helped me to enhance my person growth. Whenever I join in our service projects, the empathy in my heart transforms to a desire to help the poor. Through serving and sharing, I’ve learned the true meaning of happiness from serving and I realized the seriousness of poverty in some areas. [ Park SoYoung – Student ]

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E need to be saved because we are condemned to sin, and therefore condemned to death. As Romans says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Sins are inevitable, and no one is without sin. If you look at the Bible characters none, except Jesus, was ever perfect. The difference between righteous Bible characters and other people was that the sins of a believer were forgiven and wiped clean. Then, they followed God and sought what He wanted.

In the Bible, I was reading about Job and I was confused. How could the Bible say that no one has not sinned, however, it was stated that he was upright and blameless?

This was contradictory! But then, I thought, well, maybe by blameless it meant that he learned to control his actions, and when he did wrong, he asked for forgiveness, with a clean heart. I do not mean he was always committing sins and repenting, but his few sinful thoughts and acts were cleansed and

not repeated. He knew and loved God and his laws, and therefore obeyed them.

Let me now go back to the topic of why we need to be saved. The simple idea is that everyone sins, no matter how much you think you are a godly Christian. Most of our daily behaviours and actions are sinful; one example that happens frequently throughout all ages is gossip. I am so guilty of gossiping, and the sad fact is that it seems the more you do it, the more fun it becomes. That seems to be the general occurrence and principle of sin: you can never get enough of it, or you think you need sin in order to be happy.

Nevertheless, the happiness gained from sin is like a drug; it has and will lead to terrible consequences. To sum it up as to Why Do We Need to Be Saved? Well, each one of us is actually locked in our own closet of sin, and only Jesus has the key to unlock it. [ Abigail Lynae White, Grade 7 ]

Why Do We Need to be Saved?

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E need to be saved from sin because if we are not forgiven, we will have to face death. God loves us, and He sent his one and only son to save our sinful lives and nature. He has sent signs, people in fact in order for us to realize that we should stop sinning. This is kind of hard for me to understand, because I don’t see the point of saving humans who cannot stop breaking each and every law of the Ten Commandments. We sin, we lie, we accuse and we even subject our anger towards God. We are not worthy to be saved.

But somewhere out there, God loves us with all his heart, willing to sacrifice himself for the human race. I am rather sad because we humans had to bring down the Almighty into our world and crucify him for doing

good. Like a child, parents are there to help you grow up but as time passes, we become embarrassed by their guidance, which is exactly how I feel about Jesus in this world.

Though I am sad, I am happy to know that Jesus is there, watching over us every single day of our lives. Therefore, the only reason that we need to be saved is because we have sinned. From the start of our life-long journey, we have sinned ever since we were born. So as you know, our sin has been proven to be a great burden for us to carry. Although God realized the great sacrifice he would have to make for all sinful humans, He still saved us and purified us of our sins. In conclusion, I’m happy, and I’m glad because salvation is near. [ Alexander Arjani Lianto, Grade 7 ]

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Why Do We Need to be Saved?

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HY do we need to be saved?

Why do we need a savior? It is because without a savior, we are dead, dominated and doomed. We are dead without a savior because God, who had breathed life into us, left us and we are far away from Him and the breath of life is gone.

In this case, “life” is your spiritual life and soul.

We are dominated without a savior because without God, we are helpless, and when we are helpless, we can be dominated very easily. We are dominated by sin, the worst thing of all. It makes us rot and decay, but there is still one person who loves us, Jesus, our savior.

We are doomed without a savior because if we keep sinning and not ask for forgiveness, we are destined to go to hell and suffer the punishments of death, domination and doom. Without a savior, we are empty, we do not know where to go, we are helpless, we are without guidance and we are falling into sin. No one will help us, right? Wrong. Jesus, our savior will because he will always forgive us, no matter what happens if we accept him

as our savior.

Some people might think that a savior is boastful and only wants to save because he wants to be worshipped, praised and served, but Jesus our savior isn’t like that. He served us first by dying on the cross and then he saved us! We must pay our gratitude to him by serving him in ways like spreading his word or through community and service.

If we don’t have a savior, we will feel God’s wrath and fury. But because God loves us, we are chosen to be His children and we don’t have to feel His anger and we don’t have to go to hell. Another reason why we need to be saved and we need a savior is that we need to have someone to help guide us, to help us live in the right way, to help us resist temptation, to lead us away from sin, to forgive our sins and to help us get to heaven and in this case, our savior is Jesus. With a savior, we can be holy, but remember, holy not perfect, because only God is perfect and nothing else. [ Joshua Yustira Bayan Tjie, Grade 7 ]

book corner CALLED TO TEACH A Biblical Challenge to Renounce Intellectual Idolatry and Dedicate Ourselves to Spiritual Discipleship on Christian School Campuses

By Kenneth O. Gangel, Ph.D. (ACSI, 1995) In this book, we learn what teachers should know about serving God. Called to Teach celebrates God’s goodness and grace to Christian school Teachers and Students everywhere. The author explains that Christian teachers should share responsibility with parents in creating a value system which gives young people the opportunity to live rich and fruitful lives before God. Yes, we want moral character well established in our students, but we also want it in their parents.

This book also mentions that Christian teachers must first of all show dedication to God Himself and the ability to reproduce that dedication in their students. At last, the author says that Christians (and therefore Christian teachers) must worship God, not the Bible which tells us about God. DESIRING GOD Meditations of A Christian Hedonist

By John Piper (Mutnomah, 2001) This book tells us that the great business of Life is to Glorify God by enjoying Him forever. This is God’s universal purpose for all Christian suffering: more contentment in God and less satisfaction in self and the world. The pearl of greatest price is the glory of Christ. Thus, Paul stresses that in our sufferings the glory of Christ’s all-sufficient grace is magnified.

Suffering is clearly designed by God not only as a way to wean Christians off self and onto grace, but also as a way to spotlight that grace and make it shine. That is precisely what faith does.

So, we glorify God not by serving Him, but by being served by Him. Evidently, there is a way to serve God that would belittle Him as needy of our Service. ” The Son of Man came not to be served” (Mark 10:45). He aims to be Servant, he aims to get the glory as Giver. To be sure, we are called servants and that no doubt means we are to do exactly as we are told.

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remember, as I was finishing off my year nine, telling my seniors who were involved in Friendship Day two years ago to have the event again the next year. I waited for the event to happen, but it never did. This year, however, I felt more than privileged to be given the opportunity to be the coordinator of Friendship Day 2010 to happen yet again after the last day of school. The Social Outreach Committee was in charge of it, and I was delighted to take part in the planning.

The planning and preparation for this event took more than a month. Once the Big Day almost came, the committee started publicizing to get the help of the students to volunteer.

The timing was quite inconvenient, and as the first sign up sheets were up, there were barely 20 people signed up. I had fear in my heart because I knew if we did not recruit enough people, the event would not happen.

A week before the event, there were a few more people who signed up, but we still did not meet the quota. My heart was shattered, and I did not know what else to do as I had tried my best to publicize mouth to mouth as well as through morning announcements.

What made my heart ache was the fact that these many students in the Senior School who were not moved even an inch to have the incentive to join this event, an event that I would do anything so that it would happen.

I knew deep down in my heart that there was nothing else I could do to move the hearts of the students, and Michelle Susanto, as my SOC leader, told me to pray. She reminded me

Friendship Day 2010

Seeing the Work of God God has been a figure that seems to be sometimes out of reach in my life. I have questioned his presence many times as I simply cannot and do not always see Him. Sometimes I can and do, but often, and perhaps most of the times, I do not. As many other believers, I have yearned for Him to always be visible and tangible in my life, but it does not happen that way. The fact is settled to me that God is there but cannot be seen with my and everyone else's naked eyes. The fact does not stop me from trying to find Him however. As a matter of fact, I did see and feel His presence recently in my life. to completely put my trust in God's hands. So I prayed and prayed every minute and asked God to work in the students' hearts, knowing that there was only a week to go until the Big Day. It was the last day of signing up, and it was exactly a week before the last day of school— June 3, 2010. I decided to talk in front of the

Grade 7–8 Chapel to promote this event once again. I told myself "Twenty more students more, Devita. You can do this." As I look back, I realize how it was such a crazy thing to do because I had no preparation in what to say and how to say it. I took the stage for around five minutes, and let whatever words flow out of my mouth. I cannot exactly recall what I said on that day, but whatever it was, God surely made it work. At the end of the day, there were more than enough students signing up, and even after it was full, more and more students contacted me through phone calls and e-mails that they wanted to join. I thought that was the best thing that could possibly happen, but I was wrong because the best thing was yet to come.

Friday, June 11, 2010 finally came. At 9.15 a.m., the two Bluebird Buses arrived at the bus shelter at SPH. The moment the children from Rawinala stepped into Gym 1, my heart was torn apart. Seeing them walk into the gymnasium honestly was not such a pleasing sight, but I was moved. Rawinala children were different. They were not like me, and they were not like my friends. Almost all of them had poor vision and trouble balancing

special report For the second time I watched these children perform, and honestly, they never cease to amaze me with their abilities and dedication to keep getting better and better each day.

Soon after the performance, the Rawinala children walked to the bus shelter with their SPH buddies to go back to the institution, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Friendship Day 2010 was finally over.

As I look back, I realize that through the hectic preparation of this event, it was easy for me to forget and doubt God as I drowned myself too much into relying on other people and even the posters to work things out. But I was wrong, had to be, and still have to be constantly reminded of God's mighty plan.

I was given a chance to learn to completely rely on God and to once again see the truth of God's promise that He has made everything beautiful in His time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Friendship Day 2010 has yet remained themselves. To walk was a challenge and still remains one today. To speak and to communicate with each other, the one thing I take for granted, is out of the question for some as they just cannot possibly do it. There were so many things they were not capable of doing, yet these weaknesses they had did not stop them from being joyful and thankful in their lives. These children did not complain for who they were and what they were not capable of, they instead accepted themselves and continued to work on the talents God has equipped them with.

At 9.30 a.m., the event officially started. Each Rawinala child was accompanied by a pair of SPH students assigned to them left the gymnasium to head to the booths prepared around the school area. As a coordinator, I oversaw the event, interacted with the carers who also supervised, and checked on all of the booths to make sure everything went well. In the two hour free time given to the students, I saw friendships being formed, lives being transformed, laughter in the air, flashes of genuine smiles, and I lastly saw God visibly working in the students' hearts. Then was the best scene I saw as I felt overjoyed to see how God worked and touched the hearts of these students around me. After lunch time was over, a group of the children from Rawinala performed a couple of songs for the SPH students before heading back home.

Sponsored by:

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as, not just another Student Council's event checked off my list, but a life changing and an eye-opening experience in my life.

On behalf of the Student Council's Social Outreach Committee, I would like to thank each of the students, teachers, and PRP staff who took part in the event for helping make this event so success, the sponsors for all the goods donated, and I most dearly thank God for working through everyone involved as well as for blessing me and others to be a blessing in the lives of Rawinala's children. As Friendship Day 2010 ended the year, I prayed that we may all continue to be a blessing in others' lives around us.

Devita Gunawan SPH International Lippo Village Student Grade 12

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BULAN BAHASA CELEBRATION 2010 B

ULAN Bahasa 2010 focused on Indonesian cultural heritage including, dance, music, clothes, and food. Something new this year was the addition of a serious drama written and acted by grade 12 students.

Both expatriate and national students demonstrated outstanding enthusiasm and cooperation in organizing and participating in this event. The final Bulan Bahasa celebration was fabulous. And even though the audience sat for a long time on the gym floor watching all the events, their rapt attention and respect was evident. It is a privilege to be able to celebrate with pride the great country and culture of Indonesia.

Thank you to everyone for supporting this great event and helping it to run smoothly.

See you for Bulan Bahasa 2011!

Pitaya Rahmadi Bahasa Indonesia Teacher

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they do according to the best standards—but also help students apply what they learn to new and challenging situations. Professors teach not only through their words but also through the example of their lives; this is important, for the evidence is clear that students will become like their teachers.

Christian professors are, therefore, the critically important component of wholistic education.

Christian University

The purpose of education is to enable students to understand themselves and the world so that they contribute to the good of others, all for the glory of God. This involves much more than preparation for jobs and professions: It involves training students to think clearly and make good judgments, informed by sound knowledge; it involves enabling students to love what is good, true, and beautiful; and it involves equipping students to turn thinking and loving into doing with fruitful outcome.

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By Dr. Niel Nielson

HRISTIAN universities are uniquely prepared to provide this wholistic education, for, unlike many universities, they openly recognize that God has created students as whole persons whose thinking and loving and doing are always connected.

The Bible reminds us that God calls us to worship and love him with all parts of ourselves—heart, soul, mind, and strength— and Christian universities prepare students for this in every area of life and work.

Wholistic education happens, at Christian universities, through Christian professors, who not only teach the academic subject—which

The evidence is also clear that what happens outside the classroom is critically important as well. As students live on campus, participate in campus programs, and engage in leisure activities, they develop deep friendships which also deeply affect their thinking, loving, and doing. The Christian university provides the best context for the valuable peer relationships which encourage worthwhile directions in all of life.

Finally, wholistic education can only occur where God the Creator is taken into account as the source and end of all of life. Without an eternal perspective which the Bible provides, education remains fragmentary and partial, and students will not understand the true meaning of their learning and their lives. Christian universities help students see everything clearly, for only in the light of God and his revealed purposes does everything become clear.

For these reasons, I strongly commend to you the Christian university!

Collaboration What a privilege for the Covenant College/ University team to visit SPH schools in late October! We met with school leaders and teachers, saw students in various educational settings, and spoke with parents about the importance of attending a Christian university. SPH schools clearly demonstrate the mission and purpose of Christian education, and our team learned much to help us pursue the same mission and purpose in America. Now we are excited about possibilities for collaboration, connecting our teachers and students in mutually beneficial ways, including SPH graduates attending Covenant College/University for undergraduate education. We invite you to explore this possibility.

Dr. Niel B. Nielson

President of Covenant College

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OD is good, and His glory was magnified throughout our Grade 6 retreat. The Grade 6 spiritual retreat offered many opportunities for students to grow in their relationship with God, interact with peers, and establish and rekindle friendships.

Please take a moment to read a few, short reflections by some of the Grade 6 students:

The Grade 6 retreat was a very enjoyable experience for me! We all went together to Villa Renata in Puncak. I enjoyed my experience because in the retreat we could be with our friends for about 2 days and 2 nights. Other than being closer to our friends, we also developed a closer relationship to God! We had sessions led by Mr. Rob and Mrs. Gale. They were very nice, fun, and passionate about their teaching, which made the sessions a blast! We also had games and sports activities.

On the second day of retreat, we had a tea walk, where all of us, teachers, students, and speakers, walked around the mountainside. We had a talent night where there were magic shows, puppet shows, poems, and dance performances, too. It was absolutely amazing! We also celebrated our last night there in a weird way. We all had an indoor “bonfire” where we were told the Word of God and lots of us experienced and felt the Holy Spirit around us. Retreats are an absolutely amazing and fun experience you won’t want to miss! [ Kay, Grade 6A ]

Grade 6 SPH International Lippo Village

Spiritual Retreat It was such a life changing experience to go on retreat. I could finally see what my friends were like without anything holding them back. During the bonfire, there was a special moment where we all just cried. Because of that, people who had a weak connection with God became closer to Him. I had finally renewed friendships with people I haven’t talked to since Grade 3. This retreat made all of Grade 6 so joyful that we felt like nothing could scare us. During this retreat something made me feel so special that it changed my outlook on life. It made me see that you can worship God in a way that could make you scream with joy, a way that can change your life. [ Chaya, Grade 6B ]

This past retreat was a very exciting event! This was the first retreat I had, and my friends and I had an enjoyable time. Many games were held, and all were fun.

The most memorable time I had was hiking through the mountains. The sight was mostly green, followed by the river flow and the plantation. I think the point of the hike was to appreciate nature that God has made. At the last night of the retreat, a bonfire was held, and that was the time to individually talk to God and to confess our sins. I am sure the Holy Spirit was with us in the room that time, blessing us. This retreat was really memorable and exciting to learn and have a better connection with God. [ Nathan, Grade 6C ]

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Grade 7 – "Greater than Gold"

Grade 8 – Joyology “Where can I find true joy in life?” This was the focus question for this year’s Grade 8 Retreat. Pastor Jeff Starnes from Jakarta International Christian Fellowship led the students through an examination of this very important question. The students did indeed reflect deeply upon what it means to put Christ first in their lives and many responded by making or renewing their commitment to put Christ and others before themselves. Additionally, it was a good time of community building and fun with a number of events including games, hiking and the ever-popular Homeroom Dance competition!

Comments from Grade 8 Students: "I think that during our Spiritual Retreat for Grade 8 has been one that really moved me a lot and really urged me to become a better Christian. Unlike any other retreat I’ve been to, this one actually made me burst into tears because it was only then that I truly felt the Lord’s presence. Thanks to Ps. Jeff and his amazing ability to make young Christians want to change their ways of living into living like a true Christian. Not only was it a Spiritual retreat that made us feel changed, but the activities and lessons were all fun as well."

"Honestly, I started going against the idea of even going on retreat, even before the class dance. I understand that a spiritual retreat that happens with your friends in 8th grade is a once in a lifetime opportunity. But I just thought that it is just another year of retreat. But it was too late for me to back away, I had no choice but to go. So I did and guess what, it was a life changing event. The retreat was different. It gave me an impact that I didn’t realize could happen. There, we got the chance to know what

joy really is. We got a chance to write about our situation, the weight that the world has put on us. Ps. Jeff told us to tear it up and throw it in the fire. When I saw the flames, I could feel that the burden on my shoulder was made lighter. We had so much fun. I will never underestimate a retreat again."

"This Grade 8 spiritual retreat affected our lives.

This year’s retreat was probably the best I’ve ever gone to. Ps. Jeff gave each and every one of us a very meaningful speech about joy and happiness. These two have a very different meaning. The second night of the retreat was a life changing moment. Everyone confessed their sins by writing it down on a piece of paper and as we headed to the bonfire, we were thanking the Lord for what He has done and how He has forgiven our sins. On the last day of retreat, Ps. Jeff gave us time to share what God has done in our life. At that time, people were in tears as they were sharing their stories. As I came up to share my story too, I couldn’t think how grateful I am because of what the Lord has done in my life. Thank you, Ps. Jeff for the message."

"It was an awesome retreat. Great students, teamwork, speaker, but most of all, great GOD who’s really moving everyone’s heart, including mine. Our life shall never be the same again. All glory and honor to Him." [ Ibu Jessica ]

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us ..." (Hebrews 12).

The Grade 7 retreat focused on Eric Liddle the famed Scottish runner from “Chariots of Fire” and compared his attitude towards running with Hebrews 12 focus on the race of Christian faith. Fortunately for us God has already won the race for us and now calls us to run a “victory lap” in service to our neighbour to the glory to Him.

Comments from Grade 7 Students: “I have tried to apply the retreat lessons in my life by trying to break down my walls. I am trying to respect people around me more and to obey my parents. Before I went on this retreat I didn’t obey my parents that much but now I try to obey and respect them more. I also try to help others, especially my brother. Sometimes when he asks for my help I don’t want to.”

“I have become closer to God and trust Him in everything I do even though it looks hard and nearly impossible. Also, I try to be able to not be tempted when I run my race so I can finish it as best as I can and glorify God in my race.”

“I think that the challenge to stop gossiping was the most difficult thing from the sessions. I know that it is a sin that separates me from God so I will try my best to stop and to remind my friends to stop as well. My goal is to stop gossiping with the help of God and my friends.”

“I like what Mr. Mike said about fixing our eyes on Jesus. It is a challenge for me because I usually listen to what other people say more than Jesus even though I try and try.”

D. A. Carson is an excellent contemporary theologian. He read this unpublished poem, on the Incarnation of Christ, at a recent conference.

THE PROLOGUE Before there was a universe, Before a star or planet, When time had still not yet begun— I scarcely understand it— Th’ eternal Word was with his God, God’s very Self-Expression; Th’ eternal Word was God himself— And God had planned redemption.

The Word became our flesh and blood— The stuff of his creation— The Word was God, the Word was flesh, Astounding incarnation!

But when he came to visit us, We did not recognize him.

Although we owed him everything We haughtily despised him.

In days gone by God showed himself In grace and truth to Moses; But in the Word of God made flesh Their climax he discloses.

For grace and truth in fullness came And showed the Father’s glory When Jesus donned our flesh and died: This is the gospel story.

All who delighted in his name, All those who did receive him, All who by grace were born of God, All who in truth believed him— To them he gave a stunning right: Becoming God’s dear children!

Here will I stay in grateful trust; Here will I fix my vision.

Before there was a universe, Before a star or planet, When time had still not yet begun— I scarcely understand it— Th’ eternal Word was with his God, God’s very Self-Expression; Th’ eternal Word was God himself— And God had planned redemption.

A Responsive Prayer for the

Christmas Season

By Coty Pinckney

Because You were willing to humble Yourself, to become human, to make Yourself nothing, May we not think of ourselves more highly than we ought, but humbly serve You by serving each other.

Because You were born poor, weak, and homeless, May we see the poor through your eyes, being generous and willing to share.

Because God out of his great love for us sent You to live among us and die for us, May we believe that You are the Messiah, and therefore not perish, but have eternal life.

Because those infant hands of the babe in the manger were pierced on the cross as You bore our sins, May we, healed by Your wounds, die to sin and live for righteousness.

Because You, the infant wrapped in simple cloths, are our great high priest, who was tempted in every way just as we are, yet was without sin, May we approach Your throne of grace with confidence, knowing You sympathize with all our weaknesses, and will grant mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.

He became what we are that He might make us what He is.

—Tim Keller The mystery of Christ, that He sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding.

—Martin Luther The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God. —C.S. Lewis

Because God has raised us with You on account of Your sacrifice, seating us with You in the heavenlies above all powers and authorities, May we stand against the devil's schemes, living lives worthy of Your calling, being made new in the attitude of our minds.

Because You are the incarnate Christ who not only took on human form to enter the world, but also continue to live on in us, May we recognize daily, that we are no longer alone but You live in us and enable us to respond to the Father in Spirit and in Truth.

Because You are the promised Messiah, the creator of life, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end, May we adore You, praise You, and bless You, today and forever.

Because You, the Root and Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star, have promised to come again soon, May we all live in eager expectation of Your return. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

" ... without the incarnation, Christianity isn't even a very good story, and most sadly, it means nothing. 'Be nice to one another' is not a message that can give my life meaning, assure me of love beyond brokenness, and break open the dark doors of death with the key of hope ...."

—Martin Luther

We are grateful and so blessed by the cooperation with several USA Christian Universities. There will be twelve students from Education faculty in their 3rd–4th year to teach SUMMER PROGRAM 2011 in Jakarta.

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Don DeGraaf, Ph.D.

Jeanna Westmoreland

Director of Off Campus Programs

First Lady

Special Assistant to the President and Director of International Student and Off-Campus Programs

AST summer, Calvin was blessed to partner with SPH to provide a summer Enrichment program with Calvin students teaching and leading programs for SPH students. The partnership was designed using a service learning model where by Calvin students can learn from and work with SPH staff to expand SPH's capacity to better meet the needs of students through summer programs, while also giving SPH the opportunity to meet future education graduates, interested in teaching internationally. For Calvin, the program offers the opportunity to further build relationships with SPH. We thank God for SPH and its mission to promote Christian Education in Indonesia and we appreciate the opportunity to join SPH in this quest and look forward tocontinue this partnership next summer.

AMFORD University is pleased to join with Sekolah Pelita Harapan in an exciting partnership. Featuring students from almost 20 nations, Samford was founded in 1841 and is recognized as a top tier doctoral research university.

Seeking to be a university under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, Samford provides an outstanding academic program in the Christian environment. The graceful architecture of the 200 acre campus is supplemented by a beautiful quadrangle, designed by the same landscape firm that created Central Park in New York City.

The students, faculty and administration of Samford look forward to a long and beneficial relationship with their friends at Sekolah Pelita Harapan.

ORDT College is a comprehensive Christian college offering an excellent education from a Reformed perspective. Ranked third on U.S. News & World Report’s 2011 list of Best Regional Colleges in the Midwest, Dordt welcomes international students and is happy to partner with Pelita Harapan Schools. Two Dordt graduates currently teach at SPH, and we have welcomed SPH graduates who have attended Dordt. We believe students from SPH enrich our community, and we encourage you to find out more about what Dordt has to offer, including an on-campus international student coordinator dedicated to helping you get the most out your education.

Curtis J. Taylor, Ph.D.

www.calvin.edu

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www.dordt.edu

www.samford.edu

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OVENANT College is excited about the Summer Programs conducted through the Pelita Harapan Schools. This is a wonderful opportunity for our Education students to gain valuable teaching and cultural experiences in Indonesia, and it deepens the partnership between Covenant College and the SPH schools. Thank you for the gracious invitation, and for creating such exciting programs through which our students can not only sharpen their teaching skills, but also learn and grow themselves while extending the love of Jesus to those children in the camps.

ORBAN University considers it a joy and honor to partner with SPH during the Summer Program 2011. As two institutions with a shared vision to impact the world for Jesus Christ, we believe we can bring glory and honor to God through combined service. Corban University students have a deep passion for Jesus, a strong commitment to a Biblical worldview, and are serious about living a life that glorifies God. The summer SPH partnership is a perfect opportunity for Corban students to integrate their commitment to Biblical principles and their calling to teach while intentionally meeting the world’s need for Jesus Christ.

James L. Drexler

Janine F. Allen, Ed. D.

Dean of Education www.covenant.edu

Dean, School of Education and Counseling www.corban.edu