Thursday, September 15, 2011

Jakarta Mission Trip Reflection



Kami dating di hadirat-mu
As we come into your presence Lord
Dalam satu kasih,
Lifting our heart as one
Dengan bersehati
And with one voice we sing
Berjanji setia sampai akhir
Promise to be faithful till the end
Mengasihi-mu, Yesus
Forever love you, our God


As we commuted to the location of the Jelambar Corps Family Camp up in the mountains, I was captured by the words of this song which was chosen as the theme for the weekend. It spoke of a deep desire for God’s presence and a unity of spirit, which, as we would soon discover, characterised the heart of this congregation. This was to be the beginning of an extraordinary encounter with God for our team as we engaged with this group of Indonesian Salvationists.

From worship, leading and teaching at the camp to engaging in manual labour and pastoral visitation at the church, we experienced the presence and power of the Holy Spirit at work in the lives of these people. Their faith, witness and worship touched us deeply as a team and allowed God to speak specifically into our own personal faith journey. The following reflections, taken from my journal, highlight three keyways in which God formed me spiritually through our mission trip experience.

1. Alignment of Vision


Listening to Captain Nyoman Timonuli communicate God's vision for the Jelambar Corps to his congregation was inspiring on a number of levels. Firstly, because the vision captured the heart of Christ's mission to reach a lost and broken world with the gospel. Secondly, because of the incredible alignment between what God is saying to Jelambar and what God has been saying to Noarlunga. And thirdly, because God's Spirit affirmed a number of things in my spirit and spoke to me from Matthew 9:13, as Nyoman spoke about the mission of Jesus Christ.

"But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" (Matthew 9:13)

Jesus made it clear what His mission was and who it was aimed at. Although, these are familiar words and are in alignment with where we are being led, it was the focus on mercy, rather than sacrifice that struck me. So often our teaching and engagement in mission highlights the importance of sacrifice. Although, mission clearly involves sacrifice, this is not the object of mission. In fact, too often we can be tempted to measure the impact or success of mission by how much we sacrifice for the gospel; but that shifts the focus to self. This can also be a reflection of how we can approach worship. In the spirit of the prophets, Jesus is clear that He is not interest in our sacrifice but in how we show His love and mercy to those whom we serve.

Our mission trip has nothing to do with what we have given up or how much we have given, but everything to do with how we have shown mercy, which flows out of a spirit of love and grace. Mercy reflects the heart of Christ and keeps the focus of our mission upon those whom we serve.

2. Universality of the Spirit


As we launched into the practical projects of our mission trip today, I found myself wondering how God might reveal Himself within the tasks of the day. I never thought that God would speak to me, so powerfully, through working alongside two Indonesian Muslim men, constructing the next stage of the building project of a Salvation Army Church!

This unlikely working relationship left both parties with a mutual intrigue: I was amazed that two devout Muslims would be assisting the Jelambar Corps to build their church and they were amazed that two Australians (Neville and myself) would be assisting them with mixing and pouring concrete. It seems we defied their expectations of Westerners by 'lowering' ourselves to do manual labour. Equally, my expectations and perceptions about Muslim people were deeply challenged by their working relationship with a Christian church; especially in a country known for persecution against Christians!! While there is still much that concerns me about the global impact of the Islamic faith, I found myself today having to separate the ideologies of a religion from the character of two people who follow that system of belief.

The personal impact of learning about the expression of faith of these two men after working a day with them is difficult to describe. Except to say, that my recent study of the prevenient work of the Holy Spirit, who has been "poured out upon ALL people" (Acts 2:17), took on flesh today. I believe that the Holy Spirit is drawing these men of an opposing faith to work in partnership with Christians to build their church. This encounter has left me with much to think and pray about.

3. Generosity in Poverty


The visitation of local congregation members in their homes amidst the slum area of Jelambar had a profound impact on each one of us. We observed the same group of people we shared the weekend within their neighbourhood where we were confronted by poverty, over-crowding and filth. Yet, despite the low standard of living, we observed a level of joy and experienced generous hospitality that took us by surprise. Out of the very little they had, they treated us like honoured guests and eagerly desired to generously bless us with food and gifts.

God spoke to me from 2 Corinthians 8:2-4, where Paul speaks of the Macedonian churches who, “out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” I saw this passage manifested through the lives of the people we visited. Their love for Jesus and the church transcended their circumstances and they passionately lived out of the overflow of God’s blessings in their lives, despite their apparent poverty. As the leader of a church in a relatively prosperous western context, this experience stirs a 'holy discontent' (Hybels 2007) within my spirit with the materialism and spiritual poverty that is evident among some members of our church. I am inspired and challenged by this sort of integration of faith and life, which not only reflects the heart of Christ, but fulfils His mission. There is much we can observe and learn from Christians living in adverse circumstances that should challenge the faith and life of the western church.

I stated to our team at the commencement of this trip that I suspected we would receive more than we gave, which has proven to be true. God used this mission trip to strengthen our faith, affirm His vision for our church, and expand our view of the work of the Holy Spirit within another culture and religious context. The alignment of vision, universality of the Spirit and generosity in poverty has profoundly impacted my own faith journey and fuels the fire already lit by the Holy Spirit to passionately embrace and share all that He has blessed us with to a lost and broken world. This applies to my current ministry context but also intensifies my strong belief that God is leading us towards mission and ministry in another culture. Together with my wife and family we continue to pray with open hearts and minds for the Spirit’s direction.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Jakarta Mission Trip (Day 7)

After a day of touring around Jakarta with Nyoman & Suni, I had the opportunity to speak at a youth event at Jelambar Corps to explore further the vision launched at the family camp on the weekend.  Below is my sermon outline...



VISI MENUJU HARAPAN


Selamat malam. Katakan pada orang di samping anda…  “Yesus Kristus adalah harapan dunia!”

[Youth Participation - Blindfolded: “What do you see?”]

When you were blind folded, all you could see was darkness, but when I shone the torch in your face (while still blind folded), you were able to see light in the darkness…

This is what having a “vision” does. It helps us to look through the darkness towards a light of hope. It changes our view of reality. It enables us to see beyond what is to what could be! It gives us a different view of ourselves, others and the world around us.

When Peter preached to the crowd who had gathered at Pentecost, he reminded them of the words of the prophet Joel:

“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy” (Acts 2:17-18)

When God pours His Spirit upon the youth of this Corps, He will give you a vision of tomorrow!

What do you think that vision might look like? You can stop wondering, because God has given us a clear view through His prophets...


1. Vision of HOLINESS (Isaiah 6:1-5)


Isaiah saw his own sinfulness - “I am a man of unclean lips” (v 5)

God gave him a vision of His holiness - “My eyes have seen the King, the Almighty God” (v 5)


2. Vision of HEALING (Jeremiah 33:6-9)


Jeremiah saw the brokenness of a city - “I will hide my face from this city because of all its wickedness” (v 5)

God gave him a vision of healing and restoration - “I will bring heath and healing to it” (v 6)


3. Vision of HOPE (Ezekiel 37:11-12)


Ezekiel saw the death of a nation - “Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone” (v 11)

God gave him a vision of hope and life - “I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them” (v 12)


When you look at your own life, what do you see?

When you look at your city, what do you see?

When you look at your nation, what do you see?


I want to speak the same prophesy of Ezekiel to you today and say that…

  • I see a “vast army”, rising up to take its place, filled with the life and power of the Holy Spirit!
  • I see a people who, in the victory of the resurrected Christ, have been restored and made whole!
  • I see a generation of young people who are a part of God’s redemptive plan for the city of Jakarta!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Jakarta Mission Trip (Day 5 & 6)

As we launched into the practical projects of our mission trip today, I found myself wondering how God might reveal Himself within the tasks of the day. I never thought that God would speak to me, so powerfully, through working alongside two Indonesian Muslim men, constructing the next stage of the building project of a Salvation Army Church! This unlikely working relationship left both parties with a mutual intrigue: I was amazed that two devout Muslims would be assisting the Jelambar Corps to build their church and they were amazed that two Australians (Neville and myself) would be assisting them with mixing and pouring concrete. It seems we defied their expectations of Westerners by 'lowering' ourselves to do manual labour. Equally, my expectations and perceptions about Muslim people were deeply challenged by their working relationship with a Christian church; especially in a country known for persecution against Christians!! While there is still much that concerns me about the global impact of the Islamic faith, I found myself today having to separate the ideologies of a religion from the character of two people who follow that system of belief. The personal impact of learning about the expression of faith of these two men after working a day with them is difficult to describe. Except to say, that my recent study of the prevenient work of the Holy Spirit, who has been "poured out upon ALL people" (Acts 2:17), took on flesh today. I believe that something is drawing these men of an opposing faith to work in partnership with Christians to build their church. This encounter has left me with much to think and pray about.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Jakarta Mission Trip (Day 3 & 4)

Today, as we led the Jelambar Corps towards a place of commitment to the vision and mission for their Corps during the final worship service, I felt myself deeply moved by the response of the congregation. Deeper than the emotion of the occasion, I sensed that God's Spirit had really connected with these people and something had shifted in their understanding of God's purpose for their church. While people stepped forward to make a heart commitment and to seal that commitment by placing their name upon it, our team moved among the people and prayed over them as an expression of support and solidarity. While God chose to use us a vehicle for His blessing to this Corps, we also became the recipients of that blessing. It is difficult to express in words what we felt in those moments, except that we experienced a tangible movement of God's Spirit that intensified our own commitment to the vision that drives the mission of the Noarlunga Corps. 




The words of the theme song for the camp used during this call for commitment spoke powerfully to us all: 

"As we come into your presence Lord 
Lifting our heart as one 
And with one voice we sing 
Promise to be faithful till the end 
Forever love you, our God 
As for me and my house 
We will serve you Lord 
Together, forever We will love you more 
Your love is higher than the heavens 
Knitted us as one 
Great is your unfailing love 
The trouble of this world may try 
To stand in our way 
But the power of your Spirit 
Gives us the victory."

Friday, September 2, 2011

Jakarta Mission Trip (Day 2)

Listening to Captain Nyoman Timonuli communicate God's vision for the Jelambar Corps to his congregation was inspiring on a number of levels. Firstly, because the vision captured the heart of Christ's mission to reach a lost and broken world with the gospel. Secondly, because of the incredible alignment between what God is saying to Jelambar and what God has been saying to Noarlunga. And thirdly, because God's Spirit affirmed a number of things in my spirit and spoke to me from Matthew 9:13, as Nyoman spoke about the mission of Jesus Christ. "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" (Matthew 9:13) Jesus made it clear what His mission was and who it was aimed at. Although, these are familiar words and are in alignment with where we are being led, it was the focus on mercy, rather than sacrifice that struck me. So often our teaching and engagement in mission highlights the importance of sacrifice. Although, mission clearly involves sacrifice, this is not the object of mission. In fact, too often we can be tempted to measure the impact or success of mission by how much we sacrifice for the gospel, but that shifts the focus to self. This can also be a reflection of how we can approach worship. In the spirit of the prophets, Jesus is clear that He is not interest in our sacrifice but in how we show His love and mercy to those whom we serve. Our mission trip has nothing to do with what we have given up or how much we have given, but everything to do with how we have shown mercy, which flows out of a spirit of love and grace. Mercy reflects the heart of Christ and keeps the focus of our mission upon those we serve.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Jakarta Mission Trip (Day 1)


There are those moments in time when you are reminded of the unique bond we have with the Holy Spirit that transcends cultural divides and truly unites us as brothers and sisters in Christ. Today was one of those moments. Reconnecting with Nyoman Timonuli, with whom we trained in The Salvation Army Officer Training College, and his beautiful family, was much more than old friends reuniting. As he shared God's vision for his church and the clear purpose he saw in this vision for their community, it was clear that the same Spirit was at work in Jelambar as in Noarlunga! He spoke of the brokenness in every direction around his church, which reflects the same brokenness we identify in our neigbourhood. He shared a vision of a prayer tower shining light into that brokenness, we see our 24-7 Prayer Room as a lighthouse in the darkness that surrounds us. He struggles with spiritual attacks every time they try to advance, we too experience the reality of this spiritual warfare while advancing the Kingdom. He seeks ownership from his congregation of God's vision, we are constantly connecting people to a shared vision. He settles for nothing less than the plans God has for them; we are uncompromising on God's preferred reality for His people! Although, these similarities could describe any number of congregations living out God's mission, it was a moment of unmistakable spiritual unity between two Corps, united by one Spirit. It is into this spiritual environment that we commence our mission trip and partner with another Corps to see the fulfilment of God's transforming vision for a lost and broken world!