Indonesian Apostolic Visit 2012

Brief Overview of Visit The Indonesian Apostolic Visit from November 13-25, 2012 covered a number of cities and towns reaching out from our base in Medan, North Sumatra.

- Team arrived Monday & Tuesday November 12&13- Wednesday Nov 14 we travelled 6hrs by train South East to Rantau Prapat for the beginning of 1st Geographical Training Time (GTT). - That same night we travelled a further 2hrs South East by car to Cikampak (Chi-Cum-Puk) for a City Wide Celebration. - Thursday night Nov 15 we also conducted a further impromptu City Wide Celebration at Rantau Prapat.

After this we travelled back to Medan for Sunday ministry in the local churches and an afternoon of rest.

- Monday Nov 19 we headed South West from Medan to Berestagi in the hills for the 2nd GTT over a day and a half- Wednesday Nov 20 we travelled further South West to Sidikalang for the 3rd and final GTT and a City Wide Celebration before heading back to Medan. We stopped for two nights at Berestagi for some much needed rest and relaxation, including time for Rudy to address the team and debrief with some planning for the Leadership Training Times in April 2013

During this visit over 60 people made 1st time commitments to Jesus, many were prayed over to receive healing - physical/emotional and over 70 lead pastors from up to 20 denominations were provided with some high quality, apostolic/prophetic leadership training and encouragement.

Indonesian Apostolic Visit 2012 Medan | Rantau Prapat | Cikampak | Berastagi |Sidikalang

Indonesia November 13-25, 2012 Page 1 of 21

Australian Team:Rudy Furlong and Paul BarnettLiberty Church, Mt GambierLeon BowlesThe Exchange Church, BrisbaneBrennan LaniganNorthpoint Church, CairnsTony, Rhonda and Alexandra HodgeCity Edge Church, Melbourne

Indonesian Team:Samuel Gozaly - GPdI Gereja Pentakosta di Indonesia (Church Pentecostal in Indonesia)Pateriot Sembiring GPKGereja Pentakosta Kristus (Church Pentecostal Christ) Jan GBIGereja Bethel IndonesiaJohnny Seragih Indonesia Harvest ChurchHarvest ChurchDavid Mariepan GEKIGereja Elim Kristian Indonesia (David Mariepan's father began this denomination and since his passing David is now the denominational leader)Ndraha Elinudin GKBGereja Kristian BethanyMax Tamunu GKMIGereja Kristian Maranatha IndonesiaDavid Hutabarat GPdIGereja Pentakosta di Indonesia (Church Pentecostal in Indonesia)Bram Maurits Methodist



Wednesday November 14 - Medan to Rantau PrapatThe team take a 6 hour train ride from Medan to Rantau Prapat.

Thursday November 15 - Rantau Prapat & Cikampak

Rantau Prapat GTT begins with 25 Pastors representing 13 denominations.

Rudy begins by teaching on Apostolic foundations being primarily about glorifying God through our relationship with Him and our relationships with each other.

We build relationships not ministries.

Rudy then went onto address some of the issues facing the Indonesian church such as competition and disunity.

The GTT was conducted over two sessions morning and afternoon with breaks in between with a time for questions and answers to allow the local pastors time to understand what was being taught.



Leon took the second session and wonderfully capped off the first day by discussing our calling as believers and in particular as Pastors, showing us that God is faithful and he will never let us down. When we know and are settled in our calling we will understand that this work is not so much about us as it is about

Jesus building his church through us.

Around 5pm we travelled for around 2 hrs by car to Cikampak for a City Wide celebration at GPdI church hosted by Ps David Hutabarat

This was a wonderful time of ministry where Rudy spoke on the various aspects of God's grace in the life of a believer highlighted by the following:

1. Saving Grace

2. Situational Grace

3. Sustaining Grace



4. Strengthening Grace

5. Significant Grace

There was a number of churches from the local area represented with over 300 people present with quite a number standing outside the meeting place.

The call for salvation saw around 50 people respond with Rudy encouraging each of them to talk with their local pastor from their respective church's to help them become disciples.

After the drive back from Cikampak we arrived back at our hotel around 12:30am exhausted but exhilarated at the enthusiasm of the Indonesians to the gospel.

Friday November 16 - Rantau PrapatRantau Prapat GTT continued today with Rudy addressing the New Testament pattern for Apostolic, Prophetic and Pastoral leadership and how these are functions and not titles. The Indonesian church is quite hierarchical in its leadership structures and so great wisdom and sensitivity was exercised in bringing forth biblical truth.

Rudy then went on to talk about Noah's Ark style leadership and how these principles can protect us from ministry ineffectiveness.

His points being:

1. Don't miss the boat

2. Remember we are all on the same boat

3. Plan ahead

4. Stay fit

5. Never listen to those who criticize you

6. Build your future on high ground

7. Travel in pairs, in team

8. Speed isn't always an advantage

9. When you are stressed, float awhile

10.Remember that the Ark was built by amateurs



11.No matter what the storm when you are with God there will always be a rainbow waiting.

In the second session Leon spoke very practically about the church and how it consists of four directions.

1. UPWARD - Good TheologyHow we think of God - our understanding of HimGood theology gives us: Insight, Hindsight, Foresight and Oversight when leading the church and can help us to remain effective in ministry

2. OUTWARD - Seek and Save the Lost

3. INWARD - Work with Jesus to build the churchRelease the priesthood.

4. FORWARD - Raise up leadersFaithful men and women but also faith filled men and women. 2 Tim 2:22

In the session after lunch Rudy asked the pastors what they have found helpful and what God had been saying to them during the GTT.



There were someone terrific testimonies of how many of them were equipped to practically lead and love their families as they love and lead God's church. One pastor mentioned that pastors needed to hear about this priority to love their families before ministry or the church as many pastors have ended up in divorce by focussing on these at the expense of their families.

In the evening Leon preached at a local GPdI church in Rantau Prapat after a short notice invitation from one of the Pastors at the GTT. Ps Silitonga

He spoke on the love of God for his church with around 200-300 in the building. 13 young people came to the front to commit their lives to Jesus.

Saturday November 17 - Rantau Prapat to MedanThe team took the 6hr train ride back to Medan and settled back into the hotel in preparation for the Sunday meetings

Sunday November 18 - MedanPreaching takes place in various churches by members of the Australian team, with Paul Barnett speaking at a Youth meeting with Ps Johnny & Tina Seragih

Monday November 19 - Medan to BerastagiAfter a 2-3 hr drive up into the hills Rudy began an afternoon session at one of the local churches led by Ps Ezra by encouraging them from Isaiah 49



Isaiah 49:14 But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.”

If you experience constant failure then something is wrong. We need to believe for fruitfulness

We were born into a war zone. We need soldiers that will not fade in the heat of battle.

We cannot let people de-motivate us. Don’t let those who criticize you set your agenda.

Rudy mentioned that he sets the vision for their church at the beginning of each year and then brings it to the leadership of the church and asks if they can get involved in it and help to carry it. If not then they need step off the team.

The fact is that people left Jesus as well. A leader that is doing everything in the life of the church has failed.

Leadership equals influence

2 Chronicles 7:14If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Prayer is key.

Rudy also used the Noah’s Ark leadership message.

Stay fit - The scriptural norm is for ministry is that it occurs later in life. Stay fit so that you can stay the distance.

Don’t listen to your critics - Caleb didn’t listen to his critics. Those who criticize you are the least qualified to advise you.

In the evening we held a City Wide Youth at Ps Ezra church.

There were joyous and loud shouts of praise to God during the musical worship time and Rudy was moved to read from 1 Samuel 4 and admonish us all to not



only be exuberant in our praise and worship but to also make sure we align our wills with God’s will.

Leon then preached a powerful message on the church to a very passionate group of young people with one young man receiving a healing in his back when Leon prayed for him after at first being quite skeptical.

Tuesday November 20 - BerastagiThe GTT for the local pastors and leaders continued this morning with pastors represented from 8 denominations including Salvation Army and Lutheran.

Colossians 1:28-2928 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Not once does Jesus commend the churches for their numerical size. We no doubt want to grow in numbers and see as many as possible come into maturity in Christ but numbers for any other reasons show wrong motives.

An army wins the war not individual soldiers doing their own thing.

Apostolic motivation and ministry flows out of love for Jesus and his church. It wants to see individual believers mature in Christ and Churches encouraged, strengthened and to be united.

Apostolic ministry always is looking to work in team and model unity at the team level as an example for the church to also follow.

1Corinthians 1: 10I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

God doesn’t call the qualified but qualifies the called.

The church today is looking for and gathering around Apostolic fathers



1 Corinthians 4:15For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

Apostolic ministry is about building and not only blessing. They grow a culture of the kingdom in every area.

Kingdom Values:

1) Be part of the solution and never part of the problem (Jer 31:29)

2) Have clear direction (Amos 3:3)

3) The majority carrying the minority (Eph 4:16)

Jeremiah 29:7But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

Be content with where the Lord has planted you.

Leon Bowles then spoke on relationships using his boat analogy, where the bow is the vision, the stern is the values and the bottom is the relationships.

Christ’s disciples will be known by their love for one another.

1. Functional relationships

2. Needs based relationships

3. Covenant relationships

The oil of forgiveness will keep us from taking on an offense and keep us out of the trap of Satan.

Develop a culture of honor.



Wednesday November 21 - SidikalangAfter driving 2-3hrs south west we came to Sidikalang, checked into our hotel, had a quick lunch and then met with the church for the first session of the GTT.

There were around 25 pastors from the Aceh region and approximately 15 pastors from Sidikalang and its surrounding villages.

Rudy spoke again on Noah’s Ark leadership as this was the first time we were speaking to these men and women.

If the church is about you and you preach to the congregation as though it was about them, then you will build a church of babies.

Don’t miss any opportunities in God. Keep watch and move as the doors open.



Tony spoke at the night City Wide service and preached the gospel. One prodigal returned to God and a number of people were prayed for physical and emotional healing.

Thursday November 22 - Sidikalang - BerestagiToday Johnny Seragih from the local North Sumatra Team shared his personal testimony of how in 1995 after his father passed away the issues he faced in gaining the trust and respect of the congregation.

His father was used wonderfully in signs and wonders and established a congregation of around 200 people as many would come for a touch from God. He would also travel to remote areas, sometimes to predominately Muslim areas to pray for the sick.

When Johnny took up the leadership of the church after his father’s passing, many of the congregation moved away as they believed that the power of God had departed from their church. The congregation shrank to around 20-30 people.

During the early years of Johnny’s ministry Ps Kong Hee from Singapore became a great encouragement and mentor to Johnny. He also spent six months in Kong Hee’s training school, but found it difficult to translate this principles to the Indonesian context.

Johnny had a number of times where he felt to give up in ministry as it seemed everything he tried seemed to bear little fruit. Ps Kong Hee took him under his wing and asked how best he could serve Johnny and their church.

Johnny requested prayer from Kong Hee and not only received prayer but also Kong Hee’s church paid for the rent of their building for three years.

Johnny also moved away from simply following the traditions of the Indonesian church to follow what he felt God was leading him to do. He sought to reach out to the young people and began to dress like them and to liven up the musical worship so that it became more contemporary.

From these initiatives the church began to grow again and now has around 700 members.



Max Tumunu shared from his heart that when asked to join the team he didn’t want to at first as he had very little English and felt that he couldn’t be of help to the Australian team, but he felt God call him to stay with the team.

This was the first time he spoke during one of the training times and mentioned that he was more than happy just listening to the team all that time but was glad for the honour of speaking to the Indonesians pastors.

Rudy capped off what Max discussed about being part of a team and said some of the following.

Most of us don’t appoint people that we want to spend time with. Jesus wasn’t functionally minded but relationally minded.

One of the pioneers of the Everest climbers said that he wants people on his team who he could be stranded with.

Could you sit with one of your team all day chatting? It’s almost like choosing your wife as you will spend a lot of time with your team.

You can loose a lot of things but never ever loose heart. Luke 18:1-8

Many pastors are filled with “ministry”. Meeting after meeting, but ministry is when people’s lives are changed. If you have enthusiasm and joy in the meetings but people go away not changed then no ministry has occurred but only blessing.

If the church just relies on you then you have failed as you have built the ministry around you and not Jesus.

We need to fill our hearts with Jesus and not other things or people. Psalm 11 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor



sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

We can loose heart in a number of ways.

1. FocusIf the church just relies on you then you have failed as you have built the ministry around you and not Jesus. Focus on what God has called you to. Remember that the Holy Spirit has called you into ministry. Build on your successes. Ask God what you have been successful at and keep building on that. Keep your personal walk with Jesus primary.

Your character will protect you but the anointing will promote you. Many in ministry only want anointing - why? Because it promotes us.

2. FinancesGenesis 22 the power of sacrifice. A lot of pastors stress about finances because the reality is that we need finances to facilitate ministry both locally and in the nations but God must be the one we place our trust in.Isaac represented all of Abraham’s future. When we lay our future on the alter, God will provide. When our only means of help is God, God will provide.Be faithful. If you have 50 people, be faithful with the 50 people. God brings the growth. Plant and water faithfully and leave the growth to God. A lot of pastors get worried when talking about full time ministry as it means total sacrifice.The church at Macedonia gave beyond their ability. You don’t have to be rich to be generous. Be a giver not a getter.

3. FamilyKingdom, Family, Church.

Friday November 23 - BerestagiA day of rest and relaxation at the Mikie hotel after a very busy time.



Saturday November 24 - Berestagi - MedanWe travelled back to Medan from Berestagi and after stopping at Harvest Church Medan’s rehabilitation centre early afternoon we then attempted to visit one of the local Indonesian team members’ wife in hospital. Unfortunately we were unable to as it was the rest time at the hospital and they were very strict on maintaining these times, but we were able to pray with her husband outside the hospital and be a blessing to him.

In the evening Rudy was asked to speak with the leaders of Harvest Church withJohnny and Tina Seragih.

The difference betweens Sons and Servants.

Ephesians 1:5He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will

Leadership is there for the benefit of the saints.

Hebrews 3:5But Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.

Galatians 4:11 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Matthew 5:43-4543 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your



enemy. ’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Jesus and Paul use the terms of family. Pastors are not rock stars but shepherds.

1. Sons listen and learn - Servants don’tLuke 10:3939 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Local well where we receive the preaching each week and we have personal wells where we receive input from Jesus. Psalm 1.

Martha was distracted by ministry when Jesus was around, while Mary was attracted to the master.

2. Sons work out of relationships - Servants work for rewardSons get involved in the life of the church while servants will ask if you want me to be on the worship team, how much will you pay me.Sons will do what’s required around the house, while servants will want to know what is in it for them.Luke 15:29-31 The prodigal sonIf you have a servant attitude you will always only think of your job description and not go beyond this.

3. Sons think of their responsibilities - Servants think only of their rightsServants only get involved when they are rostered on. They will only do the minimum. Sons will do whatever is required. Sons, will be the ones staying back until all is finished, servants will get out of there as quickly as they can.



4. Sons invite leadership into their lives - Servants impose their leadership2 Samuel 15:1 Absalom was a servant who always built toward himselfServants will steal people’s hearts. Sons will point people toward Jesus and the leadership of the church.Sons will be honouring and they will be accountable. Teach the people to be accountable. You can’t enforce accountability but you can encourage it.Sons want to work in team. There is safety in team. Servants have an independent heart like Absalom and will build toward themselves.

5. Sons are led - Servants are drivenRomans 8:14 Sons of God by led by the spirit of GodEphesians 4:7 You only have grace for the gifting God has given youGenesis 33 Sons know not to drive those under their care but lead them at their pace like Jacob did.

6. Sons honour leadership - Servants don’t.Jesus honoured the father.John 5:19-2319 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

God has called us to obey not to argue the point. Honour is a mutual thing.

We are committed to what God is doing in the church when we use our Time, Talent and Treasure in the life of the church.

7. Sons protect - Servants exposeHam saw his father naked and went and told his two brothers that their father was naked. His two brothers placed a blanket on their father to cover his



exposure.Sons will cover their leaders. Sons wont be critical - Servants will be critical and won’t be able to keep a confidence.

8. Sons focus on what’s good for the people - Servants look for titles and status

9. Sons are transparent - Servants are not and always have their own agenda2 Kings 5:12 Gehazi and NaamanPick people on your leadership team that you can be stranded with.Transparency is a kingdom value.

10. Sons pay the price - Servants do the minimum requiredServants won’t sacrifice. 2 Samuel 2:24-2523 All this, O king, Araunah gives to the king.” And Araunah said to the king, “May the Lord your God accept you.” 24 But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. 25 And David built there an altar to the Lord and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord responded to the plea for the land, and the plague was averted from Israel.

David never underestimated his call to ministry. Short cuts lead you to dead ends. John 15:15 Jesus called his disciples friends. Friends will pay a price, but servants won’t.

11. Sons have a teachable heart - Servants know it allRevelation is unfolding all the time. The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy. When you go to someone’s house you should see all of these.When you stop learning - you stop leading3 John 1:9-10 Diotrophes wasn’t teachable. Humility draws the grace of God.

Are you a son or a servant?

Of all of Paul’s team he had no-one like Timothy.Philippians 2:19-22



19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me,

Sunday November 25 - MedanBrennon left on Saturday. Rudy and Paul visited with Johnny and Tina, while Leon preached at the church Max leads. Tony preached at the church Jan leads and Paul preached at the Harvest church that Immanuel and Damayanti lead.

Rudy ministered twice in the morning at Harvest and then at their Sunday night youth service.

Living securely. Living relationally secure.2 Peter 1:1-3 God has given us the tools to live our lives.

As Christians we are rivers not reservoirs. We bring life to everyone we meet.

Before we can lead others we must learn how to lead ourselves.

In life we will normally be challenged in the areas of friendship. There are many type of friendships mentioned in the scriptures.

1. True friends 1 Samuel 18:1

2. Close friends Proverbs 18:24

3. Ardent friends 2 Corinthians 2:12-13

4. Treacherous friends Matthew 26:48-50

5. Dangerous friends Deuteronomy 13:7

6. Unfaithful friends Job 19:14

7. False friend 2 Samuel 16:16-23 2 Samuel 15:31

8. Worldly friend James 4:4



The church is only as strong as the relationships in it. Theology alone won’t make a church strong. They will know that you are my disciples by your love for one another.

Matthew 18:15 Provides the way for healing relationships.

Not all your friends will walk out all of your destiny for the whole of your life except your wife or husband.

Other people will come and go in your life but Jesus won’t.

This concluded the Apostolic Visit during November 2012.



Personal Reflection Having been to North Sumatra in April 2011 with Rudy, Leon and the team and now in November 2012, Rhonda and I were able to appreciate the differences between the two times.

We noted that during April the Leadership Training Times these are significant for the church in Indonesia with many pastors, their wives and other leaders being trained and equipped for unity, Christian authenticity and ministry. And now building upon this with the Youth LTT we can see the momentum and excitement building year upon year.

The November time was more centred around pushing into new territories and providing a taste of the LTT by holding Geographical Training Times. We have loved both times equally but felt very much at home spending more intimate time with Rudy’s trans-local and local teams as we travelled to new territories that we and the team had not been before.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time, moving quite quickly from town to town in often humid and uncomfortable conditions, but also stopping to rest well and enjoy the journey with a great team. The team camaraderie was a major highlight for Rhonda, our daughter Alexandra (on her first visit) and myself and without it there would be not much lasting fruit.

We are very much looking forward to joining the team again in November 2013 and would encourage those interested to make a plan to be part of the ongoing work in this precious part of God’s kingdom.

God bless

Tony, Rhonda and Alexandra HodgeDecember 2012



Documents

Indonesian Apostolic Visit 2012