I want to thank God for giving me a burden to reach the children of Indonesia for Christ. Admittedly, I began to think about ministering to children when I was in Bible school almost 10 years ago. In 1 986, while I was still a student, I conducted several children's crusades in East Java. I remember how happy I was to see children come to Christ, weeping and praying to receive salvation.
After graduating from Bible school, I pastored for several years. Then the Lord opened the door for me to attend graduate school at the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary, (APTS) in Baguio, Philippines.
During my 3 fears at APTS, I felt my burden for children beginning to slip away. I was so involved in study, I never thought about children's ministry, at all. After I completed my studies, I became a teacher at the Malang Bible School in East Java.
It was at that time that I entirely lost my burden for children. My new responsibilities demanded all of my time. I even began to think negatively toward ministering to children. After all, I thought, what is children's ministry? Why be so involved in a "small Business?" God did not call me to minister to children -- a ministry which needs much preparation, money, and energy!
Those thoughts, however, soon changed when I met Steve and Mindy Benintendi, the Division of Foreign Missions Children's Ministry Coordinators for Asia Pacific.
Last spring I was assigned to be the interpreter for a Children's Ministry Seminar at the Bible school. It was then that I met the Benintendi's. As I interpreted their lectures and helped them hold a children's crusade in Surabaya, God spoke to me and reminded me about my own commitment 8 years before -- to reach the children of Indonesia with the gospel of' Jesus Christ.
God used the Benintendi's to challenge me, and when Steve asked the Bible school students to make a commitment to reach the children, God moved on my heart and I lifted my hand. Once again I said, "Yes, Lord, I want to commit my life to reach the children of Indonesia for You."
Soon after I made this commitment I was invited to minister to 500 elementary students. Most of these children came from Islamic backgrounds. That invitation was a confirmation from God that I am to be involved in children's ministry. I praise the Lord for this calling.
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