By an OMF worker in Indonesia
Our church is a typical presbyterian-type church in a college town. We have a young minister who really loves the Lord and students. After nine years of ministry, there are 2,500 people (80% students) attending. The church keeps adding services, now numbering seven each week, because the building is not big enough to hold all those who want to come - and our neighbors from another religious group will not allow the church to build a bigger building.
The idea for the School of Ministry came from the pastor. He realized that in order to serve 2,500 people and seven services, he needed more leaders. To produce leaders, he needed training. A committee to plan and coordinate the SOM was formed in early 2004. We worked hard to find members with an evangelical conviction. Our desire was not just to fill people's minds but to touch hearts and change lives. We wanted them to lead not just by making decisions, but by being examples to the members of the congregation through their love for Jesus and growing maturity in Christ.
The first class began last January. We had 40 participants, including 15 students, several retired people, two elders and others. It has been a lively group. About 25 participants signed up for the second semester and God continues to work. Here are some of their stories:
Mr. Purba...A retired person who has been a church elder in the past. He came to the class because he wanted to know more of the Bible. After hearing what it means to be born again, he decided to commit his life fully to Christ.
Petra...a single man, dissatisfied with his career and looking for direction in his life. As a result of the teaching and fellowship at SOM and the work of the Holy Spirit, he has felt God's call to the ministry. He is attending a local theological school and taking more leadership in the church.
Mrs. Maria...a housewife age 30+ who joined the SOM because she needed something in her life. She had never read the Bible (except in church) but obediently read the passages given for Quiet Time each week during the School of Ministry. After awhile, her children started asking her what she was reading and they began to read the passages and pray together. Sometime later, her husband became curious. They are now reading the Bible as a family. Mrs. Maria says things are changing in their family and she can't quite understand how it is happening.
Mrs. Sri...a housewife age 30+, who was raised in another religion, became a Christian when she married. She never really understood Christianity so she joined SOM to learn more. Last week, I asked her how SOM had impacted her. She replied that her children are amazed because she is so patient with them now. They said, "Mom, you used to be so ferocious when you got angry. You have really changed." Her husband has started noticing changes, as well. Mrs. Sri says when they have an argument she now can admit when she is wrong and ask forgiveness. She never could do that before.
These are four people who are being transformed by the word of God. All of them don't know what to call it, but I can see that is what has happened. The Holy Spirit is taking over their lives and making changes. Others haven't expressed or shown such definite changes. But they do the assignments, discuss enthusiastically and keep coming. Pray that every member of the class will commit their lives fully to Christ and experience the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
We will start a new class this January. Pray that God will send us another 40 people open to being changed by God.