IFGF Pinole Monthly Newsletter

April 2015

#FTWInterview with

Julietha Pangemanan

Poem by Saskia Soedarjo

Summer Mission: Tiffany Hendric

The story did not end when our hero go to the grave. Death did not have

the last word. We all know that Jesus, the Hero, has risen from the death

and is the reigning victor over the power of darkness. He win!

How about us? Are we victors too? The reality is often

harsh. We fail, fall and feel defeated when we look at

the frequency of poor-moral choices we made. We are

disappointed, disgusted and disillusioned when we see

injustice, wars and sufferings around us. It seems like

Christ and His army is not winning the battle.

But despite all weaknesses, apostle Paul calls us victors. He said:

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus

Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57). In other words if you believe that Jesus

had defeated life’s most gruesome enemy, death, it is a given that we

also enjoy the same victory despite temporary setbacks.

The full picture of this victory has not been seen and will not be seen until

the day of judgement. But the faith is sure: Christ, and His children will be

vindicated at the end. We will be victorious.

The big question is how do we walk, as the crowned kings and queens,

until then. How do we keep being strong until the end?

This month, let’s learn together For The Win!

#FTW

#ResurrectionPower

#LivinginVictory

From

Pastor’s

Desk

Shown on Front Cover: Audrey Pangemanan

Hi, Julietha. How are you doing?

Very busy life since I have three kids, who are living in

three different worlds. One is in college, one is in middle

school, and the other one is still a toddler. Three different

worlds together that I have to deal with. They all face

different challenges and I as the mother also connect

with them differently. While they go along well, it is hard

for them to understand each other’s world. For example,

the toddler can live with his sisters, but it is hard for him

to understand their lives. At the same time, Andrea and

Audrey have to deal with Bibo while they also have to

deal with their own challenges.

I see. So how do you deal with each of them and cater to their diff erent needs?

Well, at some point, I just have to try to understand them

according to their own ways. How I speak to each one of

them will be different. The content of our talks will also be

different. So I have to know, update myself and be more

involved with their worlds. Communication is essential to

be able to get through them. It is not just once in a while,

but all the time. We need to communicate all the time and

follow up with them daily.

Particularly for us, coming from an Asian background, that

is very different from the culture here. Regardless how

they were born here, the children will still need guidance

to value their Asian background, and more importantly,

their Christian faith. This background has a big role in

communication and in our approach towards a confl ict or

a problem.

Do you think it is diffi cult for your children to cope with their lives as Christian Indonesian here in the US, considering that they are born and raised here?

Yes. Very hard actually. For instance, Andrea went

through it during high school. What she believes and

what is presented at school and upheld by her friends are

very contradictory. Even until now. I believe that family

relationship and the church that she is in play a big role

in shaping her values. Sometimes it can be frustrating

for her to see her friends with different perspectives,

This Is Our Church

JuliethaPangemananWife and Mother of Three / Amazing Cook / Care Group: Family

APRIL 2015 • 03

regarding life confl icts, sex, relationships, etcetera, even

inclusive family values. Many times she found herself in an

argument with her friends. Thank God, faith grows in her

heart that she is able to stand strong in her own opinion

as a Christian growing up as a teenager. Praise the Lord,

she now can reach out to her friends and bring them to

Care Group. Manny, for example, is a living testimony. Even

Audrey also starts to reach out.

For Audrey, she is starting to be more involved with usher

ministry. At fi rst she only attempted to help out with

ushering, just to try out the ministry. It turned out she

likes it and stays with the ministry. It really has opened

her heart and mind. Slowly, she starts to reach out even

though she tends to be shy and quiet. With ministry, she is

able to grow and open up not only to her own family but to

everyone else at church.

What about your youngest son?

For Bibo, it is nice to see the sisters bring faith values at

home. Although he is only fi ve years old, he can pick it

up from his sisters. For instance, he can call himself as

a Christian and Jesus is God. He knows that his papa is

Enrico, at the same time, Jesus is his Father. He picks it

up from our daily conversations. I don’t need to explain so

much, not as much as I needed to with Andrea. His sisters

can also infl uence each other. Bibo also enjoys worship

seeing her sisters worship. And the whole family starts to

enjoy the worship too. So defi nitely, alot easier with him.

Hopefully he can grow and learn as he grows up. Hope he

can understand faith even more as he will grow up.

It is defi nitely alot easier for me to raise my kids

understanding that they are growing in the church. It

reduces some of my burdens. I think it’s God’s grace

working and involving in our family. Sometimes parents

can get worried of how to take care of their kids. We

do have family values; but when the kids are out in the

world, parents have little role over them. They will grow

up and sometimes, without me being there. So the basic

foundation of faith value, along with family value, also

helps set boundaries of what they should accept from the

outside world.

For sure. What about Family Care Group? Do you see your involvement in Care Group play an important role in your daily life?

Yes, of course. Especially knowing that most of the Family

CG members are leaders, such as David, Martin, Jeffri,

even Pastor Sugi too. So when we share, we build each

other. We open up and everybody shares his own struggles.

We also pray for each other.

Also, most of them are younger, so they adopt a younger

point of view that is more related with my children. Not

to forget, those leaders are also involved in Warriors. So

04 • GENESIS NEWSLETTER

SUPERMOM:

Julietha surrounded

by her three children,

Audrey, Adriel and

Andrea.

whatever Andrea and Audrey are going through, they

kind of understand because that is what they have been

sharing in the caregroup. They can feel me with what is

going on with my life. This is really helpful for me in raising

my kids. I grew up in Indonesia. Sometimes, I can feel

disconnected too with the younger generation. But for

Martin or Jeffri’s family, especially since they have been

here for a long time, they can relate more with the children.

So it’s really helping.

How diff erent is your faith today now that you have a family compared to when you were still single?

When you are single, I feel that you can know the values

according to what people tell us but you don’t really

understand it until you get through it. Although I grew up

in a Christian family, I felt that I had less burden since I

was living under the shadow of my parents. We felt secure

under their care. After marriage, you are more independent

and you need to handle things yourself. So what you learn

as a Christian, not only because you know it like when you

were small, but you know deeply because you are living it.

You are living it and applying it. It is a part of learning. No

longer just going to school. When you are actually working,

whatever you learn from textbook, how you apply what you

learn becomes relevant in real life.

Ah, I see. Just curious, what made you stay in the US? And how have you liked the Bay Area so far?

I came in 1994 in the Bay Area. I’ve been 21 years in this

country. I love it actually. It actually has become my

hometown more than Indonesia. I no longer live under

someone (parents), so my life here has more ups and

downs.

It’s really nice how you cook Indo food for the church often. Do you want to share with us as to how it all got started?

It’s a blessing to me. I never thought about it in the

beginning that I would do catering.

Wow. So what made you decide to cook then?

Actually cooking is not my hobby but my family loves

to eat, which makes them love to cook. I can say that

they love cooking. Alot of my mom’s siblings in Indonesia

actually do alot of catering. But none of us learn by the

recipe. We adjust it to our taste as we cook. But yes, I

never thought of doing catering. It started by helping kids

who miss the Indonesian food.

APRIL 2015 • 05

I realize that this is what God wants me to do. During

that time, my husband lost his job. (Praise God, he has a

job now.) Soon enough, the church asked me to cook for

a Leader’s meeting. So I started to cater for events, such

as birthday party to help friends as well as to help my

husband. After I catered to the Leader’s event, I remember

Karen and Glorio approached me and asked for a catering

as she said she missed Indonesian food. Basically, they

were the ones who taught me how to take orders and

deliver. This is God’s grace for me. Within a week after my

husband lost his job, God offered me the idea to start the

catering. I never had the experience before and no interest

it all. I believe this is God’s blessing in my life.

Wow! God is really good and His plan is never late, right?

Yes. God is in control in our life. No matter what happens

to us, good or bad, He is under control. Once we claim His

as our Lord and Savior, what we will do or face are under

His guidance. Even when we fail and weak, God knows and

allows things to happen to strengthen us more in our faith

and maturity in Him. I believe that it is only by His grace

we have been saved and survived through our problems.

He will never stop loving us and will never abandon us.

Amen! Do you have any advice for the younger generation families in our church?

One thing that you guys need to know: the church has

young leaders, younger than me. The younger families are

also leaders in the church. Even the kids are also leaders,

which is really amazing. What I can say is that as long as

they can stay true in their faith, grow and stay faithful,

everything will be fi ne. How can I say more. Just keep

growing in faith since you are already in the right track. •

LET’S PRAYFOR APRIL

with Joan Wirolinggo

Our pastor and leaders that

they abide in Him.

Our care group gathering.

Let’s pray that Jesus wil l

be the center of each care

group and relationship as

brother and sister in Christ

wil l be built .

Our new friend who are new

to the states or just trans-

ferred that they may found a

new family in Christ through

this church .

Our friend who are stil l look-

ing for job.

God’s conviction for our

brother and sister in Christ

for water baptism and

prayer

In awe

On bended knees of the blind

The call of the victory emerges

And to The Divine,

We owe nothing more than

the luxurious tip of life

No reply needed

even for a miligram of water

Thy sacrifi ces reacted,

thousands crumb of truth

in fl esh—that decomposes

through the blood—that is shed

Where O death is your sting?

death is swallowed up chewedand

glory penetrates

Poem

Triumphantby Saskia SoedarjoCare Group: Faith

In Christ

Not winner’s trophy I hold

Nor gold medal I wear

Victorious over

the enemy of addiction

A pedestal that never collapse

Beneath the dazzling light

Beyond the depth of lust

You shall fi nd

You shall seek

More than conquerors

We are

We are, through Thy might

And victorious life: a manifestation

manifestation of Thee

Manifestation of grace

Will be never dimmed

Never doubted

Permeates in ours

In our abundant life •06 • GENESIS NEWSLETTER

Poem

Triumphantby Saskia SoedarjoCare Group: Faith

Could you share with us one memorable thing about your summer mission experiences.Imagine the gorgeous Himalayan Mountains behind you.

Looking around, it looks like you’re in an old Hollywood

set from the Wild West, and you’re about to get into a

jeep to go to explore a part of the world that we often

don’t think about—Nepal. One of the crazy memories

while I was in Nepal was driving around in these jeeps

on the mountain roads. The roads were unpaved and

very rocky. There were parts of the road where it was

basically on a cliff side next to roaring river down below.

And for American standards (and maybe for Indonesian

standards too!), the road was definitely for only one

car. But nope, think again. For the Nepalese, no cliffs

or small roads would stop them from getting to where

they needed to. It was a bumpy, swervy, exhilarating,

and quite a scary ride. But, it was a memorable

adventure!

How different it is to share gospel here vs there / in Nepal?There was one time when we flew to a rural village

called Jomsom. We were only supposed to stay for only

about 2 days, but because of bad weather conditions,

we weren’t able to fly back to the main city, Kathmandu

and was stuck there for 10 days. However, the local

team didn’t want to stay any longer because they

didn’t want to spend any more money there lodging and

decided to travel back by bus. When we were finally out

of the village, we heard about the crazy travels that the

team had to do to get back to Kathmandu. They walked

for hours through knee deep mud carrying our sound

system equipment and luggage when the bus that was

taking them couldn’t go any further. Then when they

reached a village to stay the night, instead of resting

from all the tiring travels they did, they instead chose

to have an impromptu service and chose to share the

gospel with the villagers instead, and people accepted

Christ! I was amazed at how much they were willing to

go through for the sake of sharing the Gospel and the

Summer MissionTestimony by Tiffany Hendric

urgency they felt to share it. 2 Tim 2:10 says “Therefore

I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they

too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus,

with eternal glory.” The Nepalese locals were really

living this out. It challenged my faith and made me

wonder, how much are we really living to endure for the

sake of His gospel and the lost people?

Why should anyone be interested to join?Do you want to visit a part of the world that you’ve

never been to before? Have you ever wondered what

how people around the world worship God? Is God

challenging you in your faith to be able to endure

things for the sake of the Gospel and reach people

who may have never heard the good news before? If

you said yes to any of those questions, then I strongly

encourage you to consider going to summer mission

or any missions trip! Sometimes we’re so caught up

with our life bubble that we don’t really think or realize

about what’s going on in the world. Going on a missions

trip really helped to open up my eyes to a lot of things

that sometimes we don’t really see in our comfortable

“Western” lives. Even though going overseas is not the

only way to do a missions trip (because our lives should

always be missional!), going overseas gives a different

perspective and it’s always amazing to see God alive

and working in different parts of the world. On top of

that, even though you kind of go in with the mindset

that you’re going there to be a blessing to the people in

the place that you go, I ended up being so much more

encouraged and blessed by the people there.

Interested? Come join our mission trip to Nepal this summer to serve God and his people. Dates: June 28 – July 8, 2015

APRIL 2015 • 07

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CARE GROUPS

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MINISTRIES UPCOMING EVENTS

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SAN FRANCISCO

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CG WARRIORS

PINOLE

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Documentation - Eric Timotius

Genesis Newsletter - Irene Chandra

Men’s Ministry - Christian Liong

Multimedia - Melanie Thio

Praise & Worship - Adi Julianloo

Prayer & Intercession - Joan Wirolinggo

Refreshments - Nathalia Prasetyo Jo

Revelation Videos - Jessica Tjahjady

Sound System - Glorio Yulianto

Sunday School - Jen Hendric

Sunday Service Coordinator - Emmanuel Calica

Transportation - Leonardo Saerang

Ushers - Renaldi

Website - Yosia Urip

Women’s Ministry - Karen Liong & Elissa Irma

SUGI HENDRIC Senior Pastor

JEFFRI HALIM Associate Pastor,

Biblical Teaching

Apr 4 Easter Musical

Production and Message

Apr 11 Water Baptism

4pm at 520 Carlotta Cir,

Pinole

Apr 11 Deliverence Prayer and

Holy Spirit Baptism

6pm at Church

Apr 3 & 17 Care Group Gathering

CG LEGENDS

BERKELEY (SISTERS)

Shirley 415.990.8178 (Freshmen)

Evelin 925.289.6785 (Transfers)

CG HEROES

BERKELEY (BROTHERS)

Alus 408.904.8001 (Freshmen)

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CG FAMILY

PINOLE

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PLEASANT HILL

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PLEASANT HILL

Karen 925.577.6634

Melvin 510.708.0540

CG FRONTIER

SOUTH BAY

Antony 408.685.1540

Adi 415.463.9010

02 Kevin Rahim

03 Anna Adriana

06 Olivia Soebijantoro

11 Aldo Osvianto

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14 Karen Liong

27 Erland Wijaya

20 Melvin Wongso

22 Yonathan Pascal

23 James Tanjaya

27 Anindia Putri Untoro

28 Martin Chandrawinata