Seeing Ministry Through God’s Concerns

Greetings Ministry Partners,

During a season of illness and while observing the ministry situation in Indonesia, which at times appeared stalled, I was drawn to Jesus’ interaction with Peter in Matthew 16:13-23. In this passage, Peter experiences two very different moments.

First, Jesus asks His disciples, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter responds, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus affirms him, saying, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And on this rock I will build my church.” In that moment, Peter speaks with divine insight and is commended for aligning his words with the Father’s revelation.

Yet only a short time later, the same Peter is sharply rebuked. When Peter resists Jesus’ path toward the cross, Jesus says, “Get behind me, Satan. You are a stumbling block to me.” The difference between these two moments is striking—the same man, the same heart, but a different perspective.

Why the contrast? Jesus explains it clearly. Peter was no longer setting his mind on the concerns of God, but on merely human concerns.

Through this passage, the Lord reminded me that ministry must always be viewed through God’s purposes rather than human expectations. When we assess challenges, delays, or uncertainty only through our own understanding, we risk becoming discouraged or even becoming a stumbling block. But when we submit every situation to God’s care, we can trust His timing, His methods, and His sovereign work, even when progress is not immediately visible.

This perspective has renewed my faith and strengthened my resolve to continue serving with humility, dependence, and confidence in what God is building.

As we reflect on the birth of our Savior this Christmas season, we are deeply grateful for you, our faithful partners in ministry. Your prayers, generosity, and steadfast support enable CCI to continue equipping leaders around the world, even in seasons that require patience and perseverance. Thank you for standing with us as God builds His Church according to His perfect plan.

We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a joy-filled New Year as we celebrate the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ our Lord.

With gratitude,

Frids and Renny Lumba

CCI Indonesia National Director

Classes

The Pakatto class was taught Bible study methods, and participants expressed deep appreciation for the training. Dian shared that she was grateful to learn that each method includes clear, structured steps. Renny noted that the material refreshed her spiritually and challenged her to continue preparing biblical messages. Wishke shared that the steps helped her study God's Word more carefully and thoroughly.

In the class on Badak Street in Makassar, students studied the eight General Epistles of the New Testament. Avie shared that the survey helped her understand each book more clearly, explaining that although she knew the book titles, she had not previously understood their outlines or main teachings. Medi added that her curiosity about the Bible's contents was answered by studying Books 2 and 3.

The Pelita Kasih class in Makassar completed the Book on Church History. Participants were thankful for the clarity this survey provided. Musa shared that he learned about key historical figures and their roles in proclaiming biblical truth, even when they were considered heretical by the authoritative church of their time. Renny said the survey helped her understand the origins of various church denominations.

Pakatto Class

Badak Class

Pelita Kasih Class

Staff Update

Oktavianus Bulu Mila, Sumba Area Coordinator:

In the Dassa Elu I class, participants gained a broader understanding of world religions and cults. The training provided insight into belief systems, the Scriptures, views of Jesus Christ, concepts of salvation and worship, and appropriate approaches for evangelism. This study helped equip students to engage more thoughtfully and biblically with people of different religious backgrounds.

The Dassa Elu II class had a particularly meaningful experience as they studied how to prepare a biblical sermon. All participants shared that the material deeply blessed them and helped them recognize weaknesses in their past ministry practices. As they worked through the assignments, they said the explanations opened their eyes to the true meaning of the biblical text.

The Kowaka class continued its study, focusing on the delivery of the biblical message and pastoral ministry. Mrs. Ester Wanda shared a personal testimony of transformation, especially in the area of biblical counseling. She explained that in the past, she often gave advice based on cultural practices, even when those practices conflicted with biblical truth. Through the training, she recognized the need to counsel according to the Scriptures rather than responding to wrongdoing by encouraging retaliation.

Dassa Elu I Class

Dassa Elu II Class

Kowaka Class

Daniel Pua Padang, Mamasa Area Coordinator:

During a visit to the Sabara Class, Book 10 was taught with a focus on evangelism and ministry. Participants responded with gratitude, and Rev. Dominggus shared that he was deeply blessed by the study, noting that the material helped him better understand the importance of faithfully serving in evangelism.

This month also included a visit to the Batarirak Class to deliver collected donations to one of the students who was experiencing a time of grief. This act of care was a meaningful expression of love and support within the CCI community.

Sabara Class

Batarirak Class

Testimonies

"My name is Fiskhe, a participant in the Pakatto class. Since I found out about this class, I wanted to join because my husband had joined one of the classes. However, my intention was limited because the class was one hour away from my house. I was always curious about every task my husband did, and my curiosity was answered when a class started at my place. I am a Bible school graduate, but this training has changed my understanding and the way I prepare messages. It helped me to prepare messages systematically, and I am more confident when teaching. This class has ignited my spirit of learning, which had stopped. Thank you, God, for using the CCI class to guide my ministry."

"My name is Sherly Djami. I'm a participant in the Dassa Elu II Class in Sumba. I feel especially blessed by the material on preparing biblical messages. Before I studied with CCI, I often used the internet to search for material. However, after studying with CCI, I found that I could understand the text's meaning and identify explanatory points within it. The CCI material is extraordinary because I've begun to understand and no longer deviate from the text when I teach God's Word."

Time passes quickly, and Christmas is once again drawing near. Across Indonesia, believers celebrate the birth of Christ through worship, fellowship, and the singing of familiar Christmas hymns, including “Silent Night” (Malam Kudus).

For my family and me, one of the most meaningful moments of the season is celebrating with friends in our own village. In these simple surroundings, we gather to sing Malam Kudus, and hearing this beloved hymn in our village setting always stirs my heart and leads me to reflect on God’s faithfulness through the years.

Equip, Empower, and Evangelize

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Crossing Cultures International

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