Grateful in Times of Joy and Sorrow | | |
Dear Ministry Partners,
I am deeply grateful to God and to CCI President Dr. David Nelson for allowing me to participate in the CCI Indochina Regional Conference and bring my wife and child with me. This brought great joy to our family, as it was the first time we had been able to travel together. My wife was especially moved and thankful for the opportunity to attend an international CCI event. It was a beautiful experience to share this special time as a family.
We are also deeply grateful to a generous donor from North Carolina whose gift helped purchase the tickets for my wife and child. May God bless you abundantly for your kindness and generosity.
| |
Amid this family joy, we also experienced sorrow following the passing of Pastor Jepri Mei Antoone, one of our CCI teachers in West Sulawesi, after an illness. We grieve this loss, yet we remain confident that whatever we face, God is with us. We trust Him to comfort the teacher’s family and continue helping us advance His Kingdom through the ministry of CCI Indonesia.
Thank you to all our faithful donors for your prayers and generous support. Your partnership encourages our families, strengthens our teachers, and helps equip Christian leaders throughout Indonesia. We are deeply grateful that you are serving alongside us.
| | | | |
With gratitude,
Frids and Renny Lumba
CCI National Director of Indonesia
| | |
"My name is Mikael Banni, a participant in the Rajaka class. I feel very blessed by this learning material because I previously believed that the rapture of the church and the second coming of Christ were the same event. However, through this learning, I have come to understand that the rapture of the church and the second coming of Christ are two different events, supported by biblical verses. I have also believed in the teaching that we are currently in a tribulation period due to various pressures in life, both economically and in ministry, so I concluded that this could indeed be a time of great tribulation. However, through this material, I have come to understand that the sequence of eschatological events in this material is not as I had imagined and does not have strong biblical support."
| |
"My name is Renny Agustin Reppie, and I am a student in the Pelita Kasih class in Makassar. I had long heard the terms 'mission' and 'evangelism' and even felt they were already part of my life; however, my perspective shifted, and my understanding of these concepts evolved after studying them in my class. When I reflected on how my church views mission and evangelism, I was shocked to realize that these are no longer the church's focus, and there is no effort to introduce them to the congregation. I am deeply grateful that my class has actively participated in mission work by consistently contributing to CCI Indonesia’s mission efforts each month. I am also thankful for the opportunity to attend the CCI Indochina regional conference. I was overjoyed to interact with the wives of CCI directors from across the region. This was my first experience with an international CCI event, and I am proud to be part of CCI."
| |
|
The Badak class studied Book 4, which focuses on pastoral ministry and the pastor’s role as a preacher. Yohanes shared that the lesson helped him understand the importance of preparing sermons carefully, allowing truth to emerge from the biblical text rather than imposing personal ideas upon it. He gained a deeper appreciation for the responsibility of serving as a shepherd.
The CCI class in Pakatto is studying the pre-exilic Minor Prophets. Viskhe shared that examining each verse within its context has often revealed a meaning different from her previous understanding. Studying Joel 2:28-32 in context, for example, gave her a new understanding of the passage and deepened her desire to study the Bible carefully.
The Pelita Kasih class has begun the second section of Book 10, which focuses on evangelism. Participants discussed how evangelism is practiced in their churches. Musa expressed sadness that it is no longer a priority in his church, while Renny noted the need for pastors and ministry leaders to set an example. The lesson challenged the class to take personal responsibility for sharing the gospel.
| | Praise the Lord for the progress of the three classes in South Sulawesi. | | |
Oktavianus Bulu Mila, Sumba Area Coordinator:
The Dassa Elu II class continued studying Book 5, Survey of Bible Doctrine. Participants strengthened their understanding of the Bible as the foundation for sound doctrine and gained greater clarity about Jesus being both fully God and fully man.
The Kowaka class also studied Book 5, focusing on the authority and reliability of Scripture and the importance of interpreting biblical passages correctly. The class schedule was shortened due to a death in one participant’s family.
The Rajaka class completed several lessons in Book 5 and began Book 6, Personal Spiritual Life. The participants showed great enthusiasm by meeting five times during July and deepened their understanding of biblical teaching concerning the return of Christ.
During a visit to the Gollu Tana class, participants studied Book 9 and discussed how doctrine, politics, history, culture, and economic influence have shaped the church throughout history and continue to affect church decisions today.
| | |
Daniel Pua Padang, Mamasa Area Coordinator:
In July, I was grateful that the Salukadi class resumed after a temporary suspension. Sadly, its teacher, Pastor Jepri Mei Anto, passed away following an illness. He was a faithful and highly valued CCI teacher, and his death was a great loss to his family and CCI West Sulawesi. We mourn his passing while trusting in God’s sovereignty.
On July 8, I was traveling by motorcycle to teach the Bonehau class when I lost control and was thrown from the motorcycle. By God’s grace, I was not seriously injured. After praying, I was able to repair the motorcycle and arrive on time to teach. Psalm 118:5-6 continues to encourage me and remind me of God’s presence and protection as I serve.
| |
Prayer Requests & Praises
- Please pray for my planned trip to West Sulawesi, where I will deliver condolence gifts collected by CCI classes to the wife of the late Jefri Mei Anto, a CCI teacher in West Sulawesi. Pray also for opportunities to meet with and encourage CCI teachers and students in the area.
- Please pray for the planned visits to CCI classes and teachers in Southeast Sulawesi.
- Pray for the CCI Indonesia Board of Trustees meeting in West Sumba in October, during which 10 students from three classes are expected to graduate. Pray that all supervisors will be able to attend, as their responsibilities as civil servants can sometimes make travel difficult. The CCI Vice President of International Ministries also plans to attend.
- Pray that CCI Indonesia teachers will serve with sincere hearts, viewing their teaching as a calling from God rather than simply as a means of receiving support.
- Please pray that the two new classes in West Timor remain active and that the students remain committed to their studies.
- Pray for Moses as he plans to begin a new class in Karangasem, Bali. Ask God to provide committed students who are eager to learn.
- Pray also for plans to begin a CCI class in Jembrana, Bali, and that God will provide qualified teachers and interested students. Moses has introduced CCI’s training to several pastors in the area, and they are awaiting the next steps.
| | | | | |
