Upcoming plans: 2009
January 2009 - Jakarta and Papua (with Pastor Steve Cowan)

July 2009 - Makassar, Surabaya and Palangkaraya (Kalimantan)

September 2009 - Malang (Java) and Balikpapan (Kalimantan)

Report October 2008

God hears, and God answers.

The primary reason for my just completed trip to Indonesia was to watch Peter Youngren in action and hopefully meet up. After a couple of days in Jakarta I flew to Bali for the second night of Youngren’s festival there. Despite the pouring rain, thousands attending that night of the festival and many were healed. After the meeting I met up with one of the sponsoring pastors and expressed my desire to meet Peter Youngren. The next day, I not only had the opportunity to meet him, but when I expressed my heart to further develop my ministry in signs and wonders, he began to share a few things with me.

Then over the next couple of days, I not only got to attend the festival (the final night over 50,000 attended – majority non Christian) and watch Peter’s Christ centred preaching with miracles following, I got to meet with him a number of times. It was an amazing time as he challenged me in a number of areas, including the need preach more on what Christ has done, rather than what we need to do. He’s a Jesus exalter, not a tradition or religion promoter. After praying for me when we met for the last time, he invited me to minister with him in future meetings. Incredible. I don’t think I’ll be the same after my time in Bali.

I then went on to minister in Surabaya for two days, including three meetings to over 3500 at the regular Thursday prayer services for Bethany. What amazed me was the attendance was so high, and it was public holiday. The 650 copies of my book that I had with me quickly sold.

I then flew to Balikpapan for two nights, and on the Sunday I ministered five times to over 2000 people. The 400 copies of Kuasa Pengampunan that I'd sent there sold out in two meetings. And what was exciting was I made contacts for further ministry into the more remote areas of Kalimantan.

A big thanks to all those who prayed for me on this trip – I really sensed them, and know that God answered them. Now it’s ‘life as usual for me’ until January next year when I go to Papua for two weeks with Ps Steve Cowan.

July 2008

On this trip I ministered in Palangkaraya, Kapuas, Banjarmasin (all in Kalimantan) and Makassar (Sulawesi). Plus I had four days holidaying in beautiful Bali with my wife Jan. All up I did I did a total of 17 meetings and we saw about 600 decisions for Christ.

Here’s an overview of the trip:

Palangkaraya: The Bethany Church here is only five years old and they already a large building of their own with hundreds in attendance. I did four meetings for this mainly Dayak church and saw a couple of hundred people make commitments to follow Jesus.

Kapuas: I spent three nights ministering in this region which is two hours drive from Banjarmasin in Central Kalimantan. The first night I preached to 200 people jammed into Bethany Kapuas where I ministered about the power for forgiveness from book Kuasa Pengampunan. The next morning I met the vice mayor of the area and I had the opportunity to pray for him. Then just after midday I was driven two hours by car and then by barge to the village of Kaladan.

That night 600 (50% not Christian) of the village’s population came to an outdoor I preached at. When I called for people to repent and place their faith in Jesus 100 came forward. I arrived back at the hotel just before midnight knowing I’d been a part of time that had great impact. My final night I did another outdoor meeting, this near to Kapuas in a majority Muslim village. Hundreds heard the message about being born again and 60 responded to the salvation altar call.

Banjarmasin: The Bethany Church is a vital beachhead for the gospel in a city that 97% Muslim. I did four meetings for this Church with an impressive building and song service. I challenged them to focus on loving God, and seek His strategies to reach the community with the love of God.

Makassar: This was my fifth visit to this strategic city in East Indonesia. Even though I was only Makassar for two nights I ministered six for the 5000 member Bethany Church there. The highlight was the late Sunday morning service with 800 in attendance. After a world class song service I preached on the importance of loving God, our neighbour and ourselves. Then 100 came forward to make a first time commitments to Jesus.

April 2008
On this trip I had the opportunity to preach in Malang (Java), Tual (Maluku) and Jakarta. I preached 10 times and conducted 10 leadership sessions. Also my first book Kuasa Pengampunan (Power of Forgiveness) was released. Here’s a number of  trip highlights:

Preaching the 3 Sunday services at Bethany Malang to over 4000 people. Not only were the people receptive to my message on ‘Forgiveness from the heart’ but in the 9.00 service we did a salvation altar call and over 30 came forward. One night I travelled 2 ½ hours along a winding road to a village church where Bethany have a branch church that they adopted. The building was packed and over 15 came forward for salvation. It was a long and sweaty night but I sensed it was very worthwhile blessing this community of farmers and fisherman.

Teaching 44 church planters at the Selaras School in Malang. I spent over 10 hours sharing with these smart young people destined to have great impact in Indonesia. I felt it was time very well spent. I spoke on a number of issues including vision, strategy and community care. I was encouraged to see that many of them already have clear visions for their lives including to built an orprhange, minister among poor children and start businesses to support church planters to unreached people groups. Not only were most of them focussed they asked good questions.

I did my first book launch in Malang not knowing what to expect. I lugged 600 books from Jakarta with a degree of trepidation. After 2 meetings nearly all of them had sold and many brought multiple copies to give away – which I want people to do. As one of the pastor said ‘forgiveness from the heart is a foundational issue in Indonesia’.
I also did a book launch at the AOC Church in Jakarta where despite turning up an hour late (pick-up stuck in traffic jam) the people were receptive to the message of forgiveness and purchased a number of books.

After ministry in Malang I travelled 10 hours - by car and 3 flights to Tual in Maluku. I felt like I was arriving at the ‘ends of the earth’. I was pleasantly surprised to arrive and be taken to a nice hotel with AC and a nice restaurant. On my first morning I visited all the 10 pastors in the city of Tual and prayed for them. I felt like I was walking on holy ground when I visited one church that had 4 martyrs from the Jihad in 2001, including the pastor who was killed while praying in his house.

My first night in Tual I spoke on the love of Father God. It was powerful with spontaneous weeping and prayer in the midst of the service. At the salvation altar call about 15 came forward. People left the meeting rejoicing in God’s love.
I ministered a total of 4 meetings in Tual and sensed a hunger for unity and a willingness to try new things to impact the city and surrounding areas. I’m keen to partner with the churches in Tual and hope to return next year for crusades in the village areas and a city-wide crusade.

February 2008
I had the opportunity to minister in Medan (55 decision or recommitments in 3 Sunday meetings) and Banda Aceh in Sumatra, Kupang in West Timor, as well as Jakarta and Depok in Java. I conducted a number of revival meetings, church services, leadership seminars and even preached at a 17 year olds birthday celebration (I preached on relationship priorities to the 100 gathered - mostly unsaved) in an up market area of Jakarta.
Here’s a couple of trip highlights:
Banda Aceh (Sumatra): We all know of Aceh because of the Boxing Day 2004 Tsunami. Out of this tragedy in which over 150,000 died many good things have come. Not only has the infrastructure been rebuilt but the long running civil war has ended and there is also a degree of openness to the gospel.

I had the opportunity to do a youth leadership meeting, a revival meeting as well as speak at meeting of Christian NGOs involved in reconstruction activities.

It was exciting to hear of the openness to the gospel of the Acehenese as a result of the practical love shown to them by Christian organisations. I was told many of the locals are now followers of Jesus even though there is Sharia Law. Some of the new believers were previously guerrilla soldiers with GAM.

Kupang (West Timor): Just before I was due to go to Papua my ministry was cancelled. Not one to panic I realised ‘one door closes, another opens’. I spent four days in Kupang at the invitation of ‘Makanan dari Tuhan’ – a group of Christian leaders who feed 5000 poor people every month in the Kupang area, as well as carry out a variety of educational and humanitarian projects.

On the Sunday I ministered a couple of times for a GpdI church in Kupang City. In the morning service we saw 50 answer the altar call to recommit their lives to Christ or make a first time decision.

I then spent Monday and Tuesday ministering for a Church in a village on the outskirts of Kupang. The Church is powerfully impacting the local community which primarily comprises poor farmers and itinerant workers.

What started as a program to give nutritional supplements to the local unprivileged children five years ago has now become a school of 200 students between five and ten years of age.

It’s incredible to see the transformation. These children showed the benefit of a church making a practical investment in the community. As I spent time in their classes they showed a great command of the basics of maths and spelling in both Indonesian and English (If you are teacher and want to visit - they would appreciate it). They are also learning some Mandarin.

I was so impressed with the work of the school I purchased a significant amount of stationary to supplement the books and charts I’d brought from Australia to give away.

Because of the practical difference the church is making in the community the revival (one night – 50 decisions) and leadership meetings were crowded with people hungry for God and His Word.

Free book
My first booklet The Power of Forgiveness (Kuasa Pengampunan) is being printed for distribution in Indonesia. As I'm not planning to have it printed in English you can download it by clicking on the title of the book.

July 2007
I ministered in Jakarta and then three places in Sulewesi – Kendari, Toraja and Makassar. All up I conducted 13 leadership seminars and 16 church meetings (a youth rally, prayer & revival meetings plus Sunday services).

Here are so highlights:

Kendari (South Sulewesi) – As this was organised at the last moment due to a planning mix up all I knew was my contact was ‘Ibu Heryianto’. I was expecting an old widow. How mistaken I was. Ibu Heryianto happened to be an attractive 37 year old lady pastor who has the responsibility of running the church thrust upon her due to the sudden passing of her husband (he was 44 and died of a stress related stroke). I conducted a couple of leadership seminars in which I challenged the leaders to take up the responsibility of ministering to the flock. Previously the pastor had done everything. The seminars, along with the revival meetings, I sensed were ‘timely’ for the pastor and the church. I really believe the planning mix up was divinely organised to bless this precious lady and help get the church focussed on reaching the community.

Toraja – as well as enjoying the mountainous landscape I had the joy of leading nearly 70 (mostly young) people to an adult commitment to Christ. It was wonderful to see so many young people in the meetings.

Makassar – even though I was only in Makassar two days I ministered seven times. The Saturday Night youth meeting was great with 400 passionate young people in attendance. They soaked up my message on purity from the life of Joseph and at the salvation altar call 50 responded. On the Sunday I spoke four times to nearly 2000 people. In the one of the services I did a salvation altar call and 70 responded.

May 2007
I have just returned from 17 days ministry in Papua and Java.
In that time I had the opportunity to minister in Jayapura, Wamena, Timika, Biak (all in Indonesia Papua) and Bandung (Java). In total I ministered 26 times – a mix of leadership seminars, Church services and revival meetings. It was an exciting (and exhausting) time of ministry with many leaders encouraged, people helped as they experienced healing and deliverance. However, the most exciting thing to me was that 160 people in Papua made first time decisions as adults to truly follow Christ.
Trip highlights:
I thoroughly enjoyed myself in Papua. Pastor David Halim and the other leaders in GBI Rock Papua really looked after me. I sensed a real connection with Papua and that my foundational leadership training can make a real difference there. In every place that I ministered they were keen for me to return next year.
I really enjoyed Jayapura. The hotel was great, the people generous and the GBI Rock Church was very impressive. Thanks to David Halim and his team for looking after me so well. What a privelige.
Wamena was undoubtedly the highlight. The scenery is stunning, the Dani people interesting (Yes some of the older men walk the streets wearing only a penis gourd) and the people were keen to get right with God and develop their leadership skills.  We had 70 decisions in two nights.

I look forward to returning to Wamena as well as Yohokimo next year. We really need to equip the Papuans or I sense we will loose them to the 'world', Islam or nominalism.
While in Timika I had a variety of ministry opportunities including a youth rally and leadership training to a variety of business, government and church leaders. However, the highlight was early on Sunday morning travelling to an Asmat community built on stilts. These people who have only recently moved from the forests were open to the word with 20 responding to the call to salvation.
I ended my time in Papua with ministry in Biak. The church organised two days of leadership training and revival meetings. We saw many salvations, healings and deliverances. On the first night the power went out as we were ministering freedom to the addicted and oppressed. Many shook and writhed as evil spirits departed. In the midst of the ministry time the power went off. However with light from mobile phones, candles and motorbike lights we were able to set the captives free. Also the leadership seminars really helped build on there already well developed church structures.
In Bandung I had the chance to minister for Bethany as well as school training young people to minister among unreached people. This is a great school that currently has 70 people ministering among the unreached. I really believe in what they are doing and willingly gave a large donation to the work there.
A big thanks to those in Perth who paid for the airfare to Papua and to all the Churches in Indonesia who looked after me so well. Without your support I would not be able to minister in Indonesia. Luke 6:38 is a great verse for you ‘Give, and it will be given to you…  with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.’
February 2007
As part of the Australia Day awards where I work in Perth I was given an award for my service to Indonesia. Even though I don't seek such awards it was a great honour to receive one.
January 2007
I spent four weeks of ministry (and a family holiday) in Indonesia. I had the opportunity to preach in Surabaya, Malang, Ambon, Jakarta and Bali. All up I preached 19 times with nearly 300 decisions for Christ. Also I conducted 10 leadership sessions. All up I had the opportunity to minister to 13,000 different people. Jan also preached in Jakarta.
Here’s a few trip highlights:
Ambon – I had the privilege to speak at the GBI Rock Church. This 2500 member Church has 4 martyrs from the 1999-2002 civil unrest. Their suffering has refined them. Not only do they have a spirit of excellence they are very humble. The worship was the best I’ve experienced anywhere. I had the opportunity to visit the village of Waai which was destroyed by the Jihad in 2000. I saw the destroyed houses and churches. However the Christians are slowly rebuilding their lives. I spoke to and prayed with one of the local pastors.
Surabaya – I got to preach 3 times to a total of 5000 people at the Thursday day of prayer for Bethany in Surabaya. It was a first for me – not just preaching in Surabaya, but the pastor and the translator and pastor were both ladies. It was a privilege speaking to these people so hungry for God.
In between the preaching sessions I got to spend time with Monica, my translator for the day. Monica runs a ministry for pregnant single girls. Monica shares the love of God with these young girls – many from non Christian backgrounds. Most of the girls give up their babies and Monica helps organise adoption. I wept as she shared that many of the girls are now married, have families and are following Jesus. One is even a pastor in Sumba.
Malang – I spent 2 days with 24 young people doing a 1 year course to prepare them for Church planting. It was a great time of impartation to the neXt generation.
Makassar – This was my third visit to this great city. I preached 5 times for Bethany to a total of 2000 people with nearly 100 decisions for Christ. I challenged to the church to blessing a blessing to local unreached people groups.
As well as ministering I had a great time with Jan and the kids in Jakarta, Bandung and Bali.
August 2006
I’ve just returned from 16 days of ministry in Jakarta, Kupang (Timor) and Bali. I conducted 13 leaders seminars, preached in 10 church services and conducted 2 outdoor crusade meetings. And I got to spend some looking around beautiful Bali (If you’ve not been there go – it’s great). All up over 370 decisions for Christ. Praise God for lives changed and churches committed to reaching and discipling people.
Serpong near Jakarta. This GBI church in renewal and revival kept me very busy. Over the weekend I spoke 10 times. On the first night over 400 jam packed a ball room on the third level of a shopping centre. At the salvation altar call over 60 responded. Then we had prayer for the sick. A young girl declared a non malignant tumour disappeared. The most dramatic miracle happened during the final meeting when a young man said he was healed. Two month ago he was blinded in one eye playing badminton. The operation was going to cost him $100s of dollars to fix it. No sooner had we prayed and he was able to see. Amazing – the blind see. He was so happy at what God had done and the church was so excited. What a night for him – getting saved and healed.
Kupang with pastor Gunawan from Perth. Gunawan has a program called “Food from the Lord”. He started the ministry after reading the Gospel story of Jesus feeding the 5000. For the last 31 months he has been blessing Kupang. He has a team in Kupang that has divided the region up into 16 sections. In each of these sections between three to five churches select 200 to 300 needy people to receive food making a total just over 5000 people. The selected people come to one of the churches where they receive teaching from one of the pastors and the food. Gunawan also invites these pastors to a function centre for two mornings where they receive teaching. I had the privilege to conduct a number of leadership seminars with nearly 100 leaders from the area.
For two nights I preached an outdoor crusade in one of the areas where the local churches feed the poor. The event was well organised with a large stage, 1000 chairs and lighting. On the first night there was a power problem but we managed to get through the music and preaching to the altar call where over 100 of various ages came forward to commit their lives to Jesus. The second night there were no electrical problems and around 1000 attended – many walking many kilometers to attend while others came on motorbikes and by the truckload. The altar was crowded with people making commitments to follow Jesus and seeking healing.
Bali is a beautiful place. And the location of one of the best churches I’ve preached at in Indonesia – GBI Rock. I preached the Friday night “Bali Blessing” revival service. The praise and worship was world class. It was a joy to have Pastor Arifin (Benny Hinn’s and Peter Youngren’s translator) as my translator. The crowd of 800+ were receptive and 25 came forward for salvation. On the Sunday I preached four times. At the evening service service over 50 responded to the call to salvation.
June 2006
What a trip. 4 islands and 5 cities in 17 days. I conducted 19 leadership seminars, preached 5 revival meetings and 9 Sunday services.
Some highlights:-
Jakarta: on the Sunday I spoke at a GBI Church in revival. They were very open to my message on Ambassadors for Christ. During the altar time when I prayed for leaders there were a number of manifestations. I was especially blessed after the service to meet an Acehnese convert. Then the following day my driver was a Sunda. It was great to meet people from unreached peoples getting saved.
Toraja : Jan joined for three great days. We stayed in a nice hotel. Along with ministry we had time to look at the beautiful countryside and interesting burial sites in the sides of the mountains. We saw skulls and bones in niches in the mountain and carved images of departed ‘well to do’. The morning leadership seminars were well received and the evening revival meetings saw 400-500 a night with many saved. It was great ministering in tandem with Jonathan Pattiasina.
Makassar:  I participated with Jonathan Pattiasina in 2 days of “Kingdom” ministry. The meetings were well promoted and it was a privilege to minister with quality people who were focused on the building the Kingdom of God rather than their own kingdom. I also spent 2 hours at a radio station sharing and answering sms.  I preached five on the Sunday. The two evening services at the Petra Church were especially great as the church is currently experiencing another season of revival. The pastor is a very humble man who is committed to implement positive change.
Papua: My time in Biak was great. Saw many saved in the evening meetings. The day seminars were attended by many pastors and their key leaders. After Biak I went to Jayapura where I conducted 2 nights of leadership training to 100+ leaders at a church in revival. Its great to see this older churches experiencing growth and ‘move with the times’. The pastor Elisa is a great man. Humble, fun loving and keen to see more of God.
May 2006
We serve a God of miracles. Recently I obtained permanent work that will enable me to provide for my family and give me time off to go to Indonesia. Truly God is good. What a great answer to prayer. This month I've had the opportunity to minister in three Indonesian Churches. God is really honouring our big step of faith moving to Perth.

October 2005
Another adventure in Indonesia has come to an end. Indonesia is never a boring place to minister. There were a number of highlights and lowlights on this trip. I had meetings cancelled as well as added at short notice. I had to deal with Terry getting very sick as well being locked out of our apartment for a night. I had the great privilege of seeing people come to Christ and the opportunity of snorkelling over some of the best coral reefs in the world at Bunaken Island.

I conducted a total of nine meetings in Monado for seven different Church groups. I preached to groups ranging from 40 to 700 with some meetings in very basic facilities and others in modern, fully equipped and air-conditioned venues. I preached the 15th birthday of the Manado Praise Centre. The 500 plus crowd was receptive to my message on being outreach focussed ambassadors for Christ and over twenty responded to the call to salvation. A revival service in Tomohon went well. Not only was it great to be up in the mountains away from the heat of Manado City the 200 plus crowd were ‘into it’ during the song service and at the altar call thirty people made first time commitments.
June 2005