July 4, 2005 issue
Indonesians host 'Holy Spirit in Mission' conference
By Ruth Martin and Jewel Showalter Eastern Mennonite MissionsPage:
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SEMARANG, Indonesia — Mennonite leaders from 16 nations celebrated the Holy Spirit’s power, traveled across Indonesia in ministry teams and attended to the business of an international missions group May 12-21.
Worshipers at the “Holy Spirit in Mission” conference pledge to serve together until “people from every tribe, tongue and nation” hear the Good News. — Photo by Javier Soler/EMM
“It was powerful to see Mennonite Christians from very different backgrounds and experiences working side-by-side in ministry, encouraging more openness to the Holy Spirit and his work,” said Tilahun Beyene, an Eastern Mennonite Missions staff member and coordinator of the International Missions Association.
The IMA, composed of 13 mission agencies that relate to EMM, met in conjunction with the third annual “Holy Spirit in Mission” conference in Semarang May 12-14.
The IMA meeting, in Jarkarta May 20-21, included a celebration of the 40th anniversary of PIPKA, the mission board of Indonesia’s Muria Mennonite churches, known as GKMI.
PIPKA, with assistance from JKI, another Mennonite conference in Indonesia, hosted the “Holy Spirit in Mission” conference.
Participants heard reports from five continents and messages on what the Holy Spirit is doing.
They testified to supernatural healings, deliverance from satanic bondage, dramatic church growth and miracles of financial and material supply for new church buildings and for ministry.
“The growing fellowship, collaboration and synergy among the various IMA groups is beautiful to see,” said Richard Showalter, president of EMM and chair of the IMA.
The Sunday after the conference, the international participants preached in Mennonite churches in central Java and then broke into 11 ministry teams that traveled to three regions of Indonesia.
Some flew to Medan and Aceh, the region most affected by the tsunami. Others flew to western Kalimantan. Still others traveled by van and ferry to southern Sumatra. As they ministered in Sumatra and Kalimantan, they saw tremendous needs and witnessed evidence of the Holy Spirit at work.
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