Good News from the Cikarang Congregation - Paulus & Tina

Open Your Heart to God’s Word

God works with His wondrous power. When someone opens their heart to the truth of His word, nothing can keep that person from changing for the better.

Paulus decided to study the Bible in November 2018, after seeing the life inspiration of the disciples of Jesus he knew in Cikarang. After that, his wife, Tina, also became interested in studying the Bible. From then on, the two of them persevered and set aside time once a week to study God’s word. On Sunday, August 4, 2019, on Paulus’s 33rd birthday, both of them gave themselves to be baptized with true conviction.

Born into a harsh family, with many problems and a high level of stress, Paulus and his siblings grew up with unhealthy emotional dynamics. In addition, they once harbored bitterness toward their extended family and the church. Their family experienced rejection because of their circumstances, so they almost never went to worship or gathered together with their extended family. 

Paulus hoped that his family’s financial condition could change one day. He did whatever work he could to help lighten his parents’ burden. He even took on a number of hard jobs, such as working as a laborer and a pedicab driver. God is truly good, because after finishing school, Paulus was accepted for a three-year internship in Japan. From that time on, he was able to help support his family’s economy.

On the other hand, Tina grew up in a warm family where the members were close to one another. Every problem they experienced could be resolved through good communication. Before marrying Paulus and moving to Cikarang, Tina worked in the shipping industry. Her days were spent aboard ships sailing to tourist destinations in Europe. Even though her life was provided for, Tina realized that she had never truly lived wholeheartedly for God. Prayer was difficult for her, let alone reading and reflecting on the word. 

Little by little, after studying the Bible, Tina’s heart began to soften and her character changed. From being easily offended and quick-tempered, she became more patient. In addition, she also learned to be open and to ask her spiritual mentor for advice.

After returning from Japan, Paulus worked on several construction projects in Jakarta managed by Japanese companies. His fluency in Japanese and his good understanding of Japanese culture and customs brought him close to a number of expatriates in Jakarta.

However, Paulus realized that while working on those projects, he did many things that were not right, far from the values of God’s word. He knew that he had to leave behind his compromise with sin. Breaking his smoking habit became one of his greatest challenges, along with improving his weak emotional control and his willingness to forgive others. Praise God, Paulus has now succeeded in quitting smoking.

After the two of them were married in August 2018, Tina was willing to leave her high-paying job to accompany Paulus as a housewife, while starting a culinary business. During their Bible study, they both realized that their marriage had to be truly built on the foundation of true faith. This began with each of them changing their lives, as well as dealing with every tendency toward sin that they still often practiced. 

At present, both of them have a longing to help Paulus’s family in Medan and Tina’s family in Parapat live as disciples of Jesus wholeheartedly. They are beginning by building a married life that can be an example, and by introducing their families to the Medan Congregation. At present, one of Paulus’s younger brothers, named Felix, is undergoing character study together with the disciples of Jesus in Cikarang.

May their changed lives make Paulus and Tina a blessing and an example of righteous living, not only to their family, but also to the people around them. To God be the glory!

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Church GKDI is currently present in 35 cities. We have Bible Study activities in every area; if you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official:

WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official

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