Our God is Big
By PAUL TAN
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It was May of 1998 when a riot suddenly broke out in many major cities of Indonesia . The people were protesting against thirty-two years of the presidential regime they had lived under . Jakarta , the capital city of Indonesia , became a lake of fire where many churches and buildings were burning to the ground . The streets were filled with looting , public rape , and persecution .
Just a few weeks prior , the Holy Spirit spoke to me clearly to start a humanitarian ministry to help the poor and needy . This was completely new to me , but looking back now , I knew that God had prepared the solution before there was ever a problem . Obeying His voice was key and with no experience , no warehouses , and no money to start the ministry , I gathered a team who said , “ Yes !” to the call .
The windows of Heaven were opened as we planted a financial seed . Divine connections , human resources , and provision quickly started coming in . Out of nowhere , people we had never even met started contacting us , wanting to support the ministry . We started small with receiving one container a week , but quickly grew to about fifteen containers a day ! God miraculously provided and in just a matter of time , we were channeling shiploads of containers of food , clothing , medicine , medical supplies and many other things to Indonesia .
Psalm 89:14 says , “ Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne ; mercy and truth go before Your face .” This was our anthem as we showed mercy to those in need – feeding and clothing them . We didn ’ t preach ; we simply showed the love of Christ . Soon enough , the whole nation was impacted . The Lord then directed me to meet the
Ambassador of Indonesia in Washington D . C ., where he sent his delegate to our church .
When the Ambassador ’ s delegate visited , he was shocked to find us as a small church ; however , I responded to him that our God is big ! Later that night as I slept , the Lord gave me five visions to focus on : 1 ) Food Distribution , 2 ) Food Security , 3 ) Health Projects , 4 ) Education , 5 ) Job Creation
With that , the Lord directed me to share these five visions to the director of The World Bank in New York . I explained to him that I received it from God . His eyes widened with disbelief and asked if I knew that those were the five basic staples of the nations of the world . In my heart , I didn ’ t know , but I knew that God did .
God has blessed us as we were chosen out of over 12,000 foundations to receive three presidential awards , out of the five that were given , from the sixth President of Indonesia . This is only by the grace of God . As of today , we have shipped humanitarian aid to fifteen other nations . I am so glad to be a part of the larger body of Christ through HIM . To God be the Glory !
PAUL & JOYCE TAN City Blessing Church
Member of HIM Since 2006
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Walnut , California
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