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
� lacityblessing. org
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Walnut, California
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