IFGF Conference – Greater Destiny
On August 6-7, IFGF Conference 2021 was held with the theme “Greater Destiny”. We are CHOSEN and DESTINED to be a ROYAL PRIESTHOOD who are following Jesus Christ as the CORNERSTONE.
IFGF Conference is an annual IFGF event which provides its participants direct access to world class speakers. Leaders who participate in IFGF Conference are equipped and strengthened to bring greater impact in the areas of ministry, business and wherever they are placed. For the second time, the IFGF Conference was held online where there was no limitation to gather in a large crowd.
Day one of the IFGF Conference started at 10.00 WIB, with the online check-in for participants started from 09.30 WIB. The event began with Praise & Worship led by the IFGF Praise team. Ps. Jimmy Oentoro opened the first session with a message on Greater Destiny. Ps. Jimmy reminded participants that the great commission was given to the believers to be His Church. The Church that is mentioned here is in its true meaning because;
- Church is not a religion but a relationship
- Church is not a building but souls
- Church is not a ritual but a resurrection
- Church is not a program but a transformation
The truth is, our roles are all different yet we are called for the same cause “to be royal priesthood and living stones of Christ for the world”.
In the second session, the participants learned about Post Quarantine Church from Ps. Thom S. Rainer (Founder & CEO of Church Answers). Ps. Thom shared his experience on helping churches to grow, overturning downward trend on congregations growth and “resurrecting” those who were “spiritually dead”. We acknowledge that during this pandemic, many churches are experiencing a crisis and appearing dormant. There are 4 leadership approaches that can be applied during this time;
- Prayer meeting led by the Holy Spirit
- Sharing the Gospel as our act of obedience
- Gathering to worship through physical gathering or digital as an act of spiritual discipline
- Sharing Hope with others throughout this pandemic to keep the church growing
After these 2 sessions, the participants had a 1.5 hour break before the workshops started. Participants were allowed to choose 1 out of 5 available workshop on day 1 which were;
- Men & Emotion by Ps. Raymond & Andrew Hartono
- It’s Not Supposed to be This Way! by Ps. Illyana Widodo
- Start Up Way by Andy Zain
- Shepherding the House by Ps. Jimmy Oentoro
- Super Quaranteam by Jovita Maria Ferliana
After the workshop, the participants were back at the main room for the 4th session titled Bounce Back which was shared by Ps. Judith Halim (Restore Global Mission Pastor). Ps. Judith reminded the participants that God never promises for miracles to happen but He promises victorious life even though we are facing storms. We should change our mindset to always focus on Him. Instead of looking at life challenges as threats, we should see them as blessings because they are taking us closer to the true victory in Christ.
On the fifth session, which was the last session on the first day, Ps. Daniel Hanafi (IFGF Global MIssion Director) taught about To the Ends of the Earth. Ps. Daniel emphasized that evangelism is the foundation of our ministry. Through hardship and persecution, our first priority is evangelism to all nations. Our calling is to disciple, to teach people to obey Jesus and not only to know Jesus.
The next day on August 7, the conference started at 10.00 WIB with praise & worship. The sixth session of the conference was on The Strong Church: Build for Crisis which was delivered by Ps. Tan Seow How (Founder of Heart Of God Church). A strong church built for a crisis is a church that is built like a home, where relationships and warmth between its members are built. To achieve this, there should be a shift of mindset within the church:
- The young people are leaders of today, not only of the future. They need to be invited and involved as doers not watchers
- The young generation is a reinforcement, not replacement (Isaiah 58:12)
- Build the church as a place to return and grow. Make the young generation feel like they belong, believe and become.
In the seventh session, the topic discussed was The Future is Now by Philemon Kharis of IFGF Bandung. Philemon emphasized the importance of connecting with the young generations and introducing Jesus Christ to them. In order to do this, we need to be “human” to them. The focus of our ministry is the end goal instead of programs or how-to.
During this second day, IFGF Conference participants could also choose a workshop that is suitable for them. The choices of workshops were;
- Disciple-Shift by Ps. Yohanes Kusika, Ps. Indra Puspa, Ps. Ando Gunawan and Ps. Lina Waharti
- Raising Digital Citizens in Godly Way by Ps. Ancella Gunawan
- Step Up Now by Ps. Andre Tjhin, Jason Natanael, Jason Gouw and Putri
- Smart Church (Pastor Only) by Ps. Jimmy Oentoro
- Creating Worship Experience by Ps. Joshua Artono, Ps. Brian Harsanto, Ps. Nicholas Sarasta
After this workshop, participants joined in to the last session of IFGF Conference 2021. The ninth session was delivered by Ps. Sam Hartanto who talked about ALIVE. Ps. Sam, the new IFGF President for 2021-2025, shared that the Bible told us that we are no longer a slave of sin and have a new life in Christ. As His followers, Jesus has extended his invitation to a discipleship journey. The reason why we are ALIVE is so we can be a blessing for others and thus, glorify God’s name. Ps. Sam shared 2 important perspectives on life:
- Don’t just receive, grow Jesus. Let Jesus grow and root daily in our life.
- Don’t just study Jesus, show Jesus. Let God and others take delight in our life.
To end the session, Ps. Sam led participants to partake in the Holy Communion. IFGF Conference 2021 was then closed with a prayer.
We are grateful for everyone who took part in IFGF Conference 2021 – Greater Destiny and made the event successful. To all volunteers who prepared for the event, Praise & Worship team in IFGF Manado, Surabaya, Jakarta and Bandung, and all participants who enthusiastically joined in the conference. We prayed that everyone will continue growing in Him and becoming a blessing wherever they are placed. If we are alive right at this moment, surely God has a plan for us.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
-1 Petrus 2:9 –
Next: WORLD CONFERENCE X
