A testimony from IFGF Men Global Coordinator
Hello everyone, we would like to introduce our new IFGF Men Global Coordinator, Andrew Hartono.
Recently, IFGF Global appointed some people for its 2021-2025 organizational structure. One of the newly appointed persons in the organization is Andrew Hartono, as IFGF Men Global Coordinator.
Andrew Hartono is a member of IFGF Surabaya, Indonesia. Since 2003, Andrew was planted in IFGF Los Angeles where he ministered for 6 years as usher, multimedia team, soundman, vocalist and service leader under the pastoral care of Ps. Raymond Teguh and the legendary Ps. Daniel “Ko Dan” Hanafi. In 2010, Andrew went back to Indonesia and resided in Surabaya, where he decided to join IFGF Surabaya & Ps. Raymond Njotorahardjo ministry. Andrew is now married to a lovely lady, Angeline Wijaya and together they have 2 sons, Caleb (6) and Connor (4).
In 2019, Ps. Raymond Njotorahardjo asked Andrew to lead a new department, IFGF Men. This new department was ‘right on time’ as this new department became a platform for men to support each other, especially during this Covid-19 pandemic.
Later on in 2021, during the last 6 weeks Andrew was facing a difficult period in his life. Yet he realized that he wasn’t the only person who faced difficulties in this period. His hope and prayer is that all men would be able to face and go through challenges in their life with their heads up high.
Here’s a testimony from Andrew Hartono.
“I am here to encourage all of us who are currently striving, in work / family / ministry. I am here to tell you that you are not alone. I have learned that the burden I carry will be lighter as I share my experience, struggles and battles with other people. We might not find the answer we look for, but knowing that other men understand and care for each other really lightens the burden.
I lost my father in law around 2 weeks ago. The whole process was rather fast as he left us less than 4 days after we knew that he was infected by Covid-19. We also lost an inspiring friend and comrade, Jojo. Moreover, 2 of our closest friends also lost their fathers and another friend lost a mother. All these devastating news came within days and it was the hardest period I had during this pandemic.
However, enough with the sad news and let’s talk about what has helped me go through that period. I had lots of questions yet I know for sure that having close friends who really care about me has helped me. I have friends and mentors who reminded me to be positive, peaceful and wise yet vulnerable enough to cry. It’s ok to not be ok, it’s ok to shed tears of sadness and it’s ok to not have answers for everything.
Having a healthy community where I can be myself, vulnerable, honest, making mistakes and being real is a great blessing during this pandemic. I am blessed to have this kind of community and I would like to encourage men everywhere to create their own community. A man needs to take a step forward to create a healthy community for men. This community doesn’t need to be perfect as none of the men is perfect.
Rather this community is a platform for brokenmen to come and share their struggles (sexual sins, past baggage, drugs, addictions, struggles to understand God’s will and other issues). We have to fully understand that no one is perfect, only God is. Let this truth sink inside your mind. NO HUMAN IS PERFECT, ONLY GOD IS PERFECT. When you understand this, you will be humbled knowing that everyone has their own weaknesses and struggles, just like… YOU.
A man might be stronger in one area while another man will be stronger in another area. This is the reason why you need to build a healthy community: to support each other in their weaknesses, to encourage each other throughout difficult times and to build a healthy lifestyle together. Let me remind you that this community is not only created for success stories, but rather, it should be filled with stories of endeavour, heartfelt and learning process because through these stories we will acknowledge that God is always with us. He is with us in the mountains and He is with us in the valleys. We need to know that our prayer is not for God to lift up our struggles / sadness but to declare. Our prayer shouldn’t be filled with requests for God to lift our struggles / sadness but to declare our faith that God is always with us. All the time!”
Through Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthened me”, Andrew reminded us that with God, we can go through all things. This verse, Paul wrote that we are able to go through all circumstances – going through life when in need or in plenty, well fed or hungry, living in plenty or in want, in any situation and circumstances – because God is the source of our strength. In verse 14, “it was good of you to share in my TROUBLES” (not only sharing stories of success, wins or achievements but also sharing our troubles).
During difficult times such as this is when church is mostly needed, as well as our brethren and community. Wherever we are, find a community or create a community under your pastoral leadership and grow together in Christ.
Lastly, Andrew wants to pray as Paul did: “I pray that “God will “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” I pray that you will shift your focus from your own needs to your needs ACCORDING his richness so all glory will be His forever.”
May you be able to find the right community to grow and be fruitful and glorify your Father in heaven.
“ I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me”
– Philippians 4:13 –
