Stay happy
In recent years I spend a large amount of time in Indonesia. In the last 10 years the country has experienced large growth in Christianity. Many pastors desire to copy the style of America or Hill song in Australia. When they watch these countries on TV they see the professional image of excellence.
Then they come to me and say, “Papa Darrel…why are you so happy?” or “Do you know people in Indonesia call you many names?” I asked what the names they call me are.
They smile and say, “Some call you the “Holy Spirit Bartender”, or “The Master at Being Drunk in the Holy Spirit”. I will smile and think to myself that they could say worse.
I believe in excellence and that God uses great talent. But when I ask myself what has brought such a great revival to Indonesia it was not a result of talent or excellence. A young man told me this week “Papa Darrel in our church we are asked not to speak in tongues Sunday Morning and that now our service will only be one and one half hour.
I thought to myself how sad this is. This is what happened in America in the 1980’s. We thought if we could become user friendly with our meetings that our churches would grow. Oh Oh did you hear what I said?
Our goal was “church growth”! What a big mistake!
Why has such a revival come to Indonesia?
1) - Persecution drove the churches to fasting and prayer. It is a country of prayer with at least six prayer mountains. All churches fast for 30 in the month of January. All night prayer meetings are common.
2) - Emphasis on hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit and obeying.
3) -Music that welcomed the Holy Spirit
4) -Humility and preference to others.
5) -As a country Indonesia was one of the only countries in the world to embrace the “Toronto Revival in 1994. They loved the joy and drunkenness in the Holy Spirit.
So now they expect me to go back to where I was for 27 yrs a traditional Pentecostal serious pastor wearing black suits and ties.
What is my response? “Never!!!” I have found intimacy with Jesus and feel is love, peace and acceptance. His voice is so kind to me.
Last week I was with my AOG interpreter who is a pastor’s wife in Jakarta. As we stood to minister in a small church in the jungle all we did for 45 minutes was laugh! Yes laugh. The presence of Jesus was so strong and we all laughed. The people were so refreshed, ministered to and healed.
Does your Bible say, “The Joy of the Lord is your strength? Mine does.. Why change once you have found Intimacy with Jesus.
Avoid taking yourself and ministry so serious. Lighten up and let God make you a refreshing “Drink Offering”.
Enjoy Jesus and life he has given you!
