[Everlasting Covenant] GKDI Medan's 25th Anniversary Celebration

April 4, 2019 was the most special day for the congregation in Medan. In this very year, the whole church celebrated its 25th silver anniversary. The birthday celebration held especially for the congregation took place at 7:00 PM WIB. Altogether, the whole congregation enjoyed dinner together, performances from the teenagers, and sang the birthday song together.

The peak of the anniversary celebration was held on Sunday, April 28, 2019 at 4:00 PM WIB and was attended by more than 700 people. Before the anniversary celebration of the congregation's birthday, the good news was that Medan also became the host for the BBC (Body Builder Camp). From April 26-28, 2019, it was attended by church leaders and leaders from various cities, especially the churches throughout Sumatra. In the BBC meeting led by Rev. Harliem Salim, we were again taught about “Building Healthy, Functional and Inspiring Community, serta Powerful and Impactful discussion in PDA & PDG”. This meeting was very helpful for us in having evangelism through a life of discipleship and building one another through the small groups we have.

On Sunday came the main event of the Medan church anniversary celebration. It began with a countdown timer and the video Opening Everlasting Covenant. This was followed by opening remarks from Rev. Daniel Wongso and his wife Ika Purba (Leaders of the Medan Congregation) and a praise song presented by the song ministry.

And dance performances from the younger generation representing most of the ethnic groups in the Medan congregation, including Chinese, Nias, and Batak traditional dances, as well as the Sigale-Gale statue attraction and the Nias war dance with stone jumping. This was followed again by the screening of the video “History of Medan Church” the video's duration was very short but deeply memorable because God has been so involved through the growth of the Medan congregation over these 25 years.

At the special service for the church anniversary, we had the opportunity once again to hear a sermon from Rev. Harliem Salim with the sermon title “The Everlasting Covenant” in Jeremiah 32:38-40 “I will be your God and you will be my people”. There are 3 responses we need to have when God makes a covenant, namely God's Love (Inclination) – Jeremiah 31:31-34, Turn Away from Sin (Innocence) – Isaiah 53:3-6, and Intimacy with God (Intimacy) – Ezekiel 36:25-27.

The event continued with the appointment and naming of Evangelism by Rev. Charles (Leader of the Bandung Congregation) to Rev. Dani and his wife with the names: Marselinus Gideon Daniel Wongso dan Norika Bayu Yael Indawani Purba as well as Rev. Krisman (Leader of the Batam Congregation) and his wife with the names: Krisman Carly Timotius Marolop Siagian dan Helen Deborah Andriyani. May God bless every ministry in the city where they serve.

A performance by the Consolatio choir followed, then the candle-blowing and birthday cake-cutting ceremony by inviting all members of the mission team to come forward together while singing the birthday song. And as an expression of gratitude and thanks to all members of the mission team all of us in the congregation gave a small gift with the hope that they would continue to be faithful and remain an inspiration.

We are very grateful that the entire series of events went smoothly and that there was much for us to learn. May this celebration not be merely a celebration, but may the faith and spirituality of the whole congregation continue to grow.

May there be even more good news from the city of Medan in the future, and may the work of God's hands be increasingly glorified through the faithfulness and struggle of all Jesus' disciples. All for God's glory. Amen

* Church GKDI is currently in 35 cities. We have Bible Study activities in every area. If you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official: WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official

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