Good News from the Yogyakarta Congregation - Lorensa Cristy

June became a month of victory for the single ministry of Yogyakarta, after a sister named Lorensa Cristy, who is usually called Loren, was baptized on June 24, 2018.

Loren is a university student majoring in Elementary School Teacher Education (PGSD) at one of the universities in Yogyakarta. As the youngest of three siblings living with her parents, Loren had become spoiled and dependent. She relied heavily on Demas, her boyfriend, who was also a student. During their three years together, Loren was always accompanied by Demas wherever and whenever she went, and there were no boundaries in their premarital relationship.

As a Christian, Loren was active in teaching Sunday school. However, that activity did not bring peace into her life. Loren often had conflicts with fellow servants, felt that she was always right, and thought that her efforts were not appreciated by others. In truth, she did not understand the purpose of her service or how to serve God in the right way. Loren felt she had already given so much time and thought, yet nothing changed in her life.

Loren's first meeting with the congregation began in March 2018. Demas, who at that time was joining Bible Study, invited Loren to worship together at GKDI. Loren's first impression was a worship atmosphere different from other church ones. The warm welcome from brothers and sisters made Loren feel comfortable. She was then introduced to a sister named Nadya, who then invited her to join Bible Study.

Bible Study was something new in Loren's spiritual journey. Up to this point, she had never received a proper understanding of what it means to be a Christian. For her, going to church every Sunday and serving as much as she was able was enough. Through Bible Study, Loren discovered many things that were at odds with her life. Starting from her motivation in serving, her relationships with other people, all the way to her dating relationship, which had no direction or purpose.

When she entered the مرحلة of study on sin, Loren felt uncomfortable. She was not yet ready to live a true Christian life, including changing the way she dated, which did not align with Christian values. For some time, Loren was unwilling to continue Bible Study. This did not make Nadya and her friends stop loving Loren. They kept in touch and prayed that Loren would be able to make the right decision in her life. A few weeks later, Loren decided to continue Bible Study.

The study about the cross of Jesus became the turning point in Loren's life. She realized how deeply Jesus loved her. Jesus sacrificed Himself to save her life, but she had wasted His love by continuing to live in sin. Loren felt guilty for wasting so much time on things that were of no benefit.

Finally, with the encouragement of faith, last June Loren gave herself to be baptized. She committed to walking a righteous life in the Lord. When asked to share, Loren expressed her feelings with tears of joy, saying that what she has received now is the grace of God.

Now Loren has become a more courageous and independent person. She feels the difference when serving with the right motivation. A week after being baptized, Loren joined the service as an usher. She actively sits in study and builds connections with new people. She does it all with joy out of gratitude to God. Loren also offers her dating relationship for the glory of God. The happiness continued when Loren graduated cum laude in August 2018, and even got a job before graduation. She continues to apply Christian values in every aspect of her life, including through her profession now as an elementary school teacher.