Good News from the Yogyakarta Congregation - Finsen Prayogo

Finsen Prayogo - 20 years old, gave himself to be baptized on May 28, 2017. Finsen is an International Civil Engineering student at a private university in Yogyakarta, and Finsen is the type of student who is active, joining organizations and campus committees, and Finsen even takes extra foreign-language classes outside campus. Finsen's parents are self-employed in Klaten Regency, Central Java.

Before knowing the Lord, Finsen always had restlessness and fear about the future he had to face. This fear shaped Finsen's mindset that only his own strength and intelligence could create a beautiful future. This made Finsen very ambitious in preparing everything that would support his future, even in excessive ways.

The Spirit of God worked in Finsen's heart. He had a desire to study the Word of God and hoped that someone would direct his life to God, but he did not know how or where he should look. God made a way for Finsen by using brother Vebry, who was his friend on campus.

Their first meeting was during a practicum on campus. They became friends, and Vebry introduced Finsen to brother Ricky and brother Daniel. The brothers kept trying to share their conviction about life in God, and finally, in March 2017, Finsen opened his heart to study the Bible.

In the process of studying the Bible, Finsen had difficulty making time for God. His busyness on campus and the long distance to his home made it hard for Finsen to make time to meet. Yet God kept using the brothers to show His love to Finsen. Finsen was able to see their genuine love and the way they prioritized God in their friendship. This moved Finsen to try to give his time to prioritize God.

The turning point in Finsen's life came when God softened Finsen's heart through coming to know Christian life in the discipleship lessons. In his heart, Finsen felt that the Christianity he had lived before Bible study was very different from what God intended in the Bible. What the life of a disciple of Jesus (a Christian) is like is about loving Jesus with a lifestyle that follows His teaching and even reflects Jesus Himself within, not merely a religious status. When Finsen learned the truth of God's word, Finsen was willing to humbly accept it and change his lifestyle into the lifestyle of a disciple of Jesus, even though he had never lived the life of a disciple before. God saw the sincerity in Finsen's heart, and the Lord Jesus kept adding changes to Finsen's life, namely openness about his fears to the brothers.

Finsen's Baptism

When Finsen made the decision to be baptized, Finsen felt joy and gratitude because he came to know God's purpose for his life, namely plans for peace, forgiveness, and restoration that brought a sense of peace into his heart. One by one, Finsen's fears about his future disappeared because Finsen took a posture of heart that began to surrender his life into God's plan and trust His promises, which he began to find in every quiet time he had.

Finsen began to involve God in every decision and activity in his studies. In his relationships, Finsen allowed God's love to become the foundation for accepting the shortcomings of his family and other people, so that he denied himself in order not to judge other people. Now he sets his heart on God so that no matter how busy his activities on campus are, Finsen always gives time to God and fellowship with the congregation and even helps other members who need him.

Now, coming to know the life of a disciple is something he will never regret. Finsen hopes that the life of a Disciple of Jesus that he lives will keep burning brightly in God's care.