Usually we judge growth of the church by attendance or number of baptisms per year. This of course gives a very good quantitative understanding of growth but it doesn't show qualitative growth meaning spiritual growth. Spiritual growth of the church is often first seen in the leadership of the church. The month of April showed extra ordinary spiritual growth of the church in Jakarta and especially the church in Batam.

One of the great benefits of having a recognized university of Theology is that we are able to invite teachers from around the country and world to come and teach. This gives us time and opportunity to discuss the matters of the church and what needs to be done to promote and protect the unity of church. Brother Steve Cate came to teach the Psalms and informed us of an attack against the church in Jakarta. A small group who are financially well off have started dividing the church over head coverings, lifting hands in prayer, and one cup for the Lord's supper. Their purpose is simply to take control of the church. We asked among ourselves how do we overcome this threat to the church. The answer was very simple, we have to unite and love one another as the Lord has commanded us. This is taking place in Jakarta as I write this report. At least three congregations that had split off from the main congregation for one reason or another are now returning as one. This unity was the result of the leaders of the church there coming together and deciding to follow the Lord by forgiving and love one another as our Lord has commanded us to do.

The Batam congregation was challenged to either forgive as the Lord commands us to do or to hold grudges. Two men had come to the church from Java in 1995 and tried to split the church. This month one of them asked to return and be a part of the church again. The men of the church met together and asked one question "what do we do?" The answer was simple; we follow the command and way of the Lord and forgive your brother. Both groups met together and agreed that we would be united in the love and faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. This resulted in having two congregations in Batam instead of just one. Expansion is always the result of unity and love. (Acts 2:47)

When men of the church decide to follow the way of the Lord there can only be one result and that is peace and unity in the church. I am looking forward to the growth of the church in Batam, Jakarta and all of Indonesia.

I am happy to report that we will be able to open a new congregation in the city of Duri, Sumatra where four young men have recently been baptized, through the efforts of Mike and Kim Walker. Brother Heryanto Sinaga who will graduate from the school on 29 May and Brother Jannes Banjarnahor who graduated two years ago will move to Duri to serve these new babes in Christ and increase their numbers. The Mike and Kim Walker started this work by teaching these young men with the World Bible School material. Now the Warren and Huelt families will support the work until it develops to support itself. The Batam congregation will support the work with regular visits by the teachers, evangelist and leaders of the church. When we all unite to serve the Lord in whatever way we can there is only one result and that is the expansion of the church.

I am looking forward to visiting all of you in the coming months when I return to the States to raise funds for the work in Batam and all of Indonesia which includes a church building in Batam, school facilities that will house and teach forty students, support for Brother Dj Pasaribu to attend Sunset International Bible Institute, and my personal support and work fund. The Lord has used the Mission to Indonesia in a great way these last few years and the work has grown way beyond my meager capabilities. It is impossible for one man to accomplish the task that the Lord has set before us, so I ask for your help to complete what is needed for the work to progress in Batam and the rest of Indonesia. I will be calling all of you who receive this newsletter in early June to set a time for a visitation.

If you know of any church that is interested in proclaiming the gospel of Christ and evangelizing a nation of 220,000,000 souls please tell them of this work and I would be blessed to visit them between July and November.