GTP traveled to Indonesia this month with two primary objectives. First, with our partner GenerousChurch, we planned to facilitate Generosity Design Labs with two groups, CSA (Philippines) and ICCSA (Indonesia), to help them develop contextualized training materials for multiplying generous stewards in their countries.

Second, we scheduled meetings in four key cities in Indonesia to deliver biblical teaching and raise awareness for ICCSA. We wanted to engage Christian workers in strategic and biblically-rooted conversations and to help this new peer accountability group (PAG) expand its membership. 

As our ICCSA hosts contracted COVID very early in the trip, we experienced many situations with VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity). However, we felt God’s grace upon us and presence with us each step of the way. This report celebrates God's faithfulness and provision amidst challenges.

Generosity Design Labs (GDLs)

CSA sent four skilled servants from Manila, Philippines to Bali, Indonesia (pictured above) to do a GDL with Patrick Johnson (founder of GenerousChurch) and Ereny Monir. On 5 and 6 July, Patrick and Ereny guided the team through the design process. This resulted in a basic (4-week) and advanced (12-week) generosity program for small independent churches under the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), which rank among the least-resourced church groups in the country and who have been receptive to other CSA resources in the past.

On 7 July, Patrick and Ereny started the second GDL with a dinner to get to know the ICCSA team and learn more about the vision of this new PAG. Poh Lie, Indonesia Field Associate for The Maclellan Foundation, joined to observe and learn more about the GDL process. On 8 and 9 July, ICCSA went through each of the 12 principles, then designed their own generosity training for churches and ministries in Indonesia, an alternative to prosperity gospel which is pervasive in their context.

The Filipino participants gave positive feedback. Zenet Maramara (CSA Founder and GTP Board Member) found “the biblical framework solid, the Scripture passages and stories relevant, and the generosity videos inspiring.” Jonah Chipeco (CSA Executive Director) described the GDL experience as “collaborative, insightful, and fun.” 

The Indonesians also appreciated the experience. Pastor Anton Tarigan (ICCSA Board of Supervisors Vice Chair) concluded that “there will be more harvest as we start the engine of generosity” within churches. With her extensive background in NGO work, Ivo Rumondang (ICCSA Board of Executives Vice Chair) said that the GDL offers “a good foundation on generosity to help others.”

Biblical Teaching and Awareness Raising for ICCSA

From 12 to 14 July, Ruthie and Anjji conducted awareness-raising dinners in Bali and Surabaya with Manish Gidwani (ICCSA Board of Executives Treasurer) and in Bandung with Albertus Patty (ICCSA Founder). The participants responded positively, saying ICCSA is "much needed" and the work is "urgent." Some said this is a "kairos moment" and that they want the discussion "to be continued." Others suggested starting a WhatsApp group for the follow-through and creating an FAQ page on the ICCSA website.

Manish said that he was “amazed at what God did during the dinner gatherings and how the people we invited responded to what we shared. They had so many specific questions about the accreditation process and ICCSA plans to follow up with each one of them. One attendee said that this ignited a fire within her and that ICCSA is an answer to her prayers.”

To culminate the awareness-raising events sponsored by GTP, ICCSA held its formal launch in Jakarta. Each participant got a free copy of The Grace of Giving: Money and the Gospel by John R.W. Stott & Christopher J.H. Wright translated into Bahasa Indonesian. Anjji reminded ICCSA to be faithful and gave them a charge from 2 Corinthians 8:20-21. Ruthie shared about the global peer accountability movement and emphasized GTP’s presence with them as they advance stewardship and accountability. ICCSA founders shared about the ICCSA history and seven principles. They also inducted their first two members and invited others to start their membership journey.

Anjji and Ruthie praise God for how He worked mightily and showed His amazing grace during this four-stop ”Amazing Race” trip across Indonesia. The ICCSA board and staff echoed thanks to God for His presence at these events despite unexpected difficulties.

Conclusion

Pray for CSA and ICCSA as they turn the outlines they created into generosity programs to be shared with their respective networks. Pray for ICCSA as they do follow-up meetings with each of the organizations that expressed interest in the awareness-raising events. Pray for GTP and GenerousChurch as we assist CSA and ICCSA with GDL follow-up, curriculum implementation, and gathering of impact stories. And pray for translators working to complete the translation of three ECFA Press books, The Sower, The Choice, and The Council, into Bahasa Indonesia to provide much-needed resources linked to ministry fundraising, faithful administration, and biblical governance. Praise God for this progress in Southeast Asia.