1971

1971. Our family travels to a town in the mountains for the mission’s annual meeting.  

And I’m participating in the youth gathering.

What I remember? The impact still felt today?

Two testimonies. 

And what happens next.

Jesus Movement

I’m a middle schooler, looking up to the older TCK’s (Third Culture Kids). High schoolers and college kids. Home for the summer.

One in particular shares about her encounter with Christ in the past year. Through the Jesus Movement. Her life is turned upside down. 

She glows. Jesus Christ has changed everything. 

He gives her joy and purpose.

Testimony

The second testimony we hear is from one of our single missionaries. A woman who serves as a nurse at the Baptist Hospital. 

She’s an “aunt” I’ve known for years. 

I’ve always felt a little afraid of her. Those disapproving looks. Calling out us kids for misbehaving. 

But something’s happened. 

And this time? Her face has a softness. 

She weeps.

Newness of life

She tells us she was appointed as a missionary. Sent to serve in His name. But she was living a lie.

She recounts how she became dependent on alcohol during the rise of communism. And the attempted coup d’etat.

Fear was in the air. And her comfort was a bottle. Secretly purchased. Hidden. Sometimes she woke up in a stupor.

Later, she went to the United States on furlough. And encountered Christ as never before. Repenting of her sin.

Now she walks in newness of life. 

It shows.

God moves

As the roomful of teens listen, some begin to confess and repent of their sin. 

We weep. Pray. Sing songs of worship.

Testify.

Someone suggests we should share what’s happening. With the adults.

They’re in annual mission meeting. Conducting business in the hotel auditorium.

Asking forgiveness

We link arms and march down the hill. Come through the doors. Interrupting the proceedings. 

Asking if we may share what’s taken place.

And we do. Telling how the Lord has moved among us.

One by one, adults begin to stand up. Asking forgiveness. Weeping. Repenting.

Surrendering. 

One man’s repentant heart stands out in my memory. 

He turns to his wife and confesses before all of us. For in the midst of so much ministry—sharing the gospel, and planting churches—he has neglected to minister to her needs. In tears, he asks her forgiveness. 

His Spirit at work

Eventually, someone begins to sing a chorus. And all join in. Standing arm in arm around the room. Adults and teens. 

Barriers coming down between the different generations. 

We sense the powerful work of His Spirit among us. 

Not manufactured or manipulated. Not staged.

Just a gentle wind blowing through. Calling for confession. Repentance. Forgiveness. 

Obedience. 

Holiness.

1971 revival

Others have written about the 1971 revival that swept through the Indonesia Baptist Mission. 

More detailed and complete accounts. 

But I was there. 

A kid who left that mountain gathering in awe of a holy, holy, holy God. 

The One who makes all things new.

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