I was invited to attend the City Festival by the mayor of Talaud, Sulawesi, Indonesia. The event included a two-day evening outdoor evangelistic crusade, a main ceremony for the entire tribe on City Day, and a seminar for City government officials. After ministering at the evening outdoor evangelistic crusade on the first evening, I was given a chance to speak at the main ceremony. The ceremony was conducted according to the traditions of the various tribes and was mainly shamanic. It felt like covering the plaza where we were gathered with darkness. Thankfully, I was given the chance to be a main speaker to congratulate the City Day to the entire tribes in a single event. I had visited tribal people for missionary work, but this was the first time that I had proclaimed the gospel in a place where all the tribes gathered in one place on a single day. When tribal chiefs or priests made shamanistic proclamations, I heard how loud they spoke inspired by their old ages. It was a real challenge for me. So when my turn was given, I spoke the gospel out loud. I proclaimed that God created the heavens and the earth, and there is only one God, The Creator, and salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone. I told them to repent from all kinds of idol worship and shamanism and believe in the Lord Jesus as their Savior. Fear God, and only God could bless this land. I felt that the darkness had gone and God’s presence upon the crowd in the plaza. After my speech, the mayor and high-ranking officials of the city officers were stand up and showed them their respect as a minister of God. It is God’s plan that the gospel could be preached to the entire tribes in a single day. Hallelujah! I give thanks and glory to God for using me for His very own purpose.
Dr. Paul D. Kim, Founding president