By: Sem Sitepu (LAI Ministry Volunteer Partner)

A few weeks ago, before returning to Jakarta after attending a conference in Surabaya, I took the opportunity to pop into the Surabaya office of the Indonesian Bible Society (LAI).
I was grateful to be able to meet, share stories of our ministry, and have lunch with friends there. During that simple gathering, we spoke about how LAI’s ministry continues to strive to make the Bible available to God’s people, including our brothers and sisters in remote parts of the country who face limitations in obtaining and accessing the Word of God.

That conversation has stayed with me. Recalling the discussion I had with Deyunita from LAI Surabaya on Saturday, 12 September, I plucked up the courage to send a WhatsApp message to someone in Surabaya. We had never met before. I’d got their number from a friend in Jakarta. Interestingly, we actually work for the same company, but had never met before.

I began the message:
“Shalom, nice to meet you, Sir. I’m SSI. Please excuse me for contacting you, not regarding work matters, but about a ministry." 
I then told him a little about LAI and my involvement in serving with LAI alongside my busy schedule as an employee.
Shortly afterwards, I received a reply.
“Is this ministry a sales pitch, sir?” 
I fell silent.
To be honest, at first I felt a bit down. Apparently, what I’d said had been taken as an attempt to sell Bibles. However, after reflecting on it, that question actually turned out to be a very important one. Is ministry just a sales pitch?

 
Perhaps there are still many people who know LAI only as a place that publishes and sells Bibles. Yet, far beyond the Bible we see, there is a much greater calling: how God’s Word can be made available, read, understood and owned by more and more people. 

For some of us, owning a Bible is perhaps not a difficult thing. We can buy one, read it on our mobile phones, or even have more than one Bible at home.
But this is not always the case for our brothers and sisters in remote parts of the country.

There are distances to be travelled. There are financial constraints. There are areas that are difficult to reach. There is also a need to present God’s Word in a language that the local community can understand.

Therefore, when a Bible finally reaches someone’s hands, we should not merely see a book changing hands.

We are witnessing the Word of God making its way into someone’s life.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
“How can they believe in him if they have not heard of him? (Romans 10:14).”

That simple question reminds me that the LAI’s ministry is not merely a matter of publishing, printing or distributing Bibles. All of these are means to a greater calling: paving the way for more people to encounter the Word of God.

Therefore, to every LAI worker, every friend of LAI, church, donor, volunteer, and anyone else who plays a part in this ministry: never underestimate what we do. 
Our tasks may vary.
- Some translate.
- Some work in the office.
- Some manage distribution.
- Some introduce LAI’s ministry to churches and the community.
- Some raise funds.
- Some make offerings.
- Some pray.
- Others simply introduce LAI to someone who was previously unfamiliar with this ministry.

But all of these can form part of one great journey: bringing God’s Word to those who need it.
I, too, tried to explain this to my new friend in Surabaya.

And the conversation, which began with the question, ‘Is this a ministry or a sales pitch, Sir?’, eventually led us to a plan: there will be an opportunity for LAI friends to visit our office in Surabaya and meet him.
I smiled as I thought about it.

Perhaps that is simply how ministry works. Sometimes it begins with a misunderstanding. Sometimes it begins with a question. Sometimes it even begins with a rejection. May God bless this ministry. 

Never tire of sharing about this ministry. Don’t tire of knocking on doors. Don’t tire of introducing LAI. And don’t tire of inviting others to get involved.

For what we are striving for is not merely to sell a Bible, but to ensure that God’s Word reaches someone who needs it.

And who knows, a simple WhatsApp message today might be the way for a Bible to reach a home, a church, a village, or a distant island.
“Is this a ministry or a sales pitch, sir?”

 
Now, I’m actually grateful to have been asked that question. Because it reminds me once again: this is ministry.

A ministry to ensure that God’s Word continues to spread, reaching those far away, strengthening the weak, giving hope, and leading more and more people to know God’s love. Let us continue to serve. Let us continue to be Friends of LAI. Until God’s Word reaches every heart.

(SSI/Kota Wisata)