Aldo Siahaan, Philadelphia Praise Center
When I was a teenager, my mother told me that she had dedicated my life to God when I was a child. At the time I did not really understand the meaning of her words. Actually, I did not comprehend why I my mother chose me out of my six siblings.After I graduated from high school I went to university and started working in a radio station. Although I was busy, attending church and getting involved in Sunday school ministry were a priority for me. However, I did all this so-called “ministry” because of routine and not out of my love for Christ. I really enjoyed my job in the radio station and in the field of entertainment without remembering what my mother had told me. I may have forgotten but God never forgets.In the middle of October 1998, I left Indonesia and arrived in Newark Airport with just two desires, to see snow and to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City. After visiting New York, my uncle and aunt who lived in New Jersey connected me to the Indonesian communities in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia and I ended up staying and working in the United States.Through these circumstances I learned to rely on God to meet my needs from my immigration status, to finances, to finding a job and dealing with homesickness. I could not rely on any person more than God. Through these struggles I got to know God deeper and experienced spiritual maturity. God sent many spiritual mentors to guide me.I have lived in Philadelphia since the beginning of 1999. In Philadelphia, God has used me to help many Indonesians. I have done many things, such as translating, house hunting, assisting with health issues, job hunting, school hunting, managing finances, reporting robberies to police officers and family counseling. God has put compassion in my heart and given me the wisdom needed to help others. Through all of these experiences, I learned that God always guides and opens a way for us.
During this time, day after day, God put a burden in my heart for the souls of not only Indonesians, but also people from other nations in Philadelphia. God then led me to people with the same passion.In the beginning of 2005, Philadelphia Praise Center, a community of believers who are passionate to win souls in Philadelphia, was founded. Recently, I was appointed to lead this community. Although I feel limited in ability, I am able to fulfill my responsibilities by God’s grace and the support of many people.I thank God for calling and choosing me. Although I still need to learn many things, I believe God will teach me and send people to support me and my ministry. Let God be glorified in this city.
