Because Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world, the names of most places in this story have been changed to protect the identity of those who carry on the work.
Introduction
This story began in November 1997, when the Global Evangelism Team (missions board) of New Hope Christian Center (Waterloo, IN) discussed the possibility of adopting an unreached people group. That discussion led to the formal adoption of the Berani People Group of Indonesia, on May 17,1998.
Berani Adoption Ceremony: New Hope Christian Center
May 17, 1998
Sr. Pastor Ralph Diehl behind pulpit; Far right: Phyllis & Chet Swearingen
Left: Dennis & Dawn Dilley; Anne & Joe Pranger; John Petre
One of the New Hope groups that met for prayer for the Berani, in the Auburn, IN home of Chet & Phyllis Swearingen (2007).
Extraordinary Prayer
Education about the Berani, and prayer for them, was engaged in throughout the entire congregation. Children, Youth, Seniors, etc., all were being educated and were praying consistently for the Lord to open doors for the Berani to have the Gospel presented to them.
Once New Hope Christian Center entered into that covenant with the Lord, He set into motion a wide assortment of activities that laid the foundation for the days to come.
Children’s ministries at New Hope being taught about life in Indonesia.
What Happened
In May 1998, immediately after New Hope Christian Center entered into the covenant with the Lord on behalf of the Berani people group, unbeknownst to New Hope, God called an Indonesian, Pastor Julius Yiong, into full-time ministry. This is the man who would provide apostolic leadership for the movement that would emerge in the years to come.
Knowing that finances would be needed for the future ministries in Indonesia, God also set in motion plans that would develop significant businesses in Indonesia. Today there are many successful businesses that are enabling this ministry to flourish.
From 1998 till 2006, New Hope Christian Center had only sketchy information about the Berani, and after many attempts were made to link arms with mission agencies to send missionaries into the area where the Berani lived, Chet and Phyllis Swearingen (Chet being a staff pastor at New Hope at that time), were sent to Indonesia for two weeks to look for open doors to carry the vision forward.
Divine Connection
During their visit to Indonesia in 2006, Chet & Phyllis encountered Pastor Julius Yiong and the congregation he had started in 2004 (numbering 50 people in 2006, not including children). There was a relationship that was developed at that time between the Swearingens and Pastor Julius, and in 2009, Chet & Phyllis returned to Indonesia to live among the Berani and to assist the local Indonesian believers with the vision the Lord had given to them.
Congregation in Indonesia during Chet & Phyllis’ 2006 visit.
Ownership of the Vision
Even though New Hope Christian Center initiated the adoption of the Berani and commenced prayer for them, the vision on how to conduct ministry among them was owned by the Indonesian believers from the very beginning. This Indonesian movement did not originate from a vision a missionary from the United States had. The vision came directly from God and was given to Pastor Julius Yiong.
The Revival Starts
Beginning in 2010, a vision for church planting was impressed upon Pastor Julius. He initiated the vision the Lord had given him, and within a few years there were over 83 churches started, in addition to an assortment of other missions-related ministries.
Pastor Julius Yiong’s congregation in 2016.
Results of the Revival
In the fall of 2022 the movement was still going strong, with baptisms taking place on a regular basis in the jungles, in small towns, and in the larger cities.
Other ministries that have been started:
► Church-planting training school
► Formal 4-year Bible college
► Mental health rehabilitation center
► Social ministry for orphans and widows
Jungle baptism in April 2020 (29 people on this occasion)
Private baptisms in sensitive areas
Group of church planters, spending three days fasting and praying together. This is a regular practice of this ministry.
First jungle school (2011)
The Full Story
You can read the detailed story of this movement in our book RISK.
Return to List of Revival Stories
Chet & Phyllis Swearingen
(260) 920-8248
romans1015@outlook.com
Beautiful Feet
P.O. Box 915
Auburn, IN 46706
