I had the rare honor of attending the first OMC in May 1994, held in Wisconsin and organized by FICA—a grassroots network of Indonesian Christian students across U.S. campuses. Back then, Indonesia was under Soeharto’s authoritarian regime, and the idea of Christians speaking into national reform was risky.
Yet, a group of bold students gathered, united by a burning desire to impact Indonesia—not just spiritually, but socially, politically, and economically. We prayed we wouldn’t be discovered and that Indonesian Christians in the U.S. would awaken to the nation’s crisis. Every attendee was vetted, and we promoted the event in whispers. The fear was real, but so was our conviction.
Despite the danger, we came—because we believed something had to change. The first OMC was more than a conference; it was a spark of courage and faith, asking how Indonesian Christians abroad could help shape a nation through Christ.
