“What began as a simple worship service in a school building has blossomed into the vibrant Gereja HKBP Duren Sawit we see today.” That’s quite a transformation. The Gereja HKBP Duren Sawit has a compelling story.
Let’s step back to August 13, 1978. Imagine a small group gathering at SMPN 14 Filial. This marked the very first Sunday service. This day is considered the birth of Gereja HKBP Duren Sawit.
Initially known as HKBP Klender, Duren Sawit. The church’s history is documented in a book. It’s titled “Sejarah Gereja HKBP Klender Duren Sawit, Ressort Klender, 1978-1995.” The book was printed in May 1995. It was created by the Gereja HKBP Duren Sawit History Team. The book is available at the Huria Secretary’s office.
The Gereja HKBP Duren Sawit offers multiple services. These cater to diverse preferences. There are services in both Bahasa Batak and Bahasa Indonesia.
On Sundays, the first general service starts at 7 am. It is held on the first, third, and fifth Sundays of the month. A Batak language Sunday school service is also at 7 am. The second and fourth Sundays feature a 7 am general service in Bahasa Indonesia. At 9.30 am there is a general service in Bahasa Batak.
The teenagers gather at 3 pm for their service. The day concludes with a 5.30 pm general service. This is conducted in Bahasa Indonesia.
Gereja HKBP Duren Sawit is part of a larger network. It falls under the administrative region of HKBP District VIII DKI Jakarta. The district is centered in Cakung. It covers the Jakarta Capital Special Region.
In 2023, District VIII had a large congregation. It included 42,260 families or 147,874 people. That’s about 1.3% of Jakarta’s population.
Rawamangun is the largest local church with over 9,000 members. Diaspora is the smallest with only 122 members. District VIII encompasses 81 churches. It also includes 2 non-church worship places. These are organized into 54 local churches. There is also one developing local church.
Gereja HKBP Duren Sawit stands as a testament to faith. It shows community growth. From its humble start in a school. It became a significant place of worship in Duren Sawit. The Gereja HKBP Duren Sawit is a beacon of spiritual life. It enriches the community around it.