Lost in the vibrant chaos of Jakarta lies a sanctuary. Gereja Jemaat Fivadilfia stands as a testament to faith and community. Its story is one of vision, perseverance and divine blessing.
In 2005, Pdt Djie S Mahonny saw potential. He envisioned a spiritual ministry in the Mutiara Taman Palem complex. He shared his vision with Pdt Samuel Wiratama. The vision was then presented to the Gospel Outreach Mission Commission of GKI Pinangsia. The commission surveyed the Palem area. They discussed the matter with Pdt Djie S Mahonny. Eventually, the commission agreed to pioneer a church in East Cengkareng. A shop house was rented to serve as the initial church post. The GKI Pinangsia congregation council greatly supported these plans. Thus, the Filadelfia Church Post began.
The shop house was located at Mutiara Taman Palem Blok B1 No 39. It was rented for two years. After renovations, the inaugural service took place on April 16, 2006 at 3 PM. Pdt Andreas Hadi Simeon from GKI Bungur led the ribbon-cutting ceremony. He also led the first service. Initially, most attendees came from GKI Pinangsia.
The first Sunday School service started on June 18, 2006. It was held in the afternoon. Only six children attended. For months, GKI Pinangsia activists and Gospel Outreach Mission Commission members led the general services and Sunday School. On the third Sunday, a team from GKI Citra Raya took over.
Sympathizers began to arrive. Gradually, the Filadelfia Church Post’s routine activities were managed by local church sympathizers. The first Christmas celebration took place on December 17, 2006. It was attended by 150 people including sympathizers and members from GKI Pinangsia and GKI Citra Raya.
The Sunday School grew. The facilities became inadequate. The administrators borrowed a room at Mr Ir Johansen’s residence. The Gospel Outreach Mission Commission evaluated the situation. They found that the sympathizers and local ministers were sufficient. The Gospel Outreach Mission Commission and GKI Pinangsia members gradually returned to the main church. However, GKI Citra Raya activists continued to serve for some time.
The first holy communion service was held on November 2, 2008. Pdt Daisy Lukman affirmed the management board of the GKI Filadelfia Church Post. On March 1, 2009, the tithe program began. In April 2009, the Filadelfia Church Post was officially placed under the GKI Pinangsia Congregation Council. Since then, the Church Post was authorized to manage its finances. It learned to meet local church operational needs. However, worker’s allowance was still supported by the Gospel Outreach Mission Commission.
After a year, the shop house lease expired. The Gospel Outreach Mission Commission and the Filadelfia Church Post management searched for a more strategic location. Six months before the lease ended, the Gospel Outreach Mission Commission bought a two-and-a-half-story shop house. It was located at Mutiara Taman Palem Blok B10 No 27. With GKI Pinangsia’s blessing, it was renovated into a three-story building. Funds came from the Gospel Outreach Mission Commission, GKI Pinangsia congregation offerings, Filadelfia Church Post members’ offerings, GKI Citra Raya offerings, and loans from GKI Pinangsia members. The new building was inaugurated on Easter, April 4, 2010. This coincided with the Filadelfia Church Post’s fourth anniversary.
On April 24, 2011, Filadelfia’s fifth anniversary, the Church Post was upgraded to the Filadelfia Candidate Congregation. Pdt Daisy Lukman led the inauguration. Limited facilities prompted exploration for church building expansion in mid-2016. This was in preparation to become a full-fledged church.
After much deliberation, the GKI Pinangsia Filadelfia Candidate Congregation acquired a new location at block B 10 No 17 and 18. Renovation began on November 14, 2018. It lasted for 10 months. After a long permitting process, the two shop houses were renovated into a church building. It could accommodate 300 seats.
The soft opening occurred on September 1, 2019. A special team was formed. This team was tasked with creating a proposal to establish the GKI Pinangsia Filadelfia Candidate Congregation. The proposal was submitted to BPMS GKI. After revisions and several visitations, BPMS GKI approved upgrading the Filadelfia Candidate Congregation to a full church.
On September 23, 2019, the new church building was inaugurated. On the same day, the GKI Pinangsia Filadelfia Candidate Congregation was established as GKI Filadelfia. Pdt Danny Purnama led the church. Gereja Jemaat Fivadilfia stands as a beacon. It shines brightly. It guides the community with faith, hope, and love.