Beneath the Jakarta sky stands Gereja Kristen Indonesia Bintaro Utama. Its story began with a seed of faith in a developing area. Imagine Bintaro long ago. Roads were unpaved. Electricity was scarce.
In this setting the Remaja Bintaro Club fostered community. This club organized social events. Christmas and Easter celebrations were highlights. People of all faiths participated. This inclusive spirit laid the groundwork for a Christian fellowship.
Between 1968 and 1973 the Department of Social Affairs built housing in Bintaro. Residents formed the Ikatan Keluarga Kompleks Departemen Sosial. This group supported the Remaja Bintaro Club activities. Bonds of friendship grew among people of different religions.
Among the Christian residents a desire for fellowship grew. On November 6 1973 they held their first service. About ten Department of Social Affairs employees and their families attended. This marked the beginning of the Persekutuan Umat Kristen Protestan Kompleks Depsos Bintaro. It means the Fellowship of Protestant Christians of the Department of Social Affairs Complex Bintaro.
The women of the fellowship organized early morning prayer meetings every Monday. These started at 4 AM. Pastors from nearby churches led Sunday services. These were held in members’ homes. Sunday school classes began at the TatTwam Asi kindergarten.
The small fellowship continued to grow. By April 1974 the congregation had 15 families. They celebrated their first Easter on the Department of Social Affairs complex field. Members came from various denominations. These included HKBP GPIB GKJ and others. On April 29 1974 the youth section was formed.
The distance to established churches posed a challenge. The community needed a permanent place to worship in Bintaro. On June 23 1974 A.M. Pasila offered space in his home. It was named Pondok Kerukunan meaning the Cottage of Harmony. This space extended from the kitchen to the caretaker’s house.
The government granted permission for its use. PUKPKDB was the first registered Christian fellowship in Bintaro. The community welcomed it. The fellowship collaborated with local residents on several projects. They helped renovate the SDN 02 and 011 Bintaro schools. Students even used the Pondok Kerukunan as a temporary classroom.
In later years the fellowship operated without a formal church structure. There were three views on its future. Some wanted to remain affiliated with their original churches. Others wanted an ecumenical church under the guidance of DGI. Still others wanted to become an independent church.
On November 6 1974 the board chose the third option. They entrusted their guidance to the GKI Kebayoran Baru congregation. Why GKI? The members desired teachings free from specific cultural roots.
In 1984 the Pondok Jurangmangu Indah housing complex opened. In June 1985 a committee formed to organize worship services. On October 12 1986 GKI Bintaro inaugurated the Jurangmangu service post. Services were held at Jl. Sejahtera Blok A 35/6. Pdt Totok Subiyanto led the service. The first working group was installed.
On May 17 1987 services moved to Jl. Soka Blok B 19/1. The congregation grew especially after the Sekolah Tinggi Akuntansi Negara opened. The Jurangmangu service post focused on nurturing the faith of its members.
The growing congregation needed a larger space. They bought and renovated a house at Jl. Soka B 19/No.1. Limited parking caused complaints. Services temporarily moved to the GPdI Sejahtera church. In March 1995 services shifted to 5 PM.
After nine years the GKI Bintaro council decided to develop the Jurangmangu post. In January 1995 the council proposed upgrading the Jurangmangu post to a prospective congregation. On October 22 1995 the Jurangmangu prospective congregation was inaugurated. Pdt. Totok Subiyanto led the service.
After another nine years GKI Bintaro upgraded GKI Bintaro Bajem Jurangmangu to a full congregation. On October 10 2004 GKI Bintaro Utama Tangerang was inaugurated. It became the 12th congregation in the GKI Klasis Jakarta II. It was the 86th in the GKI Sinode Wilayah Jawa Tengah. It became the 208th congregation in GKI. Its vision is to be a persevering growing and blessed congregation.
Today GKI Bintaro Utama continues its mission. It serves the community. It embodies faith hope and love. The church’s logo features a boat a cross waves and Alpha and Omega. The boat symbolizes the church moving forward. The cross represents Christ’s sacrifice. The waves symbolize the world’s challenges. Alpha and Omega represent God’s eternal presence.