How about a church with a history of splits and reconciliations? That’s Gereja Bethany Indonesia. Here we stand before a church that embodies resilience. It shows the complexities of faith and community.
Gereja Bethany’s story began long before its official establishment. Its roots trace back to 1978. Rev. Prof. Dr. Abraham Alex Tanuseputra founded it in Surabaya. At that time, it was part of the Indonesian Bethel Church Synod. It was known as GBI Bethany Congregation.
Tanuseputra envisioned “Successful Bethany Families”. It became the church’s guiding principle. In 1985, construction began on a church building in Surabaya. It could hold 3,500 people. By 1987, they started building Graha Bethany. This building could accommodate 35,000. It was completed in 2000.
In 1988, GBI Bethany Congregation expanded. They sent Rev. Dr. Ir. Niko Njotorahardjo to Jakarta. He was to open a local branch. The following year, Rev. Dr. Ir. Timotius Arifin Tedjasukmana was sent to Denpasar, Bali. These expansions led to a division of services. Niko Njotorahardjo led the western part of Indonesia. Dr. Yusak Hadisiswantoro led the central part. Timothy Arifin Tedjasukmana oversaw the eastern part. Abraham Alex Tanuseputra remained the Senior Congregational Pastor.
By 2000, Gereja Bethany claimed nearly 1,000 local congregations. These congregations spread throughout Indonesia and abroad. They had a total of 250,000 members.
In 1997, the Indonesian Bethel Church Synod made a decision. All local churches had to drop their congregation names. They would instead use GBI followed by the street name. This change was not easily accepted.
In 2002, Niko Njotorahardjo agreed to drop the Bethany name. Timothy Arifin Tedjasukmana followed suit. However, Abraham Alex Tanuseputra refused to abandon the vision. He kept the “Successful Bethany Families” vision alive.
On December 11, 2002, Rev. Ir. Leonard Limato established the Indonesian Bethany Church Synod. On January 17, 2003, it was officially recognized as a legal entity. Leonard Limato became the chairman.
This led to a split. Local churches could choose to stay with the Indonesian Bethel Church Synod. Or they could join the Bethany Indonesia Synod. Abraham Alex Tanuseputra did not join the Indonesian Bethany Church Synod initially. He remained with the Indonesian Bethel Church Synod.
Eventually, Tanuseputra was dismissed from the Indonesian Bethel Church Synod. In July 2003, the Indonesian Bethany Church Synod asked him to join. From September 16 to 18, 2003, the General Assembly of the Synod I was held. Abraham Alex Tanuseputra was chosen as Chairman. Rev. Freddy Zacharia Riva became General Secretary.
Reconciliation among Gereja Bethany leaders occurred in 2010. Abraham Alex Tanuseputra, Niko Njotorahardjo, Timotius Arifin Tedjasukmana, and Yusak Hadisiswantoro came together. This moment renewed unity among the leaders.
In 2012, Rev. David Aswin Tanuseputra was ordained. He became the Pastor of the Bethany Indonesia Church in Surabaya. He also became Chair of the Church Synod. In 2012, Gereja Bethany had 300 churches in Indonesia. It also had 40 churches overseas.
Gereja Bethany recognizes the Apostles’ Creed. It embraces a charismatic faith. It continues to evolve. It adapts to the changing times. It embraces the future while honoring its past. Gereja Bethany stands as a testament to faith. It shows the power of community and the enduring search for unity.