Was it a miracle? How else could the Gereja Bethel Indonesia, or GBI, flourish amidst adversity? Gereja Bethel stands here as a testament to faith’s resilience. It’s a story of explosive beginnings, literally. In 2000, on Christmas Eve, during a service in a temporary warehouse space, a bomb detonated. By God’s grace, no one was hurt. But this devastating event became a turning point for Gereja Bethel. It sparked a series of miracles that led to the construction of this very building. Imagine, the government, then known as Otorita Batam, offered the church a plot of land for a nominal fee. An almost impossible feat, securing the necessary building permits, happened in just three days. Then, despite limited funds, construction began. Resources seemed to appear just when needed, a true testament to divine provision. This church, therefore, stands as a symbol of resilience, a beacon of hope built from the ashes of despair. The bombing, once a tragedy, became a catalyst. It propelled Gereja Bethel from a makeshift warehouse to this magnificent structure. The name “Tabgha,” revealed to Pastor Hanny in a vision in Israel, perfectly encapsulates the church’s mission. It references the Church of Multiplication on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus fed 5000 people with just five loaves and two fish. Like its namesake, Gereja Bethel aims to multiply blessings and spread the Gospel. This is more than just a building. It is a place where faith is tested and strengthened, where miracles are not just stories, but lived experiences. It’s a place where the echoes of a Christmas Eve bombing are replaced by the resounding hymns of hope and resilience.
Museum Raja Ali Haji
Opened in 2020, the Museum Raja Ali Haji whispers tales of Batam’s transformation. This museum, named after the celebrated 19th-century