Gereja GPIB Sejahtera

In 1951, thousands of Moluccan soldiers and their families faced an uncertain future. Indonesia, the Netherlands, and the Moluccan soldiers themselves couldn’t agree on what should happen after the soldiers’ service in the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) ended. The decision was made to temporarily relocate them to the Netherlands. Among these families, fourteen found themselves in Maastricht and Apeldoorn. They yearned for home and decided to return to Indonesia. Gereja GPIB Sejahtera’s story begins with their journey. Arriving in Jakarta on March 3, 1969, they were housed temporarily in Wisma Tanah Air while awaiting resettlement in Petukangan village. Filled with gratitude for their safe return, they held a thanksgiving service on March 9, 1969, in a vacant house at Jalan Durian no. 15. This simple act marked the beginning of Gereja GPIB Sejahtera. This house became their regular place of worship, and their numbers grew. The congregation at Jalan Durian no. 15 continued to expand, drawing people from the surrounding area. They renovated the building, transforming it from a simple structure to a more permanent church. They named it “Sejahtera,” meaning “prosperous” or “peaceful,” hoping to foster a sense of unity and harmony. This renovated Gereja GPIB Sejahtera was officially opened on March 9, 1982, initially as an outreach post of the Effatha congregation. As the congregation grew, the need for greater autonomy became clear. On November 17, 1985, Gereja GPIB Sejahtera officially became an independent congregation within GPIB. The inauguration, led by Reverend G. J. Siahanenia, solidified the church’s place in the community. The church’s journey, from a small gathering in a borrowed house to an established congregation, reflects the resilience and faith of its founders. Gereja GPIB Sejahtera stands as a testament to their commitment to peace and prosperity.