“Imagine,” I say as we stand before Gereja Pemberita Injil. Picture a congregation born from a missionary’s heart. This is the story of Gereja Pemberita Injil. It began with a vision to reach the Cantonese-speaking Chinese in Indonesia.
In 1948, Reverend Jason S. Linn, a former missionary among the Dayak people of Borneo, recognized a need. He saw many Cantonese speakers in Indonesia without anyone to share the Gospel with them. Thus, the first service was held.
Initially, the church was named The Cantonese Church of Christ. Services moved several times before finding a permanent home. On May 31, 1952, the congregation settled into a building on Jl. Kemurnian V No. 35 in West Jakarta.
God’s grace extended beyond the Cantonese community. People from various ethnic backgrounds embraced the message of salvation. In 1960, reflecting its broader mission, the church changed its name. It became Gereja Beritakan Injil. Later, in 1986, it was refined to Gereja Pemberita Injil, abbreviated as Gepembri.
Reverend Jason S. Linn eventually retired. Reverend John Zachariah took up the mantle. He led the church in spreading the Gospel throughout Indonesia. From 1966 to 1993, new outreach posts and churches were established. These included locations in Kelapa Gading Permai and Jembatan Besi. They also reached Reni Jaya, Bandung, Denpasar, Pekalongan, and Batam. Twelve additional posts were founded in West Kalimantan. In 1976, the church formed the Gepembri Commission for Gospel Outreach. The Sinode Gepembri was established in 1978. Student ministry at Sekolah Pelita in Jakarta began in 1993.
Reverend Hardi Farianto became the lead pastor of Gepembri Kemurnian in 1993. Together with other pastors he encouraged the congregation. They worked hard to proclaim the Gospel.
From 1994 onward, new outreach posts were established in Pekan Baru, Bekasi, Dadap, and Daan Mogot Baru. Strong support was given to the Synod’s mission work. Forty-one outreach posts were established in West Kalimantan. There was one in Central Kalimantan. Six more were in East Kalimantan. And one was in Manado, North Sulawesi. Today, Gepembri stands strong in 12 provinces across Indonesia.
Gereja Pemberita Injil was founded to fulfill the Great Commission. Over 59 years, the church adapted its approach. It used Cantonese, Hakka, Mandarin and Indonesian languages to share the Gospel. Initially focused on the Chinese community it expanded its reach. Now they minister across ethnic and cultural lines. They reached various groups in Indonesia including those in Kalimantan, Bali, Java, and Manado.
The ministry expanded beyond Jakarta to other cities in Java. Eventually, it spread to islands beyond Java. From cities, it reached remote villages. One congregation grew into 80 congregations forming the Sinode Gereja Pemberita Injil.
Though much has been accomplished many souls remain untouched by the Gospel. The mission is far from complete. It requires continued dedication to the Great Commission. The church’s motto is “Faithful, Faithful, Faithful!” Gereja Pemberita Injil continues to shine as a beacon of hope. Its story is a testament to unwavering commitment.