Imagine a humble house transformed into a spiritual beacon. That’s the story of Gereja Protestan Soteria. We are standing in front of a testament to faith and community. Gereja Protestan Soteria in Indonesia began its journey on May 4 1975. Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta was its birthplace.
The church started with a small group. This group was named GPSI Jemaat Soteria. Other congregations joined. This led to the formation of the Protestant Church Soteria in Indonesia Synod. The first Synod Assembly took place between October 20-23 1995. Graha Wisata Remaja Jaya Ancol in Jakarta hosted the event. Today local congregations and service posts are in Jakarta Depok Solo Lampung and Kalimantan.
Gereja Protestan Soteria believes in a single foundation. That foundation is Jesus Christ. This belief is rooted in 1 Corinthians 3:11. It states that no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid which is Jesus Christ.
As a church rooted in Calvinist traditions Gereja Protestan Soteria uses a Presbyterial-Synodal system of governance. Church officials include Pastors Evangelists Elders and Deacons.
In 2007 Gereja Protestan Soteria achieved a significant milestone. It became the 86th member of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia PGI. This happened during the PGI MPL Assembly in Manado. Three other churches were also accepted. They were Gereja Kristus Yesus GKY Gereja Kristen Protestan Injili Indonesia GKPII and Gereja Kemah Injil Indonesia GKII.
The church’s early days saw it meeting in a member’s home. This was at Jl Gadang No 73 Tanjung Priok. The congregation quickly grew. They purchased a stilt house above a pond. It was located at Jl Gembira Terusan No 24 Tanjung Priok. This became their place of worship. On December 21 1975 church administrators were appointed. They consisted of the Council Commissions and Development Committee.
GPSI Pancaran Kasih Allah has an interesting history. In the 1980s prayer fellowships grew. This included the GPIB Sumber Kasih Jakarta service area. The GPIB Synod Assembly saw this as a threat. They issued a regulation. It stated that church officials involved in prayer fellowships could not participate in the election of congregation councils. This regulation was deemed unfair. Some viewed it as an attempt to remove certain church leaders. As a result many members left GPIB Sumber Kasih.
In response PHMJ and other unfairly treated officials held a meeting. They decided to create a vessel to accommodate those leaving GPIB. This meeting took place in December 1988. It was at the home of the Hardy Hendjan family. The new vessel was named PANCARAN KASIH ALLAH. On December 11 1988 the first service was held. It took place at the Department of Defense Data Processing Center PUSPALAHTA Pondok Labu. On February 28 1993 Gereja Protestan Soteria was chosen.
Gereja Protestan Soteria Indonesiaa on Mundu Street in North Jakarta provides a place of worship. It holds routine Sunday morning and afternoon services. It also hosts Mass Easter Maundy Thursday baptisms Christmas and Good Friday services.
Gereja Protestan Soteria stands as a beacon. It embodies faith community and historical significance.