Gereja Reformed Injil Indonesia

Amidst the bustling cityscape of Jakarta rises the Gereja Reformed Injil Indonesia. This prominent church, often abbreviated as GRII, stands as a testament to the vision of its founder, Stephen Tong. Gereja Reformed Injil Indonesia, established in 1989, sought to create a church grounded in Reformed theology with a strong commitment to evangelism. Tong, a Chinese-born Indonesian evangelist, laid the groundwork for GRII years earlier. In 1974, he began conducting seminars in Surabaya. Two years later, he became a guest lecturer at the China Evangelical Seminary. By 1984, Tong had turned his focus to Jakarta, championing Reformed theology. He co-founded the Reformed Evangelical School of Theology in both Jakarta and Surabaya in 1986, along with a library and printing station to provide Christian literature. Gereja Reformed Injil Indonesia represents the culmination of these efforts. The church’s headquarters are located at the Reformed Millennium Center Indonesia in Kemayoran, Jakarta. Within this complex stands the Messiah Cathedral, GRII’s largest church. The impressive structure was personally designed by Tong himself and completed in 2008. It’s a significant landmark, being one of the largest Chinese Christian evangelical facilities worldwide, boasting 600,000 square feet of space. Interestingly, it took 16 years to secure the necessary permits from the Indonesian government to build this magnificent church. Gereja Reformed Injil Indonesia extends its reach beyond Jakarta. Congregations can be found in other major Indonesian cities. It also has a global presence with locations in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, China, Japan, Taiwan, Germany, and the USA. Gereja Reformed Injil Indonesia adheres to Reformed confessions, although it also has its own distinct confession of faith. Some congregations within GRII utilize the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Heidelberg Catechism. From its beginnings in seminars and theological schools to its current status as a prominent church with an international reach, the Gereja Reformed Injil Indonesia stands as a significant presence in the Indonesian religious landscape and beyond.