In 1948 a husband and wife Tan Wang Kwie and I Heng Nio Alias Ruth Uriatie brought the good news of Jesus Christ to Jatinegara Timur Jakarta. They preached the Gospel from house to house holding prayer meetings. Their ministry was simple yet powerful. Many received divine healing and salvation. The Gereja Sidang Jemaat Pentakosta in Jakarta grew rapidly.
The burgeoning congregation needed a proper place of worship. Lacking funds they prayed and some fasted. Soon Mrs Go Kim Nio the wife’s aunt offered the front porch of her house at 89 Jalan Jatinegara Timur. Eight souls grew to dozens then hundreds. Prayer meetings became regular services with a Sunday school.
A miracle occurred in early 1950. Mrs Go Kim Nio gifted her land next to her house for a church building. Despite the lack of funds Pastor Tan Wang Kwie and his wife persevered in prayer. They sacrificed everything for God’s work. God provided. A simple church was built.
In 1951 the Gereja Sidang Jemaat Pentakosta Di Indonesia officially registered with the Indonesian Department of Religion. Pastor Tan Wang Kwie was the chairman. The church hosted its first General Assembly in September 1965. Congregations from Mojokerto Jati Pasar Krian Kertosono Surabaya and Magelang joined.
This marked significant growth. A revised constitution and improved organizational structure were developed. Sadly Pastor Tan Wang Kwie passed away in 1966. He had faithfully served as the founder of the Gereja Sidang Jemaat Pentakosta. The church continued to thrive. It expanded to North Sumatra in 1972 and Riau in 1974.
The Gereja Sidang Jemaat Pentakosta established the Immanuel Bible School in Mojokerto in 1967. It later relocated to Pacet Mojokerto in 1991. The school trained many pastors both within and outside the GSJPDI. In 2001 the Gereja Sidang Jemaat Pentakosta celebrated its 50th anniversary. It had 84 autonomous churches 14784 members and 213 church officials. The Gereja Sidang Jemaat Pentakosta continues to be a vital part of Jakarta’s religious landscape. It stands as a testament to faith perseverance and God’s unwavering provision. The Gereja Sidang Jemaat Pentakosta’s story is a living example of growth and resilience.