GPDI

Jakarta, a city of vibrant contrasts. Here amidst the bustling energy, stands GPDI, the Pentecostal Church in Indonesia. Have you ever wondered how this church, with its roots in early 20th-century America, found its home in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation? GPDI’s story begins in 1921 with the arrival of two missionary families from Bethel Temple in Seattle. Reverends Cornelius Groesbeek and Richard Van Klaveren, a Dutchman who had immigrated to America, first landed in Bali before moving their ministry to Surabaya in 1922. Then in 1923, they settled in the oil town of Cepu. Here in Cepu, the Pentecostal movement truly ignited, drawing numerous Indonesian converts, including key figures like H.N. Runkat, J. Repi, A. Tambuwun, and S.I.P Lumoindong. These individuals would later become pioneers, spreading Pentecostalism across Indonesia. GPDI’s growth was so rapid that by 1924, the Dutch East Indies government officially recognized the “De Pinkster Gemeente in Nederlansch Indie”. This recognition was further elevated in 1937 to “Kerkgenootschap” or church alliance. GPDI, even in its name, reflects Indonesia’s complex history. During the Japanese occupation in 1942, the church’s Dutch name transformed into the Indonesian “Gereja Pantekosta di Indonesia”. GPDI’s journey wasn’t without its internal divisions. Several figures who originated within GPDI eventually left to establish their own churches, contributing to the diverse landscape of Christianity in Indonesia. These include Reverend Ho Liong Seng, founder of GBI, and Reverend Isaac Lew, who founded GPPS. GPDI maintains a connection with its American roots through a partnership with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. GPDI continues to thrive in Jakarta and across Indonesia, a testament to its resilient spirit and the dedicated efforts of its early pioneers. GPDI’s emphasis on the Holy Spirit, baptism by immersion, and the second coming of Christ distinguishes it from other charismatic churches in Indonesia. The church’s doctrines and practices, shaped by its unique history and cultural context, continue to resonate with millions of believers in Indonesia today. As you stand before GPDI, remember its journey. It is a story of faith crossing oceans and cultures, taking root in new soil, and flourishing in the heart of Jakarta.