Imagine melodies filling the air. These sacred songs resonate from HKBP Ancol Podomoro. This house of worship stands as a beacon. It is a testament to faith within Jakarta’s vibrant tapestry.
Welcome to HKBP Ancol Podomoro. It is more than just a building. It’s a spiritual home for many. It is a place where faith and community intertwine.
The story of HKBP in Jakarta starts with migrants. These migrants came from North Sumatra. They sought work and study opportunities in Batavia around 1907. This was after the Batak War. The initial numbers were small. By 1917, only about 30 Batak Christians resided here.
These early Christians yearned for a familiar way to worship. They missed services in their own Batak denomination. They gathered at the Hollandsch-Inlandsche School. This school was a Dutch institution for native Indonesians. It’s now known as Kwitang in Senen, Central Jakarta.
November 20, 1919, marked a milestone. The first Batak church service occurred. It took place on Jl. Kernolong 37. This street is now Jl. Kramat IV. This event marked the birth of HKBP. It was the first Batak church in Jakarta and Java.
Gomar Gultom is the Indonesian Communion of Churches secretary-general. He is also a HKBP congregant. He noted the establishment of the first Batak church. It showcased the Batak people’s communal strength. It highlighted their positive interactions with other Jakartans.
The Gereformeerde Kerk played a crucial role. It later became the Indonesian Christian Church. It helped the Batak people hold their first service. Minister L. Tiemersma led these initial services. The Kwitang church even assisted with the first HKBP minister’s salary. Mula Nainggolan received this support in 1922.
Today, HKBP Ancol Podomoro is part of a large family. HKBP Distrik VIII DKI Jakarta encompasses the Jakarta area. It includes 81 churches. It also includes 2 non-church worship locations. These are organized into 54 ressorts. There is also 1 preparation ressort.
HKBP offers sermons in Indonesian. But the messages resonate deeper in their mother tongue. It fosters a strong sense of belonging. It allows people to connect with their cultural heritage.
In December 2023, HKBP Ancol Podomoro held a Christmas service. The theme was “Saluhut Banget Pasangan Huhut Mamuji Debata.” This translates to “All Nations Glorify and Praise God.” Reverend Rijon Malcom Siahaan delivered the sermon. He urged people to share the good news of Jesus Christ’s birth.
He reminded the congregation to embrace Christ. He emphasized the importance of spreading the message of salvation. This message is for all humanity.
HKBP Ancol Podomoro stands as a testament. It shows the enduring spirit of faith and community. It provides a haven for Batak Christians. It enriches Jakarta’s diverse religious landscape. It is a place where tradition meets contemporary life. It is a place where faith finds expression in word and deed.