“Tak kenal maka tak sayang”. It’s an Indonesian expression. It means you can’t love what you don’t know. Today, we’re standing before HKBP Petukangan. It is a church with a story. A story woven into the fabric of Jakarta’s religious life.
HKBP stands for Huria Kristen Batak Protestant. It’s one of the largest Protestant Christian Batak churches. It is a communion with other Christians. The Batak tribal dynamics shaped its history.
This particular congregation has roots stretching back to 1919. The HKBP Kernolong Church was the first Batak congregation. It was outside Batak lands. The current church building of HKBP Petukangan was built in 1931. Construction completed in 1932. Over the years renovations accommodated its growing community.
HKBP is indeed a significant church. It boasts around 4.5 million members. The Lutheran World Federation recognizes it as a member. Its origins trace back to Ludwig Ingwer Nommensen’s work. He was of the Rhenish Missionary Society. He introduced Christianity to Batak lands in the late 1860s.
The HKBP holds a special place. It is the primary church for the Batak people in Indonesia. Many consider it an integration. It is an acculturation between Christianity and Batak culture.
Look closely at the stained glass. At HKBP Kernolong Church the stained glass depicts a Batak pattern. Another panel displays the ulos. The ulos is a traditional fabric of the Batak people.
Let’s talk about HKBP’s beliefs. HKBP possesses its own confession. It is called the HKBP Confession or Konfessi HKBP. They utilize the Small Catechism for instruction.
The youth group Naposo Petukangan is a vibrant part of this church. The Naposo members welcome newcomers. They sing a song with the words “It’s Good”. They meet regularly. Saturday nights are for routine practice. The Naposo members like to hang out together. They share their thoughts and daily problems. Many older members even found their spouses within the group.
Naposo Petukangan offers varied programs. There are visits to other churches. There are retreats and Bible camps. They conduct visits to orphanages. They engage in futsal matches. They celebrate Bona Taon and other activities.
HKBP Petukangan continues to evolve. It serves as a spiritual home. It also serves as a cultural touchstone for the Batak community in Jakarta.
Remember the expression we began with? “Tak kenal maka tak sayang.” Perhaps now you know HKBP Petukangan a little better. Perhaps you can appreciate its role in this city. Its enduring faith resonates within these walls. It connects generations of Batak people to their heritage. It connects them to their God.