West Kalimantan Celebrates 100 Years of Adventist Mission with 102 Baptisms

The 100th anniversary of the Adventist message entering West Kalimantan was marked by an evangelistic campaign that led to the baptism of 102 individuals across 32 locations in the region. This significant milestone in the ongoing mission work highlighted the continued dedication of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to sharing the gospel message in his challenging region. 

The evangelistic meetings, which formed the core of the Jubilee celebration, also included the inauguration of new Sabbath School branches, the dedication of church and clinic buildings, and the organization of new congregations, all reinforcing the Adventist church's commitment to expanding its mission in West Kalimantan.

The Jubilee Celebration, themed "100 Years of the Adventist Message in West Kalimantan," took place on July 26 and 27, 2024, at the Tanjung Pura University Auditorium in Pontianak. A representative from the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia officially started the celebrations by striking a gong, and then the ceremonial cutting of the nasi tumpeng, a traditional Indonesian dish that stands for gratitude, followed.

Government officials from both the West Kalimantan province and Pontianak city, as well as the president of the Adventist Church in West Indonesia, Pastor Sugih Sitorus, and various conference and district leaders, attended the event. Representatives from the Adventist Laymen's Services and Industries (ASI), Indonesian Adventist University Alumni Association, Bandar Lampung Adventist Hospital, Bandung Adventist Hospital, Medan Adventist Hospital, Hope Channel Indonesia, and others joined in the celebration. This significant milestone in the ongoing mission work highlighted the continued dedication of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to sharing the gospel message in this challenging region.

The celebration also paid tribute to the historical roots of Adventism in the region. Tjhen Sau Tjhi, a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church from Singapore, moved to Pontianak in 1924. Together with Khu Khiuk Min, who lived in Mandor village, and Tjhen Hiauw Fung, who was baptized in Singapore and returned to Pontianak in 1926, they formed the pioneering group of Adventist believers in West Kalimantan. Their dedication laid the foundation for the growth of the Adventist Church in the region.

A community festival that featured handcrafted goods from each congregation enhanced the 100th anniversary celebration even further. The event also included free health examinations offered by the Pontianak Adventist Clinic and a blood drive run by the Indonesian Red Cross, demonstrating the church's dedication to all-encompassing ministry.

On Sabbath, Pastor Wendell Mandolang, Executive Secretary of the Adventist Church in the Southern Asia-Pacific region, delivered a stirring sermon that underscored the rich history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in West Kalimantan. His message was not just a reflection on the past but a powerful reminder that the mission is far from complete. The afternoon program, filled with inspiring testimonies and a vibrant song parade by nearly all the congregations in the region, served as a rallying cry for continued dedication. 

As the church honored those who have been instrumental in advancing the mission in West Kalimantan, it also issued a collective call to action—encouraging every member to seize the opportunities that lie ahead to serve God in this region. The commemoration is not an endpoint but a stepping stone toward even greater efforts in sharing the message of hope and salvation in West Kalimantan and beyond.

Jeffry Satin, WIUM Communication Department

The original article was published in the West Indonesia Union Mission website.