Indonesia is the world' fourth most populous country and most populous Muslim country. Although there have been periods of strife over communism, democracy and Christian-Muslim conflict the country is relatively peaceful. The distance from west to east is 3000 miles, the same as the continental U.S.

Churches

Fifty-eight Grace churches have been established in Indonesia from Nias Island in the west to Jayapura in New Guinea in the east. These churches are joined together through a registered, national organization Gereje Alkitab Anugerah (Grace Bible Church of Indonesia). The largest and most mature churches are located in the cities of Manado in Sulawesi, Jakarta and Surabaya in Java and Balikpapan in Borneo. Plans are underway to expand into eight new areas of the country.

Director

The President of the fellowship of churches in Indonesia is Pastor Ruddy Akay. He took over this responsiblity in August 2000. He had been a manager for a major international corporation for many years, but resigned that position in order to serve the Lord full-time.

Missionary

Luz Gaddi, TCM missionary from the Philippines, is active in organizing Sunday Schools in the churches and training teachers to carry on that vital ministry.

Bible Institutes

Two Bible institutes have been established to train ministers for the churches. Manado School of Theology (STTIA) train students from western Indonesia while Jakarta School of Theology trains students from the western half of the country. The schools use a set curriculum of three years with a period of internship. Both of these schools have beautiful pieces of land which have not yet been developed due to lack of finances.

Another Missionary Needed

The door remains open for ministry in Indonesia. The national church has received approval for another missionary to enter the country as a teacher in the Bible School. Presently there is no one to take advantage of that remarkable opportunity. You must pray that someone would be burdened to answer the call.

Prayer Needs

• Peace in Indonesia so the ministry will not be interrupted.
• Students in the Bible Schools
• Development of Manado and Jakarta Bible institute land.
• Outreach into eight new areas.
• Wise leadership from Director Ruddy Akay and those who work with him.
• A missionary to develop the Bible schools.

TCM History

In 1973 TCM missionaries Vernon and Darlene Anderson left the Philippines to begin a new ministry in Indonesia. They made contact with a group of college students in the city of Manado, North Sulawesi, who had become Christians and were hungry for sound, Bible-based teaching. This group was zealous to share their newfound faith with others. Many others eventually joined this fellowship of believers and under the leadership of the Andersons, the group became organized in 1975.

Because of the boldness of this band of committed believers they were persecuted by the religious and civil leaders in the area. In 1979 the Andersons were forced to leave the country but they left behind a core of competent leaders who were able to continue the work and guide the group to further expansion and development. Among this dedicated group was a young man named Frans Tamarol who had been educated in the United States and had later returned to Indonesia. He eventually emerged as the main leader and organizer.

As these young people finished their schooling and found employment throughout the country their enthusiasm for evangelism and the truth of God's Word followed them. This resulted in the establishment of congregations in various parts of the nation. There developed a need for well-trained pastors to lead these fledgling congregations. In 1979 Things to Come Mission sent one of its Filipino pastors, Mario Indino, to Indonesia to work with the national leaders and organize a Bible Institute. He was able to accomplish his task but he also was forced out of the country in 1983. While there, he met and married his wife, Ella, who was an active worker in the churches.

These strong and mature Indonesian believers were once again left alone to carry on the ministry. Thanks to the able leadership of Dr. Tamarol and others, as well as the newly -trained graduates of the Bible Institute, the work continued to flourish. They expanded the ministry through literature and began publishing regular Bible study materials in Indonesian. In 1987 the Bible Institute and office for the national Grace Bible Church were moved to the capital city, Jakarta.

In 1986 another worker from the Philippines, Luz Gaddi, went to Indonesia to help train Sunday School teachers in the churches. She was admitted into the country as an English teacher in a local university but also had opportunity to minister to the churches. Luz has been located in Surabaya and Jakarta. In 1991 Joel and Darcy Molina went to join the ministry but they were forced to leave in 1993 because of problems obtaining visas.

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©2006 Things to Come Mission, Inc.