19.02.2025

Celebrating GKI-TP's Legacy

Tradition since 1855: Entrance of the pastors at the celebration grounds for the worship service.

Juvy Astudillo, Dyah Ayu Krismawati and Andar Parlindungan (from left) in P3W, during their visit after the jubilee.

Sometimes loud, sometimes quiet, with performances in circles (above) and in a Ukulele orchestra (below): The celebratory worship service united thousands of church members.

All Photos: GKI-TP

On February 4, 2025, thousands of members of GKI-TP*, guests and friends from all over West Papua and Indonesia gathered to celebrate the 170th anniversary of the Gospel in Papua. GKI-TP, a member church of the United Evangelical Mission (UEM), had also invited descendants of Johann Gottlob Geisler, one of the two initial missionaries to the land of Papua. Therefore, UEM Executive Secretary Asia/Germany Rev Dr Dyah Ayu Krismawati, and her Deputy, Rev Juvy Boncales-Astudillo, Head of the UEM Regional Office, also participated in the celebrations.

February 5 wasn’t just another day, but a day of celebration for GKI-TP and its members. They put it like this: “Imagine it:  Thousands of us, from every corner of Papua, converging in one place.  A sea of faces, united in faith, gratitude, and a shared history stretching back to 1855. That's what it felt like. The air buzzed with excitement, a real sense of God's presence filling the space.” The worship service was accompanied by traditional and modern dances and lasted for four hours. After the service, guests from government and society gave their greetings and regards to all of the church. Juvy Astudillo says: “Witnessing the 170th anniversary celebration of GKI-TP was truly moving. 170 years of unwavering faith, service, and commitment — it's a testament to the power of community and a powerful inspiration for the future. I'm deeply grateful to have been a part of this momentous celebration.”

Empowering students and women

On the occasion of their visit, UEM General Secretary Rev Dr Andar Parlindungan, Krismawati and Astudillo met with students and teachers at STFT Jayapura, which is the theological seminary of GKI-TP. They had a profound discussion together with the Rector Dr Diana Jimbese and heads of faculty of STFT. This semester, the STFT Jayapura has an approximately 1,300 students. At the opening celebration of the semester, Andar Parlindungan gave a lecture about UEM and its connections to GKI-TP.

At the Women’s Empowerment Center P3W*, they had the opportunity to observe training sessions, get in touch with participants and learn about the center's ongoing projects. Supported by UEM Communion and run by GKI-TP Klasis Wamena, the center has played a crucial role in training and empowering women in the region for over 12 years, enabling them to become agents of change within their communities.

Grassroots Healthcare

Krismawati and Astudillo also visited the Talitakum Klinik, a three-story, 30-bed healthcare facility run by GKI-TP in the city of Sorong. This clinic, too, is supported by UEM to strengthen its partnership with GKI-TP. After the visit, Astudillo says: “Seeing the clinic firsthand was incredibly rewarding. We had the chance to see the clinic's recent progress and get a feel for its daily operations. It was inspiring to witness the dedicated staff caring for patients from Sorong City and surrounding areas. This visit underscored our shared commitment to providing vital healthcare services to those who need it most – truly grassroots healthcare in action.”

*GKI-TP = Gereja Kristen Injili di Tanah Papua (Evangelical Christian Church in the Land of Papua)

*P3W = Pusat Pembenaan Pengembangan untuk Wanita (Center for Training and Development for Women)