“They saw God’s image in the people”

Volker Martin Dally, General Secretary of the UEM, delivering his speech at the jubilee in Mansinam. Foto by: GKI-TP

Every year, thousands of church members and guests visit the celebrations. Foto by: GKI-TP

Thousands of people celebrating, taking pictures together with a 14 meter Jesus statue and giving thanks to God for the Gospel:

Our member church GKI-TP* celebrated 168 years of mission in Papua. Every year on February 5^th, thousands gather at Mansinam Island next to the coastal town of Manokwari in West Papua, for the church service in memory of the first missionaries who landed on the small island in 1855. Paulus Waterpauw, the Governor of West Papua, supports the event by providing a shuttle service to the island that is free of charge on February 5^th. GKI-TP annualy invites special guests to the occasion. Governor Waterpauw was invited, as well as several county administrators. Vice President Ma’ruf Amin gave a video statement.

This year, UEM General Secretary Volker Martin Dally was also invited to speak at the occasion. In his statement, he confirmed the continuity between the first missionaries and the church’s current work: “The missionaries Ottow and Geisler saw God’s image in the people of Papua. Thus, they struggled for their rights and education. Their work is a reason why GKI-TP also struggles for the rights of the people of Papua, condemning all forms of oppression and human rights violations.”

UEM Communion congratulates GKI-TP to its jubilee and is looking forward to our cooperations in the years to come.

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