The Pilgrim Reformed Churches of Timor-Indonesia

(PRCI)

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                Gereja-Gereja Reformasi Musyafir (GGRM) in NTT- Indonesia

A. The Past History of the Gereja-Gereja  Reformasi (GGRM) in NTT.

1. General History:

The history of most churches in Indonesia cannot be separated from the history of the Portuguese, Spain and the Dutch in Indonesia. The Portuguese and Spanish established the Roman Catholic Church, while the Dutch established the Protestant Churches. According to Dr. Van den End, Roman Catholic missionaries had started their work in Indonesia since the beginning of the sixteenth century. The Protestant missionaries just started their mission work in Indonesia around 1600 when the Dutch came. The Dutch began their work in Indonesia through a trading company which was known as the VOC (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie) The Dutch East India Company, which was established in 1602. From this time on Indonesia slowly became a Dutch colony until the 1950s.

According to the history, the main purpose of the VOC was economical and political and not religious. However, through this fact the Lord used it for His own purpose to build His churches in Indonesia. History tells us that it was through the Dutch that many people in Indonesia heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and repented from their old religion. Through the Dutch many churches were established in Indonesia. Yes, there are many blessings that the Lord gave the Indonesian people through the Dutch but the most valuable blessing was the preaching of God's Word and the teaching of Reformed doctrine. You should not be surprised if once you were in Indonesia that you sill found some Reformed remnants in many evangelicals or Christian churches in places in Indonesia. This happens because many of the Indonesian churches are rooted in Reformed teaching. They are actually the fruits of the Reformed Churches in Holland.

Since the beginning the work of the missionaries in Indonesia was not very good because of the conomical and political reasons. But it changed rapidly from the 19th century onward. Many more missionaries were sent from Holland and also from other countries such as England, Germany, etc. The churches in Indonesia were growing better. Many more churches were established. Yes, there were still many problems in the churches and in the mission work, but the churches were still grew until the Dutch had to go back to Holland. When the Dutch went back to Holland the life of these churches was changed. They were forced to be independent and had to work for themselves. So, many churches were independent from the state church (the Indishie Kerk) and arranged their own federation according to the place where they were. One of these churches was our churches the GGRM.

2. Specific History

According to Dr. Van den End, the gospel was brought to Timor (NTT) in 1556 by a Roman Catholic missionary (Pater Antonio Taveria). The first Protestant missionary was sent to Timor (NTT) in 1670. But, because of the economical and political situation it did not grow very well. The churches in Timor (NTT) were planted again by the Dutch in the 1800’s by the NZG (Nederlands Zendelingggenootscap, 1797). From this time on these churches began to grow more and more.

In 1945, the Indonesian government proclaimed its freedom. Thus the Dutch had to go back. As I said above, the returning of the Dutch to Holland brought a large effect to many churches in Indonesia. During the Dutch time the churches were very much influenced by the Dutch government and the missionaries. But at that time things began to change. Since the churches are scattered every where (as you see that Indonesia is an archipelago) they have to be independent. Many churches established their own federation. So did the GGRM (The Reformed Pilgrim Churches) in NTT.

The GGRM liberated from the state Church (de Indische Kerk) and established themselves as an independent federation in 1950, five years after Indonesia proclaimed its freedom. This happened because many of the people didn’t like the doctrines and church government in the state church. They were led by Rev. Daud Dumanau. Since then it grew rapidly. In 1959 there were already six autonomous churches. One of them was led by my father, Rev. Soleman Dethan, who worked in the church in Tarus named “Ebenhaezar Church”. Until 1987 it grew more and more and became 20 autonomous churches with 4,456 members with 112 elders and deacons, 14 candidate ministers, and 13 ministers.

This continued until 1985, when we finally knew that there were some good Reformed churches in East Sumba (The GGRI = The Reformed Churches in Indonesia). This happened through the meeting between Rev. J. Klamer (a Reformed missionary from Holland (liberated churches), who at that time was a missionary in the GGRI (Gereja-Gereja Reformasi di Indonesia = The Reformed churches in Indonesia) in East Sumba and Rev. E. Fangidae (one of the ministers from the GGRM). Thus, from then on the relationship between the two federations (GGRM and GGRI Sumba) grew until they became official sister churches. This relationship is realized by holding conferences and seminars together and by cooperation in theological education and ecclesiastical meetings. As the result of this relationship, the GGRM knows and has contact with the Free Reformed Churches of Australia (FRCoA).

In June 1991, the Synod of GGRM, decided to embrace the Reformed confessions and the church order. It also meant that we use the same book of praise and the same songs as the GGRI.

However, it does not mean that all the officebearers or church members knew automatically how to implement that in practice. There was and is still much to learn about Reformed doctrine and church polity. Therefore, an appeal was made to the Reformed (liberated) churches in the Netherlands to send a minister to help these churches. It was this decision that led the appointment of the Rev. H. Knigge (before  thisRev. H Knigge was a missionary  in Irian Jaya sent by Canadian Reformed Church of Toronto) from the Liberated Reformed Churches who ain 1992 by the Deputies of the Committee on Relations with Churches abroad to go to Timor.

In 1992 The Sumbanese Churches, The Reformed Churches in Sumba (GGRI) recognized our federation as their sister churches. Since then that relationship only grew better and better. We do have a lot of blessings from the Reformed churches in Sumba. From them we know more about the riches of the Refomed doctrines that we have had before. Many elders and ministers began to study more about the Reformed confessions that were adopted by our Synod.
 
As I mentioned above the Synod also has invited Rev. H. Knigge from the Reformed (liberated) Church in Holland to help and guide ministers, elders, deacons and the churches to understand the Reformed doctrines more and more deeply. Thus, most of us went to Sumba to study there because of its Reformed character. Yes, we do have a Theological University in Timor (supported by the Synodical Churches in Holland), but we did not go there because of its liberalism. We really thank God that we may have the opportunity to study in Sumba to develop our Reformed knowledge and so may be able to educate our brothers and sisters in good and solid Scriptural and Reformed teaching. Most of the ministers in GGRM were being trained in the Theological School under the teaching of two native teacher (Rev. D.H. Doko and Rev. M.B. Radjah) and the missionaries from the Leberated Reformed Churches in Holland (Rev. J. Klamer, Rev. J.A. Boersema, Rev. Knigge and Rev. A.J Pol, who is now minister in the Canadian Reformed Church in Carmen, Manitoba.).

3. The name of GGRM
Since the beginning the name of the GGRM was GMM (Gereja Masehi Musafir = Pilgrim Christian Church). Up until the synod of GGRM 1992, the name GMM was changed into GGMM (Gereja-Gereja Masehi Musafir = Pilgrim Christian Churches). In 1995 the GGRM was split into two parts. One part wanted to stay and hold the Reformed faith, while the other turned to be more evangelical and liberal. The one that still holds the Reformed doctrine after the split in their Special Synod in 1999 called themselves the GGRM (Gereja-Gereja, Reformasi Musafir = The Pilgrim Reformed Churches) in NTT,  while the other one called themselves the GMMI (The Pilgrim Christian Churches in Indonesia). They changed their named and government of the Church at the GGMM Synod, 1995, right at the time when these churches were split.
 

B. The present situation of the Gereja-Gereja Musyafir Reformasi (GGMR) in NTT.

Here is the name of the churches that belong to the GGRM and their ministers.

1. The GGRM in Timor island:

1.1. GRM Galilea in Kupang (Rev. E. Fangidae and Rev. Y. Dethan)

This church is in Kupang city. This church is called the GRM (Pilgrim Reformed Church) "Galilea" of Kupang. This church has two mission posts. One is in Bolok, which is close to the harbour and is hoping to become an otonomous church soon. The other mission post is in Bakunase, which is close to the Reformed church in Bakunase. This mission post is a small one. It was just established a few months ago. This mission post is served by Ev. Beny Rehyard and sometimes with an elder from GRM Galilea.

1.2. GRM in Tarus (Rev. Y. Bunda)

This church is in Middle Kupang. They have a minister named Rev. Yawan Bunda. But at the moment Yawan is in Java in order to get his full degree. He hopes to be there for about one year. While waiting for the coming back of Rev Yawan Bunda they called Rev. Y. Dethan to be their counsellor and Ev. Beny Rehyard as their evangelist.

1.3. GRM in Kelapa Tinggi (Rev. M. Maibana)

This church was a mission post of the church in Tarus but it has since become an autonomous church. Their minister's name is Rev. Marthen Maibana. This church is not a big church. Even though this church is in Kupang most of the congregation have very simple educational and economical background. There are a few promising young people in the church that can be taught in sound doctrine for the future of this church.

1.4. GRM in Bolok (Cand.Minister, P. Loka)

The mission post in Bolok is led by Cand. Minister Petrus Loka. They hope to be an independent/autonomous church soon. Up until now they still get some help from GRM "Galilea", in Kupang.

2. The GGRM in Rote Island :
2.1. GRM in Kola (Rev. M. Bulan)

Their minister is Rev. Melky Bulan. They are growing quite well in the reformed doctrines. They had a mission post in Mokdae but it has just recently become an established church. The problem is that most of the members of the church do not have good educational backgrounds. Therefore it takes time to grow in scriptural knowledge. But they are quite faithful.

2.2. GRM in Mokdae (Counsellor Rev. M. Bulan)

This church does not have any minister yet. Rev. Melky Bulan is helping in this church. They are growing in reformed doctrines as well. Only most of the members have a very simple educational back ground (same as in Kola); thus it needs a long time to grow in spiritual knowledge.
 

2.3. GRM in Korlok (Rev. Y. Teti)

This church has a minister named Rev. Yahya Tety. They are almost the same like the churches in Kola and Mokdae. Thus they are growing but it takes a long time too. They have now established another church in Nordale.
 

2.4. GRM in Nordale (Counsellor Rev. Y. Teti)

This is a new church. They actually come from the GMIT church (a less Reformed church in NTT). Since then they came to join our church (last year) because they do not like the doctrines and church life in GMIT. They do not have any minister yet. Now they have Rev. Y. Tety to be their counsellor.
 

2.5. GRM in East Rote (Pokok Batun)

This church does not grow very much. We have some problems with their minister. But we hope to help them to grow in Reformed faith.
 

3. The GGRM in Sabu island

3.1. The GRM in Deme (Rev. P. Lubengu)

This church is like a mission post. Most of the members are from pagans. This church has a minister named Rev. P. Lubengu They have some trouble growing also because of the simple educational background of the members of the church.
 

3.2. The GRM in Eilogo (Rev. P. Dju Lulu)

This church is also like a mission post. Most of the members are from pagans. This church has a minister named Rev. Paulus Uju Lulu. They have some trouble growing also because of the simple educational background of the members of the church. Both mission posts here are being supported by the GRM "Galilea" in Kupang.
 

4. The new mission posts that are going to be established, d.v.:

The GGRM are hoping, d.v., to establish two other mission posts. One mission post in West Rote (Tie) the other mission post in Tarus (Oehau).
 

5. The relation with other churches

Since the split, the GGRM still keeps her contact with the Reformed Churches in Sumba (GGRI), Holland (Liberated Churches) and Australia (FRCoA). In the Synod of GGRM, 1996 the GGRM already recognized the FRCoA as a true church and so accepted the FRCoA as her sister church but up until now the FRCoA has not accepted the GGRM as her sister church. In reacting to the GGRM's request to be a sister church the FRCoA decided to just remain as contact church only. Now the GGRM is also hoping to have contact with the Canadian Reformed Churches (CanRefC)
 

5.1.The relation with GGRI (Reformed Churches in Indonesia)
 

5.1.1. Pulpit Exchange

This has being going on since year 1992 and it has been growing more and more until now.
 

5.1.2. Elder Conferences and seminars

These activities have been going on for quite a few years now. Sometimes it is held in GGRI and some times it is in the GGRM. The speakers are sometimes taken from the GGRM/GGRI ministers and sometimes come from abroad, such as from Litindo or the FRCoA.
 

5.1.3. Theological School

The GGRM is still sending students to the Theological School in Sumba to be equipped for the ministerial work. Many of them have graduated from the Thelogical College of the GGRI in Sumba.
 

5.1.4. Ecclesiastical meetings

When the GGRM has a synod, they will invite the GGRI to attend and vise versa.
 

5.1.5. Youth activities
 

5.1.5.1. Youth Seminars and conferences

Every year the youth of the GGRI and GGRM come together to have a seminar or conference together.
 

5.1.5.2. Youth Study clubs and sing-alongs

They also sometimes come together for a study club together and sing-along.
 

5.1.5.3. Youth Visiting

Sometimes the youth also make a visit to each others churches. So the youth from the GGRI go to the youth of the GGRM and vise versa.

5.2. The relation with FRCoA (Free Reformed Churches of Australia)
 

5.3.1. Visiting of the FRCoA

Almost every year the GGRM has a visit from the FRCoA. These visits are usually for an ecclesiastical meeting or for a seminar /conference in the GGRM and GGRI.
 

5.3.2. Seminars and conferences

Almost every year the GGRM and GGRI invite somebody from the FRCoA to come to give some speech in the conference of GGRM and GGRI.
 

5.3. The relation with RCoH (Liberated Churches)
 

5.3.1. The calling of Rev. H. Knigge

The sending of Rev. Knigge to be a missionary in the mist of GGRM is a result of the contact with the Liberated churches in Holland. God has blessed Rev. Knigge's efforts and works in the midst of the GGRM such that its members have grown more and more in the Reformed faith.

5.3.2. BBK supports for ICRC conferences

Also as a proof of the contact with the Liberated churches, the GGRM sometimes gets some support from BBK to attend some conferences like the ICRC, Calvin and Calvinism Conference, GGRI Conference, etc.

5.3.3. Support student Edwer Dethan in Canada

Also from this contact the Liberated churches in Holland support Edwer Dethan from the GGRM to pursue his studies at the Thological College of the Canadian Reformed Churches in Hamilton.

5.3.4. Sister church with the liberated churches in Holland

In its synod in 1999 the GGRM decided to continue the relationship with the Liberated churches in Holland and recognized them as sister church.

5.4. The relation with the CanRC (Canadian Reformed Churches)

We hope to have a contact relation with the CanRC in future. In GGRM Synod in 1999 in Kola Rote, the GGRM synod decided to have a contact relationship with the Canadian Reformed church. The GGRM recognize the CRC as a true church and so hope to have a future relationship with them.'

5.5. ICRC (The International Conference of the Reformed Churches)

The GGRM has attended the ICRC two times. The first time was in Swolle in 1993 and the second one was in 1997 in South Korea. The GGRM has been recognised as a member of the International Conference of the Reformed Churches (ICRC) held in South Korea.
May the Lord bless the GGRM that by the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God these churches may grow more and more in love and obedience in our Heavenly and faithful Father, our Covenant God the Triune God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To Him be all the glory, power, and wisdom, forever and ever. Amen.

By Rev. Y. G. Dethan M.Div
The Minister of the GRM Galilea
C/O : Jln. Tim-Tim km 14.5 Tromol Pos 08 Tarus Kupang Tengah NTT- Indonesia 85361
Ph : 0011-62-380-829172 E/Mail : [email protected]
MSN : [email protected]