SANG PERINTIS‼️ SEJARAH GSRI SINGKAWANG‼️

Summary

Gereja Santapan Rohani Indonesia (GSRI) in Singkawang began in 1953 under the mission of Pastor Dr. Timoti Chu Sekuang, founder of Lingliang Worldwide Evangelical Mission. The church was initially established by missionary Loen, whose martyrdom in 1955 marked a pivotal moment in its history. After several key figures, including Pastor Bong Hontin, led the church, GSRI Singkawang grew rapidly, with new outreach programs and a strong focus on evangelism. Today, the church continues to thrive, honoring the sacrifices of its early leaders and expanding its reach across Indonesia.

Takeaways

• 😀 The church, Santapan Rohani Indonesia Singkawang (GSRI Singkawang), was founded to spread the gospel to the Chinese ethnic community in West Kalimantan.
• 😀 The history of GSRI Singkawang began with the mission of Pastor Dr. Timoti Chu Sekuang, founder of Ling Liang Worldwide Evangelical Mission based in Hong Kong.
• 😀 In 1953, missionary Loen was sent to Singkawang, West Kalimantan, to spread the gospel and establish the first GSRI church in the area.
• 😀 Pastor Loen's significant contributions include converting many to Christianity, including Ibu Jong Suan, a close associate who helped him in ministry.
• 😀 The first church building was inaugurated on February 10, 1955, by Pastor Moses Chubi, the GSRI Tamanari church leader in Jakarta.
• 😀 Tragically, missionary Loen was murdered on February 21, 1955, just 11 days after the church’s inauguration, and the motives behind his death remain unknown.
• 😀 To honor his sacrifice, the GSRI Sengkawang congregation built a multipurpose building in 2009 named after missionary Loen.
• 😀 In 1957, after the church’s closure due to the murder, Pastor Bong Hontin from Manggar, Belitung, was sent to reopen the ministry in Singkawang.
• 😀 Under Pastor Bong’s leadership, the church grew significantly, with many young people coming to faith and a strong community of believers.
• 😀 The church moved to a new building on Jalan Sukarela (now Jalan Kalimantan) on July 7, 1967, and continued to expand under Pastor Bong’s guidance and the support of the congregation.
• 😀 Pastor Bong’s legacy was one of hard work, dedication, and a strong focus on saving souls, which left an indelible mark on the GSRI Singkawang congregation.
• 😀 After Pastor Bong's retirement in 1984 and his eventual death in 1985, the church continued to thrive under new leadership, with Pastor Lyakim Tandi carrying on the mission and expanding the church further.

Q & A

What is the history behind the establishment of GSRI Singkawang?

The history of GSRI Singkawang began with the mission of Misionaris L Suen, sent by Dr. Timoti Chu Sekuang, the founder of Ling Liang Worldwide Evangelical Mission. He arrived in Singkawang, Kalimantan Barat, in 1953 to start the church, and a house was later converted into a church on February 10, 1955.

Who was Misionaris L Suen, and what was his role in GSRI Singkawang?

Misionaris L Suen was a missionary sent by Dr. Timoti Chu Sekuang to establish GSRI Singkawang. He is considered the first martyr of the church, having been tragically murdered just 11 days after the church's official opening in 1955. His work laid the foundation for the church in the region.

What tragic event occurred shortly after the church was established?

Shortly after the church's establishment, Misionaris L Suen was found murdered in his room on February 21, 1955. The motive and perpetrator of the murder remain unknown to this day.

How did GSRI Singkawang continue after Misionaris L Suen's death?

After Misionaris L Suen's death, Pendeta Bong Hontin took over the mission in 1957, with the help of his family and local leaders. Under his leadership, the church grew and became more established in the region.

Who was Pendeta Bong Hontin, and what contributions did he make to GSRI Singkawang?

Pendeta Bong Hontin was a key figure in continuing the work of GSRI Singkawang after Misionaris L's death. He was instrumental in revitalizing the church, establishing new buildings, and helping it grow in terms of membership and community involvement.

What happened to the church building in 1967?

In 1967, the original church building on Jalan Nusantara was sold, and the proceeds were used to build a new church on Jalan Sukarela (now Jalan Kalimantan). This new building was officially opened on July 7, 1967.

How did Pendeta Bong Hontin approach evangelism, and what impact did it have?

Pendeta Bong Hontin had a unique and sometimes tough approach to evangelism. His firm leadership helped the church remain steadfast and continue growing, despite challenges. His approach also made the congregation more resilient and committed to the faith.

What role did the church play in the local community in terms of education and outreach?

Under Pendeta Bong's leadership and later Pendeta Lyakim Tandi, GSRI Singkawang expanded its outreach by establishing educational facilities such as kindergartens and schools, as well as opening new evangelistic outposts in neighboring areas like Sekura, Kulur, and Bengkayang.

How did GSRI Singkawang honor the memory of Misionaris L Suen?

In 2009, to honor the memory of Misionaris L Suen, a multi-purpose building named Gedung L Suen was constructed. Additionally, his grave was relocated to the church's newly acquired cemetery land, ensuring his legacy was preserved.

What were some of the challenges faced by GSRI Singkawang over the years?

GSRI Singkawang faced many challenges, including the tragic murder of Misionaris L Suen and the temporary closure of the church. Despite these hardships, the church grew through the leadership of Pendeta Bong Hontin and continued to develop with each generation.