2024-10 STM Trip Journal (3)

10/12/2024

After visiting the BTCC Christian Center's ministry in West Kalimantan on October 7, the STM team had the opportunity over the next two days to explore various local mision fields in the region, witnessing God's amazing work via Christian Education. They visited schools in urban areas and small scale ministries in under-resourced rural villages, learning how education is effectively used to share the gospel with Indonesian children and youth, helping them come to know Christ and be nurtured to become Christ's disciples.

On October 9, STM team visited Joyful Christian School, located in the urban area of Pontianak. On the following day (October 10), they visited a Muslim school in the outskirts of Pontianak (offering kindergarten, elementary, and junior high classes). These missionary experiences were truly unforgettable and significantly broadened the team's perspective on evangelism in Indonesia.

Joyful Christian School is a children’s ministry affiliated with GKNI Pniel Church and has been a mission partner of K-PACT Canada, maintaining close ties over the years. Initially a small kindergarten, the school has grown significantly since it was taken over by GKNI Pniel Church in 2016, becoming a well-known English-speaking Christian primary and kindergarten school in the region, which is predominantly governed by Muslim educational authorities. Sister Merry is the current principal of Joyful Christian School, having taught there since its inception. She is passionate about Christian education for children and aims to provide holistic development for students, fostering spiritual character.

When Pastor Liliana brought the STM team to the school, Principal Merry warmly welcomed them at the entrance, making them feel at home. The school's five-story building had just completed its first year, with newly paved entrances and parking areas. Since classes were in session, the team did not want to disrupt, so they only visited a few classrooms and greeted students in both the kindergarten and elementary sections. The new building is well-organized, creatively designed, and aesthetically pleasing. The ground floor contains offices and a playground, while the second and third floors house classrooms divided into kindergarten and elementary sections. The fourth floor includes the principal's office, staff room, activity room, and computer room, all labeled with different countries or geographical names, conveying a worldview of God’s love for people of all nationalities and the call for the gospel to reach all nations. The stairwell walls are adorned with various theme illustrations based on Bible stories, expressing God's creation and redemption. The fifth floor features a covered multi-purpose sports field and community center, providing ample space.

Principal Merry and Pastor Liliana accompanied the team on a tour of the building, explaining the school's mission and operations while sharing testimonies about the school’s development. They spoke of how God has wonderfully guided both the church and the school to work together based on the same educational goals and aspirations for children’s ministry. After acquiring the land for the school in 2019, the church actively encouraged members to donate for the construction, facing significant challenges during the pandemic when building costs surged. Despite these financial burdens, the church community came together in prayer, earnestly seeking God’s provision and demonstrating their commitment to His work, witnessing His faithfulness and abundant supply. After four years of construction, classrooms on the lower floors were in use while the upper floors were being built, resulting in a remarkable transformation that stands as a testament to God's miraculous work.

The educational philosophy of Joyful Christian School is to be an exceptional Christian English school, aimed at providing high-quality education and character development not limited to the children of affluent families; children from all socioeconomic backgrounds are welcome, and the school offers financial assistance to families in need. This ensures that the gospel truth reaches the homes of Indonesian children, enabling their growth.

Joyful Christian School diligently provides foundational discipleship training in the Christian faith for all students, ensuring they understand Christian doctrine and accept the gospel for lifelong benefit. Principal Merry further shared testimonies about how Christian education has positively impacted students' families; students come from various religious backgrounds, including some from Muslim families. Through their positive experiences in Christian education, these students have fostered good character, which has opened their Muslim parents’ hearts to the Christian faith, allowing their children to choose to follow Christ.

The philosophy of children's Christian education at Joyful Christian School and its mission-based strategy have been greatly used by God, making a significant impact in the evangelistic efforts of West Kalimantan. We give thanks for this, praying that the Lord will strengthen their work!

On the evening of October 9, the STM team participated in a Wednesday prayer meeting at GKNI Pniel Church, where team members shared their personal experiences and insights, encouraging one another. Despite language barriers, they united in prayer, connecting spiritually beyond words.

On the morning of October 10, led by a local missionary, the team visited a Muslim primary and junior high school in village P, West Kalimantan. The school is divided into three classes based on age, with team members responsible for leading recreational and craft activities. After the activities, team members split into three groups to visit local families, aiming to build friendly connections and prepare the ground for the gospel. The villagers, primarily Madurese and Malay ethnic groups, practice Islam, so the team had to be cautious with their discussions, avoiding any mention of Jesus or direct evangelistic messages. This visit was an adventure for the team, providing a memorable experience as they stepped into a poor village in the forest, personally witnessing the lives of Muslim villagers and experiencing the stark differences in culture, faith, language, and living conditions. Through simple actions, they expressed love and care, bearing witness to the gospel.

That evening, K-PACT Canada staff gathered with pastors and church leaders from GKNI Pniel Church in Pontianak for meaningful sharing, praying for future collaboration in the development of evangelistic efforts in Indonesia, seeking common ground.

Before leaving West Kalimantan, the STM team shared their reflections on their missionary experiences. Although the trip was brief, it left a profound impression on everyone. The team will leave West Kalimantan tomorrow morning, traveling through Surabaya to Malang in East Java to continue their mission trip. Please continue to pray for them.

October 10, 2024 Pontianak

West Kalimantan

Business Number: 78275 4477 RR0001