2025-09 STM Trip Journal (4)

Update: On the afternoon of September 16, our team member Rachael lost her voice and felt unwell. However, by the next morning her voice had returned —thanks the Lord by His grace — though she still had a cough, she was able to continue sharing in the classes at BTCC for the following two days. All the other team members remained healthy and well. During the two-week mission trip in Indonesia, whether in East Java or West Kalimantan, the weather was generally mild, much “pleasant” than expected, and everything went smoothly. Thank you for supporting us in prayer. The power of your prayers is very effective.

Starting September 15, the team’s next stop in West Kalimantan was BTCC – Batang Tarang Christian Center, which includes SMPTK Secondary School. BTCC is one of K-PACT Canada’s closest gospel partners in Indonesia. Since its founding, K-PACT Canada has had a close relationship with BTCC, witnessing its growth, and have had visited many times over the years. Every visit is a joy, bringing enjoyable fellowship with one another and definitely a sense of being at home. What we could contribute, even is minimal, helping teenagers in their formative years and walking with them as they grow, is indeed encouraging and rewarding.

About BTCC:

Batang Tarang is one of many small towns in West Kalimantan interiors, about 120 km from Pontianak, surrounded by 300–400 villages. BTCC’s campus is prominently located at a junction on a main road connecting to the interiors, not far from the Batang Tarang marketplace. Though the road is usually busy, the campus itself is calm. Currently, SMPTK School serves Grades 7–10 levels, with five classes and 136 students in total, around 90 of whom are boarders. The school has separate dormitories for boys and girls, but these are already full, and expansion will be needed in the near future. The school employs over twenty staff, most of whom live on campus.

The ministry is led by Dolfy and Lonny, while young Brother Jonathan has served faithfully as principal since the founding. In recent years, Brother Fino from Surabaya has joined as academic dean; Sister Rinna serves as dormitory supervisor and oversees food service. She previously worked as a domestic helper in Hong Kong, speaks Cantonese, and is an excellent cook, preparing meals that suit Cantonese tastes. Recently, Brother Danny from Surabaya also joined as school chaplain, caring for students’ spiritual life and counseling. Their teamwork and ministry spirit are admirable.

In June this year, the new auditorium and high school classrooms were completed, and in August, the first Grade 10 class began. Since the school’s founding in August 2022 with just 20 students, it has grown steadily and is now a sizable and reputable Christian school in the region. Despite the increase in students, the school maintains a warm, family-like atmosphere. Students and staff eat together in the semi-open dining hall, with boys and girls sitting separately. Every meal fills the hall, resounding with laughter. Though the food is simple, there is joy and contentment.

Team Activities at BTCC:

The mission team stayed six days and five nights (September 15–20), one day longer than planned—their longest stay ever for K-PACT Canada STM team.

On the first evening, more than twenty staff gathered for fellowship and sharing on the theme of Discipleship. Pastor Anthony gave a short talk on the subject, followed by group discussions, encouraging teachers to view education as ministry, nurturing students for holistic growth to become disciples of Christ.

On the second day, the team visited a Christian elementary school in Sosok (about 30 minutes away from BTCC). Sister Judith taught students basic dental hygiene. As rural schools rarely receive foreign guests, the teachers and students were delighted. The team also prayed for the principal and staff. The lively, innocent faces of the children strongly reflected the vast educational needs in Indonesia’s remote villages — vital for both social development and gospel outreach opportunities.

For three days, the seven team members rotated in four groups across all five classrooms from Gr. 7 to Get. 10, teaching subjects such as English conversation, Christian songs in English, basic health and hygiene, an introduction to Canada, and crafts. Through varies activities, they interacted with all the students and well participated. During breaks and meals, they also had chances for personal conversations with the students. The students were polite, friendly, and eager to engage, though English proficiency varied. Students often volunteered to translate for one another, making participation lively. One evening, the team shared with the over 90 boarding students in the newly built auditorium. Divided into seven groups, each led by a team member, they engaged in warm, open conversations, showing care and encouragement.

The short-term mission team also had the opportunity over three days to visit the families of four students, showing love and care. All of these families live in Batang Tarang town, not far from the school.

1) The first visit was to Peter’s family. He lives with his parents and younger siblings in a house with a small fried chicken restaurant in the front. Although his parents are not Christians, they spoke highly of BTCC and specially prepared their signature fried chicken rice meal to warmly host the visitors. Conversation was lighthearted and joyful, and they were willing to receive the team’s prayer of blessing for their family. Peter himself is very engaged at school; after classes he often lingers on campus, reluctant to leave, and is well loved by others.

2) On the second day, the team visited Jovan’s family. Jovan has been studying at BTCC for three years. Although his parents are Buddhists, he has decided to follow Christ and has a deep affection for the school. His parents run a neatly kept grocery store in the Batang Tarang marketplace and have five children. His father speaks Mandarin, having grown up in Singkawang, West Kalimantan, which is known as a Chinese community. Jovan’s parents also think highly of BTCC and willingly received the team’s prayer of blessing for their family.

3) The third visit was to Josh’s family. His parents are Catholics who had studied in both the United States and Malaysia, and they speak fluent English. They run a hardware store in the Batang Tarang marketplace, with a wide variety of goods. They gave BTCC a very positive evaluation and were delighted by the team’s visit. Conversation flowed as if among old friends, and they too received the team’s prayer of blessing.

4) The fourth visit was to Risa’s family, who live directly across from the school. Risa’s parents are Christians. Her father once worked in a lumber mill, but due to a hand injury and the mill’s closure, he has not been able to work and the family relies on their savings. The team expressed care and prayed for God’s mercy and grace upon their household.

In the past, the K-PACT Canada short-term mission team usually stayed at BTCC for no more than three days and two nights. This time, however, they stayed for six days and five nights—the longest visit ever—and the experience was especially meaningful. It was a joy to have more contact with the students of BTCC, to build deeper friendships, and even to learn about the individual needs of some students so that they could be cared for and encouraged.

Seeing the BTCC students disciplined, diligent in their studies, and nurtured in their faith life, growing in both knowledge and spirituality, and establishing Christian values from a young age—values that can transform old traditions—is truly heartening. Among the classes there are many who excel academically, bright and gifted. With careful cultivation, in time they can become capable leaders, useful to the Lord—promising young men and women in the making.

We pray that the Lord will guard the path of every student, that they may hold firmly to their faith all their lives, and that not one will be lost.

Visit to Sekadau:

The team also made an additional (originally unplanned) trip to Sekadau, an inland town three hours from BTCC, on September 20–21 (Sat-Sun).

On Saturday afternoon, the team visited the family of the late Pastor Dadang of GSJA RAJAWALI Church. This church was founded by Pastor Dadang, and most of its members are converts from Islam. Pastor Dadang had once been a devout Muslim, but after coming to Christ, he also received a calling to minister among Muslims. He was greatly used by the Lord, establishing four churches in the region and leading many Muslims to Christ.

During the April short-term mission trip this year, Pastor Sam, Sister Judith, and Brother Jansen had met Pastor Dadang once in Sekadau, and they greatly admired his faith and passion as a role model in evangelism. Unfortunately Past Dadang died suddenly last month in a traffic accident. His widow, Sister Meyeni, now leads the church while raising three sons, facing financial hardship. K-PACT Canada team, bringing with them love offerings from caring brothers and sisters in Canada, visited to comfort and encourage Sister Meyeni and her three sons. On Sunday, Pastor Anthony was invited to preach at the CSJA church in a combined worship service attended by members from other branches. Sister Meyeni shared that most villagers in Sekadau are Dayak people, mainly farmers, traditionally Catholic or Christian. However, most are nominal believers, following rituals without true understanding of Christian faith. This hollow faith, together with ingrained bad habits and traditions, hinders life transformation, negatively affecting future generations. Only by sending children elsewhere for education can families hope to break this cycle.

Though brief, the visit to Sekadau was meaningful. The return trip took seven hours, but the team arrived safely in Pontianak before sunset and lodged in guest rooms at GKNI Pniel Church Pontianak.

Return Travel:

On September 22, four team members departed Pontianak early in the morning at 5:30am, first flying to Jakarta. Two of the four team members, Peter and Rachael, were scheduled to transit through Hong Kong in the evening before returning to Vancouver. However, news came of a super typhoon striking Hong Kong, raising concerns about possible delays. (At the time of writing, they were waiting at Jakarta International Airport, scheduled to board their Hong Kong flight in three hours.) Prayers are requested for safe travel.

The remaining three members—Pastor Sam, Pastor Anthony, and Sister Judith—will stay another week in Pontianak, making this an “extended version” of the mission trip, and will return to Canada at the end of September or early October.