GKI Region X Ministerial Convention in Papua Successfully Held Amidst Challenges

DEKAI, Metanoia Editorial Team – The Synod Working Body of the Evangelical Christian Church (GKI) in Papua’s Region X successfully held a three-day Ministerial Convention at the Metanoia Church in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua.

The convention was attended by the Deputy Chair of the GKI Synod, regional chairs from Yalimo Angguruk, Balim Yalimo, Balim Selatan, Yalimo Elelim, as well as evangelists and church teachers. Despite challenges due to the situation in Dekai, the event was successfully conducted.

“We managed to carry out the convention despite the consecutive incidents in Yahukimo that posed challenges to this activity. However, behind all of this, God has a purpose, and the Ministerial Convention was successfully held,” said Esau Miram, Chair of the Organizing Committee, to the Metanoia Editorial Team on Thursday evening (4/5/2023).

Guidelines for Ministers in Region X

Esau Miram expressed his appreciation to the GKI leadership in Papua for facilitating this event, which serves as an important guideline for ministers in the four regions of Region X.

“We welcome this activity positively so that our ministers can continue to be trained to support their ministry at their respective posts and align with the standards set at the synod level,” he said.

However, he also highlighted the challenges faced by ministers in the remote areas of Highland Papua, including their welfare and quality of life.

“So far, evangelists have been serving under very limited conditions. Therefore, we recommend that the Synod pay attention to their welfare and provide training to enhance their knowledge in ministry,” he added.

Miram also emphasized the importance of regenerating ministers, including pastors, evangelists, and church teachers. He proposed reactivating Bible schools in Apahapsili and Manokwari, as well as theological schools, to improve the quality of human resources in the church.

Comprehensive Mission of Evangelism

During the convention, Rev. Yudas Meage, a member of the Synod Working Body for Region X, underscored the importance of a comprehensive approach to evangelism, incorporating health, agriculture, and craftsmanship.

“Evangelism also involves health, agriculture, and craftsmanship. In the past, Angguruk served as an agricultural hub, while Apahapsili was a center for craftsmanship. These efforts must continue,” explained Meage.

He further highlighted the importance of preparing the next generation for ministry through targeted training programs. He noted that the current regeneration process in Region X ministry is facing challenges.

“The current development appears to be declining in agriculture and craftsmanship, but health services and evangelism remain active,” Meage said.

Uniformity in Ministry Management

Meage also praised the convention as a step towards standardizing ministry management across Papua, guided by a unified framework.

“All preachers, pastors, church teachers, and evangelists must have a shared understanding because they are the frontlines for implementing church governance throughout Papua,” he emphasized.

The Ministerial Convention is expected to be a pivotal moment to strengthen GKI’s ministry in Region X, encourage regeneration, and improve the welfare and quality of ministry throughout Papua.