Recently, an Alliance outreach to migrants on the island of Papua established a Web site to interact with members of the majority religion who are seeking truth. An online video ministry to this group has received more than 100,000 views as of August 1.
“One video that highlights the last seven words of Isa (Jesus) on the cross has over 50,000 views and 600 likes and comments,” said Alliance international worker Barry Jordan.
Nearly 20 years ago, Barry, along with one of his Bible school students, Marinus, and several local believers, established this ministry, called TEPAT, to the large migrant population in this area. An acronym for Team Pelayanan Terpadu (holistic ministry team), TEPAT began with providing materials and training for pastors, who, in turn, took the good news of Jesus into their communities.
Over 10,000 Pastors and Evangelists Trained
“In our first phase,” said Barry, “we put together relevant materials and trained more than 10,000 pastors and evangelists to reach out to their migrant neighbors, most of whom practice the country’s majority religion.”
Barry and Marinus, who is a former member of that religion, have led the outreach through the years. Today, daily oversight of island-wide operations belongs to Marinus, with Barry acting as consultant. Fourteen kindergartens have been established within the migrant camps, and more than 700 students currently attend TEPAT schools. “Sadly, Marinus has had to scale back his ministry because of health issues,” Barry said, “but he still visits a nearby migrant area several times a week.”
About five years ago, TEPAT acquired a new team member, Maria, who works among migrants who have moved to the island of their own accord and now make up about 50 percent of the island’s total population.
TEPAT is adding two new staffers this year to help with a community center outreach to residents in an old migrant camp, most of whom practice the majority religion.
Bull’s Eye!
Besides being an acronym, TEPAT is an Indonesian word that means “exact,” as in hitting a bull’s eye. Through 20 years of generating holistic ministry to this diaspora, the TEPAT team continues to hit the mark as more individuals come to Jesus.
“This year, Marinus reported that 35 students from the majority religion placed their trust in Jesus,” Barry rejoiced. “Praise the Lord; a couple thousand people have received Jesus through the TEPAT ministry!”