February 27, 2008
About 5,000 people attended the 80th anniversary celebration of Alliance ministry in Indonesia. “The service was broadcast live over the radio,” said Barry Jordan, an Alliance missionary. “The unity and enthusiasm of the GKII (C&MA national church in Indonesia) is encouraging.”
In 1928, C&MA missionary Robert Jaffray surveyed the need for C&MA missionaries in Indonesia, then known as the East Indies, and sent Chinese missionaries to serve in Borneo. Jaffray moved with his family to Makassar in 1931 and established a Bible school. Today, more than 600,000 believers worship in 1,900 Alliance churches in Indonesia. Alliance missionaries and their national church partners serve in AIDS education and counseling, youth ministries, leadership development, Alliance Marriage Encounter (ALMA), medical work, and more. Approximately 3,000 students attend 33 theological schools.
After the December 2004 tsunami, Compassion and Mercy Associates (CAMA), The Alliance’s relief and development arm, helped rebuild communities in Indonesia that had been devastated by the waves. In partnership with other organizations, CAMA rebuilt fishing boats, ice factories, and houses and also established livelihood projects. These practical demonstrations of Jesus’ love have opened doors to the gospel.
“I marvel at all that has been accomplished in Indonesia,” said a CAMA worker, “but am reminded that it has not been our networking ability that has opened the doors. Unmistakably, it has been God.”