Thelanofpapua.com – Acting Regent of Mimika, Valentinus Sudarjanto Sumito, alongside the Chairperson of the Family Welfare Empowerment Team (TP PKK), Thelda Valentinus Sumito, celebrated the 68th anniversary of the Evangelical Christian Church (GKI) Klasis Timika with congregants in Papua.

The celebration, held at the Emeneme Yauware Hall in Timika on Saturday, October 26, underscored a call for unity and communal contribution to peace and development across the region.

In his speech, Regent Valentinus encouraged the GKI community to stand firm in their faith and maintain unity amidst modern challenges. “In this increasingly modern and challenging era, I urge all GKI congregants to stay firm in faith, uphold unity, and continue to contribute to peace and development in Papua,” he stated.

Reflecting on GKI’s 68-year legacy in Papua, Valentinus praised the church’s role in the lives of the Christian community, providing a foundation for faith, spiritual education, and community service.

“This church has been a place for faith development, spiritual education, and social service for the community. Amid challenges, GKI has consistently served and brought light to the entire congregation in Papua,” he remarked.

The acting regent also extended his gratitude to church leaders, ministers, and members who have contributed tirelessly to the holistic development of the region.

“The church plays a significant role in advancing education, health, and social welfare in Papua, and I hope this continues for our shared prosperity,” he added.

Celebrations Extend Across Papua with Community Parade and Charity Visit

In a related celebration in Biak Numfor Regency, approximately 5,000 Christians participated in a community parade on October 25.

Organized to commemorate the 68th anniversary of GKI across Papua, the parade gathered congregants to highlight the significance of unity and fellowship. Reverend Johanes Kbarek, Chairperson of the GKI Biak Synod, emphasized the parade’s role in promoting camaraderie among the faithful and reinforcing the bonds of shared belief and community spirit.

“The community parade is not solely about celebrating the 68th anniversary of GKI in Papua; it also embraces the fellowship among congregants here in Biak, fostering the growth of our faith community,” Reverend Kbarek shared.

Further contributing to the anniversary’s impact, the Indonesian Christian Women’s Fellowship of Biak Selatan organized a charity visit to Mapia Island, Supiori Barat District. The outreach event aimed to extend the church’s mission to remote areas, reflecting GKI’s enduring dedication to serving communities across Papua.

Through these celebrations, GKI continues to inspire its members, strengthening the commitment to unity, faith, and social progress for Papua’s future.