Mimika Residents’ Joy In Welcoming The GPI Chruch By The Pangkogabwilhan ||| To Commemorate The 79Th Anniversary Of The TNI

Radar Nusantara, Mimika Baru Mimika, — On Friday (6/9), the congregation of the Indonesian Protestant Church (GPI) Papua in Wonosari Jaya SP4 Village, Mimika Baru District, experienced a historic and special moment when the HABEMA Task Forces completed the GPI Diaspora building. The completion of the church building was directly attended to and inaugurated by the Commanding General of the Joint Defense Region Command III (Kogabwilhan III), Lieutenant General Bambang Trisnohadi.

The inauguration ceremony marking the completion of the construction of the church building was a jubilant occasion. It was attended by the HABEMA Commanding General, the Assistants of Kaskogabwilhan III, the Chairperson of the GPI Papua Synod (Reverend Donald Salima), the Chairperson of the GPI Papua Mimika Classis (Reverend Ferdinan Hukubun), the Pastors of all the Mimika Classis, the GPI Diaspora Congregation members, and the HABEMA Soldiers. The ceremony was filled with prayers, greetings, and Papuan dance performances, including Papuan dances by representatives of the GPI Diaspora Congregation, creating a warm and united atmosphere.

This inauguration moment has a special meaning for the GPI Diaspora Congregation, considering the process of waiting for the realization of the church building, which took almost three years. The GPI Papua Synod Chairperson, Reverend Donald Salima conveyed this in his speech. Furthermore, Reverend Donald also added, “Immeasurable gratitude to the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) who voluntarily implement the dreams and hopes of the GPI Diaspora Congregation in the form of a church building that was completed in about two weeks since the laying of the first stone on 28 August 2024.”

The construction of the church building using the knock-down system, a method that involves pre-fabricating parts of the building off-site and assembling them on-site, is a significant contribution from the TNI to the Papuan people, marking the 79th anniversary of the TNI. This was expressed by the Commanding General of Kogabwilhan III, Lieutenant General Bambang Trisnohadi, who also stated, “The implementation of the construction of this church building is a testament to the TNI’s commitment to the spiritual growth of the GPI Diaspora Congregation, as well as its dedication to serving and blessing others to support the Indonesian Government’s program in the process of accelerating development in the Papua region.”

Sumber: Kapen Kogabwilhan III, Kolonel Inf Winaryo