GPIB Immanuel: Tolerance From National Leaders Brings Long Peace

JAKARTA - The Protestant Church in western Indonesia (GPIB) Immanuel Jakarta stated that the tolerance promoted by national leaders and religious leaders in Indonesia will bring eternal peace to all the people of this country.

The Chief Executive of the Congregation of Immanuel Jakarta, Pastor Wilhelmus Ayub Taulo, said that the government's commitment to make Christmas a success for Christians throughout the country is a form of tolerance from the leader.

"The government, starting from Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, has stepped down, ministers and other leaders have also seen that they are leaders who come down to see in person - make sure Christmas runs smoothly. Peace will last like this," said Pastor Wilhelmus. Taulo was reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, December 24.

Pastor Wilhelmus expressed his gratitude for the attention of the government which mobilized all resources to ensure that the congregation could carry out a series of 2024 Christmas services safely, peacefully, and solemnly.

Peace, he said, is the essence of the 2024 Christmas theme carried by GPIB Immanuel Jakarta, namely, Christmas Eve Worship: The Simplicity of Christmas Christ Brings Great Joy to the World (Lukas 2: 8-16).

The church, which is located on Jalan Merdeka Timur, tonight held two Christmas Eve Worship sessions with a total number of 2,000 congregations, of whom 1,000 filled church seats, and the rest occupied a number of tents decorated with Christmas knick-knacks with silver and gold.

The Christmas Eve service for the first session, which starts at 18.00 WIB, will be led by Pastor Abraham Ruben Persang who is also Chairman of the Congregation of Imanuel Jakarta, with the theme "Not A Dark-Kerlip But A Quiet Sunyi (Lukas 2:1-7)".

Then on Christmas Eve Worship for the second session which starts at 21.00 WIB will be led by Pastor Artomillka Lia Persang Bara-Pa.

The Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Menkopolkam) Budi Gunawan accompanied by the TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo also checked security and readiness ahead of the Christmas celebration at GPIB Immanuel on Tuesday evening.

A number of TNI/Polri soldiers were alerted around the church and established a security post.