Toraja Church

Last updated
Toraja Church
Gereja Toraja
Logo Gereja Toraja.png
Logo of Toraja Church
Classification Protestant, Calvinist (Reformed)
LeaderPdt. Dr. Alfred Yohanes Rantedatu Anggui, M.Th.
RegionFlag of Indonesia.svg Indonesia
Flag of Malaysia.svg Malaysia
Origin25 March 1947
Rantepao, North Toraja, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Separations Protestant Church in Indonesia in Luwu
HospitalsElim Hospital, Rantepao
Elim Mother and Child Hospital, Makassar
Official website gerejatoraja.id
Toraja Church in Rantepao Gereja Toraja Jemaat Rantepao.jpg
Toraja Church in Rantepao

Toraja Church is a Protestant Christian denomination in Tana Toraja, Indonesia, of which the majority of the Torajan people are members. [1] This church is a member of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia since 1950.

On 1912-1913 the Gereformerde Missionary Bond-Holland of the Dutch Reformed Church begun working in this part of the country. On 7 November 1913, Reverend A.A. van de Loosdrecht became the first missionary who came to Rantepao. This time became the starting point when the Gospel was grown in the Torajanese's heart. But, Reverend van de Loosdrecht was killed in that place. Formally, Toraja Church was established on 25 March 1947 in Rantepao. [2]

Toraja Church in Makale Gereja Toraja Bukit Sion.jpg
Toraja Church in Makale

In 1938 there were 14,000 Christians from 300,000 inhabitants there. In 1995 the church had 300,000 adherents. [3] In 2012 the church had 400,000 members and 959 congregations. This church is the largest in South Sulawesi, with approximately 80% of the Christian population belong to it. [4] [5] It is a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches. [6]

References

  1. Adams, Kathleen M. (2006). Art as politics: re-crafting identities, tourism, and power in Tana Toraja, Indonesia. University of Hawaii Press. p. 60. ISBN   978-0-8248-3072-4.
  2. F.D.Wellem. Kamus Sejarah Gereja. Jakarta: BPK Gunung Mulia 2009.
  3. Anderson, Gerald H. (1999). Biographical dictionary of Christian missions. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 52. ISBN   978-0-8028-4680-8.
  4. id:Gereja Toraja#Statistik
  5. "Gereja Toraja". 23 July 2010.
  6. "Member churches | Bringing together 80 million Reformed Christians worldwide". Archived from the original on 2012-08-08. Retrieved 2012-08-08.