History
JAKARTA INTERNATIONAL BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY
(1961/63 - 2008)
September 1961 KEBAYORAN BAPTIST CHURCH was begun in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stockwell Sears–pioneer Southern Baptist missionaries in Indonesia. Two years later on September 1, 1963, the small group organized themselves into a church and here is the statement they signed:
ACTING, AS WE BELIEVE, UNDER THE LEADING OF GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT WE, THE UNDERSIGNED BAPTIZED BELIEVERS, HEREBY COVENANT TOGETHER TO ORGANIZE AS A CHURCH BEARING THE NAME KEBAYORAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
There follows the name of 13 forward looking souls who by faith signed the document. An Indonesian congregation was started under the name Gereja Baptis Kebayoran and the two were distinguished as the English Language Church and the Indonesian congregation.
Stockwell Sears was the first missionary pastor in the 60’s and Harry Budaya was the Indonesian pastor. The original building was dedicated in November 1963. Part of the uniqueness through the years has been the relationship with the national congregation as we have shared facilities, both in usage and upkeep. For 36 of these years since our beginning, Pastor Julianus Tarapa has served as pastor of our sister church, Gereja Baptis Kebayoran.
In 1972, the English congregation, due to its growth, and to provide for future growth, requested to the Indonesian congregation that it be allowed to call its own pastor and continue to utilize by rent agreement, the same building and facilities for English worship. Early church business meeting minutes indicate that Bill Haley and Bob Allen were missionary pastors until Rev. Gerald Pinkston was called as pastor in 1976. He was the last full-time missionary pastor, and served until 1988.
In 1977, Kebayoran Baptist Church–English Language Congregation adopted it Constitution and By-laws. These have been amended through the years, with the last time being in September 1997, when the church name was changed to Jakarta International Baptist Church.
In August 1988, Ross Fryer, a retired SBC missionary to Indonesia, was called as interim pastor. A year later in Nov. 1989, Rick Nauck was called as pastor until September 1993, when Jack Fletcher and Dr. James Adler served as interim pastors until November 1994, when the church called Rev. Jack Fletcher as pastor/elder.
For a number of years, inadequate space for Sunday School and worship was a problem here at our church. In 1990, the education facilities were expanded by adding a 2nd floor to the building at the back of the courtyard. Also in the 90’s, a mission ,Jakarta International Christian Fellowship, was started to relieve the overcrowding situation. Then in May 1997, an auditorium expansion was begun with a 60/40 financing plan for the renovation which would add 280 seats. Agreement was reached to add A/C during the remodeling. The renovation was competed before the end of 1997.
Jack Fletcher resigned as Pastor/Elder effective August 1998. Mel Gentry was asked to come as interim pastor in September and was later called as Pastor/Elder. Mel Gentry resigned as pastor at the end of June 2003. Bill Duke was called in 2003 and served as pastor for one year resigning in 2004. Les Redfern was called as pastor in October 2004 and resigned effective June 2007. Mel Gentry was again asked to be interim Pastor to serve JIBC until Stephen St. John was installed as Pastor.
During the 45 years of organized existence as a church, this English language work has experienced the addition to our church roll around 750 people as regular members and about 70 as associate members. We have baptized approximately 200 people through these years. Due to the fluid membership of expats who come to Indonesia on short term assignments, these members do not stay with the church indefinitely. But praise to God, our church has been here through the years to minister to the needs of the people who live here in Jakarta, as well as to those who are passing through, and need a place to worship and serve God in the English language.
A conservative estimate of how many people have sat and worshipped here through the years would be well over 1/4 million people. During these years, this church has provided for the needs of children, youth and adults through worship, Bible study, church-related activities, and missions to encourage fellowship and Christian growth. Our church has also generously donated to mission endeavors (over $700,000), both in Indonesia and around the world.
The Lord continues to bless this local fellowship of Believers as we seek to minister in the name of Christ to the English speaking community–both expats and locals. By faith, we believe that God has had, and will continue to have, a place for this Church in His kingdom’s work. Let us commit ourselves to continue steadfastly, assured of God’s purpose and presence and power in our midst.