The news echoed on the Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) website was quite shocking. Rev. Wuwungan, The Guardian of the Faith of GPIB passed away. For the Indonesian Bible Institute family Rev. Olbers Elhardus Christian Wuwungan was no stranger. He was the only member of the New Translation Bible Translation Team (1974) who almost half a century later was again involved as a member of the Revision Team of the New Translation Bible or known as the TB-2 Bible, which was published in 2023.

Wuwungan was born on June 28, 1934 in Jakarta. Since childhood, he was expected by his grandmother to become a pastor. Moreover, his great-grandfather or his grandmother's father was also a pastor who accompanied Rev. Graafland, a missionary who served in Maliku, South Minahasa, North Sulawesi. Incidentally, two highly respected pastors in Minahasa, namely, Rev. W.J.Rumambi (former Secretary of the first DGI and pioneer of LAI) and Rev. R.Luntungan (former Chairman of the Assembly of GPIB "Paulus", Jakarta) while studying in Jakarta had "boarded" at his grandmother's house.

“My father was a private businessman, who later worked in insurance. He wanted me to succeed him. I refused his wishes. My grandmother's wishes and prayers began to come true," she said. "I am very close to my grandmother," she said.

While living in his grandparents' house, he heard various Bible stories. His grandfather was active in church ministry. He was an elder at GPIB Imanuel, Jakarta. For Wuwungan, the Bible is important because it teaches fundamental values in man's relationship with God.

After finishing high school, he entered the Jakarta School of Theology (STT). He graduated from STT Jakarta in 1961 cum laude. Shortly afterward, his lecturer at STT from Switzerland, Dr. Christoph Barth, asked him to get involved in the Bible Translation Project, which was initiated by the Netherlands Bible Society (NBG) and later taken over by LAI. "Not all the foreigners involved in the Bible translation team were Dutch," he explained.

He accepted Barth's suggestion to join the LAI. Though he also received a scholarship offer to continue his education abroad. An STT professor, Dr. Müller Krüger recommended that Wuwungan continue his studies in Germany. However, Barth told him to first join LAI for three years. It turned out to be not three, but thirteen years that he was involved in the New Translation (TB) Bible translation project.

The meticulous teamwork and attention to detail was one of the reasons the TB project lasted so long. Even a Bible translation expert from the World Fellowship of Biblical Societies (UBS), Dr. Eugene Nida, said the LAI TB team worked too slowly. He asked the team to work faster.

The LAI Board then appointed Drs. C.D. Grijns, Secretary of the Translation Department, to be replaced by Wuwungan. When he assumed the position, he had to face two of his own superiors, Prof.Dr.J.L.Ch. Abineno (New Testament Team Leader) and Prof.Dr.R.Soedarmo (Old Testament Team Leader). It is not easy to coordinate with former teachers, as Grijns was his former teacher in the Greek course at STT and Dr. Arie de Kuiper was his former Old Testament lecturer at STT Jakarta.

”Debates and clashes among team members when defending their opinions were not uncommon, to the point that two team members, Mr. Barth and Mr. Naipospos, eventually left the project. However, God continued to lead the team to produce the best work possible. Finally, in 1974, the team successfully completed the New Translation of the Bible," he recalled.

Life experiences gave Wuwungan the belief that God can provide many unexpected things. He realized that there are wishes that go unanswered, but there are many amazing paths that God has designed. His guidance is amazing.

After the TB Bible was published in 1974, Wuwungan was offered the opportunity to continue his studies by the Netherlands Bible Institute. In February 1975 he traveled to the Netherlands to pursue Old Testament studies at the Rijskuniversiteit Utrecht. Wuwungan earned his doctorate from STT Jakarta in 1983.

“After graduating from STT Jakarta in 1961 I really wanted to continue my studies, but that wish was only granted 14 years later. As a result, I was able to help finish the New Translation of the Bible. That strengthened my insight," he continued. He is so grateful that, despite many challenges, clashes and upheavals, the New Translation of the Bible was finally published and became a blessing for all Christians in Indonesia. There is a value that Christ taught: "Not my will, but yours be done (Luke 22:42)," he said.

In 1990, Rev. Wuwungan was elected General Chairman of the Synod Assembly of the Protestant Church in Western Indonesia (GPIB), which he held for two terms until 2000. Rev. Wuwungan was also on the Board of BPK Gunung Mulia in 1989 and was included in the Theological Commission of BPK Gunung Mulia in 1990.

Another field is another mantis, another hole is another fish. Working at LAI and working in the church are different challenges. In the church, he has experienced both challenges and threats. However, Rev. Wuwungan always hopes for God's provision and guidance, “What is right must be declared right, what is wrong must be declared wrong, even though we face risks,“ he said.

"The Lord Jesus himself experienced humiliation, temptation and unfair treatment, but he was humble and did not retaliate. Those who follow Him must also be ready to emulate the attitude of our Lord. In times of crisis and worry, the only thing we can rely on is God's help," he continued.

In his old age, Rev. Wuwungan is still healthy in movement and clear in thought. Health for him is a gift from God that enables him to carry out the tasks He has given him. People ask him what his secret is. He admits that the first thing he does is to always surrender to God. For Wuwungan, we can ask God for anything, including physical and spiritual health. Secondly, he regularly exercises, such as Tai-chi. Lastly, he eats in moderation. "What tastes good on the tongue is not necessarily beneficial for the body," he explained. Unlike most Manado people, Wuwungan rarely eats meat. Since young, he prefers to eat vegetables, fish and fruits.

After a long period of service in the Church until he entered the emirate (retirement), in 2005 he was again included in the Revision Team of the Old Testament New Translation (1974). The General Secretary of LAI at that time, Drs.Supardan M.A., and the LAI Translation Consultant, Pdt.Anwar Tjen Ph.D, asked him to join the New Translation Bible Revision Team. After decades of use by Christians in Indonesia, the work produced by his team in 1974 was due for an update. The revision is expected to be clearer and more precise in its language, making it easier to understand for today's Bible readers.

Pdt. Wuwungan initially declined the invitation from LAI. He argued that he had not wrestled with issues of Scripture texts for so long, as he was more involved in practical church leadership ministry. However, Rev. Anwar, the LAI Translation Consultant, still trusted his experience and scholarly background.

” Bible translation and publishing is a little different than other publications. There are no names of the members of the Revision Team in Bible publications, so not many people are interested in this endeavor, especially if it takes years to review the text," he said.

There is certainly a difference between the work of the team in the past era (1974) and the era of the New Translation 2nd Edition (2023). In the past, technology was limited, but now the team is supported by sophisticated technology, such as the help of Paratext software, which makes the revision process faster. It's all computerized now. According to Mr. Wuwungan, notes and handwriting have distinctive characteristics, which make people remember what has been corrected and how a change occurred.

The renewal of the New Translation of the Bible, according to Rev. Wuwungan, is important, especially for the next generation. He hopes that the New Translation Bible 2nd Edition (TB-2), which will finally be published in 2023, will be easier to read and understand. He also hopes that the new Bible will inspire and penetrate the hearts and minds of its readers and make people believe in Christ as Lord and Savior.

As with previous translations, the Word of God needs to be passed on to all people from all generations of diverse backgrounds. The written word, as a tradition that has lasted thousands of years, is still needed today. As long as God is pleased, this tradition will continue, because many people are waiting for the Good News in clear and understandable language.

On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Rev. (Em.) O.E.Ch. Wuwungan, D.Th. was called home to his heavenly Father. The grief and loss were not only felt by the closest relatives, but also felt in the midst of the LAI family and also the GPIB Synod which he has served faithfully for decades.

Pastor O.E.Ch. Wuwungan.

There is also gratitude that the fruits of his labor, both the TB-1 Bible (1974) and the TB-2 Bible (2023), have inspired and strengthened the faith of Christians in Indonesia from various generations. Mr. Wuwungan's hope was realized: The Bible has accompanied the journey of Christians, penetrating their hearts and making them believe in Jesus Christ. It has been a blessing to Indonesia. Olly Wuwungan's name may not be recorded in the LAI published Bible, but Christ will not forget. “Well done, my good and faithful servant; you have been faithful in a small thing, I will give you responsibility for a great thing. Enter and share in your master's happiness, ” (Matthew 25: 21). Wuwungan is now living in eternal bliss with his Lord.