LAI Partner Meeting in Tobelo, July 30, 2024
This year the Indonesian Bible Institute (LAI) turns 70 years old. Over time, LAI has established good relationships with many partners from various regions. Various activities have been endeavored to continue embracing more partners to serve together, given the urgency of the importance of the Bible procurement ministry for God's people in need.
One of LAI's efforts in partner outreach is by organizing banquet events such as the Bible Mission Banquet (BMB) in the Jakarta area, which expanded into the Bible Mission Gathering and Temu Mitra for areas outside Jakarta. Through this event, LAI intends to build and strengthen partnerships over dinner, while exchanging ideas and discussions regarding LAI's ministry and needs.
This time, the opportunity to conduct Temu Mitra materialized in Tobelo, Halmahera, North Maluku. The sunny afternoon was made even more enchanting by the music of a skilled pianist who moved the invited guests present at the Marahai Park Hotel, Tobelo. The Partner Gathering event from start to finish was hosted by MC Rev. Marsel Momole, S. Si. The event began with a short thanksgiving service. The word of God was delivered by Rev. Theo Kumendong, M. Th, Chairman of PGPI North Maluku. In his sermon, Rev. Theo told the story of King Corinth, a leader who came from outside Israel, but had the same view as God's vision for the Israelites. He stated that just as God sent and used Cores to carry out His vision, He was also calling the guests and partners present at that time, to carry out His mandate with LAI.
This inspiring sermon was followed by a presentation from the General Secretary of LAI, Dr. Sigit Triyono, who shared the work and ministry of LAI to make the Good News available to all who need it. On the occasion of this presentation, Mr. Sigit also conveyed how much effort and struggle must be done by LAI starting from translating the Bible from the original language, to become a book of Scripture that can be accepted by the people of Indonesia to various corners. There are many steps, many stages that must be passed to have the title of Bible translation coach or consultant. They have to pursue advanced studies in this very complex field. Some have to undergo studies in the United States, Ireland, the Netherlands, and South Korea. This requires a lot of effort and money!” said Pak Sigit.
Pak Sigit continued, "And when the Bible has been translated into the local language, the translationthis decades-long process still has to go through many more processes to become one Bible, which when sold costs only twice the price of a Starbucks coffee. Our Bibles are that cheap!”
The afternoon moved into the evening, and the event continued into the Faith Pledge session. Partners and prospective partners were presented with a form prepared by the committee containing sheets for donation commitment. Everything was solemn until the banquet which was accompanied by jazz spiritual music.
For your information, the event also honored LAI's loyal partners. The recipients of the Partner Appreciation from the Indonesian Bible Institute in this Tobelo 2024 Partner Gathering are:
1. Representing the Church: GMIH (Deputy Secretary of GMIH Synod, Rev. Simson Pulo, S.Th)
1 Representing the Church.
2. Representing Employers: Mr. Alpianus Nata
3. Representing the Government: Assistant for Government Affairs of North Halmahera Regional Government, Drs.F.N.Sahetapy, S.Ip.,MH
Representing the Government.
4. Representing the Institution/Foundation : Mr. Hein Namotemo, MSP
.
The beauty of the evening was capped off with the announcement of the number of donation commitments. LAI and all invite partners are grateful and rejoice to be involved as God's co-workers in the vision of sharing the Good News to the ends of the earth. Biblical greetings to all.
