“ That night, although it was raining heavily, we were calm. No one thought the flood would come again," said Rev Jefta Teguh Saroso, pastor of the Javanese Christian Church (GKJ) Demak. One month earlier, in February, floods had also hit Demak. However, the flood at the end of March was much more severe. While the February flood was caused by the overflowing Tuntang River, which has its headwaters in the Salatiga area, and the rising tide from the Java Sea, the March flood was caused by the overflowing Wulan River. As a result of the heavy rainfall, several water storage embankments broke, unable to cope with the overflowing water. The Wulan River, which has its headwaters in the Kedung Ombo area, also received a very heavy overflow of water and resulted in flooding in the Demak, Kudus and surrounding areas.

”My family and I gathered at the pastor's house that night. It turned out that the water rose so quickly. Within half an hour, it had risen to knee level," he continued. "We immediately moved out of the house to the church building, which has a higher floor," he continued. "To be safe from the reach of the water, we temporarily stayed in the section near the pulpit, which is much higher than the surrounding floors."

 

Many people said that this year's flood in Demak was the worst flood in the last 30 years. About 13 sub-districts were flooded and 25,000 residents had to flee their homes. The flooding happened when most of the residents were fasting during the month of Ramadan. Observing fasting in a refugee camp, in an atmosphere full of limitations and suffering is certainly not easy. 

Once the water level began to decrease, Rev Jefta and the GKJ Demak assembly began to coordinate and establish emergency services for residents affected by the disaster. Pastor Jefta began coordinating with other churches that are members of the Demak Churches Cooperation Agency (BKGD) as well as other volunteers from various backgrounds. “The most difficult thing at that time was getting information or data that was up to dateabout the distribution of flood areas and locations that need priority assistance," he said.“We mostly get information from the provincial level. Maybe it's because everyone in Demak is having difficulties.” After getting enough information, GKJ Demak began to open a post and carry out food distribution services to be sent to flood-affected residents. Shortly afterwards, help arrived from the Christian Foundation for Public Health (Yakkum) team. GKJ Demak in collaboration with Yakkum opened a free medical service for flood-affected residents. 

On Thursday, 9 May 2024, during the Ascension of the Lord Jesus to Heaven Service, Pastor Jefta in his sermon expressed his appreciation to all the congregations who willingly worked together to provide services for flood victims. “ Floods do bring suffering and difficulties to all of us. However, in the midst of these difficulties we are still able to share and serve is really something we should be grateful for together," he explained.

In the midst of the Ascension Worship, there was also a team from the Indonesian Bible Institute (LAI) who came to symbolically hand over Bibles for adults and children. Alpha Martyanta, as the Head of the LAI Disaster Management Team, said in his speech, "Today we are here in Demak with the spirit of brotherhood and partnership, to convey our support and empathy on behalf of the churches in Indonesia to the flood victims in Demak and surrounding areas," he said.

“ We hope that the presence of this Bible is able to replace your Bible that was damaged by the flood. May the word of God be a comfort, a friend in distress and a lamp in living life," he continued. The Bible donation was symbolically received by the GKJ Demak congregation.

In the afternoon, still in the worship room of GKJ Demak, LAI again met with representatives of seven churches that are members of BKGD to hand over Bibles to members of the congregations from those churches. Actually, there are more than 40 churches in Demak and surrounding areas. However, by the deadline only eight churches had submitted data on the need for Bibles for flood-affected residents. The eight churches are: GKJ Demak, GBI Mranggen, GIA Bumirejo, GIA Kuripan, GKII Abdiel, GKJ Mijen, GKJ Mranggen Pepanthan Bumirejo, and GPdI Sayung. 

In the meeting LAI also briefly conveyed its vision and mission and ministry activities to the servants of God present. The atmosphere of the meeting was cheerful and full of intimacy. It was as if there were no signs of the disaster a month ago. The servants of God who were present seemed full of enthusiasm and enthusiasm to receive the support of the New Translation of the Bible, 2nd Edition (TB-2). The atmosphere of intimacy was also seen as churches helped each other in transporting the Bibles to their respective church locations. Overall for Demak and surrounding areas LAI delivered 1,500 copies of Bibles consisting of 1,300 standard size Bibles for adult congregation members and 200 copies of Children's Bibles.

GKJ Demak, which hosted the LAI, is arguably the oldest church in Demak Regency. It is located only about 800 metres from Demak Square, precisely on Jl. Betengan, South Petengan, Bintoro Village, Demak District.

 

“The building that we use as a church building was once the location of a Christian school that is now closed. We bought the Hak Guna Bangunan (HGB)," explained Pastor Jefta. That afternoon, while enjoying hot coffee, we listened to his story about the journey of GKJ Demak.

The establishment of GKJ Demak in the past cannot be separated from the presence of health workers who took on the task of health services in Demak Regency and its surroundings around the 1930s. 

“It turns out that the sincerity and spirit of service of the health workers who happened to be Christians were able to captivate the hearts of many community members to learn about God and accept the Christian faith, ” explained Pastor Jefta who is the 5th pastor at GKJ Demak. “ The first Christian community in Demak was formed in Karangmlati Village, Demak District in 1930. The existence of these Christian figures is evidenced by the existence of old Christian graves in the Kalicilik Village area.” 

Beginning in 1930, the Christian fellowship in Demak Regency continued to grow and briefly conducted worship from house to house until a house of worship was built in Betengan. So many people attended, the house of worship was unable to accommodate the people who came. Praise God that someone offered land, which the church then bought to build a house of worship," explained Pastor Jefta. After the independence era, the Christian community in Demak Regency had faded and reappeared in the 1950s. Furthermore, in 1955 GKJ Demak was inaugurated as an independent church. 

Currently GKJ Demak has around 600 congregants, consisting of congregants of the main church and congregants from 3 pepanthan areas (prospective congregations). “Most of our congregants are traders, civil servants, private employees. There are also those who are farmers and entrepreneurs," said Pastor Jefta.

Pastor Jefta is currently the only pastor serving in GKJ Demak with such a wide service area. A few days before LAI arrived, GKJ Demak had just left one of its pastors, namely:

Pastor Em. Natanael Sih Pujiono, S.PAK, M.Min. He was buried in Solo, Central Java. When LAI arrived in Demak on Wednesday afternoon, Rev Jefta had just arrived from Solo, after the funeral service.

Amidst the diversity of the people in the City of Guardians, Demak, GKJ Demak seeks to be present and declare its identity as a disciple of Christ in a pluralistic society. Their spirit can be seen in their motto on social media: To be an Intergenerational Church that serves without "edge" without "but". Everyone who has tasted the saving grace of Jesus Christ is called to serve without "edges" and without "buts". We become an extension of Christ who is present for the sake of all and for all people.

Floods have indeed damaged many things. But the floods did not dampen the spirit and hope of the Christians in Demak. May the presence of the Bible be a strengthening friend to them in presenting signs of the Kingdom of God in the world. Thank you for the support of LAI's ministry partners who have made this possible. 

The apostle Paul once wrote that,” We know that he works all things together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, TB-2). In all events, in times of joy and sorrow, God works to bring good to us all. Even behind disasters, we believe God has a good and beautiful plan for all of us. Keep your spirits up, God bless us all. (keb)