The Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) Residen Sudirman, Surabaya witnessed a meeting between the Inter-Church Consultative Body (BAMAG) of Surabaya and the Indonesian Bible Institute (LAI). The meeting held on Wednesday, 17 April 2024 was an important step for LAI in pioneering and building partnerships with churches in Surabaya and surrounding areas.

A total of 220 church leaders attended the meeting. The first purpose of this meeting was, of course, to connect and introduce ourselves. Coincidentally, from the beginning of April the LAI Representative Office in Surabaya started operating. Next, LAI needed to introduce its mission and ministry programme, especially the One in Love (SDK) programme, to the churches in Surabaya. Through the SDK programme, LAI bridges the needs of God's people in remote areas for the word of God and urban congregations who support the provision of Bibles for their brothers and sisters in the hinterland.

The closest support-raising activity in support of the SDK programme for Surabaya and surrounding areas is the Symphony of Love for My Country organised by the LAI Mitra Surabaya Support Raising Working Group (KKPD). The event is scheduled to take place on 4 May 2024. .

The meeting was intimate, smooth, and exceeded LAI's expectations. The participants who came from various BAMAG member churches showed great enthusiasm for this partner meeting. The presentation delivered by the Head of LAI's Partnership Communication Department, Mrs Erna Yulianawati, succeeded in attracting the attention of the participants, which was shown through active interaction in the question and answer session.

Not only as a platform to introduce the programme, this meeting was also an opportunity for LAI Surabaya Representative to build communication and partnership with local churches in order to proclaim the ministry of good news.

Thus, it can be concluded that the meeting between LAI and BAMAG Surabaya was not only successful in introducing the LAI programme, but also in building strong partnerships with churches in Surabaya. Hopefully through this meeting there will be follow-up concrete steps that will contribute positively to the sustainability of future programmes.

May God continue to bless the good news ministry in Surabaya and surrounding areas. Biblical Greetings for All. (ew)