On Friday, 7 August 2026, the Indonesian Bible Society (LAI) set foot on the island of Borneo, specifically in Sintang Regency, West Kalimantan. The LAI team, led by the Head of the Communications and Partnerships Department, Evi Sidabutar, along with two others—Yohanes Hutapea and Martin Silitonga—began their extensive programme in Sintang Regency, before eventually travelling to Landak Regency and the city of Singkawang.
In Sintang, the LAI team will carry out two activities: promoting the LAI programme and organising a partners’ appreciation evening entitled “Bible Mission Gathering”, commonly known by the acronym BMG. Meanwhile, in Singkawang, only the BMG will be held. These important events have not been organised at short notice, but have been the result of coordination and preparation with the local organising committee. For the event BMG in Sintang, the organising committee chaired by Rev. Demitrius. Meanwhile, the organisation of BMG in Singkawang is led by Mr Feryanto HB, SH., MH., NL.P., who is also Chairman of the Singkawang City Christian Religious Activities Organising Board (BPK3).
The launch of LAI’s ministry programme in Sintang Regency took place simultaneously during Sunday services on 9 August 2026 at five local churches. This outreach was organised to communicate LAI’s programmes and mission, particularly ‘One in Love’ (SDK)—LAI’s programme to distribute Bibles free of charge to God’s people in remote areas who are unable to purchase a Bible, either due to financial hardship or difficult geographical access. Through this outreach, LAI hopes that many Christians will be moved to lend a helping hand and be a blessing to their brothers and sisters who do not yet have a Bible.
Subsequently, LAI organised the Sintang BMG, held at the Sungai Yordan Church (GSY) in Rajawali, Sintang, on Tuesday, 11 August 2026. The event went well, beginning with the presentation of LAI’s Vision and Mission by the General Secretary of LAI, Dr Sigit Triyono, followed by a worship service, a fundraising session, and concluding with a dinner together.
The following day, Wednesday 12 August 2026, the LAI team continued their journey to Singkawang to organise the BMG; however, en route, LAI held a meeting with the Deputy Regent of Landak Regency, Mr Erani, S.T., M.T.. The meeting proceeded smoothly, focusing on LAI and its programmes. The meeting included a shared lunch, before the LAI team and the LAI Pontianak Partner Support Mobilisation Working Group (KKPD) team continued their journey.
The Singkawang BMG event took place the following day, Thursday 13 August 2026, at the Teratai Indah Recreation Park Restaurant in Singkawang. The event began with a communal dinner, before officially opening with a prayer service, followed by a presentation of LAI’s Vision and Mission by the LAI General Secretary, Dr Sigit Triyono, and concluded with a fundraising session. Interestingly, the Singkawang BMG featured a variety of praise performances, trios and dances.
All the activities carried out by LAI in Sintang and Singkawang are part of its efforts to reach out and build partnerships in various cities. As the church’s logistics body entrusted with managing the Good News ministry—from translation and printing through to distribution—LAI recognises that it cannot carry out all these tasks alone, but must involve LAI partners wherever they may be, from all walks of life and backgrounds. In this way, the vision set out in LAI’s mission statement, “God’s Word Reaches All Generations”, can be effectively realised. (martin)
