LAI’s Journey Report from Salatiga and Solo

The Indonesian Bible Society (LAI) has once again reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the ministry of local churches and expanding the reach of God’s Word in the modern era. Through a series of activities in several towns in Central Java at the end of August 2026, the LAI team organised Sunday School teacher training in Salatiga and promoted the ‘One in Love’ programme in several churches in the cities of Solo and Salatiga.

Reaching the Digital Generation in Salatiga

The series of activities began on Saturday, 29 August 2026, at GKI Salatiga. LAI promoted the ‘Bible For My Friend’ Movement through a Sunday School Teachers’ Workshop (GSM) entitled “Conveying God’s Word to Children in the Digital Age.”

This training was attended by 60 Sunday school teachers from a variety of church backgrounds and professions—ranging from students and housewives to teachers in formal education.

The guest speaker was Kak Adi Nugroho, a children’s ministry advocate from the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Wijna. In his presentation, Adi emphasised the importance of understanding the differences in generational approaches to technology:
- Millennials view technology as a tool.
- Generation Z sees technology as the environment in which they grow.
- Generation Alpha regards technology as the world in which they live.

“The proclamation of God’s Word must be relevant and adaptable. Particularly for Generation Alpha, who now fill Sunday school classrooms, teachers need to learn to listen to their expectations, teach with firmness without raising their voices, and convey Bible stories in a personal and conversational manner,” explained Adi to the participants.

Building Partnerships and Care Through the “One in Love” Programme in Solo and Salatiga

Following the event in Salatiga, the LAI team continued their ministry programme to the city of Solo, situated approximately 50 km east of Salatiga. On Sunday, 30 August 2026, the LAI team—comprising: Caroline, Victor, and accompanied by Mr Hardjana, LAI’s local partner in Solo, presented the ‘One in Love’ (SDK) programme at three churches: the Javanese Christian Church (GKJ) in Manahan, the GKJ in Nusukan, and the Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) in Sangkrah.

 
The SDK programme is essentially a Bible distribution initiative for God’s people who are unable to obtain a Bible due to geographical (remote areas) or economic factors.  God’s people living in urban areas are encouraged to show their care by supporting the LAI’s ministry in delivering Bibles to remote areas across the archipelago. As a follow-up to this initiative, LAI plans to organise a Bible Week in the city of Solo to introduce the Holy Scriptures and LAI’s ministry to the younger generation in a more engaging and contextually relevant way.

On the same day, the spirit of collaboration was also demonstrated by the LAI Mitra team in Semarang. Mr Ernanto and Mr Johanes Gabriel, two members of the LAI Semarang Partners’ Support Mobilisation Working Group (KKPD), also presented the SDK programme at several churches in the Salatiga area. 

The KKPD itself is essentially a group of LAI volunteer partners comprising people from various walks of life who, of their own free will and out of a genuine desire, support LAI’s vision, mission and ministry. They can support LAI’s various ministry programmes through contributions of: labour, ideas, time, expertise, talents, funds and prayer.

It is hoped that this synergy and unity of purpose across the regions of Semarang, Salatiga and Solo will continue to be closely fostered in order to support the mission of bringing the Good News and strengthening the foundations of the Christian faith in Indonesia. (victor)