Central Lampung, 5–9 October 2026 — A total of 5,707 Bible publications were distributed through the ‘Satu Dalam Kasih’ (SDK) Programme run by the Indonesian Bible Society (LAI) in Central Lampung. This distribution reached congregations across various churches, whilst also serving as a reminder that the journey of faith of the Christian community in this transmigration area must continue to be nurtured and passed on to the next generation.

The aid comprised 3,000 adult Bibles, 1,400 children’s Bibles, 1,100 Bible comics, and 207 Bibles for the elderly. During the distribution, the LAI team was accompanied by Rev. Kurniawan Diwanto Wijaya from GKSBS Bandar Jaya and Rev. Andri Saragih from the South Sumatra Christian Church (GKSBS) Seputih Mataram, who also serves as General Chairman of the Fellowship of Churches in Indonesia (PGID) for Central Lampung.

Before commencing the Bible distribution activity, the team carried out preparations and coordination at the GKSBS Bandar Jaya parsonage. From there, the team then moved on to a number of churches, including GKSBS Bandar Jaya, Seputih Agung, Maranatha Kota Gajah, Padang Ratu, Kota Gajah, Seputih Surabaya, Bandar Mataram, as well as GPIB Tiberias and HKBP Gotong Royong.

The Word that Bridges Generations

Central Lampung has a long history of migration from the island of Java. Since the 1930s, migrant families have come to clear land and build new lives. Amidst this hard work, some Christian families established simple congregations, even using Javanese-language Bibles borrowed from others.

Paryono, an elder who has witnessed the church’s journey since the 1980s, hopes that the Bibles received will strengthen the faith of the younger generation.

“My greatest hope is that these Bibles will serve as a pillar of faith for Christians in Lampung, particularly for children, teenagers and young families,” he said. He hopes they will come to understand God’s Word more deeply and live out their faith in Jesus Christ.

A similar hope was expressed by Maartje Helen Dias, the wife of Rev. Riyadi Basuki from GKSBS Maranatha, Kota Gaja. During her six years of partnership with LAI through the SDK programme, she has witnessed Bible distribution reaching various regions of Indonesia.

“Praise the Lord, today that love has finally reached Sumatra, particularly here in Central Lampung. We are overjoyed and delighted to receive Bibles from LAI,” she said.

Faith Growing Amidst Struggles

The distribution journey also highlighted the diversity of the congregations’ backgrounds. In Padang Ratu, the coming together of Sundanese and East Javanese communities—including descendants of Christians from Jember—has fostered a church life that grows together in a land far from home.

Meanwhile, in the Seputih Surabaya area, Rev. P. Silitonga, pastor of GPdI El Shaddai Gaya Baru, described the struggles of his congregation, comprising 27 households. Economic challenges and the dry season have affected the lives of farm labourers. Their church even suffered a fire caused by the use of candles during a power cut. Amidst all these limitations, he hopes that the Bible will play a vital role in the growth of the congregation’s faith.

“Our prayer and hope is that, through the Bibles now in the congregation’s hands, they will grow ever more eager to read and meditate on the Word of God, which is the very heart of God Himself,” he said.

This five-day journey demonstrated that Bible ministry is not merely about distributing books. Behind every Bible received, there is a family holding out hope, a congregation persevering, and a generation being prepared. Through the SDK Programme, LAI hopes that God’s Word will become ever closer to the lives of the people of Central Lampung—read, meditated upon, and passed on as a source of hope amidst the changing times. (perlando)