Celebrating 100 Years Since the Gospel Reached Kalumpang
Behind the mountain ranges that stretch across the interior of Mamuju, West Sulawesi, the whisper of the mountain breeze blends with the resounding echoes of gratitude. Thousands of believers are celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Gospel’s Arrival in Kalumpang (IMTK). The series of events, culminating on 31 October 2026, is steeped in a spiritual atmosphere and rich cultural nuances.
The congregation and invited guests wore traditional Kalumpang attire, Kaya' Bei, combined with the beauty of the world cultural heritage fabric Tenun Ikat Sekomandi. The festivities were complemented by traditional dance performances such as Tari Sayo, bamboo music, a socio-historical drama depicting the arrival of the Gospel, a cultural exhibition, and the unveiling of the five-metre-tall IMTK Centenary Monument, featuring a statue of Jesus standing atop a globe.
The Chairman of the Synod of the West Sulawesi Christian Church (GKSB), Rev. Mardi Tamandalan, as host expressed his gratitude for God’s unceasing provision for the GKSB and the entire community of Kalumpang. He went on to say,” The purpose of holding the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Gospel’s Arrival in Kalumpang is to give thanks to God for His blessings and grace, whilst also commemorating the journey of faith of our forebears who received and spread the Gospel. The aim is to strengthen the commitment of Christians and members of the GKSB to follow the teachings of the Gospel and to continue living in accordance with its values… We hope that this celebration will serve as a moment of reflection for Christians in understanding history, expressing gratitude for the work of the pioneers, founders, successors, and developers of the church, and to lay a solid foundation for the continuity of God’s church both now and in the future...”
Rev. Mardi also emphasised the importance of preserving local customs as a bulwark of social control and a means of upholding the faith and salvation.The theme chosen for the celebration was most fitting: “We Walk in the Light of Life” (cf. John 8:12) as well as this year’s GKSB theme“Live as a Light that Bears Fruit of Goodness, Justice and Truth” (cf. Ephesians 5:8b-9). Through their presence in community, national and state life, the congregation is called upon to play an active role and affirm their calling and identity as people who have been called out of ‘darkness’ into &‘light’ of Christ’s salvation.
In 1926, through the evangelistic ministry of the Indische Kerk (IK), the 22nd Tobara (Traditional Chief) of Tamalea, who bore the title Tobarak Tosondo Dilangi, Rinding Batu Pongkapadang (Toibalabassi), became the first person to be baptised. This first baptism was subsequently followed by the entire population of Tamalea at that time.
This profession of faith by the traditional leaders served as the gateway for the subsequent proclamation of the Gospel in the interior of Mamuju. From that moment on, the light of Christ’s Gospel transcended the boundaries of time, growing, taking root and bearing fruit until it became the West Sulawesi Christian Church (GKSB), the oldest ecclesiastical institution in the Land of Kalumpang.
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who was present on behalf of the central government, commended the resilience of the people of Kalumpang in upholding their faith.
“Many things may change, but I appreciate how the priests and the people of Kalumpang have ensured that the light from 100 years ago continues to shine today. Ensuring that the steadfastness of 100 years ago remains deeply rooted. Ensuring that the faith of 100 years ago endures,” said the Vice-President.
The Vice-President also commended the organisation of the celebrations, which not only focused on the journey of faith but also highlighted the nobility of culture, tradition and concern for environmental conservation. In his view, these three elements form part of our ancestral heritage that must continue to be safeguarded. “For behind every tradition and custom lies a story of life, faith and the protection of nature by our ancestors. The land of Kalumpang holds the traces of our forebears’ civilisation; it is our shared duty to care for and preserve it,” he said.
The Vice-President’s visit was greeted with great enthusiasm by the community. There was a strong sense of family, particularly when the Vice-President addressed the community in the local Kalumpang language at the start of his speech, which was immediately met with cheers and a rousing round of applause from the entire audience. This greeting in the local language not only created an even more intimate and warm atmosphere, but also served as a gesture of respect from the Vice-President towards the language and cultural identity of the Kalumpang community. After delivering his speech, Vice-President Gibran officially inaugurated and signed the IMTK monument.
The Governor of West Sulawesi, Suhardi Duka, speaking on behalf of the local government, expressed his appreciation and pride in the people of Kalumpang, whom he described as friendly, gentle and capable of embodying the values of the holy scriptures in their daily behaviour. He praised the high level of religious tolerance and the richness of local culture, which has gained international recognition.
In his address, he emphasised,”The Gospel is not merely a holy book; it must be read, it must be understood, but it must also be an expression. Our behaviour can be an integral part of our lives, and the people of Kalumpang have expressed this. We should therefore be grateful and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Gospel’s arrival in Kalumpang. I am also proud that the cultures of Kalumpang, Sekomandi, the Sayo dance, and so on have become an integral part and a distinctive feature of West Sulawesi’s culture… When we understand religion, that is precisely when we will understand differences. Indonesia is not a single-faith nation; consequently, unity is essential, and the essence of unity lies in a high degree of tolerance. The people of Kalumpang have already put this into practice very well.”
The General Secretary of the Indonesian Bible Society (LAI), as GKSB’s partner in the translation and distribution of the Bible, in his address delivered via video recording, offered his congratulations on this golden anniversary and emphasised the importance of keeping the flame of the Gospel alive through close partnership.
"It is our shared hope that this centenary commemoration will lay the foundations for a solid source of inspiration, so that the spirit and essence of the mission pioneered by our forebears 100 years ago may continue to live on and flourish in the hearts of every member of the congregation. “The flame of the Gospel should not remain merely a part of history, but should be tangibly manifested in acts of love, justice and kindness within the fabric of our society, nation and state,” he said.
A centenary celebration is certainly not an end point or merely a stage for historical celebration. This event is a kairos—God’s holy time to call every heart back to the essence of their faith.
Amidst the tide of changing times, modernisation and various national challenges, the church and its congregation are called to return to its fundamental foundation: the Bible as the living Word of God. Loving the Holy Scriptures is not merely a matter of keeping them on the altar or confining them to the pages of memorised texts. To love the Holy Scriptures means opening one’s heart to be shaped by His Truth, making His teachings a lamp for one’s feet and a light for the path of daily life.
The spirit of the Gospel that ignited the passion of our forebears in centuries past as they ventured deep into the dense forests and mountains of Kalumpang must remain alive and burning in the hearts of Kalumpang’s people today. The modern world longs for the living testimony of peoplewho bring the Good News, who radiate light, justice and peace not only in words but also in deeds. (diana/mks)
