On 8 September 2024, the Church of the Nazarene celebrated a significant milestone in Indonesia by organizing the Ekklesia Church of the Nazarene in Pekanbaru, North Sumatra. It is the first Church of the Nazarene in Pekanbaru. 

Sumatra Pioneer Area Coordinator Stephanus Halawa and Pastor Yehezkiel Siswanto, who were instrumental in establishing the mission work in this city, led the church’s organization and pastor installation ceremony. They preached about the importance of focusing on the mission to spread the gospel and building a strong foundation for the local congregation.

“We should be grateful to our Lord Jesus Christ that he is the owner of our lives and that the holy one continues to work in us, [as we] preach the good news that is increasingly spreading throughout the world and Indonesia, especially the Sumatra Pioneer area,” Halawa said. “I am grateful to the Lord Jesus for several of God’s people in Duri, who have decided to join as Nazarenes and accept the teachings of holiness after hearing and being taught about the identity of the Church of the Nazarene.”

This church was born because Siswanto prayed and discipled Rudi Yohanes. Several years ago, Yohanes was a member of the Nazarene church in Weleri, Central Java. He desired to one day support and establish a Nazarene church in Sumatra. When he moved to Sumatra nine years ago, with God’s help, his prayers were answered.

The Ekklesia Church of the Nazarene is located in Duri City, Pekanbaru, North Sumatra. Donal Siahaan and Erison Simbolon will pastor the congregation. A worship was held to celebrate the church’s organization. 

The Manual of the Church of the Nazarene was provided to the local church pastors as a symbol that the church is under the auspices and follows the teachings of holiness and government of the Church of the Nazarene.

On another occasion, Halawa and Siswanto also taught the pastors and church leaders about the Nazarene identity. They expect continuous training with church leaders to disciple and equip them as they continue working in their community.

“We hope our church will continue to be a blessing in the Duri area and its surroundings, as well as in other areas in Sumatra,” Halawa said. “Please continue to pray that the news of holiness can spread further in other places in Sumatra.”

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region