Editor’s Note: This week’s article is the second of a series written by Elder Michael D Lee on our Missions Team’s trip to Batam in January 2020.

 

What about Filadelfia B-P Church (known as Gereja GAPPI Filadelfia)?

 

From the website, https://www.filadelfiagracia.com/about-us, Filadelfia B-P Church is described as “an autonomous, fundamental, Bible-believing church based in Batam.” This church was started in 2004 as a home church of several individuals meeting in a “shophouse”. Since then the church has grown with 80 members. They are now worshipping in their own property, consisting of a church building, and a two-storey guest house.

 

The Worship Service on the Lord’s Day starts at 10 am.

 

Ev AL is assisted by Ev KR, who is married with a daughter.

 

Gereja Gappi Filadelfia has ministries which include Orphanage, Kindergarten and Primary School, Sunday School, Youth Fellowship, Women’s and Men’s Fellowship and an Island Missions.

 

The Orphanage Ministry

 

Established in February 2008, this ministry was started because the church committee members were burdened in their hearts to obey the great commandment of God to provide a haven to the orphans, the neglected, single-parent children or children from broken homes.  On the website, they quote Psalm 68:5 which says, “A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.”

 

“The children enrolled in our shelter are recommended by pastors or church members who know their background well. Our Shelter is open to 4-12 years old, and we aim to train them up to be independent and useful servants for God’s glory.” (Source: https://www.filadelfiagracia.com) The Orphanage staff includes Ev MW, Ev FM and Bro AF. Currently, they care for 6 boys and 9 girls.

“We thank God for Preacher M who takes care of them like a mother to the children. Preacher M is a good chef as well as a caring and loving guardian. She has been involved in orphanage ministry for 10 years. She is assisted by Preacher F. It’s not an easy task. A ministry requires sacrifices. Though we are facing many challenges and difficulties, we trust the Lord will provide. We have had children who were unstable emotionally, with bad tempers.  They had been hurt and felt abandoned. But thank God our Lord is a great Comforter and Father for them. Amen!  As George Muller said, ‘I am ready to face all the difficulties in financials and challenges of faith on the condition that through these God is glorified and His congregations are edified’.” (Source: https://www.filadelfiagracia.com)

 

 

 

What about The School Ministry – Filadelfia Gracia School?

 

This school ministry began in 2011. It consists of a Kindergarten and a primary school (years 1-6).

 

The Kindergarten has a staff of five teachers and support workers, and 20 children. The school has 9 teachers and support workers, and 118 students.

 

The fee for each student is SG$20 per month (about AU$22). This amount is a lot of money for the parents of these students.

 

The Indonesian Government provides a monthly subsidy of SG$500 (about AU$550) to the school. Despite the school fees and the government subsidy, there is still insufficient income to meet the ever-increasing expenses.

 

To be continued………

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