Adventist Church in Indonesia Launches Youth-Driven Evangelism

In the Luwu and Tana Toraja regions of east Indonesia, the Seventh-day Adventist Church recently mobilized young people for a week-long initiative under the Voice of Youth (VOY) program. From June 17 to 22, simultaneous evangelism campaigns took place in five locations within the provinces. The Youth Ministries Department of the church’s Luwu Tana Toraja Mission (LTTM) organized this extensive effort, known as Pengharapan Yang Hidup (“The Living Hope”), which reached the cities of Tikala, Kallan, Bambalu, Bungadidi, Mangkutana, Palopo, Tanete, Malili, Soroaku, Salulimbong, and Sabbang.

The meeting was open to the public, attracting a diverse audience from various denominations. Each night, more than 70 attendees gathered at each site, ranging from teenagers to adults. They came with the anticipation of hearing inspiring messages on health and the theme of living hope.

This initiative actively engages young members of the Adventist Church, not only empowering those unfamiliar with the Scriptures but also enabling the youth to participate in sharing God’s word within their local communities.

Interesting topics centered on hope and faith were discussed, focusing on the second coming of Christ, Jesus’ unconditional love for His children, health principles, the authenticity of the Bible, the Ten Commandments, and the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath.

The Adventist Church calls many young people to join care groups, and in the Southern Asia-Pacific Division has enabled the church in its territories to facilitate these care groups with clear purpose and direction. The church’s East Indonesia Union Conference and the LTTM has responded enthusiastically. Since 2019, Douglas Marshall Paral, youth director of LTTM, has provided strong support to the initiative, regional church leaders said.

This program has produced significant results in the Luwu and Tana Toraja areas, with 45 care groups established across Adventist congregations. These groups meet weekly, invite friends from other faiths, provide meals, and encourage participation in evangelistic meetings. Consequently, some attendees have been baptized, while others are on the verge making crucial life decisions, regional church leaders said. 

In 2024, the program has been divided into two phases: March to June and August to December. The first phase has concluded with 16 baptisms through the VOY care groups. The church continues to pray for even more conversions in the second phase.

“I was entrusted to be the coordinator of VOY in the Luwu Tana Toraja Mission area for five years,” area coordinator Dicky Mapandin said. “I cried a lot to see the power of God happening in the lives of young people who are very actively involved in this VOY activity. And it is good to see our church leaders being very supportive of this program.” 

The original version of this story was posted on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division news site.