Wamena – The Jayawijaya Regency Government, Papua Highlands, is actively promoting the development of church youth as part of its efforts to support regional growth.
This was conveyed by Jayawijaya Regent Atenius Murib during the celebration of the 71st anniversary of the Gospel Proclamation (PI) in Baliem Valley. The event was organized by thousands of congregants of the Indonesian Gospel Tent Church (GKII) South Baliem Region Hitigima, Jayawijaya, and attended by several local government officials and representatives of the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda).
Murib emphasized the importance of nurturing church youth to help them grow into successful individuals in the future. According to him, churches should serve as platforms for young people to develop their potential, both in spirituality and education.
“GKII members must be able to contribute to various sectors, both spiritual and educational. In the future, we need more young GKII members to grow and excel for the sake of our region’s development,” said Murib.
He also called on GKII intellectual figures in Papua Highlands to collectively think about the future of church youth. “The church’s future lies in the hands of these intellectual leaders,” he added.
Murib highlighted that the 71st anniversary celebration of the Gospel Proclamation is a sacred event for local residents and should be cherished by both church leaders and youth.
“This celebration must inspire GKII members to develop and contribute to the region’s progress,” he explained.
Starting in 2026, the Jayawijaya Regency Government has decided that the PI celebration in Baliem Valley will be held centrally at a single location on April 20 every year.
In the same occasion, Acting Chairman of GKII Region IV Papua Highlands, Reverend Marthen Asso, expressed hopes that GKII’s mission in the future would reach communities that have yet to experience church services. “We aim to guide them from ‘darkness’ into ‘light,’” he stated.
Meanwhile, Reverend Tod Adam, the son of the first missionary to bring the Gospel to Baliem Valley, reminded the importance of continuing the spread of Christ’s Gospel to the world, including Papua. He praised Papua-born missionaries who have begun sharing the message of salvation both domestically and internationally.
“This divine mission of Jesus Christ is now being carried out by local sons and daughters, which is a great source of pride,” said Tod Adam.
The PI celebration this year, coinciding with Easter Sunday, was regarded as a rare and extraordinary moment of blessing from Almighty God.
