RANTEPAO – The Men's Fellowship (PKB) of the Evangelical Christian Church (GKI) of the Lachai Roi Hom-Hom Wamena Congregation embarked on a spiritual journey to Toraja and Minahasa as part of an initiative to strengthen faith and fellowship.

The PKB group arrived in Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, on Friday, June 17, 2022, and was warmly welcomed by Theofilus Allorerung, the Regent of Tana Toraja.

On the second day, Saturday, June 18, 2022, the group visited the Toraja Church Synod Office and had the opportunity to meet with Frederik Victor Palimbong, the Vice Regent of North Toraja, who also serves as the Chairman of the PKB Toraja Church, along with other Synod Church officials, including Chairpersons IV and V.

During his speech, Chairperson V of the Toraja Church Synod, Pdt. Yusuf Paliling, M.Th, expressed gratitude and joy for the visit of the PKB GKI Lachai Roi Hom-Hom Wamena congregation. He also elaborated on how the Toraja Church integrates with the local culture, without compromising the Christian teachings.

"For example, in the Christian Torajan funeral ceremony, despite the slaughtering of buffaloes, this is not a form of ancestor worship but part of a tradition that is understood in the light of the Christian faith," explained Pdt. Yusuf.

He further added that the slaughter of animals during funerals is viewed as part of social service or diakonia, as the tradition is seen as a form of respect and solidarity within the Torajan community.

In addition to meeting with Synod leaders, the PKB group also visited several important and historical sites, including:

  • Bori’, the site where the Gospel was first preached in Toraja,

  • The Jesus Blessing Statue at the spiritual tourist attraction Buntu Burake, and

  • Cultural Tourism Londa in Rantepao, renowned for its stone cave tombs typical of Toraja.

This spiritual tourism activity not only strengthens the relationship between congregations and churches across Indonesia but also enriches the understanding of the congregation regarding the cultural diversity and Christian ministry in various regions.