to gather, build and serve

Lutheran, The, Jun 2004 by Hafften, Ann

Indonesian Lutherans welcome immigrants while starting ELCA congregations

Wherever Indonesian Christians find themselves, even as few as three, four or five, they gather and build a church," says Maulinus Siregar, pastor of Batak Lutheran Church, Norco, Calif. That's happening not only in Norco but in cities such as Seattle and New York.

Many Indonesian Lutherans came to the United States looking for religious freedom and a better life after encountering persecution against Christians in their country, says Yutaka Kishino, the mission director for ELCA Region 2, which covers synods in the Southwest. These Lutherans from the Huria Kristen Batak Protestan (HKBP) Church of Indonesia immigrated from a country that is 88 percent Muslim, where they faced pressure to convert to Islam and a lack of career opportunities.

But life in the United States also is hard for new Indonesian immigrants. They are lonely and exhausted and often feel isolated, says Sonny Ritonga, a Sintua or lay leader for the HKPB in Seattle. Most people have left families behind, either parents or children, and immigration is restricted. "They work all the time," he says. "They don't know how to find a church-so on Sunday they work another job. They have no fellowship, no choir to sing with, nowhere to go on Sunday, so they just work."

That's why in congregations related to the ELCA and the HKBP (see page 42), Indonesian Lutherans are reaching out with the gospel and the comfort of Christian community.

Building a church in Seattle

In Seattle, it's a growing community. Diakonda Gurning, a lay elder of the Indonesian Lutheran congregation, said nearly 6,000 Indonesians work in the Seattle area, plus there are 500 Indonesian students.

In August the congregation moved its worship service from a Lutheran church in outlying Everett to Phinney Ridge Lutheran. This larger, central location is more visible and convenient for Indonesians living in the city. Church leaders expect the Indonesian Lutheran congregation to grow from 30 to 1OO people.

"We want to make it possible for Christians to go to church and worship in their Indonesian language. HKBP is the biggest church in Indonesia, so the people know us," Gurning said.

In fact, if Christians from Indonesia don't see the initials HKBP (pronounced ha-ka-bay-pay) in a church name, they gravitate toward one with "gospel" or "Christian" in its name, Gurning says, adding, "They don't realize at first that the Lutheran church here is the one related to their HKBP church at home."

The Indonesians teach Sunday school in English and sponsor an English-as-a-second-language course. Yet they also want to make sure their children learn about Indonesian culture.

Ritonga says the congregation wants to help newcomers get settled, determine the status of their immigration, establish a job and make friends. Their goal is for members to think past the short-term and start helping others.

"We are thinking about how to give more to the community," Ritonga says. "For one thing, we can say to the Indonesian [new immigrants], 'Hey, you are accepted here. Come to church and we will help each other.'

"We are committed to a long-term vision. Indonesian people have a lot to give to the United States. Our vision is that families can be united and become citizens. We want our fellow Lutherans to know many things about us but mainly how we spread the gospel."

Not having a pastor makes their task more difficult. Seven lay elders plan worship and share leadership tasks. Gurning, Ritonga and another Seattle elder take part in the ELCA's Theological Education for Emerging Ministries, an alternative program of preparation for ordination.

The ELCA connection also helps Indonesians with immigration needs.

Some Indonesians have overstayed their visas and been in the United States for up to 10 years. After Sept. 11, many Indonesian men over the age of 16 had to register with the U.S. government since their country has been linked with terrorist activities, (see September 2003, page 47). Several HKBP members faced deportation, and some were forced to leave their homes. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and ELCA leaders worked to inform them of their legal situation and continue to advocate that their status be normalized.

When Ritonga went to be interviewed by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Bishop Chris Boerger of the Northwest Washington Synod accompanied him, along with pastors and members of Seattle-area ELCA congregations. Ritonga calls it "backup," adding: "Indonesians like to be on their own, but our HKBP group working with the ELCA shows the value of partnership with Americans."

Gurning says,"People have many problems. We want to help them draw closer to God. We should be hand in hand, helping one another. Maybe in the future, we can bring our families to the United States from Indonesia, but for now we are family in Christ."

Hafften is a free-lance writer in Weatherford, Texas.