The Protestant Church of Maluku is a Reformed church in

Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guine ...

. It is known locally as: Gereja Protestan Maluku or simply GPM. It was formed on September 6, 1935 when it was separated from the

Protestant Church in Indonesia The Protestant Church in Indonesia is a Reformed church; it is a member of World Communion of Reformed Churches. Origin The Protestant Church in Indonesia was formed in Ambon, Maluku in 1605 under the name of the Protestant Church in the Netherla ...

. The Protestant Church of Maluku has congregations only in the provinces of Maluku and

North Maluku North Maluku ( id, Maluku Utara) is a province of Indonesia. It covers the northern part of the Maluku Islands, bordering the Pacific Ocean to the north, the Halmahera Sea to the east, the Molucca Sea to the west, and the Seram Sea to the sout ...

History

*1605 February 27: GPM began with their first service as the Gereja Protestan Calvanis (Calvinist Protestant Church) with Dutch citizens, employees of the

Dutch East India Company The United East India Company ( nl, Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie, the VOC) was a chartered company established on the 20th March 1602 by the States General of the Netherlands amalgamating existing companies into the first joint-stock ...

(VOC), in

Ambon Ambon may refer to: Places * Ambon Island, an island in Indonesia ** Ambon, Maluku, a city on Ambon Island, the capital of Maluku province ** Governorate of Ambon, a colony of the Dutch East India Company from 1605 to 1796 * Ambon, Morbihan, a c ...

. *1621 Forming of the church board, known as the Majelis Jemaat Indische Kerk, which was initially located in

Batavia Batavia may refer to: Historical places * Batavia (region), a land inhabited by the Batavian people during the Roman Empire, today part of the Netherlands * Batavia, Dutch East Indies, present-day Jakarta, the former capital of the Dutch East In ...

(Jakarta). *1622 The church board (Majelis Jemaat Indische Kerk) also had a body of leaders in Banda, which resulted in evangelism activities in Maluku, with increasing prevalence and intensity, particularly through the struggle of Adriaan Hulsebos, who attempted to go serve in Ambon, but his ship sang in the Bay of Ambon, he died, and his mission was continued by Pastor Rosskot (who was instrumental in organizing the first theological training in Ambon, Maluku, which was also the first in Indonesia). *1799 After the bankruptcy and dissolution of the VOC, many of the churches in Indonesia were dissolved, including some of the churches in Ambon. *1815–1833 Joseph Kam served in Ambon and throughout Maluku through the NZG ( Nederlandsch Zendeling Genootschap). *1865 NZG stopped their official work in Maluku, but the church that had been planted continued to grow. *1930 The church continued to grow under the controle of the Dutch East Indies Company and was served by the Protestant Church of Indonesia (Gereja Protestan di Indonesia - GPI) and Nederlandse Zendeling Genotschaap (NZG). Thea area of service covered almost the whole of the Maluku islands. *1935 September 6: The Protestant Church of Maluku (GPM) officially began its era of independence in areas of finance, liturgy, and church doctrine. *1950 RMS (South Maluku Independence Movement) burned much of the city of Ambon and large areas Seram island including many church buildings in their fight for bringing independence to South Maluku. *1950 May 25: GPM became a member of PGI (Persekutuan Gererja-gereja di Indonesia - The Communion of Churches in Indonesia). *1993–2003 Conflict between Christians and Muslims throughout Maluku, resulting in thousands killed and hundreds of churches and mosques destroyed.

Church leadership

Current Church leaders

GPM Synod Daily Worker Assembly for the 2020-2025 Period : (Majelis Pekerja Harian Sinode GPM Periode 2020-2025) Leader: Pdt. Drs. Elifas Tomix Maspaitella. Co-Leader 1: Pdt. Ny. L. Bakarbessy-Rangkoratat S.Th Co-Leader 2: Pdt. H. I. Hetharie General Secretary: Pdt. S.I. Sapulette Deputy General Secretary: Pdt. R. Rahabeat Member of MPH: • Pdt. Y. Colling • Pdt. N. Souisa-G • Pnt. Ny. D. Sahertian • Pnt. F. Papilaya Note : * Pnt. : Penatua/Elder * Pdt. : Pendeta/Pastor

Previous Church leaders

1935–1938 *Ketua : Pdt. J.E. Staap *Wakil Ketua : Pdt. W.H. Tutuarima *Sek. : Pdt. P. Souhuwat *Bend. : Pdt. Jack van Vesson 1938–1940 *Ketua : Pdt. C. Hamel *Wakil Ketua : Pdt. W.H. Tutuarima *Sek. : Pdt. P. Souhuwat *Bend. : Pdt. H.J. Visser 1940–1942 *Ketua : Pdt. W. van Oust *Wakil Ketua : Pdt. P. Poot *Sek. : Pdt. P. Souhuwat *Bend. : Pdt. H.J. Visser 1942–1943 (Zaman Pendudukan Jepang) *Ketua : Pdt. F. Siwabessy (Pj) *Sek. : Pdt. P. Souhuwat Zaman Pendudukan Jepang 1943–1946 *Ketua : Pdt. S. Marantika *Wakil Ketua : Pdt. J. Sapulete *Sek. : Pdt. P. Souhuwat *Bend. : Pdt. W.D.F. Amanupunyo 1946 (Transisi di Zaman Kemerdekaan RI) *Ketua : Pdt. J. Kalk *Wakil Ketua : Pdt. S. Marantika *Sek. : Pdt. P. Souhuwat *Bend. : Pdt. W.D. Dickkarhoff 1946–1947 *Ketua : Pdt. P. Poot *Wakil Ketua : Pdt. ? *Sek. : Pdt. P. Souhuwat *Bend. : Pdt. W.D. Dickkarhoff 1947–1948 *Ketua : Pdt. J.C.W. van Wyck Juranse *Wakil Ketua : Pdt. ? *Sek. : Pdt. P. Souhuwat *Bend. : Pdt. J.H. van Heerden 1948–1949 *Ketua : Pdt. Dr. J.J. Geiser *Wakil Ketua : Pdt. ? *Sek. : Pdt. P. Souhuwat *Bend. : Pdt. J.H. van Vesson 1949 *Ketua : Pdt. C. Kainama *Wakil Ketua : Pdt. ? Sek. : Pdt. P. Souhuwat Bend. : Pdt. M.F. Syauta 1949–1950 (Persoalan RMS dan Sikap Sinode GPM) *Ketua : Pdt. S. Marantika *Wakil Ketua : Pdt. ? *Sek. : Pdt. D. Louhenapessy *Bend. : Pdt. M.F. Syauta 1953–1957 *Ketua : Pdt. Chr. Mataheru *Wakil Ketua : Pdt. F.H. de Fretes *Sek. : Pdt. D. Louhenapessy *Bend. : Pdt. M.F. Syauta 1957–1961 (dikeluarkan Pesan Tobat - 1960) *Ketua : Pdt. F.H. de Fretes *Wakil Ketua : Pdt. J.F.K. Wattimena - Pdt.W.D.F. Amanupunyo (Pengganti) *Sek. : Pdt. D. Louhenapessy *Bend. : Pdt. M.F. Syauta 1965–1970 (Reorganisasi Struktur dan Kepemimpinan GPM (I)) *Ketua : Pdt. Th. Pattiasina *Wakil Ketua : Pnt. Chr. Soplanit, SH *Sekum : Pdt. P. Tanamal *Wkl.Sekum : Sdr. N.A. Likumahwa, BA *Sek.Dep. Koinonia : Pdt. D. Louhenapessy *Sek.Dep.Marturia : Pdt. F.C. Lewier, S.Th *Sek.Dep.Diakonia : Syms. Drs. H.J. Pooroe *Sek.Dep.Finek. : Bpk. P.H. Pelamonia *Rektor Inst.Teol. : Pdt. A.N. Radjawane, S.Th (Ex Officio) 1970–1974 *Ketua : Pdt. Th. Pattiasina *Wakil Ketua : Syms. Drs. H.J. Pooroe - Pdt. A.N. Radjawane, M.Th (Pengganti) *Sekum : Pdt. P. Tanamal *Wkl.Sekum : Drs.N.A. Likumahwa *Sek.Dep. Koinonia : Pdt. D. Louhenapessy *Sek.Dep.Marturia : Pdt. E.P. Kaihena, S.Th *Sek.Dep.Diakonia : Bpk. W. Louhenapessy *Sek.Dep.Finek. : Bpk. P.H. Pelamonia - Drs. F.S. Pattinasarany (1972-1974) Visitator : Pdt. M.J. Wattimena, S.Th 1974–1976 *Ketua : Pdt. Th. P. Pattiasina *Wakil Ketua : Pdt. M.J. Wattimena, S.Th *Sekum : Pdt. P. Tanamal, S.Th *Wkl.Sekum : Drs.N.A. Likumahwa *Sek.Dep. Koinonia : Pdt. A. Pattianakotta, Sm.Th *Sek.Dep.Marturia : Pdt. E.P. Kaihena, S.Th *Sek.Dep.Diakonia : Pdt. J. Ospara, S.Th *Sek.Dep.Finek : Pdt. A.J. Soplantila, S.Th Visitator : Pdt. F.C.Lewier, M.Th 1976–1978 *Ketua : Pdt. M.J. Wattimena, S.Th *Wakil Ketua : Pdt. F.C. Lewier, M.Th *Sekum : Pdt. A.J. Soplantila, S.Th *Sek.Dep. Koinonia : Pdt. A. Pattianakotta, Sm.Th *Sek.Dep.Marturia : Pdt. E.P. Kaihena, S.Th *Sek.Dep.Diakonia : Pdt. J. Ospara, S.Th *Sek.Dep.Finek. : Bpk. L. A. Tahalele Visitator : Pdt. D. Louhenapessy 1978–1983 (Reorganisasi Struktur dan Kepemimpinan GPM (II)) *Ketua : Pdt. A.N. Radjawane, M.Th *Wakil Ketua : Pdt. F.C. Lewier, M.Th *Sekum : Pdt. A.J. Soplantila, S.Th *Wkl. Sekum : Pdt. D. Louhenapessy Visitator : Pdt. E.P. Kaihena, S.Th Pdt. M. Alfons Drs. A. Rahalus Staff BPH Sinode GPM: Sek. Dep.Kekes : Pdt. E.P. Kaihena, S.Th (merangkap) Sek.Dep.Pelpem : Pdt. J. Ospara, S.Th Sek.Dep.Finek : Bpk. L. A. Tahalele Dir. LPJ GPM : Pdt. F.C. Lewier, M.Th (merangkap) 1983–1985 *Ketua : Pdt. A.N. Radjawane, M.Th *Wakil Ketua : Drs. A. Rahalus *Sekum : Pdt. I.W.J. Hendriks, M.Th *Wkl. Sekum : Pdt. J. Ospara, S.Th Visitator : Pdt. D. Lohenapessy Pdt. W. Davidz, M.Th Pdt. L. Lohy, S.Th Staff BPH Sinode GPM: *Sek.Dep.Kekes : Pdt.E.P. Kaihena, S.Th Pdt. W. Davidz, M.Th (Pjs) Pdt. Ny. A. Maail (Pjs) *Sek.Dep.Pelpem : Pdt. Drs. A. Rehawarin *Sek.Dep.Finek : Pdt. D.E. Warella *Dir.LPJ-GPM : Pdt. D.S. Izaak, S.Th 1986–1990 *Ketua : Pdt. A.J. Soplantila, S.Th *Wakil Ketua : Pdt. I.W.J. Hendriks, M.Th *Sekum : Pdt. J. Ospara, S.Th *Wkl. Sekum : Pdt. J. Pattipawae, S.Th Pdt. L. Lohy, S.Th (Pjs) Visitator : Pdt. M.J. Wattimena, S.Th Pdt. W. Davidz, M.Th Pdt. L. Lohy, S.Th Staff BPH Sinode GPM: *Sek.Dep.Kekes : Pdt. A.D. Maelissa, S.Th *Sek.Dep.Pelpem : Pdt. Ny.A. Maail *Sek.Dep.Finek : Pdt. D.E. Warells *Dir.LPJ-GPM : Pdt. D.S. Izaak, S.Th 1990–1995 (Reorganisasi Struktur dan Kepemimpinan GPM (III)) *Ketua : Pdt. A.J. Soplantila, S.Th *Wakil Ketua : Pdt. Ny. A. Maail, S.Th *Sekum : Pdt. S.P. Titaley, S.Th *Wkl. Sekum : Pdt. S.J. Mailoa, S.Th Anggota : Pdt. M.J. Wattimena, M.Th Pdt. J. de Queljoe, S.Th Pnt. Drs. G. Sabono Staff BPH Sinode GPM: *Sek.Dep.Kekes : Pdt. A.D. Maelissa, S.Th *Sek.Dep.Pelpem : Pdt. Ny. A. Maail *Sek.Dep.Finek : Pdt. D.E. Warella *Dir LPJ-GPM : Pdt. S.J. Mailoa, S.Th 1995–2000 *Ketua : Pdt. S.P. Titaley, S.Th *Wakil Ketua : Pdt. L. Lohy, S.Th *Sekum : Pdt. M.M. Siahaya, S.Th *Wkl. Sekum : Pdt. J. de Queljoe, S.Th Anggota : Pdt. W. Davidz, M.Th Pdt. Ny.A. Maail Pnt. I.M. Pesireron Staff BPH Sinode GPM: *Sek.Dep.Kekes : Pdt. Ny. J. Komul-Pattiasina, S.Th *Sek.PIKOM : Pdt. A.D. Maelissa, S.Th *Sek.Dep.Pelpem : Pdt. Chr. Sahetapy, S.Th Pdt. W. Homy, Sm.Th (pengganti) *Sek.Dep.Finek : Pdt. D.E. Warella Pdt. J. Tuhumena, S.Th (pengganti) *Dir. LPJ-GPM : Pdt. W. Davidz, M.Th 2000–2005 *Ketua : Pdt. DR. I.W.J. Hendriks *Wkl. Ket. I : Pdt. L. Lohy, S.Th *Wkl. Ket II : Pdt. H.L. Leleury, Sm.Th *Sekum : Pdt. S.J. Mailoa, M.Th *Wkl. Sekum : Pdt. W. Davidz,M.Th Anggota : Pdt. M.M. Siahaya, S.Th Pdt. Ny. J. Komul-Pattiasina, S.Th Pnt. Drs. J. Labetubun Staff BPH Sinode GPM: *Sek.Dep. Kekes : Pdt. Ny. D.C. Manuputty, SIP *Sek. PIKOM : Pdt. A.D. Maelissa, S.Th *Sek.Dep.Finek : Pdt. J. Tuhumena, S.Th *Dir.LPJ-GPM : Pdt. A. Rumthe, S.Th 2005–2010 (terjadi Sentralisasi Keuangan GPM 70:30%, Hasil Keputusan BPL ke-31 Tahun 2008 di Tual) *Ketua : Pdt. DR. John Ruhulessin, M.Si *Wakil Ketua I : Pdt. Dr. M.M. Hendriks-Ririmasse *Wakil Ketua II : Pdt. J. Manuhutu, S.Th *Sekum : Pdt. V. Untailawan, M.Th *Wkl. Sekum : Pdt. Drs. A.J.S. Werinussa, M.Si Anggota : Pdt. A. Orno, S.Si Pnt. J. de Queljoe, S.Th Pnt. Ir. Ny. M. Soukotta, M.Sc Staff BPH Sinode GPM: *Sek.Dep.Kekes : Pdt. Ny. P. Ruhulessin, S.Th Pdt. N. Taberima, S.Th (penggantian) *Sek.Dep.Pelpem : Pdt. C. Leunufna, Sm.Th, SH *Sek.Dep.Finek : Pdt. J. Teslatu, M.Si *Sek.Dep.PIKOM : Pdt. Drs. H. Lekahena *Dir. LPJ-GPM : Pdt. Ny. D.C. Manuputty, SIP

Annual Church meeting

Every year the church has an annual meeting (Sidang MPL) where plans are made for the next following year. This meeting usually happens in November of each year. Location of annual meeting: *2009: Larat,

Tanimbar islands The Tanimbar Islands, also called ''Timur Laut'', are a group of about 65 islands in the Maluku province of Indonesia. The largest and most central of the islands is Yamdena; others include Selaru to the southwest of Yamdena, Larat and Ford ...

*2010: Latuhalat,

*2011: Dobo,

Aru islands The Aru Islands Regency ( id, Kabupaten Kepulauan Aru) is a group of about 95 low-lying islands in the Maluku Islands of eastern Indonesia. It also forms a regency of Maluku Province, with a land area of . At the 2011 Census the Regency had a ...

*2012: Tepa, Babar island *2013: Taniwel, Seram island *2014: Lafa, Seram island *2015: Sidang MPL in Ambon at the Joseph Kam church building; Sidang Sinode in Ambon at the Maranatha church building (both meetings ended up being held in January 2016) Every five years at the big church meeting (Sidang Raya MPL) new board members are chosen. Each board member can serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms. This meeting is always in Ambon. The church currently has 575,000 members and 775 congregations, with over 750 pastors in 33 church districts throughout Maluku and part of North Maluku.

References

{{Authority control Calvinist denominations established in the 20th century Maluku (province) Members of the World Communion of Reformed Churches Reformed denominations in Indonesia Religious organizations based in Indonesia Christian organizations established in 1935