UEM Asia page

02/09/2026

STRENGTHENING THE FUTURE OF MISSION: YPMI AT THE 2026 GBKP PASTORS’ CONVENTION

Yayasan Pijar Misi Indonesia (YPMI) took part in the 2026 GBKP Pastors’ Convention, held on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, at the GBKP Retreat Center in Sibolangit.

Representing YPMI, Julian M. Tampubolon presented a video tracing the mission journey from the work of the Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft (RMG) in 1860, through its transformation into the United Evangelical Mission (UEM), to the establishment of YPMI as part of an ongoing commitment to strengthen and sustain UEM’s mission for the future.

RMG played an important role in GBKP’s early journey towards independence. Among its contributions was facilitating theological education for GBKP’s first two pastors, Rev. Thomas Sibero and Rev. Palem Sitepu.

This missionary spirit continues to grow today. Together with UEM, GBKP has undertaken various ministries, including sending ministry workers to serve in Germany, assisting communities displaced by the Mount Sinabung eruptions, conducting evangelistic outreach, providing scholarships, and organizing training and empowerment programmes.

To strengthen the future of our shared mission, YPMI invited GBKP to take two strategic steps:

1. Become a pioneer in sustaining the future of mission through personal donations from GBKP ministers.

2. Encourage UEM scholarship recipients and programme alumni to serve as mission volunteers, supporting the diversification of UEM’s funding sources and contributing to its wider programmes.

At the end of the event, YPMI invited participants to express their support through spontaneous donations. The invitation was warmly received, with participants showing their willingness to contribute.

May the mission of UEM and its member churches continue to grow and move forward, reaching those who remain underserved and enabling more people to experience God’s love and blessings.

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MENEGUHKAN MASA DEPAN MISI: YPMI HADIR DALAM KONVEN PENDETA GBKP 2026

Yayasan Pijar Misi Indonesia (YPMI) mengambil bagian dalam Konven Pendeta GBKP 2026 yang diselenggarakan pada Rabu, 26 Agustus 2026, di Retreat Center GBKP, Sibolangit.

Dalam kesempatan tersebut, YPMI yang diwakili oleh Julian M. Tampubolon menayangkan video perjalanan misi sejak kiprah Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft (RMG) pada 1860, transformasinya menjadi United Evangelical Mission (UEM), hingga lahirnya YPMI sebagai bagian dari upaya memperkuat dan menopang misi UEM pada masa mendatang.

RMG memiliki peran penting dalam perjalanan awal menuju kemandirian GBKP. Salah satunya melalui dukungan pendidikan teologi bagi dua pelayan pertama GBKP, yakni Pdt. Thomas Sibero dan Pdt. Palem Sitepu.

Semangat misi tersebut terus bertumbuh hingga saat ini. Bersama UEM, GBKP telah menjalankan berbagai pelayanan, mulai dari mengutus tenaga pelayan ke Jerman, mendampingi para pengungsi erupsi Gunung Sinabung, melaksanakan evangelisasi, menyediakan beasiswa, hingga menyelenggarakan berbagai pelatihan dan program pemberdayaan.

Untuk memperkuat masa depan misi bersama, YPMI mengajak GBKP mengambil peran strategis melalui dua langkah:

1. Menjadi pelopor dalam menopang keberlanjutan misi melalui dukungan donasi pribadi dari para pelayan GBKP.

2. Mengajak para alumni program dan penerima beasiswa UEM menjadi relawan misi yang aktif mendukung diversifikasi sumber pendanaan UEM serta berbagai program pelayanan lainnya.

Pada akhir kegiatan, YPMI mengajak para peserta Konven Pendeta GBKP untuk memberikan dukungan melalui donasi spontan. Ajakan tersebut disambut dengan kesediaan para peserta untuk ikut mengambil bagian.

Kiranya misi UEM bersama seluruh gereja anggotanya semakin maju, bertumbuh, dan mampu menjangkau mereka yang belum terlayani, sehingga semakin banyak orang dapat merasakan kasih dan berkat Tuhan. (JP)

01/09/2026

Dear beloved brothers and sisters,

The forest fires in Kalimantan have now reached an emergency level and pose a serious danger to everyone’s health. Records show 55,322 hectares of land burned, 3.3 million people affected by the fires, and 256,681 children and adults infected with acute respiratory infections (ARI).

Therefore, UEM, through Yayasan Pijar Misi Indonesia, is moving quickly to help the people of Kalimantan. We will provide assistance through UEM’s member church in Kalimantan, the Kalimantan Evangelical Church (Gereja Kalimantan Evangelis/GKE), to meet the community’s various needs.

We invite you to join in giving through donations of masks, vitamins, and health posts for the communities in Kalimantan.

Every donation you give will be reported to you periodically through our WhatsApp group and on the page of Yayasan Pijar Misi Indonesia. (JP)

25/08/2026

HKI and UEM Strengthen Digital Literacy and Indigenous Peoples’ Advocacy in Nagasaribu

TAPANULI UTARA — Huria Kristen Indonesia (HKI), together with the United Evangelical Mission (UEM), held Digital Media Training and Signal Booster Provision to support Indigenous Peoples’ advocacy in the Onan Harbangan Community, Nagasaribu, Pohan Jae Village, on Monday (August 24, 2026). Held at HKI Nagasaribu, the activity was part of efforts to strengthen the community’s capacity to use digital media for communication, documentation, information dissemination, and Indigenous Peoples’ advocacy. The program aims to ensure that technology serves not only as a means of communication but also as a tool for communities to amplify their voices and advocate for their rights and interests more broadly.

The activity was attended by HKI Ephorus Rev. Dr. Tony Liston Hutagalung, M.Sc., and HKI Secretary General Rev. Dormen Pasaribu, M.Th., the top leaders of HKI for the 2026–2031 period. The presence of HKI leaders alongside UEM representatives demonstrated a strong commitment to strengthening ministry and community empowerment at the grassroots level, particularly in addressing the need for access to information and digital technology.

Nagasaribu is an Indigenous territory whose community has long struggled to secure recognition of its rights over customary forests inherited from their ancestors. The presence of PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL) in the past forced the Indigenous community to continue advocating for the return of their ancestral lands. To this day, internet and communication access remain difficult due to the area’s considerable distance from urban centers. This situation prompted the HKI Diaconia Department to collaborate with UEM to provide signal-boosting equipment and strengthen the community’s capacity to use it in advancing and fulfilling the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Irma Riana Simanjuntak, UEM Asia Advocacy Officer, expressed her appreciation to HKI for initiating the project as part of efforts to fulfill the community’s right to information and communication. In her presentation, Irma encouraged community to use the internet responsibly, particularly to proclaim good news through justice, peace, and the integrity of creation. Also present was Roki Suriadi Pasaribu, Director of Programs at the Community Study and Development Group (KSPPM), who provided perspectives on strengthening the local community’s economy following the closure of TPL operations.

One of the concrete activities was the distribution of MiFi (Mobile WiFi) devices to 76 households in Nagasaribu, representing HKI Nagasaribu, HKBP Nagasaribu, and the Indonesian Pentecostal Church (GPI) Nagasaribu. Following the distribution, Rev. Timothy Saragi from the HKI Information and Communication Bureau explained how to properly use the devices.

The collaboration between HKI and UEM through digital media training and improved signal access in Nagasaribu carries a clear message: the internet can be more than a communication tool. It can also serve as a means of empowerment and advocacy for justice, peace, and the integrity of creation. (JP)

25/08/2026

UEM and HKBP Hold Clinical Pastoral Education at HKBP Hospital

Balige – The United Evangelical Mission (UEM), in collaboration with the Huria Kristen Batak Protestan (HKBP), officially opened a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program at RSU HKBP Balige on Monday, August 24, 2026. The program will run from August 24 to October 17, 2026.

The initiative marks an important step in strengthening pastoral education within healthcare, emphasizing that healing involves not only physical treatment but also spiritual and emotional accompaniment.

The Vice Director of RSU HKBP Balige, Ms. Minarta Napitupulu, welcomed the eight pastors participating in the program, representing six church denominations. The participants are Rev. Novita Souisa (GKI-TP), Rev. Rugun Pakpahan (GKPM), Rev. Lise Sariani Sakerengan (GKPM), Rev. Tinur Tumangger, M.Th. (GKPPD), Rev. Devid Hendriko Sumbayak (GKPS), Rev. Christine Siregar (HKBP), Rev. Pastiana Sipakkar (HKBP), and Rev. Naomi Simarmata (HKI).

Their participation reflects the ecumenical character of the CPE program, bringing together pastors from different church traditions to learn, reflect, and grow together in providing holistic pastoral care within healthcare settings.

The program was officially opened by Rev. Eldarton Simbolon, Head of the HKBP Diakonia Department, who delivered the opening sermon and emphasized the church’s commitment to holistic ministry in hospitals. Through CPE, pastors, pastoral workers, and healthcare professionals are encouraged to develop deeper skills in spiritual care, self-reflection, empathy, and compassionate accompaniment.

UEM’s involvement adds an international dimension to the program, reflecting a shared commitment among churches to strengthen pastoral care within healthcare settings. The collaboration between UEM, HKBP, and RSU HKBP Balige demonstrates how local and international partnerships can contribute to more holistic approaches to healing.

The program is expected to strengthen pastoral ministry in hospitals and communities, while encouraging participants to see healthcare as a ministry where faith, compassion, and professional care work together in supporting people through times of illness and crisis.

We express our gratitude to HKBP, RSU HKBP Balige, and Diac. Dr. Lamria Sinaga, the CPE Supervisor, for their support and commitment to this educational program. (JP)

21/08/2026

UEM Supports Public Lecture at STT Abdi Sabda Medan:
Caring for Our Common Home through Ecotheology and Green Campus Initiatives

MEDAN — The United Evangelical Mission (UEM) supported a Public Lecture at STT Abdi Sabda Medan through the Global Education Spotlight Series, featuring the theme “Caring for Our Common Home: Ecotheology and Green Campus Initiatives.”

Held at the Chapel of STT Abdi Sabda Medan on Friday, 21 August, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. WIB, the event invited the academic community to reflect on the relationship between faith, education, and humanity’s responsibility to care for the environment.

Four speakers contributed diverse perspectives to the discussion: Rev. Dr. Norita Novalina Sembiring, Irma Riana Simanjuntak, SP., M.Si., Desri Maria Sumbayak, M.Hum., MA TESOL, and Rev. Ramayanti Simorangkir, S.Th., MA.

The discussion on ecotheology emphasized that caring for creation is not merely an environmental concern, but also part of our calling as people of faith and as a community. Meanwhile, the green campus initiative encourages the institution to translate environmental awareness into practical, environmentally friendly habits and actions.

The event also provided a space for dialogue across different perspectives, bringing together theology, education, and environmental knowledge.

UEM’s support through the Global Education Spotlight Series contributes to the development of an educational environment that is increasingly responsive to global challenges while remaining relevant to the local context.

Rev. Batara Sihombing, Chair of the Green Campus initiative, shared that STT Abdi Sabda has also received support from UEM in its efforts to develop a green campus. These efforts include planting more trees, particularly fruit-bearing and flowering trees, strengthening campus cleanliness through waste separation for recycling, and providing environmental education to the surrounding community.

Ultimately, the message of the event is simple yet powerful: the Earth is our common home. Caring for it requires awareness, collaboration, and concrete action that begins within our own communities.

Together, let us care for the Earth, our common home. (JP)

19/08/2026

GKPA Visited UEM Regional Asia: Strengthening Service Together in Mission

In the spirit of strengthening fellowship and deepening cooperation in ministry, the leadership of the Gereja Kristen Protestan Angkola (GKPA) visited the United Evangelical Mission (UEM) on Tuesday, 18 August 2026. The GKPA delegation was led by Ephorus Rev. Dr. Ramly S.N. Harahap, M.Th., accompanied by his wife, Rev. Tuty Z. Hutabarat, S.Th., General Secretary Rev. Herwen Jona Marpaung, M.Th., accompanied by Murni Br. Sibarani, as well as Rev. Arnold B. Siregar, M.Th., from Bureau I (General Affairs), and Rev. Antoni Parulian Siahaan, S.Th., from Bureau V (Legal Affairs and Research and Development).

The UEM Asia Regional Office staff warmly welcomed the delegation and congratulated the newly elected GKPA leadership. Rev. Ramly Harahap shared that the visit was an opportunity to learn more about UEM, receive information about its upcoming activities, and explore how GKPA can participate more actively in this shared mission.

General Secretary Rev. Herwen Jona Marpaung expressed gratitude for UEM’s continued support to GKPA and expressed hope that the partnership would continue, particularly through programs supporting the economic development and well-being of congregations. Existing UEM-supported initiatives, including pig farming, clean water provision, and solar panel projects, will continue to be monitored and further developed to contribute to the welfare of the community.

During the fellowship, the GKPA delegation also had the opportunity to meet partners of HKBP Medan-Aceh District and Dairi District, including young people from An der Agger, Germany.

May this encounter strengthen our journey together in fellowship, ministry, and mission. Let us continue to support and pray for GKPA and UEM, that together they may grow in ministry and become a blessing to many. (JP)

19/08/2026

Capacity Building on Planning and Leadership for GPKB Pastors

United Evangelical Mission (UEM) Asia facilitated a capacity-building workshop on planning and leadership for pastors of Gereja Punguan Kristen Batak (GPKB) synod in Jetun Silangit on August 13, 2026. The workshop was organized at the request of GPKB as part of the leadership transition and capacity-building process following the election of its new leadership team during the recent Synod Meeting.

This workshop brought together 28 participants from GPKB. It provided a space for the newly elected church leadership to strengthen their capacity in leadership, assess the resources and potential of the church, and develop a strategic direction for GPKB's ministry for the coming five years.

In the first session, Julian Tampubolon introduced UEM, including its programs, membership, opportunities for GPKB to participate in UEM programs, as well as UEM's role and activities. During the question-and-answer session, the Ephorus of GPKB, Pdt. Marihot Siahaan, expressed gratitude for GPKB's membership in UEM and his hope that the church could become more actively involved in UEM programs. In the context of the upcoming leadership transition, the session emphasized the importance of continuous self-improvement through capacity building, enabling church leaders to better understand UEM's strategic role and identify opportunities for collaboration and participation.

In the second session, Ridho Simamora facilitated a Holistic Church Assessment, inviting participants to assess the capacities and resources available within their church. The participants identified various strengths and resources, including their skills and experience, church assets, networks with other churches in Indonesia and abroad, congregation members, leadership capacities, and other resources. The assessment also encouraged participants to reflect on how these capacities could be mobilized, particularly in challenging situations, to strengthen the church's ministry and respond to the needs of its communities.

Building on the results of the Holistic Church Assessment, Irma Simanjuntak facilitated the next session on strategic and operational planning. Participants were guided through a process of developing their vision, mission, strategic objectives, strategies, and concrete programs. Through this process, the participants developed GPKB's vision is Towards One, Peaceful, and Progressive Church. This vision was then translated into a mission statement, strategic goals, strategies, and concrete programs for the period 2026–2031.
These key outcomes will be brought to the Pastors' Conference (Konven) for further discussion and refinement and will subsequently be officially ratified as GPKB's five-year program.
The workshop concluded with a reflection on Visionary Leadership in the Church, delivered by Rev. Dr. Fridz Sihombing from HKBP Nommensen University, Pematangsiantar. He reminded the participants that vision is rooted in faith and prayer, and that true growth begins by empowering the most vulnerable. His reflection encouraged the new church leadership to lead with faith, a clear vision, and a strong commitment to serving and empowering communities.
Let us pray together for wisdom, unity, and God's guidance for GPKB's journey and for the continued growth of our shared ministry. (JP)

07/08/2026

https://www.youtube.com/live/KbpArbIYcSY?si=pvbVxj5ItZypmuge

Join us LIVE for the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the United Evangelical Mission (UEM), streamed from Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) North Western Diocese.

This special thanksgiving service marks 30 years of UEM's mission and partnership in Africa, celebrating God's faithfulness through shared mission, Christian fellowship, witness, service, and sustainable development among member churches.

📅 Date: Sunday, August 9, 2026
🕜 Time: 7:30 AM (EAT)

Join us LIVE for the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the United Eva...

06/08/2026

UEM Asia held a meeting with the leadership of GKPS and the Committee of the 30th UEM Internationalization on August 5th, 2026, to report the achievement as well as to evaluate the implementation of Harmonious Concert. The aims of the meeting were to share experiences, present the accountability report and hand the fundraising results.

As part of the meeting, we also reflected on the lessons learned from the event. We agreed that there is a continued need to strengthen communication, coordination, and commitment across the UEM community. In addition, we recognized the importance of adapting future fundraising strategies to the specific context of each member church and organization, while actively exploring opportunities for collaboration and partnerships with other organizations and stakeholders across Asia.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the leadership of GKPS, together with the Committee of the 30th UEM Internationalization Anniversary, symbolically handed over a contribution of IDR 706,000,000 (Seven Hundred and Six Million Indonesian Rupiah) to support the mission and ministry of UEM.

On behalf of UEM, we sincerely expressed our deepest gratitude to all UEM member churches in Asia, especially the leadership of GKPS, the Committee of the 30th UEM Internationalization Anniversary, and all individuals whose generosity, dedication, and tireless efforts made this remarkable contribution possible. Your willingness to open your hearts, mobilize resources, and stand together in solidarity has not only ensured the success of this initiative but has also profoundly strengthened our shared commitment to serving as one Body of Christ.

06/08/2026

UEM Asia expresses its sincere appreciation to the Kalimantan Evangelical Church (GKE) for the generous donation of a Starlink device on August 3rd, 2026. This valuable contribution will enhance digital connectivity and support more effective communication and collaboration in carrying out our shared mission through UEM Office in Pematangsiantar, Indonesia.

We are grateful for ownership of member committing to serving together in faith, unity, and solidarity.