History of Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Bethel Indonesia

A Brief About Us

Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Bethel Indonesia (abbreviated as STTBI, formerly known as Institut Theologia dan Keguruan Indonesia) is a higher education institution under the auspices of the Synod of Gereja Bethel Indonesia (GBI). STTBI offers academic programs from undergraduate (Bachelor’s - S1) to doctoral level (Th.D and D.Min). Before 2010, the institution was known as Institut Theologia dan Keguruan Indonesia. The name was officially changed in 2010 to Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Bethel Indonesia (Bethel Theological Seminary of Indonesia). STTBI is proudly a pentecostal seminary that has a legacy of pentecostal movement in Indonesia, and continues to contribute the growth of the church and our Lord’s kingdom in Indonesia.

Our
Story

The date of August 4, 1953, was a significant day for the Evangelist School. On that day, all Pastors, Assistant Pastors, and Associate Pastors from Bethel Churches across Indonesia gathered to hold the 2nd Grand Council Conference at the GBI Building, Jl. Jati Petamburan No. 253, Jakarta. During this conference, it was proposed that the Bethel Church of Indonesia immediately open an Evangelist School in Jakarta to strengthen the position of the Bethel Church of Indonesia and to fulfill its calling: to preach the Gospel of the Lord throughout Indonesia. By unanimous agreement, the Grand Council decided to establish the Evangelist School under the leadership of Rev. Dr. H.L. Senduk with the task of educating young people to become evangelists.

On April 1, 1954, the opening of the "Evangelist School Course" was inaugurated. Lessons were provided by Rev. H.L. Senduk at three locations: Jl. Jati Petamburan No. 253, Jl. Gondangdia Lama No. 15, and Jl. Jati Baru X No. 54, Jakarta. This course was legalized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs with letter No. F.II/8916 on July 17, 1954.

On Saturday, April 7, 1956, the Bethel Evangelist School was officially opened, attended by government representatives, representatives from the DGI (Council of Churches in Indonesia), and other Christian churches. The first cohort faced many obstacles, but the Almighty God and Rev. H.L. Senduk overcame all difficulties. On January 10, 1957, twenty-four students completed the first course and entered the Lord’s field. The first teachers who taught at the Bethel Evangelist School were: Rev. H.L. Senduk, Rev. Andriesse, Mrs. H.L. Senduk, Rev. Ang Liong Tjie, Rev. M. Akib, Dr. The Sean King, Rev. D.E. Zakaria, Rev. S.F. Pangemanan, Rev. and Mrs. D.N. Walker. Later, more joined: Mr. Surianata, Mr. Sj. Denso, Brother W.K. Liotohe, Rev. Salomonson, and Brother N.H. Siahaan.

For four years, the school operated with only half a building. There were no funds to complete the building as originally planned. However, God performed a miracle and directed a member of our church named F. Remst to provide the money needed to complete the construction of the building. On August 25, 1960, an inauguration service and thanksgiving were held for the completion of the Bethel Jakarta Evangelist School building. Various experiences in leading the Evangelist School caused Rev. H.L. Senduk to think and pray for the future of the Bethel Church of Indonesia. This led him to prepare himself for a greater task: founding the Bethel Seminary of Jakarta.

Because of a strong calling from God and a formation process lasting 14 years—starting from an "Evangelist School without a school" in 1954—the Bethel Evangelist School was born with a simple dormitory (in an attic) in 1956. Under God's guidance, it eventually grew into the Bethel Seminary of Jakarta to meet the demands of the era.

Institutional Developments

and Academic Timeline

1954: Evangelist School Course.
1956: Bethel Evangelist School.
1968: Senior Christian Teacher Education School (SPGA) was opened. It continued to develop until it received "Equalized" status from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
1968: Bethel Theological Academy was opened with a Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) or Junior Scholar of Theology program with a 4-year duration.
1980: The Junior Scholar program was developed into the Bachelor of Theology (S-1) program under the name Bethel Theological Higher Education with a 4-7 year study period.
1981: According to government directives via the Director General of Protestant Christian Community Guidance, Bethel Seminary held a pilot project for the procurement of Christian Religious Education (PAK) personnel. This included a Junior Scholar program (minimum 3-5 years) and a Full Scholar PAK program (4-7 years) using the Ministry of Religious Affairs curriculum resulting from the Sukabumi consultation with a directed credit system.
1983: The name of the institutions changed to the "Bethel Jakarta Theological Education Institution" (LPTBJ).
1983: At the same time, the Theological Higher Education and the Christian Religious Education Higher Education were merged into the Indonesian Institute of Theology and Teaching (ITKI).
August 10, 1983: ITKI was inaugurated by Dr. Soenarto Martowirjono, Director General of Protestant Christian Community Guidance of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
December 6, 1983: ITKI was granted "Registered" status according to the Decree of the Director General of Protestant Christian Community Guidance No. 68.
September 18, 1991: A collaboration was established with the Church of God (COG) School of Theology in Cleveland, Tennessee, USA, to conduct a Master’s program (S-2/MA) in Church Ministries. The first cohort reached 24 students.

Expansion and Regional Branches

Beyond Jakarta, Evangelist Schools or Schools of Practical Theology (STP) were opened in various regions:

Medan: Jl. Wahid Hasyim PS. II no 7D.
Nias: GBI Umbu Gido.
Neksawa (West Kalimantan): GBI Neksawa (Meliau).
Nanggala (South Sulawesi): PO Box 44 Rantepao.
Waingapu (Sumba): PO Box 7 Waingapu, NTT.
Soe (Timur Besar): GBI Soe, NTT.
Langowan (North Sulawesi): GBI Langoan, Minahasa.
Abepura (Irian Jaya): PO Box 161 Abepura.
Poka (Ambon).

Additionally, the Bethel Theological Education Institution continues to develop in other areas, such as:

Surabaya: Bethany Christian Institute (IKB) and the Sulung Indonesia Theological Institute (ITSI).
Banjarbaru (South Kalimantan): Banjarbaru Theological Higher Education.
Jakarta (Additional): Mawar Saron Church Growth Institute (for the quality improvement of local Pastors).

The management of Bethel Seminary Jakarta was transferred from the Bethel Foundation to the Department of Theology of the BPH Bethel Church of Indonesia, making the BPH responsible for LPTBJ and all Bethel Theological schools throughout Indonesia. These schools were established and maintained through much prayerful struggle with one goal: to educate and send out as many servants of God as possible.

Reference:

Reference: Senduk, H. L. (2013). Sejarah Gereja Bethel Indonesia (Edisi Revisi, Cetakan ke-23). (A. R. Halim, A. Hosea, & S. H. Senduk, Eds.). Yayasan Bethel.