1/17/2025 Indonesia (International Christian Concern) — A church in East Jakarta, Indonesia, is getting a home after 56 years without one.
The Pasundan Christian Church (GKP) Congregation of Kampung Tengah recently received a certificate of ownership from Nusron Wahid, the minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN).
The certificate handover on December 25, 2024, marked the end of the congregation’s long journey in obtaining legal certainty for the land they use as a place of worship. As officially recognized landowners, the congregation, established in 1968, can conduct worship more calmly and comfortably.
While officially secular, Indonesia is home to the largest population of Muslims on the planet. Its increasingly conservative Islamic landscape poses challenges for religious minorities, particularly Christians. Roughly 82% of Indonesians are Muslim, and about 13% are Christians.
Nusron explained that land problems, including those related to houses of worship, often arise due to overlapping letters or the process of releasing rights that have not been completed. This, he stated, is often an obstacle in the construction of churches.
Land certification for religious institutions is an important focus. The Ministry of ATR/BPN often ensures that the land used for houses of worship is clean and clear to prevent future conflicts.
With the certificate, the congregation hopes it can provide a sense of security for religious and social activities within the church community.
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