Gereja Lutheran Indonesia (GLI) is a sister synod and partner of WELS. It is also a member of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference, a global fellowship of Christian believers who are united in doctrine and practice. Members of Gereja Lutheran are very mission-minded and are sharing the gospel with people groups of different languages and cultures across the islands of Indonesia. GLI also helps its members grow in their faith and guides them as they live lives dedicated to Christ. Like WELS, GLI has an active called worker training program which is preparing future pastors and leaders through traditional seminary classes, distance learning, and seminars. GLI also has a thriving children’s ministry, which includes Sunday school programs at various churches and preaching stations, a few preschools, one Lutheran elementary school, and one Lutheran high school. GLI collaborates with WELS representatives from the Asia One Team, Multi-Language Productions, the Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI), Christian Aid and Relief, and Kingdom Workers. Learn more about WELS mission history in Indonesia.

Construction of a new seminary, called Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Lutheran (STTL), began in May 2019. God-willing, the campus will be completed in 2021 and will feature classrooms, offices, a chapel and library, a dormitory, dining area, and two small homes for dosens (professors) with room for more houses to be added down the road. All seminary classes are currently being taught by national workers. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, travel to and within Indonesia is extremely difficult and visits by members of the Asia One Team or other WELS representatives have been put on hold. The WELS Friendly Counselor to Indonesia, who previously lived in-country, now serves part-time in retirement. He is based in the United States and relies on the Internet to continue his work as an advisor to the national church.

Fast Facts

• Baptized members: 1,648
• Congregations: 5
• Preaching stations: 30
• National pastors: 25
• Vicars: 12
• Seminary students: 19
• Lutheran high school students: 30