Christian Church of Sumba (GKS)
Around 80% of Sumba’s 550,000 inhabitants are Christians. Most belong to the Christian Church of Sumba - Gereja Kristen Sumba (GKS) - which has been growing steadily since the 1980’s. The Church is run through a five-person leadership team chosen to represent the General Synod.
Leadership development is a key priority. Many congregations are vacant; others are oversized. Along with presbyteries, they are slowly being subdivided into a more manageable size. GKS also faces the challenge of improving skills of existing staff, developing new leaders at all levels and placing the many assistant ministers currently preparing for ordination.
The Practical School of Theology (PTTG) was founded in 2005 to train 200 new lay workers over four years; its first graduates began service in 2008. GKS also runs two hospitals, a number of primary and secondary schools and opened a new professional training centre in 2007.
GKS senses the need to speak more clearly and incarnationally to the community within which it serves, transforming but not conforming to Sumbanese language, culture and ways; a very sensitive issue requiring prayer and wise leadership to facilitate the transformation.
Mervyn McCullagh has been a consultant to GKS, helping the Synod office, presbyteries and congregations in all areas of leadership. Along with Petrus Pandanga, he was also charged with building GKS’ capacity in strategic planning, financial management, social outreach and environmental stewardship.
With only 6% of Sumba’s rainforest remaining, the sustainable use of natural resources by local communities is critical, especially in and around Sumba’s two National Parks. Rambu Raing McCullagh has been General Coordinator of KOPPESDA, an NGO which is helping to facilitate effective Natural Resource and Water Catchment Management by building collaboration between local communities, congegations, local and national government and other NGO’s, to develop lasting sustainable solutions to environmental issues.
Mervyn and Raing have also worked together in many areas of training, capacity building and commuity development in different parts of Sumba.
Mervyn and Raing completed their current term of service in Sumba earlier this year. From mid-September, they are on home assignment, involved in deputation speaking until early in December. At the same time, they are seeking to discern God’s will as to their future service together for Him.
Contact Address
Gereja Kristen Sumba (GKS)Jalan R Suprapto 23
Waingapu 87113
Sumba NTT
INDONESIA T: +62 (0)387 61342
F: +62 (0)387 62279
E: gks@indo.net.id
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