The mission of the Indonesian Bible Institute (LAI) is to translate, publish, and present the word of God in partnership with all. Partnership is the main foundation of LAI's ministry. The pillars of LAI itself consist of various groups: churches, Christian organizations, individuals, companies, governments, and international fellowships. In recent years, LAI has tried to strengthen partnerships and cooperation with churches and community organizations through cooperation agreements (KKS). LAI also encounters various groups from both government and private elements in an effort to partner the Good News in the archipelago.
On July 21, the Head of LAI's Representative Office in Makassar, Diana Rampan, accompanied by Partnership and Support Gathering Staff, Fepitha Via Dolorosa, met with the synod leadership of the Indonesian Protestant Church in Luwu (GPIL) in Palopo to discuss various matters regarding the partnership of the two institutions. From the GPIL Synod, the General Chairman, General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary of the GPIL Synod were present.
There were several important points discussed: the renewal of the PSC between LAI and the GPIL Synod, the plan to socialize the New Translation of the Bible Edition 2 (TB-2) through a Zoom meeting which is planned to be held on August 18, 2025 and LAI's request to the GPIL synod that the congregations under the ministry of the GPIL Synod support and implement the Bible Prayer Month 2025.
Hopefully the partnership between the two institutions in the future will be even closer, especially in the common call to spread and present the Good News in the midst of the people, so that the word of God becomes a source of inspiration and guidance for the people in living life every day.
Meeting in Toraja
A day later, July 22, Ms. Diana accompanied LAI Chairperson, Rev. Dr. Henriette T. Hutabarat-Lebang, to meet with several LAI ministry partners in Toraja. First, LAI met with the Liturgy and Music Commission of the Toraja Church (GT) together with Rev. Daud Palelingan and Mrs. Bunga Rannu, to discuss the implementation of the 2025 Bible Prayer Month, including the distribution of the 2025 BDA liturgy to all congregations of the Toraja Church. Together with the General Treasurer of the Toraja Church, LAI also discussed the support of the Toraja Church congregation for the implementation of the previous year's Bible Prayer Month (2024) which may not have been forwarded to LAI and is still recorded at the Toraja Church Synod.
A subsequent meeting with the Secretary of the Toraja Christian Education Foundation (YPKT), P. Tangkedatu, discussed various matters around embodying Christian values in education and also encouraged YPKT's support in mobilizing schools under its auspices to participate in Bible Week activities.
Next, on the same day, LAI held an audience with the Deputy General Secretary of the Toraja Church, Dkn. Yunus Buana Patiku. During the meeting, LAI expressed its gratitude for the Toraja Church Synod's support for LAI's ministry and vice versa as well as the partnership between LAI and the Toraja Church in translating and publishing the Good News for God's people there. LAI further submitted a request for recommendation to the congregations under the scope of the Toraja Church synod to be able to support and implement the Bible Prayer Month 2025 in September. LAI also proposes that the TB-2 Socialization can be scheduled in the Toraja Church Synod Work Meeting on October 1, 2025.
LAI also conveyed information and garnered support for the organization of Bible Week which will be held in two locations, namely in Rantepao on October 2-5, 2025, and then in Makale on October 7-10, 2025.
The day's meetings concluded with an encounter with Damayanti Batti, wife of the Vice Regent of North Toraja. In the meeting with the Chairperson of the North Toraja PAUD Movement, LAI shared the plan to organize Bible Week in two locations and also hoped for her participation to provide support for the organization of these activities.
Audience in Mamasa
The following day, July 23, 2025, the Head of LAI's Representative Office in Makassar, Diana Rampan, continued her ministry safari to Mamasa. The morning was opened with an audience with the Synod of the Toraja Mamasa Church (GTM). From LAI, besides the Head of Representation, there was also the Partnership and Support Raising Staff, Fepitha. From the Toraja Mamasa Church, the General Chairperson and General Secretary of the GTM Synod were present. In addition to expressing gratitude for GTM's support for LAI's ministry, Diana also hoped for the support of the GTM Synod and the congregations under its ministry in the 2025 Bible Prayer Month, which will raise support for the translation of the Bible in the Ot Danum language, Kalimantan. In addition, the meeting also agreed to organize the Socialization of the New Translation of the Bible, 2nd Edition (TB-2), on August 18, 2025.
On the same day LAI held an audience with the Regent of Mamasa, Welem Sambolangi. The meeting discussed local government support for church ministers, viz: Elders, Deacons and Pastors throughout GTM through the provision of special order 2 TB Bibles with the GTM logo. Also Procurement of special order Bibles with Mamasa District Government logo. In the discussion with LAI, the Regent of Mamasa expressed two important hopes: there is firmness from the GTM Synod regarding the use of TB 2 so that the congregation is not confused in choosing which edition of the Bible to use. Secondly, LAI is expected to continue socializing TB 2 so that information about this new edition can also reach the lay congregation.
Hopefully, through these various encounters, the ministry of LAI will become better known and more people of God will support the ministry of LAI in realizing the call of the Bible to be present for all people.
