Do you read the Bible or listen to it being read aloud – which do you do more often? For those who read the Bible more often, how much time do you spend reading a passage from the Bible each day? However, have you ever read a passage from the Bible whilst listening to it being read aloud? Have you ever really taken the time to sit quietly whilst reading and listening to the Bible, without doing other activities at the same time, such as checking your mobile and replying to text messages, or even scrolling through social media?
On 31 August – 2 September 2026, a PRS retreat (Public Reading of Scripture)/JSU (Just Show Up) retreat took place in Jakarta, attended by 30 PRS/JSU coordinators from various regions across Indonesia. The event was also attended by Cary Summer (President of G&M America) and Ryan Kim (President of G&M Asia). The Indonesian Bible Society (LAI), as one of Grace & Mercy’s partners in Indonesia, was also present. The Secretary-General of LAI, along with the Head of the LAI Library & Museum Department, were present as representatives. PRS/JSU itself is a movement initiated by the Grace & Mercy organisation, which is active in several countries, including Indonesia. PRS in Indonesia is better known as GEBADA (Gerakan Baca Dengar Alkitab – the Bible Reading and Listening Movement), whilst JSU is a book club.
Throughout the three-day retreat, activities were almost entirely devoted to PRS, namely reading and listening to passages from the Bible, covering various sections from both the Old and New Testaments. These were interspersed with JSU sessions, during which participants listened to and read two books in their entirety. All participants simply sat quietly, reading and listening to the designated passages from the Bible. In each PRS session, participants are presented with 7–10 passages from the Bible (Old and New Testaments), and the session can last up to 90 minutes.
This retreat was also organised to train the PRS/JSU coordinators in attendance, so that these leaders would be equipped to manage each PRS/JSU group effectively. The presence of Cary Summer and Ryan Kim at this retreat was also intended to allow them to share their experiences, thereby inspiring and motivating the coordinators. The question-and-answer session between G&M and the participants was marked by great enthusiasm, indicating that the coordinators are keen to further promote the PRS/JSU movement in their respective regions.
On the third day, during the final session, the participants shared testimonies about their experiences during the three-day retreat. The coordinators hope that retreats such as this can be held every year to equip them, and they hope that G&M will continue to accompany them and provide even more support.
PRS/JSU offers a wonderful and compelling opportunity for each of us to persevere even more in delving deeper into the Word of God. The method used may still feel new to us all, but it is worth trying and implementing within your community. “Give ear and listen to my voice; pay attention and hear my words!” (Isa. 28:23 TB 2). “In the meantime, until I come, devote yourself to reading the Scriptures, to exhortation, and to teaching.” (1 Tim. 4:13 TB 2). Good luck! (albert)
