The history of the Bible Society of Indonesia Makassar Office cannot be separated from the establishment of the Bible Society of Indonesia. As we all know, before becoming an institution as it is today, it was an agency of the Dutch Bible Society (Het Nederlands Bijbelgenootschap) and the British and Foreign Bible Society in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), functioning only to distribute Bibles and its parts. During World War II, on November 11, 1940, the agency was handed over to Mr. G.P. Khouw, an Indonesian law scholar, based in Bandung. After the war ended, the agency was returned to the Dutch Bible Society, and Mr. G.P. Khouw was moved to Makassar. Only in 1950, after Indonesia's sovereignty was recognized internationally, was the Bible agency moved to Teuku Umar Street No. 34, Jakarta. The desire to establish a national Bible Society grew among Christian leaders and church officials in Indonesia, and eventually, on February 9, 1954, the Bible Society of Indonesia was founded, fully responsible for ecclesiastical affairs, and the procurement and distribution of Bibles.

To carry out and support the mission of the Bible Society in the South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, and Maluku regions, and later added East Kalimantan Province, the Makassar Representative Office was established in April 1965. With the establishment of the Makassar Representative, it is hoped that the vision and mission of the Bible Society can be spread and heard by the Christian community in the area. There are at least 8 Synod offices that serve as the parent organization of Protestant Churches within the jurisdiction of the Makassar Representative Office. This is a local potential that can serve as a working partner in spreading the Word of God within church life. Additionally, the many ethnic groups in the region who do not yet have a Bible translation in their language represent a potential development area for the Makassar Representative. Given the great responsibility borne by the Makassar Representative, it appears that the work cannot be handled alone by the Bible Society. Here lies the importance of partnership, especially with local Churches, so that the heavy burden can be lightened when shared together.

Currently, the Indonesian Bible Society Representative Office in Makassar is located at Jl. Boulevard, Yascinth Shop No. 17, Panakkukang Mas, Makassar 90222, Tel: (0411) 458776, email: