4/11/2025 Indonesia (International Christian Concern) — After waiting more than two decades, the HKBP Bincarung Church in Tanah Sareal district, Bogor City, West Java, Indonesia, was finally able to lay the first stone for its own building. 

The groundbreaking, which occurred on March 15, was carried out after the Building Construction Approval (PBG) issuance on October 4, 2024.  

Since its founding in 1969, the congregation of this church has moved multiple times. It was only in 2002 that the congregation settled on Jalan Bincarung. Since then, various challenges hindered the church’s efforts to obtain a building permit.  

Representing the church’s leadership at the groundbreaking, the Rev. Aprianto Simanungkalit thanked government officials who helped make the church’s vision a reality.  

“We are very grateful and express our deep appreciation to the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, the Mayor of Bogor,” he said, “and the ranks of the Bogor City Government for the issuance of the PBG HKBP Bincarung.” 

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto attended the laying of the church’s first stone for the construction of its building. He said the construction of the church building is part of a symbol of tolerance in Bogor City, adding that he hopes the construction of the church will inspire a spirit of tolerance.  

“Congratulations to all of us,” he said. “Let’s make sure that the inspiration from Bogor City continues to spread to Indonesia and the world.” 

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