Jakarta, (Antara) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has urged the Indonesian Bethel Church (GBI), a group of Christian Pentecostal churches in Indonesia, to play its role in handling social problems in the country.
"Poverty is one of the problems faced in Indonesia, and the president has urged GBI to play its role in handling the issue through real programs in the community," GBI Synod Chairman Pastor Japarlin Marbun remarked at the Presidential Palace Complex here on Monday.
Marbun said his side positively welcomed President Jokowi's request, as GBI has, so far, been engaged in both spiritual and social services.
"We also seek the president's help to issue directives to GBI in order to support the progress of this nation, as this church not only performs spiritual or religious services but also social services," Marbun remarked.
He noted that the GBI has actively organized social services in various educational institutions, polyclinics, or community health centers, in addition to deploying troops of the Disaster Alert Cadets, or Tagana, that have been working on field in case of disasters.
"The president has called on us to continue to improve our work, so that the role of GBI is more real in the community," Marbun said, adding that he along with nine GBI representatives met President Jokowi at the latter's invitation.
On the occasion, the president was accompanied by Minister of State Secretary Pratikno.
Marbun said the GBI also supports the president in ensuring equitable development across Indonesia.(*)