GMS Administrators Reveal They Were Offered Use of Bantul Regency Hall for Worship

Administrators of the Church of the Prosperous Mission (GMS) have revealed that they received an offer from the Bantul Regency Government to worship in the pendapa. However, they decided they could not yet take up that option. GMS Central Public Relations officer, Josiah Michael, stated that currently, the GMS congregation located in Sewon is still unable to hold worship services as usual. Josiah explained that the church had received an offer from Bantul Regent Abdul Halim Muslih regarding the use of the pendapa for worship. “For the time being it cannot be used yet, but there was a notification or assistance from the Regency Government, namely the Regent, permitting the use of the regency pendopo,” he told reporters on Friday. Josiah admitted that the church had not taken up the option, as they were considering several factors, particularly distance. “We are very grateful and thankful for his generosity, but after considering various factors we have not been able to take up the option to worship at the pendopo,” he said. “So for the time being, perhaps this coming Sunday, GMS Bantul will not hold worship services yet,” Josiah continued. When asked how long the congregation would be unable to worship at GMS Bantul, Josiah said it was only temporary, noting that GMS is currently completing the requirements for a place of worship permit. “Hopefully it won’t be long; we hope the permit will be issued soon so we can immediately hold services at GMS Bantul,” he stated. Regarding the status of the permit application, Josiah confirmed that all required documents have been completed. “GMS itself has completed all the documents that needed to be added. There were additional items requested by the Bantul Regency Government and we have submitted all of them. They are complete,” he said. It was previously reported that the GMS congregation in Sewon, Bantul, decided to hold worship services online, expressing hope that the online arrangement would only be a one-time occurrence. The announcement regarding the online service was uploaded to the Instagram account @gmschurch. When asked for confirmation, Josiah Michael confirmed the report, stating that the church is following the directive that the GMS Bantul congregation cannot yet worship in its own church building.