PERWAKRIN USA, INC.
Indonesian Christian Community
in New York Metro Area
(Established April 28th 1983)
History
In the beginning, around 1976, there was a community of Indonesian Christians in New York who simply met at the annual Christmas event held at the Indonesian Consulate General in New York.
At that time, Christmas was organized by the Indonesian Christian community and assisted by non-Christian communities who were members of the IWI (Indonesian Citizens Association, at that time chairman: Mr. Singgih Nata). Between 1977 and 1979, there was an increase in the number of Christians coming to New York and its surroundings, especially those who came as tourists, ship crew, etc. who eventually settled, as well as several officials sent by BUMN, banking and government agencies.
In 1979, the Minahasa community organization was formed in New York, namely MAESA, as a forum where the majority of its citizens were Christians, so since then every meeting has often started on the basis of spiritual fellowship.
In the mid-1980s, Mr. Robert Mewengkang, as Maesa's manager at that time, contacted the deceased Mr. Christian from Toraja who serves as head of BULOG-NY, to discuss plans for holding Christmas with the Christian community in New York and its surroundings. his plan was approved, then Mr. Robert Mewengkang also contacted Mr. Poliston Munthe as administrator of PBB/PARSADAAN BANGSO BATAK-NY for this purpose, then continued with community Christmas preparation meetings in 1980 involving local staff of the Indonesian Consulate General who were Christians, namely: Mrs. Kailola, Marshall Sareseh (late), Simon Wattimury (late), Veibeke Lengkong, Pinna Pangaribuan, Linda Saqif-Pandeirot. So Christmas was held with the Christian community in 1980 with Mr. Robert Mewengkang as its chairman. Robert Mewengkang, deputy Mr. Poliston Munthe, secretary of Veibeke Lengkong and event coordinator Mrs. Kailola.
Since Christmas 1980, the desire of Indonesian Christians in NY has become stronger to form a Christian spiritual forum in the form of Ecumenical (Non-Denominational). With the involvement of the late. Mr. F. Toding (Head of the Indonesian Logistics Agency / BULOG in NY) with several Christian citizens including: late. Mrs. Pantiningsih, late. Mr. Simon Wattimury (kjri), mother Pinna Pangaribuan (kjri), mother Jeanette Awuy (kjri), Mr. Robert Mewengkang, this goal was finally realized at a meeting on April 28 1983, at the house of the Trade Attaché (Trade Attaché) in NY, namely: Mr. Edward Parapat-Bolang in Forest Hills, NY, under the name PERWAKRIN (previously someone suggested the name PERKI/Indonesian Christian Association. As the first chairman of Perwakrin, Mrs. Pantiningsih Atmodimedjo (who previously lived in Tokyo with the family of a PERTAMINA official). he deputy is Mr. Soeko Prasetyo.
In the second week of April 1983, Perwakrin officially started monthly worship using the Pancasila room of the Indonesian Consulate General, with permission given by the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in New York, at that time Mr. consul general Rudy Lengkong.
In 1984 due to health conditions, Mrs. Pantiningsih & Mr. Soeko Prasetyo resigned as chairman and deputy chairman of Perwakrin. So the Perwakrin's tasks are coordinated by Mr. Robert Mewengkang until 1987 assisted by Mrs. Jeanette Awuy-Widjaja/secretary & Mrs. Pinna Pangaribuan-Silaen/treasurer
Vision & Mission
In accordance with the AD/ART, PERWAKRIN's vision and mission are:
VISION: Promoting the welfare of Indonesian immigrant communities in the United States, especially those living on the east coast.
MISSION: Provide the information the community needs about the economy, health, immigration, law and spirituality.
Highlights
PERWAKRIN plays an active role in various social and religious activities:
1. Orphan homes
2. Victims of natural disasters, famine, drought and others
3. "Doulos" Foundation / Theological School in Lembang (1994)
4. Congregation of Allah in Timor, East Nusa Tenggara (1996)
5. Manado Evangelical Christian Church (GMIM), Sangir-Talaud (1996)
6. Yayasan Silimo, Irian Jaya (1997)
7. Church construction whose establishment was assisted by PERWAKRIN in Irian Jaya (1995-1998)
8. Reconciliation Team handling victims in Maluku (2000)
9. "Parapatan" Orphanage, Jakarta (2000)
10. Victim of the "Poso Incident" (2001)
11. Flood disaster in Jakarta (2001)
Pastors & Priests Who Have Served at Perwakrin
- Pdt John Ellenberger
- Pdt DR Petrus Octavianus, DD, PhD
- Pdt. DR dr Ruyandi Hutasoit, SpU, MA, MTh.
- Pdt. DR HC Jackievyn (JACKY) Frits Manuputty, STh. MA
Flashback PERWAKRIN
The following is some flashbacks of Perwakrin in the last 30 years
Eddie Prasetyo (1992):
When the consul general Mr. Arkelaus Pantow, Revision of Perwakrin's Articles of Association took place at Wisma Indonesia, Scarsdale, upstate NY which was attended by several Perwakrin administrators, Pastors. Father Alex S. Wijoyo, SJ, PhD & Mr. Bilman Butarbutar represent the Catholic apostolate (KKI-NY).
Indra Tjahjadi (1997)
When the consul general Mr. Is Isnaedi/former Tunisian Ambassador (1997), for the first time Perwakrin collaborated/partnered with ICMI (Indonesian Muslim Scholars Association) to hold an Inter-Religious Dialogue (Interfaith) event in the Pancasila room of the Indonesian Consulate General in NY. Experts/resources: Mr. Alwi Abdurrahman-Shihab, Father Alex S. Wijoyo, SJ dan Pastor. Hengky Hermanus. Moderator: Imam Shamsi Ali. The end result/ conclusion of the dialogue is read by: Mr. Achmad Padang & Brigjen Mangindaan. Present at that time: members of DPR commission 6: Mr. alm. Christianto Wibisono.
Budi Lodewijk
2003: Register a 501(c)(3)/ Non-profit Incorporation under the State of New York.
2004: Funding evening at Saint John Univ-Queens, collaboration with kki-NY for the Tsunami disaster in Aceh, Seminars on Immigration.
Joko Triono
2016: On the initiative of the chairman of Perwakrin, Mr. Jokotri, Perwakrin expanded its reach, both to several other cities in the USA and virtually, so that it became PERWAKRIN USA, Inc. in accordance with its mission & vision.
2018: formation of "Women's Ministry Perwakrin-USA, Inc." with the agenda a.l.: TRC by Senator Evangelist Maya Rumantir, MA, PhD
2022 (Mei): basic food supplies for GBI-Jeruk (Congregation Rukun Keluarga) in the Priok area, Jakarta which was handed over directly by the former chairman of Perwakrin Mr. Eddie Prasetyo.
2016-2019: Perwakrin helped the Indonesian Consulate General & Diaspora organize ISF (Indonesian STREET FESTIVAL) @ 68th Street in celebration of the Republic of Indonesia's Independence Day on August 17.