Thousands Of GKI Petrus Waena Congregants Join Easter Dawn Torch Parade 2026

Ria Sartika    Sunday, April 05, 2026    Comment   

Thousands Of GKI Petrus Waena Congregants Join Easter Dawn Torch Parade 2026

Thousands of GKI Petrus Waena congregants in Jayapura joined a dawn torch parade to celebrate Easter 2026, highlighting faith, unity, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jayapura, Papua — Thousands of congregants from the Evangelical Christian Church (GKI) Petrus Waena in Heram District, Jayapura City, Papua, took part in a dawn torch parade to commemorate Easter 2026 early Sunday morning.

The annual tradition carries deep spiritual meaning, reflecting on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ while strengthening the faith of the congregation.

The Head of the Church Assembly, Rudi Krebu, stated that the parade involved members from 12 service regions, also known as rayons.

“This Easter dawn torch parade is participated in by congregants from 12 rayons so that all members can experience the joy of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” he said in Jayapura.

Early Morning Procession Filled With Spiritual Atmosphere

The torch parade began at 3:00 AM local time. Congregants walked through their service areas while carrying lit torches and singing hymns.

The solemn atmosphere was highlighted by the glow of torches lighting up the dark streets, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness—one of the core meanings of Easter.

Notably, the participants were largely children and youth, reflecting strong engagement from the younger generation in preserving faith-based traditions.

After completing the route, the congregation returned to the church grounds to attend a thanksgiving Easter service.

Worship Activities Started The Night Before

Prior to the parade, congregants had already gathered at the church since 6:00 PM the previous evening for a spiritual revival service.

This series of activities served as spiritual preparation leading up to the peak of the Easter celebration.

Easter Message: Rise Above Challenges

According to Pastor Rudi Krebu, Easter 2026 holds special significance amid various ongoing social challenges.

He encouraged believers to embrace the meaning of Christ’s resurrection as motivation to rise above setbacks in spiritual, social, and economic aspects of life.

“May the resurrection of Christ truly impact the lives of believers, especially in strengthening faith to glorify God,” he added.

Safe And Orderly Celebration

In addition to GKI Petrus Waena, similar Easter dawn torch parades were held by various Christian congregations across Jayapura City.

The event, which took place from 3:00 AM to 6:00 AM, ran safely, peacefully, and filled with joy.

Strong community participation once again demonstrated the spirit of unity and harmony in Papua.

FAQ

1. What is the meaning of the Easter torch parade?
The torch parade symbolizes the light of Christ’s resurrection overcoming darkness and death.

2. What time did the parade start?
The parade began at around 3:00 AM local time.

3. Who participated in the event?
Congregants of all ages, including children, youth, and adults from multiple service regions.

4. Is this an annual tradition?
Yes, the Easter dawn torch parade is held every year.

5. What is the main message of Easter 2026?
Believers are encouraged to rise above challenges and strengthen their faith.

UNESCO Global Geoparks Team Members Visit West Papua's Raja Ampat

Redaksi    Thursday, October 20, 2022    Comment   

UNESCO Global Geoparks Team Members Visit West Papua's Raja Ampat

UNESCO Global Geoparks Team Members Visit West Papua's Raja Ampat.

Sorong, W Papua - Two members from the UNESCO Global Geoparks secretariat team have observed how locals are managing the Piaynemo Geosite in Raja Ampat district, West Papua, as a tourist destination, a Konservasi Indonesia officer informed on Wednesday.

During their visit last week, UNESCO’s Charalampos Fassoulas and Alireza Amrikazemi met with Pamembuk NGO activists and Jaga Laut (Guarding Sea) team members, who are seeking to preserve sustainable tourism in Piaynemo Geosite.

They observed and discussed the necessary issues with personnel from Pamembuk and Jaga Laut, Konservasi Indonesia's tourism and capacity building manager, Meidiarti Kasmidi, said in Waisai on Wednesday.

Konservasi Indonesia is a national foundation that aims to support the sustainable development and protection of critical ecosystems in Indonesia.

According to Kasmidi, Fassoulas and Amrikazemi visited Raja Ampat to assess the government's proposal for making the district's geosite a part of UNESCO Global Geoparks.

During their visit, they also talked to several native Papuan women who are producing and selling virgin coconut oil, skin moisturizer, and coconut hand-made soaps to tourists.

They lauded the management system applied in the villages of Saukabu, Saupapir, and Fam, which reflects the people-based tourism at the Piaynemo Geosite, Kasmidi said.

Meanwhile, Raja Ampat district head Abdul Faris Umlati said earlier that the visit of the UNESCO Global Geoparks personnel was aimed at evaluating a plan to make Raja Ampat a part of UNESCO Global Geoparks.

"We hope the Raja Ampat Geopark will be able to become a part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks so that our people can gain benefits from the status," he added.

According to UNESCO's official website, UNESCO Global Geoparks are "single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education, and sustainable development."

ANTARA reported earlier that Raja Ampat is often called "Heaven on Earth,” "Miracle of Papua,” "Underwater Paradise on Earth,” or "Real Wonder of the World" for its mesmerizing marine panoramas.

The district has a geopark that is touted to be more beautiful than the one in Halong Bay, Vietnam.

In 2012, Raja Ampat was included in the list of the Real Wonders of the World. It has been recognized as one of the world's 10 most beautiful diving sites, and rated number one for its rich marine flora and fauna diversity.

Raja Ampat district has around 1,700 islands, including the Isle of Wayag, which is made of karst or limestone from other isles.

The waters of Raja Ampat have approximately 603 hard coral species, representing 75 percent of the total coral reefs in the world, according to information posted on rajaampatlodge.com.

Based on various studies by global conservation agencies, such as Conservation International and Nature Conservancy, Raja Ampat’s waters are estimated to host 1,397 fish species. The waters of Raja Ampat are, therefore, also called the “Capital for Fish in the World.”

There are 60 varieties of crayfish, 699 types of soft animals or species of mollusks, comprising 530 species of snails (Gastropoda), 159 species of shells (Bivalvia), two species of Scaphopoda, five species of squids (Cephalopoda), and three Chiton species in the waters of Raja Ampat.

Pewarta : Rahmad Nasution/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Bappenas, USAID Partner To Expedite Development In Papua

Redaksi    Thursday, October 20, 2022    Comment   

Bappenas, USAID Partner To Expedite Development In Papua

Bappenas, USAID Partner To Expedite Development In Papua. (image pixabay)

Jakarta - Indonesia’s Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) is collaborating with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to speed up development in Papua.

The United States, through USAID and Bappenas, launched a new initiative to accelerate development in Papua and West Papua, the Papua Collaborative Governance Indonesia Project or "USAID Kolaborasi," the US Embassy in Jakarta noted in a statement on Thursday.

According to the Embassy, USAID Kolaborasi is a five-year US$10-million fund initiative to support Indonesia’s Master Plan for the Acceleration of Development for Papua (RIPPP).

The plan aims to strengthen cooperation with development partners, businesses, and other stakeholders.

The program will assist the provinces of Papua and West Papua to use Special Autonomy Funds for offering maximum benefits to the people of Papua and West Papua, according to the Embassy.

Main Secretary of Bappenas Taufik Hanafi stated that strengthening collaboration between the Government of Indonesia and USAID under Kolaborasi will play an important role in mobilizing program and funding resources to focus on achieving development goals in the RIPPP.

USAID Indonesia Mission Director Jeff Cohen stated that along with Bappenas and local governments in Papua and West Papua, USAID Kolaborasi will improve the quality of public service delivery and improve the skills of local government agencies to oversee budget allocation and execution in addition to engaging with citizens in Papua and West Papua.

“This new collaboration with Bappenas demonstrates our commitment to supporting the Indonesian government in realizing its goal of a prosperous Papua region,” he remarked.

“USAID Kolaborasi promotes collaborative governance in Papua and West Papua by improving the capacity of local governments and the engagement of Papua's indigenous people in local development,” Cohen stated.

He remarked that the United States is committed to partnering with the Government of Indonesia to address important development challenges.

The USAID looks forward to expanding its close relationship with Bappenas and working with other local partners, such as Cendrawasih University and University of Papua, to improve the functioning and accountability of governance in Papua and West Papua, he explained. 

Pewarta : Yuni Arisandy Sinaga/Antara

Editor : Yakop