‘In the past, the Netherlands caused much suffering in Indonesia. But in 2025, the Bible Societies of both countries work well together’, said Buitenwerf. ‘Because Indonesia is a big country with many languages, the challenges for the Bible Society there are huge.’
The Alkitab Terjamahan is a revision of the 1974 translation – the first made after Indonesia’s independence by the Indonesian Bible Society, with help from Dutch scholars. After fifty years, the language was outdated and new scientific insights needed to be incorporated. Buitenwerf: ‘BSNF supports two translation projects in Indonesia. We also hope to serve churches in the Netherlands where the Indonesian language is used.’
Bible distribution in migrant churches
One such church is Gereja Kristen Indonesia Nederland (GKIN), a migrant church. Unlike most established churches, many migrant churches are growing. BSNF supports them with Bibles, knowledge transfer and in-service training in children’s work. Samuel Ekpo, BSNF Relationship Manager Migrant & International Churches, visits these churches. ‘Our mission is for everyone to be able to read the Bible in the language of their hearts. That’s why we make Bibles available and stimulate Bible engagement.’ Through BSNF, churches can obtain Bibles in English – e.g. the Migration Bible and the New International Version –, Sranantongo and Twi, and children’s Bibles in English, Portuguese and Papiamentu.
Training with Bible Basics for children’s workers
BSNF also trains children’s workers. In this training the digital bilingual Sunday school method Bible Basics or Bijbel Basics is used. This method is rooted in the ‘children’s theology’. The training focuses on the ages and development stages of children. Bible Basics is the most used Sunday school method (27.000 users) in the Netherlands and Flanders.
Venue of BSNF presentations
Sunday 23 February: presentation BSNF, RCCG Faith Tabernacle, Dendermondsesteenweg 421, Ghent (Belgium). Start of the service: 10 am; all are welcome.
Sunday 2 March: presentation BSNF, Credo Church Amsterdam, Kometensingel 58, 1033 BW Amsterdam. Start of the service 10 am; all are welcome.
Sunday 9 March: presentation BSNF, 4Pillars Community Church Almere, Barbeelstraat 12 1317 PZ Almere-Stad. Start of the service 10 am; all are welcome.
Photo: General Secretaries Buitenwerf (BSNF) and Sigit Triyono (Indonesian Bible Society) with the revised Indonesian translation. © NBG/Paul Abspoel.