What Is Reformed Evangelical Movement?
A movement is different from an organization. A movement is like a fire, a spiritual zeal that burns and ignites a group of people, becoming a force that influences others to see, acknowledge, uphold, and carry out an important task that changes history. A movement of real historical significance always has a consistent theology, agile strategy, wholehearted dedication, faithful followers, and lasting influence, whether in the secular or spiritual realm. These elements can be clearly seen.
Therefore, the Reformed Evangelical Movement must also ask the Lord to grant help and blessing in the things that truly matter. We believe the motivation to establish this movement is purely grounded in God’s calling, the needs of the times, and the outworking of the life of faith as Christians in history. Thus, we clearly see the Lord pouring out His blessings—both in His presence and in His anointing, especially in raising up individuals set ablaze by the fire of the Holy Spirit. Soli Deo Gloria.
What Is the Content of the Reformed Evangelical Movement?
This movement includes two aspects.First, it seeks to restore a theological understanding based on God’s revelation in Holy Scripture, as pioneered by the Reformers, especially the Calvinist stream and carried on by their successors to this day. With this rigorous theology, drawn from the truths contained in Scripture, Christians’ faith will be equipped and strengthened to face the challenges of every age.
Second, it seeks to ignite the spirit of evangelism and mobilize Christians to proclaim the gospel directly, the good news for all humanity, making known the saving power of Christ’s death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins and humanity’s reconciliation with the Lord God, producing a new life that glorifies God, bears witness to Christ, and proclaims the gospel. In this way, the movement calls the church to be rooted in God’s Word and to bear fruit in this world.
How Did This Movement Begin?
The steps of this movement have been led by God through the obedience of His servants. Therefore, we planned the following (for the Reformed theology aspect):
First, to gather as many people as possible who become aware of and experience Reformed Evangelical teaching. This is carried out through the Seminar Pembinaan Iman Kristen (SPIK).
Second, to select and form a group of laypeople who discipline themselves to study Reformed theology systematically and consistently. This is carried out through the Sekolah Teologi Reformed Injili (STRI).
Third, To establish a library that provides high-quality books to meet the needs of those who want to learn more about the truth, affirming that this movement is universal and has historical influence.
Fourth, to establish a theological school and institute to prepare full-time ministers for future generations.
Fifth, with sound theology, to establish churches and gospel posts as a place for God’s servants to boldly teach Reformed theology and shepherd God’s chosen people.
Sixth, to translate and publish Reformed theology books.
Meanwhile, the plans for the evangelism aspect include:
First, to conduct mass evangelism and directly address the needs of society, calling people to repent and welcome the invitation to become Christians.
Second, to carry out evangelistic discipleship by training individuals who feel called to expand God’s Kingdom through personal evangelism—thus mobilizing Christians to become channels of God’s grace to society.
Third, to train full-time evangelists through theological education, preparing ministers who are gifted and especially burdened for evangelism.
Fourth, to provide gospel posts to receive the fruit of evangelism and lead people into shepherding and church life.
What Is Unique About This Movement?
The Reformed Evangelical Movement is different from a church and from Reformed Evangelical denominations. It is intended to be an encouragement to every denomination and can belong to any church outside the Reformed Evangelical Church, so that churches may be awakened and directed toward sound theology and a true evangelical spirit.
At the same time, the Reformed Evangelical Movement does not rule out the possibility that ministers who hold to Reformed Evangelical theology may establish Reformed Evangelical churches as one expression within the Kingdom of God—standing alongside other churches as they carry out their calling as the body of Christ.
Who Is Involved in This Movement?
This movement is not monopolized by full-time ministers, nor is it monopolised by GRII, because Reformed theology and evangelism within the Reformed Evangelical Movement are the internal core and external action that should belong to all churches. Therefore, every Christian who has been born again by the Holy Spirit and has been baptized into the Lord has the right to take part in the Reformed Evangelical Movement.
If the Lord leads, Christians who are zealous and hold this kind of theology may freely, of their own willingness, join the Reformed Evangelical institution, and even the International Reformed Evangelical Church (IREC). Everyone who takes part in this movement must be aware of and understand the Reformed Evangelical Confession of Faith, and be willing to work together with Reformed Evangelicals to develop this movement—with the aim of glorifying God, purifying the church’s faith, and igniting the spirit of the Great Commission until Christ returns.
IREC and the Reformed Evangelical Movement
IREC was founded on the basis of the Reformed Evangelical Confession of Faith, with the aim of establishing a church grounded in Reformed theology, with a pulpit that proclaims expository preaching, and a congregation committed to proclaiming the gospel. This church is part of the body of Christ, which consists of all churches that carry out their calling in this world based on true teaching.
IREC members consist of:
- Those who come to faith through direct evangelism, receive the Lord, and are baptized into GRII.
- Members from churches overseas or from other regions who move to a city where GRII is located and, by their own request and willingness, become GRII members through attestation after completing catechism classes.
- The children of members, whom believing parents promise to raise according to the Christian faith.
- Transfers from other churches by following legitimate procedures.
From among GRII members who are convinced of the importance of the Reformed Evangelical Movement and sense God’s calling to be involved in this movement, opportunities are given to serve so that—through observation, training, and evaluation—some may become workers who serve a wider ministry.
Leadership consists of those who have gone through stages of service and are considered sufficiently mature. Every Christian who is aware of and understands the Reformed Evangelical Movement should have a positive influence, both in church life and in society and civic life.
The Future of This Movement
Through Reformed Evangelical convictions, we hope that more churches will return to true teaching, and that more churches will engage in fulfilling the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, STTRII, the Reformed Institute, and STRI in major cities in Indonesia and overseas bear the responsibility of educating Christians in the knowledge of Reformed theology and mobilizing evangelistic mission. Meanwhile, GRII is expected to establish as many MRI (Mimbar Reformed Injili / Reformed Evangelical Pulpits) as possible in various places, to meet Christians’ need and hunger for God’s Word, Reformed theology, and evangelism training.
We hope that sound theology will become a key source of illumination for culture and life in this world; and through evangelism, to bring entire nations back to God. For the Lord said, “You are the light of the world; you are the salt of the world.” As we enter the 21st century—marked by mass movements influenced by the spirit of the New Age movement and cultural currents shaped by postmodern philosophy—let us shine the light of God’s Word like a lighthouse, guiding all who are lost back into the embrace of the eternal God.