Tzu Chi Renovate Unte Mungkur HKBP Church in North Tapanuli

Journalist : Nuraina Ponidjan (Tzu Chi Medan), Photographer : Amir Tan, Zusin P (Tzu Chi Medan)

After being renovated, the HKBP Unte Mungkur Church is comfortable and beautiful.

The Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation has always adhered to the principle of universal love in carrying out its missions. This means that Tzu Chi does not distinguish between ethnicity and religion, where there is suffering there is a field of blessing that can be cultivated.

The Unte Mungkur HKBP Church is located in Muara District, North Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra. This church is 126 years old. Many of the buildings have rotted with age, so there are leaks here and there and it is very uncomfortable for the members of the church to carry out services in this church.

HKBP Unte Mungkur Church was 126 years old before being renovated.

Tzu Chi volunteers follow the service at the HKBP Unte Church.

Tzu Chi's relationship with the HKBP Unte Mungkur Church began with a friendly relationship between the Chairman of Tzu Chi in North Sumatra, Mujianto, and Samsul Sianturi, a member of the church. At that time, Mujianto visited Samsul Sianturi who during the Covid 19 pandemic lived in Muara, and the HKBP Unte Mungkur church was right in front of Samsul Sianturi's house. Seeing the condition of the old church, Mujianto's intention arose to help renovate the leaky parts and repaint the entire building so that the HKBP Unte Mungkur church again became a comfortable house of worship for congregants who held services.

Welcome remarks from Mujianto who was so happy to see the church members attending the service. Beside Mujianto, is his best friend, Samsul Sianturi.

Pastor Martongo Sitinjak gave a sermon on the meaning of friendship.

Sunday, October 10, 2021, six volunteers from Tzu Chi Medan traveled for seven hours from Medan, to visit this renovated church. The church congregation has prepared a service event as a sign of gratitude to all Tzu Chi people who have given their love by renovating the church building. Now the church is no longer leaking and is comfortable for the congregation to use for worship.

"Praise God and infinite gratitude and thanks to the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation for helping to renovate our church so that church members can worship comfortably," said Syamsur Sianturi, representing the church congregation.

Reverend Martongo Sitinjak really appreciates this contribution from the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. For him, this is clear evidence of the power of true faith.

Pastor Sahat at the service.

Giving Ulos cloth as the highest form of gratitude from the Batak tribe.

“Because someone who lives his faith deeply, like Master Cheng Yen, he crosses the boundaries of his own religion. But he has entered the universal spirit of all people, so there is a beautiful relationship between different religions. With a belief that universalism must accept goodness for all, so I think what Tzu Chi Buddha lived was truly universal in spirit and we welcome it with joy,” said Reverend Martongo Sitinjak.

As a form of infinite gratitude, the HKBP Unte Mungkur church gave a piece of Ulos cloth as the highest custom of the Batak tribe and also gave a thank you plaque to the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation.

"On behalf of HKBP Unte Mungkur, I as the highest leader here would like to thank the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation very much, which we did not expect that now this church has become as beautiful as this," said Pastor Sahat, Leader of HKBP Unte Mungkur.

Group photo between the Unte Mungkur Church Congregation and Mujianto, Chairman of the Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation, North Sumatra.

Receiving a warm welcome from the church congregation, Mujianto, Head of the North Sumatra Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation, was touched.

“Today we are attending worship at the HKBP Unte Mungkur church, but we are not changing our religion and beliefs and the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation has also never changed the beliefs and beliefs of others because our foundation is universal and respects every religion. The assistance that we provide is a form of concern for others despite different religions, nations, and ethnicities. And this difference is not a barrier to doing good and spreading love," he concluded.

Translator: Olivia Tan (Tzu Chi Volunteers)