An institution to develop Anglican workers and pastors who would be sent throughout Indonesia and beyond.

That was an idea that emerged 13 years ago, in 2011, when Rev Dr Timothy Chong was praying.

Rev Chong is the Director of Missions of the Diocese of Singapore and Dean of Indonesia. He is also the founder of the Anglican Theological College Indonesia (Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Anglikan Indonesia) that starts its inaugural term on August 19, 2024 with five students.

“We had to learn to wait on the Lord for His timing. For nine years, we prayed and we waited before getting the green light to pursue the vision for a theological college in Bali (pictured after its renovation),” said Rev Dr Timothy Chong.

As Rev Chong prayed about the idea, “Bali came to mind”.

The region of Bali was a natural choice. “There are few theological schools there compared to the other areas in Indonesia,” he said. 

The Anglican Theological College Indonesia in Bali was consecrated on November 26, 2023; classes begin on August 19, 2024. On the same occasion, 12 deacons from the Deanery of Indonesia were priested.

There were also practical considerations.

“As Bali is an international hub, it would also be easier for us to recruit lecturers and volunteers to serve there.”

The project, however, was put on hold for almost nine years as other priorities in the Diocese took a front seat.

“Go buy a hotel”

The idea was resurrected in 2020 under the purview of Rev Canon Dr Titus Chung, who was succeeding Bishop (Emeritus) Rennis Ponniah as the 10th Bishop of Singapore.

“I spoke to him about the vision God had given to us about setting up of a theological college, and he gave the green light and helped to raise funds to pursue this vision,” said Rev Chong. 

So in March 2020 – nine years after first hearing from the Lord – Rev Chong finally stepped foot in Bali to survey sites for the school.

“I felt God’s peace. I sensed that this was where the Lord wanted us to be.”

Rev Dr Timothy Chong and his wife Magdalena at the consecration of the theological college in November 2023.

Rev Chong returned to Singapore just as borders closed to stem the tide of COVID worldwide.

It looked like the project was put on hold again.

But as the world was emerging to a new normal around 2021, and there was talk of borders reopening, Rev Chong sensed God intervening.

“He said, ‘Go buy a hotel in Bali for your Bible school.'”

At that time, many – including Rev Chong – were still working from home. “I looked up to heaven and asked God, ‘Do you think it is a good idea?'”

Church offerings had dropped as many had lost their jobs during the pandemic. Most congregants were still attending church remotely due to social distancing measures. 

“I felt that my faith was being tested,” he said, sharing that the Deanery only had $350,000 for the project.

Rev Chong felt that he needed to model faith to the Indonesian clergy and pastors in trusting God for His provision in this endeavour.

So in obedience to God, he instructed his staff in Indonesia to put the word out to property agents that they were looking to purchase a hotel.

“It is our prayer for this school to be the sending hub of Anglican workers into the vast harvest field of Indonesia,” said Rev Chong, echoing the college’s motto “To be with Christ and to be sent out by Him”.  The logo was designed by Bishop Titus Chung who is also the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of the Province of South East Asia.

Rev Chong shared: “I prayed, ‘Lord, since this is Your idea, You provide the funds’.” 

He did not ask any of the parishes for funds for the purchase of the hotel.

“I had faith that the funds would follow.”

Within a year, the Diocese raised the sum needed to purchase and renovate the building. The largest one donation was $500,000 from an organisation.

An individual came forward and gave towards the renovation, furnishing and fittings of the chapel, said Rev Chong.

“It was a miracle,” Rev Chong said.

“Who would have thought we could actually raise $900,000 for the purchase of the hotel, and another $500,000 to convert the hotel into an institution during the COVID years?

“I am utterly amazed at God’s provision, like the psalmist who cried out, ‘Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!’ (Psalm 31:19).”

Right time, right place

Rev Chong also saw God’s perfect timing in purchasing the property which would otherwise have not been available or beyond their budget of less than S$1 million. 

Many small hotels were up for sale because they were bleeding from COVID’s impact on tourism.

Two hotels were within their budget, but the Deanery had two criteria: The first was the removal of shrines on the premises and the second was the change of use from hotel to an institution. Only one met the Deanery’s criteria.

The 40-room hotel had opened in 2019 but was shuttered barely before it began operations, as evidenced by plastic wrappers that were still around the mattresses. Despite being almost brand new, it was run down from disuse due COVID travel and social restrictions.

The 40-room property was in Balangan, near Jimbaran, about a 30-minute drive south of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar. 

The ground floor carpark of the hotel was converted into the chapel. The hotel had made full use of the height allowed for that area.

During renovations, the sewerage system, filtration system and groundwater tank were replaced.

The conversion included amalgamating hotel rooms into a library, lecture rooms and offices.

The library is currently designed to house 3,000 volumes, but this can be expanded. Many of  the volumes were donated by clergy, pastors and lay people in Singapore.

The majority of the hotel rooms over two of the four floors were converted into dormitories for male and female students. The property can house about 100 students at any time. 

Each dormitory room can take four students.

Three apartments and two guest rooms were furnished for visiting lecturers. 

During the term break, the rooms will be made available – free of charge – to pastors and clergy from Dioceses in the Province of South East Asia, who only need to contribute towards utilities.

“It will give many – who may not otherwise be able to afford a holiday – the opportunity to rest and recharge,” said Rev Chong.

The Province of South East Asia, inaugurated in February 1996, covers the four Dioceses of Kuching, Singapore, West Malaysia and Sabah.  

The rooftop area will be used for meals and recreational activities.

Within the compound is a community clinic with a registered nurse who can dispense over-the-counter medicine from its pharmacy, and make referrals to a doctor.

“This clinic is open to anyone in the community who needs medical attention. This is how the theological college can be involved in the community and be a blessing to them,” said Rev Chong.

Preparing Anglican workers for God’s work

The theological college is built for the purpose of training Anglican workers who will be sent out throughout all Indonesia.

Three classrooms of different sizes were carved out of the available space in the hotel.

The four-year course leading to a Bachelor of Theology will be led by both full-time and adjunct faculty who specialise in subjects ranging from Anglicanism to missions to inner healing and deliverance.

The chapel is designed to be used for larger classes.

Students come from the 40 Anglican churches from Sumatra to Ambon. The Deanery currently has churches in 15 out of the 38 Indonesian provinces. 

“Depending on their gifting and capacity, graduates would be sent to lead church plants, or to be part of a support team,” said Rev Chong.

“We are reminded that it is the Lord of the Harvest that sends His labourers into the harvest field and we have to discern His will for each of them.”