Holistic Community Service at Lembaga Kesejahteraan Sosial Anak Widya Asih Blimbingsari: Spiritual Empowerment and Social Support by STT Bethel Indonesia Doctoral Program

Lucyana Senjaya; Edwin Edwin; Albert Djohanes; Togap Parlindungan Simanjuntak; Purim Marbun

doi:10.37478/abdika.v6i4.8956

Authors

Lucyana Senjaya Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Bethel Indonesia, Petamburan, Jakarta, Indonesia
Edwin Edwin Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Bethel Indonesia, Petamburan, Jakarta, Indonesia
Albert Djohanes Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Bethel Indonesia, Petamburan, Jakarta, Indonesia
Togap Parlindungan Simanjuntak Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Bethel Indonesia, Petamburan, Jakarta, Indonesia
Purim Marbun Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Bethel Indonesia, Petamburan, Jakarta, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37478/abdika.v6i4.8956

Abstract

This community service program aimed to provide holistic support—encompassing spiritual enrichment, educational assistance, and essential daily necessities—to children at Lembaga Kesejahteraan Sosial Anak (LKSA) Widya Asih Blimbingsari, Kecamatan Melaya, Kabupaten Jembrana, Bali. The program was jointly implemented by doctoral students and lecturers from Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Bethel Indonesia (STT Bethel Indonesia), Petamburan Jakarta, coinciding with the institution's commemoration of its 50th Golden Anniversary. A participatory approach was employed, integrating direct service delivery with academic inquiry through interviews with LKSA management and community figures. Core activities included a joint worship service, a devotional sermon, and the distribution of educational materials (notebooks, pens), personal hygiene items (bathing soap, shampoo), and institutional-branded t-shirts to all children. The results demonstrate that the program successfully strengthened the spiritual well-being and academic motivation of the children, provided meaningful material support, and fostered enduring relational bonds between STT Bethel Indonesia and the Christian social welfare institution. The participatory and holistic model employed in this program highlights the pivotal role that theological higher education institutions can play as partners in community-based social welfare, contributing meaningfully to the comprehensive development of children in institutional care.

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Keywords:

community service, holistic ministry, child welfare, participatory approach

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