Territorial Welcome for Indonesian Officers

A warm welcome morning tea was held on a chilly morning at Territorial Headquarters in Wellington to welcome Lt-Colonels Alberth and Elsi Sarimin, officers from the Indonesia Territory, who are appointed to serve in the New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory. Lt-Colonel Alberth Sarimin is appointed to the role of assistant chief secretary, while Lt-Colonel Elsi Sarimin takes up the appointment of assistant territorial secretary for Personnel (Resources). Two of the Sarimins’ school-aged children have come with them to New Zealand, with the eldest staying at home in Indonesia.

The Sarimins’ share that they are looking forward to working in a territory outside of their own. ‘We see this appointment as God’s way to understand the internationalism of The Salvation Army and it will also equip us in our life as officers,’ says Elsi.

Prior to their appointments in New Zealand, the Sarimins’ completed almost 50 years of combined service with The Salvation Army in the Indonesia Territory where they held a wide range of roles, including as corps officers and administrators at William Booth Hospital and Catherine Booth Hospital.

The Salvation Army operates six hospitals in Indonesia, through a foundation, which provide a mix of maternal, ocular and surgical health services.

In the capital of Indonesia Jakarta, Alberth and Elsi held roles at the Officer Training College and at Salvation Army Headquarters. In their most recent roles, Alberth was territorial secretary for Programme while Elsi was assistant Personnel secretary.

Elsi holds a masters in theology. Alberth holds a doctorate in theology and previously completed advanced studies at The Salvation Army College of Further Education in Sydney, Australia.

Home to around 275 million people spread over thousands of islands, Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population. 

The Salvation Army operates more than 100 schools in Indonesia, mainly located in remote mountainous regions where there may not be any other formal education available.

Salvation Army social and health ministry is open to anyone in Indonesia and corps officers have good relationships with their local communities.

‘People that use our services, including those of the Muslim faith, are very appreciative of the help we give and The Salvation Army is highly regarded,’ says Elsi.

Many people come to God after seeing or experiencing The Salvation Army’s work in the community.

The couple are keen to learn about how things work in our territory and adopt systems and programmes in their home country where possible.

‘For example, we are very interested in hearing more about the governance board, Family Stores, and the Bridge addiction services, none of which are operating in Indonesia,’ says Alberth.