October 17, 2025
By Trent Martin, Advocacy and Training Coordinator, 21Wilberforce
As part of its 71st Anniversary and 66th Graduation Ceremony, the Indonesian Baptist Theological Seminary (STT Baptis Indonesia) in Semarang marked a major milestone on October 14-15 with the official launch of two new academic centers — the Center for the Study of Freedom of Religion and Belief and the Center for Baptist Historical Studies.
Representatives from 21Wilberforce, Wissam al-Saliby and Trent Martin, were honored to be invited to attend the virtual event. Martin shared reflections on the importance of defending freedom of religion and belief (FoRB) and highlighted how the global church can both support and learn from the work of Baptists in Indonesia.
The inauguration took place during an international seminar themed “Holistic Ministry in the Digital Era: Developing the Gospel Mission for a Changing World.” The hybrid gathering brought together scholars, church leaders, and partners from across Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United States to explore how the church can respond to digital transformation while promoting religious freedom and human dignity.
A Vision for Equipping Future Leaders
During the ceremony, Dr. Robinson Rimun, President of STT Baptis Indonesia, officially opened the new centers and outlined their mission to serve as hubs for research, advocacy, interreligious dialogue, and pastoral formation.
He emphasized that because most Baptist pastors in Indonesia receive their theological education through the seminary, these centers hold a strategic role in shaping the next generation of Baptist leaders — equipping them to engage in FoRB advocacy, peacebuilding, and public witness.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate with 21Wilberforce, the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), and other institutions regionally and globally to strengthen networks for religious freedom and expand academic and advocacy partnerships.
Rev. Victor Rembeth, former General Secretary of the Union of Indonesian Baptist Churches and a respected peacebuilder, shared how Indonesian Baptists are drawing on their heritage to champion religious freedom and interfaith cooperation in Indonesia and beyond. “Being a Baptist in Indonesia and elsewhere in Asia Pacific region means a full commitment to secure the lives of many in practising their very own belief without oppression and to share the Good News in such an engaging way to change lives. Indonesia and the region of Asia Pacific crucially need the voice of those who are resonating the originators of the Baptist movement in order to stay relevant in observing the very call of FoRB as well as sharing the Good News in every situation.”
Honoring the Baptist Legacy of Freedom
In his address, Trent Martin reflected on the deep Baptist roots of religious liberty advocacy. From Thomas Helwys’s 1600s petition to King James urging liberty of conscience for all — “For men’s religion to God is betwixt God and themselves; the King shall not answer for it” — to the 100,000 Baptists who petitioned in 1945 for religious freedom in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Baptists have consistently stood for the inherent dignity and “soul liberty” of every person.
Martin emphasized that this legacy remains vital in today’s world:
“Advocating for freedom of religion and belief, and preparing the church to face persecution with courage and wisdom, is essential for our mission—especially in today’s digital age of surveillance, misinformation, polarization, and rapid technological change. That is why we are so grateful that the Indonesian Baptist Theological Seminary is launching this center to prepare church leaders who are informed and engaged on religious freedom issues.”
Wissam al-Saliby, President of 21Wilberforce, added:
“I am grateful for the calling and leadership of Baptists in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation. We look forward to learning from and partnering with them to advance religious freedom, human rights, and peacemaking — and to replicate their example in other contexts around the world.”
A Global Call to Action
Martin concluded by inviting participants to join the Baptist World Alliance’s Global Covenant for Religious Freedom, a movement uniting Baptists worldwide in prayer, solidarity, and public witness for liberty of religion and belief.
[Join the Covenant here.]
Religious Freedom in Indonesia
While Indonesia’s 1945 Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and belief, these protections remain under strain. According to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) 2025 report, the government continues to regulate religious practice, criminalize blasphemy, and restrict expressions of belief.
A new Criminal Code expected to take effect in 2026 could further tighten blasphemy provisions. Local authorities and intolerant groups have also used existing laws to obstruct minority faith communities from building or maintaining houses of worship — often leading to harassment or forced closures.
Religious minorities, particularly those outside Indonesia’s six recognized faiths — Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism — continue to face discrimination. However, there have been modest signs of progress: the government recently added “kepercayaan” (belief) as a seventh recognized category on national ID cards, granting limited recognition to indigenous faiths.
These realities underscore the urgency of the seminary’s new initiatives. By promoting interfaith understanding and supporting local advocacy, Indonesian Baptists are helping realize the nation’s founding ideal — “Unity in Diversity” — for all.