ONE GOAL of involving children in various ministries at International Pastoral Community (IPC) of Bible Centre, Batam, is to educate our children according to the Christian faith and morality. Children of IPC involve in reading ministries, music ministry and altar ministry. They are from anywhere, both expatriates or Indonesian, as long as they want and commit to serve Christ and his church, they are admitted to these several ministries.

On the solemnity of Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe, November 22, 2015, five new knights and lilies - as they are called - are admitted to the ministry of serving the altar. They are Roswita Lucy Beoang, Maria Clarin, Faustina Zahra Virginia Nabila, Ezra Putra Setyadi and Leonardo Edwin. After intensive training and special catechism related to the virtues of serving the altar, they are ready to commit themselves to the ministry. In his brief introduction prior the installation, Chaplain of International Pastoral Community, Fr. Aurelius Pati Soge, reminds them all, that serving the altar is free choice but requires commitment and sacrifices. For that reason, family support is important, so they will see that their ministry is meaningful, not only for themselves but also for their family members.

Vow of commitment

After the introduction, the five new altar servers make their vow of commitment in a short prayer, offering themselves to the protection and providence of the Lord:

Father in heaven,
Your Son, Jesus Christ, showed his love for you
by serving his needy brothers and sisters.
I now ask you to give me your help
as I serve you and your people.
Open my mouth to praise you in words and songs.
Open my ears to hear your Word.
Open my hands to do your work well.
Take from my heart all distracting thoughts.
Help me to know what I should do and do it well.
Help me to serve reverently at your holy altar,
and to give you praise and glory, now and forever. Amen.

It is a happy coincidence, that all volunteers for liturgy today, including music and readings, are children. They are from several schools, such as Montesiena School, Mondial School, Yos Sudarso School and Charitas School. Involving children more in the spiritual exercises of International Pastoral Community is a commitment designed to develop such a good quality of spiritual life for children, learning that they are living in such a secular influenced society, that tends to marginalize all spiritual aspects of human life.