Wesley Methodist Church started as an English Service of Emmanuel Methodist Church in June 1990. The aim was to reach out to the international communities in Jakarta as well as provide a place for overseas graduates who return to Jakarta.

Except for the opening service attended by about 50 people, at the following Sunday service there were not more than 8 to 10 people attending. This was continued for a certain period with no committee being formed to serve the church, no mission, and no other activities except one worship service every Sunday. Recognizing that the English language was the second language of those attending, the whole service was translated into Indonesian by Ms. Juinda Lisa. It was led by Rev. Bachtiar Kwee who was assisted by Mr. Philip Purnama and Ms. Elsy Burhan.

Beginning with a 5pm worship service at the Emmanuel main sanctuary, the English Service was changed to a morning service at a nearby shop house, then moved to the Emmanuel school library, the school lab, and a school classroom. Through thick and thin it now has 80 to 100 people attending the Sunday worship service and is largely made up of young adults and young families with a few blessed age members and Sunday School children.

During the past seventeen years, Wesley Methodist Church has been led by several pastors: Rev. Bachtiar Kwee, Ev. Budianto (seconded by Emmanuel Methodist Church), Rev. Daniel Adam and Rev. Don Turman (missionary from the United Methodist Church), Rev. Sonny Cornelius, and two assistant pastors, Rev. Rudi Yanto and Ev. The Paw Liang. The following pastors each served for about three months as volunteers-in-mission from the USA: Rev. William Imler, Rev. Bruce Grauberger and Rev. Dr. Kenneth Johnson.

Under the auspices of Rev. Jonathan, District Superintendent for Jakarta and West Java, on 7 October 2001, the Emmanuel English Service officially became Wesley Methodist Church. To become a full, self supporting congregation of the Methodist Church in Indonesia, Wesley Methodist Church needed to have a place for worship and a parsonage for its pastor(s). Since then the Church Councils and other church leaders have been trying to build a church, not only for Sunday worship, but also to be a place where Wesley Methodist Church could expand its ministry to reach out to many people in Jakarta.

By God’s grace, this small congregation with a bold vision received a piece of land at Jl. Pluit Raya, North Jakarta, that was donated by a dedicated member of the church. With strong faith and trust in God the church began its construction in April 2006. Supported by the church members and friends nationally and internationally, and with much effort and hard work, the building is now almost completely finished. Even though the worship hall was not completed, it was with confidence, great joy and grateful hearts that the first service was held on Easter 2007 in the new building’s fellowship hall.

Because of legal restrictions to opening a new church in Indonesia which requires a membership of 90 and the agreement of 60 families in the surrounding neighborhood, to date Wesley Methodist Church has only been able to obtain a building permit for a school and administrations building. It has now received the required number of signatures from the neighborhood and members, but acquiring a permit remains a challenge. In addition, the worship hall has to be completed. We thank God for the fruitful bazaar held on December 1, 2007 which was greatly supported by our brothers and sisters near and far. Today another Rp. 1.000.000.000 (One Billion Rupiah or about USD 110.000) are to be raised for the completion of the building. Generous contributions from the congregation and friends are still needed.

Greater faith and much effort and prayer are still needed to realize the dream of the church being totally completed. In December of 2007 the sanctuary was used for all the Christmas worship services. Worship services will continue to be held there even though it will not be totally completed for some time to come.

The consecration of Wesley Methodist Church’s new building on 27 January 2008 is another great milestone in its journey of faith.