Protestant Church in East Timor (IPTL)

The Protestant Church in East Timor (IPTL) was founded in 1979 as a coordinating body between formerly independent churches in East Timor.  The IPTL is fully committed to and engaged in spiritual, cultural and social reconstruction of their young country. The IPTL is a member of the World Council of Churches, The World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Christian Conference of Asia. They are actively developing relationships with churches in neighboring Indonesian provinces and are participating in the reconciliation process in hopes of establishing peace and justice in East Timor.

Currently the church is involved in leadership training and on-going education of its pastors, to enhance their effectiveness and improve their pastoral skills. In the villages the emphasis is on the training of lay pastors and evangelists in the rural context, through intensive biblical studies, theology and ethics. Instruction is provided by faculty of the Christian University in Kupang. Some of the lay pastors will become candidates for ordination. The church also provides scholarships for young people in order to develop human resources for the future. It has a foundation to assist local congregations and communities. Another important program is training of women, to enable them to fully assume their responsibilities in the family, the church and the community. The church has organized reconciliation meetings in many of its congregations.

Global Ministries Mission Co-Workers, Dr. Monica and Reverend Tom Liddle are working with the Protestant Churches of East Timor. Preview a day in the life of Mission Co-Worker, Monica Liddle: