Indonesian Protestant Church in Luwu (GPIL)
Luwu is the largest district of the South Sulawesi Province and covers the former territory of a Toraja King. Dutch missionaries who looked after the entire Toraja region also worked in Luwu at the beginning of the century. The parishes established there split off from the Toraja mother church to form an autonomous church which was able to concentrate all its efforts on Luwu. The GPIL has approximately 10,000 members in 100 parishes, which are often scattered all over the district and can only be reached on foot. Its members are mainly small farmers and day labourers living on or below the poverty line. Therefore the Luwu Church places particular emphasis on educational programmes and organising events where members can meet and exchange experiences. Another focal point is ecumenical cooperation within the PGI and with the EMS, something which is extremely necessary for the church if it is going to break out of its isolated situation.
