History
In early 2016 a group of 20 people began number of meetings at Alfrits and Rosalin Monintja's house in Queens, NY and at Audy and Mieke Lumangkun's house in Avenel, NJ. Their purpose was to pray and discuss about starting a new church under the Gereja Masehi Injili di Minahasa (The Evangelical Christian Church in Minahasa) abbreviated as GMIM Synod for the Minahasan people who have migrated to the United States, specifically in New York and New Jersey area. One of their concerns was that they were finding it difficult to locate a church that has both English and Indonesian (and Minahasan/ Manadonese) language ministry.
For a number of years they were longing for GMIM liturgy that they were grew up using back in their churches in Minahasa land. Additionally, the parents were concern about the children who were grew up in the environment that is skeptical about matters of faith. They were hope that through GMIM, the children will find answers regarding their faith, and they will be able to keep attach to their roots as Minahasan people.
Because Dr. Henny Sumakul had already been elected as the President of GMIM Synod by the General Assembly meeting in Minahasa, he began meeting with this group. Although Dr. Sumakul’s schedule was already full due to his leadership and teaching commitments both at GMIM Synod and Universitas Kristen Indonesia Tomohon (Indonesia Christian University in Tomohon), he continued travel to the United States or set up a conference call to have a regular meeting with the group to discuss the possibilities of church opening. The main obstacle that they had was GMIM’s Book of Church Order restriction on opening a church outside the Minahasa land.
Spring 2016
(17-18 May 2016)
By the grace of God, at the GMIM Synod Special General Assembly meeting in Tondano, Minahasa - Indonesia, there was a decision by the majority of the voters that produced amendment to the GMIM’s Book of Church Order. An article added to the Ecclesiology of GMIM, that is from only a local church to the local and global church. This decision allow GMIM to open the church outside of the Minahasa land.
Thanksgiving 2016
Three days after Thanksgiving Day, this movement had taken on such urgency that a first service was begun on Sunday, November 27, 2016, at the church which was home to a Korean Presbyterian congregation in Queens, NY. At the same time, Dr. Sumakul ordained 5 Elders and 3 Deacons to serve the congregation. November 27, 2016 became the day that this congregation was officially established under the name GMIM New York – New Jersey.
End of Fall 2017
After several times changing places of worship, from churches to the houses, Sunday, February 26, 2017 became the first day of this congregation held Sunday Service in the Chapel of the Presbyterian Church of Avenel in New Jersey. Ever since that day GMIM New York – New Jersey started renting the place up until today.
Summer 2017
Entering 1 year of anniversary, the congregation held a Church Naming Competition program. Every member proposed a name to be drawn. After casting the lot, the name “Alfa Omega” was chosen. Sunday, August 6, 2017, the name GMIM “Alfa Omega” New Jersey – New York was officially used.
Spring 2019
Due to some considerations regarding the legalizing of organization establishment in the United States, the board of congregation decided to register this church as a non-profit organization to the Department of the Treasury in the State of New Jersey. Therefore, the spelling of the name Alfa in Indonesian was then adjusted to the English spelling to become Alpha. GMIM ALPHA OMEGA, INC. was officially registered to the State, and as the congregation, continue using the name of GMIM “Alpha Omega” New Jersey – New York up until today.