Pastor from Timor Receives the 2025 Han Kyung-Chik Award: Transforming Village Through Church–Community Partnership with Wahana Visi Indonesia

The ministry of a pastor from a remote village in Timor has captured global attention. Rev. Seprianus, currently The Chair of the North Central Amanuban Classis, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Han Kyung-Chik Award. This prestigious international recognition presented by World Vision Korea to pastors and missionaries who serve vulnerable communities with extraordinary compassion and dedication. 

The award honors the legacy of Rev. Han Kyung Chik, the founder of World Vision Korea, widely known as a humanitarian advocate during the Korean War crisis of the 1950s. 

Transforming a Village Through Church-Community Partnership 

When Rev. Seprianus began his ministry in 2015 as the pastor of the Evangelical Christian Church in Timor (GMIT), he found the village was in a deeply challenging state: damaged roads, no electricity, scarce clean water, women carrying the burden of family alone, and many children dropping out of school. “Life seemed absent,” he recalled when describing the early conditions of the village. 

Faced with this reality, he chose to start with what the community already had—local assets, social relationships, Timorese cultural strengths, and the potential of the church—while building a close partnership with Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI), a humanitarian organization already serving in the area. 

Partnership with Wahana Visi Indonesia as A Foundation for Transformation 

The partnership between the church and WVI became a catalyst for significant change in the village. The church evolved not only as a place of worship but also as a safe and inclusive space for children, families, and women. 

Over nearly a decade of consistent collaboration, various transformative initiatives emerged: 

• 23 children’s forums at the congregation level and one classis-level forum, preparing children as young leaders. 

• 25 Women’s Schools (Skol Bife) to empower women, girls, and young women. 

• Parent Support Groups that strengthen positive parenting skills for fathers, mothers, and families with young children. 

• The Children’s Group Gallery, a creative studio where children learn, create, and lead. 

• 20 community enterprise groups that strengthen family livelihoods. 

• 42 surrounding churches now committed to becoming child- and women-friendly congregations. 

The impact is evident not only physically but also in culture and mindset. Children are now confident to speak up, women are more empowered, families are more engaged in nurturing their children, and the village has rediscovered hope. 

A Ministry Deeply Present with the Community 

Beyond community programs, Rev. Seprianus and his wife, Rev. Yus Adelina, regularly visit every household in the congregation to pray with them, listen, and offer encouragement. Their central message is simple yet powerful: “God loves children and that love must be felt through families and the community.” 

This inclusive, everyday pastoral approach has become a distinctive hallmark of their ministry. 

Global Recognition for Local Impact 

Through the Han Kyung-Chik Award, World Vision Korea offers international recognition for the transformation taking place in the village. The award is presented to leaders who embody Christ-like love in difficult places and commit themselves to serving vulnerable communities—just as Rev. Han Kyung Chik did throughout his lifetime. 

In addition to global recognition, Rev. Seprianus will receive USD 25,000 to support church facility development and invitations to attend official events in Mexico City and South Korea. 

A Story of Hope from the Eastern Edge of Indonesia 

For Rev. Seprianus, the award is not about personal achievement. He describes it as “a testimony of how respectful partnership can produce holistic life— for children, families, and the community.” 

From a small village in Timor, his ministry has become a global inspiration—reminding the world that great change always begins with a heart willing to walk alongside others. 

Author: Natalia M. Nunuhitu (Faith and Development Manager Wahana Visi Indonesia)