The Pioneering of the Papuan Christian Student Fellowship on the Unpad Jatinangor Campus

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Bandung— Papuan Christian Student Fellowship at Unpad Jatinangor Strengthens Faith and Social Support for Migrant Students. The Papua Christian Student Fellowship Community was initiated at the Padjadjaran University (Unpad) Jatinangor Campus in January 2025 by a team from STT Kharisma Bandung consisting of Andrew Jordan, Fajar Sentosa Pradika, Yeremia Putra Danurja, Yoel Kurniabudi Cibro, and Karolin Ferdianto, as published in the Bestari Community Service Journal (JPMB).

This program builds cell group-based fellowship groups for Papuan students who are living away from home, with regular meetings at the Bale Wilasa Dormitory. Initial results show an increase in the number of participants and a strengthening of faith, social networks, and the discipleship process for students—important factors for students who are far from their families and home environments.

The pioneering team chose the cell group model—small communities that meet regularly for prayer, Bible study, and sharing experiences. This model is considered more interactive and flexible than large meetings, and is effective in building closeness among members. Meetings are held every Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at Bale Wilasa, adjusting to the students' academic schedules. The series of activities includes praise and worship, sharing God's word, praying together, and fellowship sessions to share academic struggles and daily life.

Key Findings

Attendance records from the first eight meetings indicate steady growth:

Meeting 1 (January 11, 2025): 4 participants
Meeting 2: 6 participants
Meetings 3–4: 5 participants
Meetings 5–6: 6 participants
Meeting 7: 7 participants
Meeting 8 (March 1, 2025): 10 participants

This increase reflects growing interest and trust in the fellowship. Participants reported several benefits:

Stronger faith formation through shared Bible reflection and prayer
Improved social support, reducing feelings of isolation
Emerging spiritual leadership, with students beginning to lead sessions
A sense of belonging, encouraging consistent engagement

These findings show that a small, consistent community can provide meaningful spiritual and emotional support for migrant students.

Educational and Social Significance

The fellowship model highlights how small, faith-based communities can strengthen student resilience. Beyond spiritual growth, the group functions as a safe space where students discuss academic pressure, adaptation challenges, and personal concerns. In a multicultural campus environment, this initiative demonstrates how religious communities can coexist while contributing positively to student well-being.

Yoel Kurniabudi Cibro from STT Kharisma Bandung emphasizes the value of relational discipleship among students. According to the team, small groups enable deeper connections, mutual care, and character development alongside faith formation.

Broader Impact

This initiative illustrates the role of higher education institutions and faith-based organizations in supporting students beyond academics. Programs like this can help migrant students maintain emotional stability, build peer networks, and develop leadership capacity. The model is adaptable for other student communities facing similar transitions.

For campus administrators and policymakers, the findings underline the importance of inclusive support structures that address spiritual and social dimensions of student life. For educators and community leaders, the project offers a practical example of mentorship and character formation in a university setting.

Author Profiles

Andrew Jordan, M.Th. - STT Kharisma Bandung
Fajar Sentosa Pradika, M.Th. - STT Kharisma Bandung
Yeremia Putra Danurja, M.Th. - STT Kharisma Bandung
Yoel Kurniabudi Cibro, M.Th. - STT Kharisma Bandung
Karolin Ferdianto, M.Th. - STT Kharisma Bandung

Research Source

Jordan, A., Pradika, F.S., Danurja, Y.P., Cibro, Y.K., & Ferdianto, K. “Perintisan Persekutuan Mahasiswa Kristen Papua di Kampus Unpad Jatinangor.”

Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Bestari (JPMB), Vol. 5 No. 1, 2026, hlm. 77–88.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/jpmb.v5i1.590

URL: https://nblformosapublisher.org/index.php/jpmb