What about the expatriate ("expat") community?

There is a missionary community of over 600 people of all ages from infants to older couples whose children are “back home”.  We are here doing a wide variety of jobs - discipleship of youth, pastor training, aircraft maintenance and flight, medical outreach, Bible translation, orphanage ministry, and many others. The expat community is closely connected and supportive.

The school campus tends to be the location for many expat-focused activities. At our weekly English chapel services, we worship in a variety of styles and appreciate sermons from several different men. Weekly sports competitions, yearly concerts, fun fair, mega garage sales, and other events give many opportunities for being together.

Participating in the Indonesian community is also highly valued, so there are many opportunities for a newcomer to follow along and find your niche in ministries and friendships. Most of the Indonesian and Papuan people in Sentani are used to dealing with westerners with our varied levels of comfort with the Indonesian language.