Tuesday, 12 May 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM – Rico Waas officially inaugurated the new Gedung Karya Pastoral Stasi St. Yosep Gedung Johor in Jalan Karya Murni, Medan Johor, on Saturday, May 9, 2026. The facility is part of Medan's ongoing efforts to strengthen youth development and community-based education through faith institutions.
During the ceremony, the mayor emphasized the importance of the guiding principle "Protecting children means protecting the nation" as a foundation for character building among the younger generation and preventing juvenile delinquency.Official Opening Ceremony
Read Also:The inauguration was marked by the formal signing of the opening deed by Mayor Rico Waas, witnessed by church leaders and the construction committee. The symbolic signing was followed by the unveiling of the commemorative plaque, officially declaring the building open for public and pastoral use.
The event was attended by several officials from the Medan city government, including representatives from the Fire and Rescue Agency, the General Administration Office, and the Medan Johor sub-district administration.
Youth Development in the Digital EraIn his address, the mayor highlighted the growing challenges faced by young people in the digital age, particularly the increasing reliance on digital devices and the decline of direct family interaction.
Read Also:"If we want to see the future of our nation, we must look at our children. They will be the leaders of Indonesia in 2045," said Rico Waas.
He further stressed that the new pastoral building should function not only as a place of worship but also as a center for education, creativity, and youth empowerment.
"I hope this facility becomes more than just a place for prayer, but also a space for young people to learn, grow, and stay away from negative influences," he added.From Tent to Modern Pastoral Hub
Read Also:The head of the construction committee, P. Siregar, reflected on the long journey of the project. He recalled that early religious education activities were once held in a simple tent located behind the church.
"At the beginning, we set up a tent behind the church for Sunday school activities. That was where everything started," he said.
Construction began with the groundbreaking ceremony on February 6, 2022, and was completed by the end of 2025. According to him, the project was achieved through strong collaboration among parish members."This building is the result of collective effort from the entire community. We hope it will strengthen pastoral and social services in our area," he stated.
Read Also:The ceremony concluded with the presentation of a traditional Batak ulos cloth to the mayor as a symbol of respect and cultural appreciation. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Teguh Panjaitan | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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