Njong Daniel Langie (1933–2011)

Njong Daniel Langie was an Adventist pastor and evangelist in Indonesia.

Early Life

Njong Daniel Langie was born March 12, 1933, in Minahasa Regency, in Tompaso Lama village “Old Tompaso” (currently Tompaso Lama has become a district with the official name of Tompaso Barat “West Tompaso”).¹ Njong was born into the Adventist family of Jacobus Langie (1901-1960) and Anna Massie (1908-1990). He was the third of seven children.² The other children of this couple were Heny, Sientje, Sjultje, Ulvyke, James, and Joy.³

Njong’s childhood was spent in Minahasa Regency, in Tompaso Lama village and in South Minahasa Regency in the village of Tompaso Baru “New Tompaso.”⁴ He spent his childhood in these two villages because when he was in the elementary school, his family moved to Tompaso Baru from Tompaso Lama.⁵ Tompaso Lama is located in the central part of North Sulawesi province,⁶ while Tompaso Baru is located in the southern part of North Sulawesi province.⁷ It now takes three hours to drive the distance of 110 kilometers from Tompaso Lama to Tompaso Baru.

Njong had an interesting story concerning his baptism. On a Sabbath in 1945, when Njong was 12 years old, he expressed his faith in Jesus to the church members, saying that due to his belief in Him as his personal Lord and Savior, he wanted to be baptized on that very day.⁸ However, one of the church elders of Tompaso Baru Church disagreed with him by arguing that he was still too young to be baptized.⁹ It was true that his physical body at that time was too small indeed. Hearing of the rejection, Njong was very disappointed.¹⁰ Seeing Njong’s disappointment, another church elder whispered to him: “Njong, you better stand on the pew and tell to all members of this congregation with a loud voice: ‘If I died tonight, would the one who disagreed with my request for baptism be responsible for my soul?’” ¹¹ Njong did what the elder suggested. Hearing the challenging words spoken by Njong, the one who rejected his request for baptism was emotionally touched and he finally agreed with Njong’s request to be baptized. On that Sabbath day, August 30, 1945, Njong Daniel Langi was baptized at the age of 12 by Pastor A. Londa in Tompaso Baru.¹²

Education and Marriage

Njong started his education at an elementary school in Tompaso Baru.¹³ He then continued his education at the next level, middle school, at North Celebes Training School (later named North Sulawesi Academy and also known as SLA Tompaso II) in Bahasa.¹⁴ At North Celebes Training School he learned how to love God and to serve Him.¹⁵ After finishing middle school, he continued his education at the high school in North Sulawesi Academy, but he then moved to Kwitang, Jakarta, and finishing high school there in 1958.¹⁶ The next year, in March 1959, he got married; and in February 1960, based on his high school diploma, he applied to work for the SDA Church and he began work that year.¹⁷ While serving the Lord, he continued his education at Klabat University, Airmadidi, North Sulawesi, where he received a bachelor of theology degree in 1985.¹⁸ After serving the Lord for several years at the local church, conference, and union levels, he was then sent by the Church to continue his education at the Adventist University of the Philippines¹⁹ on April 1, 1987.²⁰ He completed his studies for a master’s degree from Adventist University of the Philippines in 1989.²¹ He then proceeded to study for a the doctoral degree at Philippine Christian University.²² On March 21, 1993, the degree of Doctor of Ministry was conferred on him by Philippine Christian University.²³ He accomplished these educational achievements by God’s grace, his relationship with God through prayer, and through his hard work.²⁴ In addition to his theology degrees, he also had diplomas in law and in bookkeeping.²⁵

Njong married Irene Charlotte Ratu, who was born December 26, 1940. The marriage took place on March 9, 1959, in Semarang, Central Java.²⁶ God blessed the couple with five children: Olvyke Chanette, Ellen Geertruida, Joice Jane, Joseph Raymond, and Roy Fritsgerald.²⁷

Ministry

Njong started his ministry in the East Java Mission of West Indonesia Union Mission on February 1, 1960. From 1960 until December 31, 1966, he held a missionary license.²⁸ On January 1, 1967, he was ordained by West Indonesia Union Mission, and continued to work in East Java Mission until April 30, 1972.²⁹ On May 1, 1972, he moved to East Indonesia Union Mission, and from then until December 31, 1975, he served the Lord in the North Minahasa Mission as a local church pastor.³⁰ After serving for at least 15 years as a local church pastor within East Java Mission and North Minahasa Mission, he then served in several areas of ministry at the conference and union levels of East Indonesia Union Mission.³¹ From January 1 to April 30, 1987, Njong and his family prepared themselves for continuing education in the Philippines. On January 1, 1994, Njong returned from his studies for a D.Min., and he served in North Minahasa Mission as a local church pastor until his retirement in mid-1996.³²

The following were positions that Njong held at the conference and union levels of East Indonesia Union Mission:

1. January 1, 1976, to December 31, 1976 - Ministerial Association secretary, Stewardship director, and Communication director of East Indonesia Union Mission.³³

2. The last two departmental ministries above were split on December 31, 1976, from Ministerial Association Secretary, thus from January 1, 1977, to December 31, 1978, he fully served as Ministerial Association secretary of East Indonesia Union Mission.³⁴

3. January 1 to December 31, 1979 - president of North Minahasa Mission which included North Moluccas province.³⁵

4. January 1, 1980, to December 1, 1984 - Ministerial Association secretary and Stewardship director of East Indonesia Union Mission.³⁶

5. January 1, 1985, to December 31, 1986 - president of North Minahasa Mission.³⁷

In 1976, when Njong was serving as Stewardship director of East Indonesia Union Mission, he pioneered a program called Benevolent Giving and this stewardship program was very successful.³⁸ At that time the program was not yet known in West Indonesia Union Mission.³⁹ Later on this program was adopted by West Indonesia Union Mission.⁴⁰ During his ministry he conducted hundreds of seminars and Bible campaigns.⁴¹ These resulted in at least 1,200 souls being baptized.⁴² Njong served Jesus without expecting commendation from humans.⁴³ However, the church members respected him because he loved them and worked diligently by teaching the Bible to them, not only by words, but through his life example.⁴⁴ His conduct attracted the respect of the church members.⁴⁵ According to the testimony recorded by Njong’s wife, Irene Charlotte Ratu, every time they came back from visiting the churches on Sabbath or the church members on working days, their vehicle would be filled with gifts from grateful members.⁴⁶ This happened because the church members loved and respected him.⁴⁷ After decades of serving the Lord, Njong retired in June 1996.⁴⁸

Later Life

Njong retired on June 1, 1996, from EIUC.⁴⁹ Sometime later, he and his wife moved to the USA.⁵⁰ On May 16, 2011, Njong Daniel Langie died, leaving behind a legacy of his work for the SDA Church in Indonesia.⁵¹

Contribution/Legacy

Langie was known as a hard-working and dedicated worker for the Lord and as an innovative leader. He was a passionate soul-winner, conducting many Bible studies and seminars. His humble spirit and loving service to the Lord and the church members earned him the love and respect of the brethren.

Sources

Langie, Joice Jane. “Pendidikan Lanjut S2 dan S3.” Catatan Tentang Papa, 2019.

Personal Service Record of Njong Daniel Langie. East Indonesia Union Conference Archives, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Ratu, Irene Charlotte. Catatan Tentang Suami, 2018.

Student File of Njong Daniel Langie, Registrar Office, Universitas Klabat, Sulawesi Utara, Indonesia. Accessed April 19, 2018.

Notes

1. Irene Charlotte Ratu, “Hari dan Tempat Kelahiran,” Catatan Tentang Suami, 2018.↩

2. Ibid.↩

3. Ratu, “Saudara dan Saudari,” Catatan Tentang Suami, 2018.↩

4. Ratu, “Masa Kanak-Kanak,” Catatan Tentang Suami, 2018.↩

5. Ibid.↩

6. See https://minahasa.bps.go.id.↩

7. See https://minselkab.bps.go.id.↩

8. Ratu, “Pertobatan Melalui Baptisan,” Catatan Tentang Suami, 2018.↩

9. Ibid.↩

10. Ibid.↩

11. Ibid.↩

12. Ibid.↩

13. Ratu. “Pendidikan Awal,” Catatan Tentang Suami, 2018.↩

14. Ratu, “Pendidikan Menengah,” Catatan Tentang Suami, 2018.↩

15. Ibid.↩

16. Ibid.↩

17. Ratu, “Pernikahan dan Awal Pelayanan,” Catatan Tentang Suami, 2018.↩

18. Student File of Njong Daniel Langie, Registrar Office, Universitas Klabat, Sulawesi Utara, Indonesia, accessed April 19, 2018.↩

19. Service Record of Njong Daniel Langie, East Indonesia Union Conference archives, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.↩

20. Ibid.↩

21. Joice Jane Langie, “Pendidikan Lanjut S2 dan S3,” Catatan Tentang Papa, 2019.↩

22. Ibid.↩

23. Ibid.↩

24. Ibid.↩

25. Service Record of Njong Daniel Langie, East Indonesia Union Conference archives, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.↩

26. Ratu, “Perkawinanku,” Catatan Tentang Suami, 2018.↩

27. Ratu, “Kelahiran Anak-Anak,” Catatan Tentang Suami, 2018.↩

28. Personal Service Record of Njong Daniel Langie.↩

29. Ibid.↩

30. Ibid.↩

31. Ratu, “Pelayanannya,” Catatan Tentang Suami, 2018.↩

32. Personal Service Record of Njong Daniel Langie, East Indonesia Union Conference Archives.↩

33. Ibid.↩

34. Ibid.↩

35. Ibid.↩

36. Ibid.↩

37. Ibid.↩

38. Ratu, “Karyanya,” Catatan Tentang Suami, 2018.↩

39. Ibid.↩

40. Ibid.↩

41. Ratu, “Ceramah, KKR, dan Baptisan.” Catatan Tentang Suami, 2018.↩

42. Ibid.↩

43. Ratu, “Pengabdian Tanpa Pamrih,” Catatan Tentang Suami, 2018.↩

44. Ratu, “Gaya Hidupnya,” Catatan Tentang Suami, 2018.↩

45. Ibid.↩

46. Ratu, “Sukacita Pelayanan,” Catatan Tentang Suami, 2018.↩

47. Ibid.↩

48. Ratu, “Masa Purnabakti,” Catatan Tentang Suami, 2018.↩

49. Personal Service Record of Njong Daniel Langie.↩

50. Langie, “Hijrah ke Amerika Serikat,” Catatan Tentang Papa, 2019.↩

51. Langie, “Akhir Hayat, Jasa-Jasa, dan Kenangan sang Ayah,” Catatan Tentang Papa, 2019.↩