Nyanyian Tuhan di Negeri Asing

This study describes the historical development of Batak Christians in Peninsular Malaysia from 1908 to 1958, focusing on how their ethnic and religious identity was constructed in response to the stigmatization they faced. Using a sociohistorical approach, the study explains that the construction of the Batak Christian ethno-religious identity occurred alongside their migration to the region, starting with the arrival of several Batak youths to study in Singapore. The Batak missionaries’ evangelistic mission to the Sengoi tribe also played a crucial role in this identity construction process. The formation of the Batak Bible Fellowship in 1938, followed by the establishment of HKBP Singapore in 1946, is understood as an effort to formalize and institutionalize the Batak Christian ethno-religious identity in Peninsular Malaysia. However, the identity of the HKBP denomination as part of the Lutheran church posed challenges, transforming the congregation’s profile from interdenominational to sectarian. This shift affected the growth of the HKBP Singapore.