The Full Story
About Us
Nations Worship Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has served the Indonesian immigrant community since 2006. Many Indonesian Christians came to North America after riots in 1998 that targeted Christians, especially Chinese-Indonesians. In 2012 there were 3000 Indonesians in Philadelphia, served by 12 different Christian congregations.
History
Nations Worship Center began in 2006, led by Pastor Beny Krisbianto. For the first number of years, they used rented facilities, but in 2012 purchased a former building that had housed a catering business in an Italian neighborhood. Conversion into church facilities extended over a period of years. Pastor Krisbianto and his family moved into an apartment above the worship space in 2014. For several years there was a daughter congregation near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania known as the Greensburg Worship Center.
Mission
Our mission is to worship together as one nation of God and our congregation has been active in peace and justice issues, especially those related to immigration. Nations Worship Center desires to be welcoming to people of all nations and races. Our Church has also been used for many meetings among Philadelphia Police Department, the mayor, and many more. We are affiliated with the Mennonite Church USA but practice Pentecostal worship.
Meet the Team
Our main team consists of Ps. Beny, Ps. Lia, and Ps. Graciella. Scroll below to get to know them better!
Lead Pastor
Ps. Dr. Beny Krisbianto
Ps. Beny founded Nations Worship Center in 2006 and was ordained as a lead minister through Mosaic Mennonite Conference and MCUSA. He got his Master of Divinity from Eastern Mennonite Seminary. He received his doctorate in ministry from Jubilee School of Ministry in Demoines, Iowa. Currently, he is studying to get his Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Lancaster Bible College and Capital Seminary. He also serves on the board of directors at Dock Mennonite Academy and Eastern Mennonite University. He helps out in the worship team from time to time and whenever he can. He is a gifted worship leader, who can play many different instruments, such as guitar, keyboard, drums, and bass.
Associate Pastor
Ps. Angelia Krisbianto (Lia)
Working alongside her husband, Ps. Beny, Ps. Angelia got her Master of Divinity from Missio Seminary. Then, she was ordained as a minister through Mosaic Mennonite Conference and MCUSA. Although she previously worked in one of Indonesia's largest banks, BCA, she wholeheartedly followed God's plan and moved to Philadelphia to work together with her husband as a minister. Not only is she working as an associate pastor at Nations Worship Center, but she is also one of the worship leaders! She is a mother to two lovely daughters, Jesslyn (7 years old) and Nicole (1.5 years old).
Youth Pastor
Graciella Odelia (Grace)
Although Graciella had her Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, she was called by God to serve in the youth ministry at Nations Worship Center, her home church. She has been a member of this church ever since she was 10 years old. She got her Graduate Certificate in Christian Studies from Eastern Mennonite Seminary. Currently, she is studying to get her Master of Arts in Christian Leadership from Eastern Mennonite Seminary. She is also one of our keyboardists in the worship team! She was officially ordained as a youth pastor through Mosaic Mennonite Conference and MCUSA. Check out her licensing or ordination service here.
