Cornelis van der Laan: Margaretha Adriana Alt
Sister Alt spent 58 years in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia). After this time, she moved back to the Netherlands where she died in 1962. During her time in Indonesia, she served mostly in the middle and eastern parts of the island of Java (one of the major islands of the country). She spent the last ten years of her Indonesian ministry in Papua. While she was in Indonesia, she frequently suffered from malaria.
Topography of the island of Java, the world’s most populous island.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
There is much to admire about the life of Margaretha Adriana Alt. She was a committed and consistent laborer for the Lord who had great perseverance (particularly in her struggles with malaria). She did not shrink back in her calling even though she ministered in an environment in which the ministry of women was not always welcomed. One thing that may be of particular interest to some readers is the chapter titled “Life as Theology.” In this chapter the reader is told about some of Sister Alt’s theological views. The topics covered include: salvation, water baptism, the baptism with the Holy Spirit, sanctification, and healing.
It is unfortunate that Sister Alt’s ministry is not more widely known because her contributions to the Christian faith in Indonesia are significant. Hopefully this volume will help make more people aware of her work. If you are interested in missions, women in ministry, the Pentecostal Movement, and specifically the Pentecostal Movement in Indonesia, you will find this book to be interesting reading.
Reviewed by John P. Lathrop
Category: Church History, Winter 2020
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