The evolving challenges faced by Bengkulu's youth have become a growing concern for the Stube-HEMAT Bengkulu Multiplicator. Over the past two years, the Multiplicator has observed fluctuations in drug use among young people, shifts in juvenile violence rates, and a rising trend of plagiarism in AI-assisted academic writing. These insights are drawn from personal experiences as a spiritual mentor at two correctional institutions and one detention center in Bengkulu City, as well as from local newspapers, news reports, and academic presentations.
Of course, these observations are not necessarily comprehensive or suitable for presentation as a scientific paper, but they are sufficient to initiate simple interventions aimed at fostering understanding among young people. Samuel Purdaryanto, a teacher in Bengkulu, has studied youth development and uncovered several key findings. First, Bengkulu youth often struggle to construct arguments, tend to avoid lengthy explanations, and prefer concise communication. Their respect for others is based on personal relationships—such as close friendships ("besties")—rather than status or prestige. Even teachers may not be valued or respected unless they have a personal connection with their students. Therefore, Samuel consistently strives to build rapport with the students he teaches, creating a more effective learning environment that supports knowledge development.
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Held at the Arastamar Bengkulu Theological College (STTAB), Stube-HEMAT Bengkulu organized a discussion titled "Ecotheology and Christian Life in Bengkulu" on Monday, November 10, 2025. The session was led by Dr. Samuel Purdaryanto, a lecturer in systematic theology, who presented a paper entitled Earth-Friendly Liturgy: Is a Green Church Possible in Indonesia? A key point raised was the deteriorating condition of Indonesia’s biological ecosystems, largely due to significant deforestation. Dr. Purdaryanto emphasized that changes in forest areas also impact the lives of local residents and indigenous communities. He argued that if creation is experiencing ecological suffering, the church must reconsider its worship and liturgical practices to promote stewardship, ecological justice, and cosmic reconciliation. Simple actions such as conserving energy and using environmentally friendly materials are practical expressions of this ecotheological vision.
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Yohanes Dian Alpasa, serving as the Multiplicator, introduced Stube-HEMAT, its history, and the dynamics that led to its establishment in Bengkulu. He explained that students who join Stube-HEMAT are expected to set clear, specific, and measurable goals. Their vision must be tangible, achievable, and pursued through daily actions. To support this, each young person is encouraged to reflect on key questions: "Who am I?", "With whom?", "What should I do?", and "Where?" Students who aspire to become pastors, missionaries, teachers, or authors are urged to take consistent, incremental steps toward their goals—an approach inspired by Atomic Habits by James Clear.
At the conclusion of the meeting, participants were encouraged to engage in thoughtful discussions and sharpen their critical thinking on current issues through book reviews, basic skills training, and conversations on other engaging topics. National Heroes' Day serves as a reflective moment for young people to carry forward the spirit of struggle. ***
(The
Stube-HEMAT Bengkulu Multiplicator expresses sincere gratitude for the support
from STTAB in this event).
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