Rev. Belcher and wife, also known as Pendeta Maripa and Pendeta. Ganit(amongst the locals) of BEM (Borneo Evangelical Mission) used to rest /vacation in Labuan (Pohon Batu).
In the year 1972, they were tasked to visit En. Anthony Sigar Siah, Charles Joseph and Charles Kapong and they started the first house prayer meeting at the youngster’s BOMBA quarters.
Year 1980 starts industrial development in Labuan. This stimulates job for the private sectors. Many Sarawakian and Sabahan (SIB members) took the opportunity and found themselves at home with similar congregation they are having back at home, i.e. conducted in Bahasa Malaysia. The house to house prayer meeting continues.
First committee and to have residing Pastor. (27 March 1983).
On 27 March 1983, first committee was formed, Henry Simon Rapu was elected the group leader. Core members at that time were En. Lawrence Mugang Balang, En. Anthony Sigar Sia, En. John Ballang, En. John Buayie, En. Charles Joseph, En. Charles Kapong Ganang, En. Sampson Ngimet, En. Peter Padan, En. Martin Lukas, En. Ginun Yangus and En. Philip Lalung. With the good office of En. James Lumandan, in March 1984 the group obtained approval from Chief Police District Officer on Labuan, to conduct their weekly service at Lot. No. 5, Tingkat 3, Bangunan Fung Lian Trading Sdn. Bhd., Jalan Tanjung Kubong, Labuan.
Officially as Church status (30th Jun 1984).
On 30th Jun 1984, the prayer group was declared as local church with 140 members. The historic moment was arrogated together by Pst. Jok Wan, SIB President of Sarawak and Pst. Arun Selutan SIB President of Sabah. VIPs present to witnessed are Borneo Evangelical Mission Director. Rev. Brian Mitchell, Rev. William Vun of COHS (Anglican Church Labuan).
July 1985 SIB Labuan moved to the abandon Anglican Church building (picture #1) and Pst. Saniel Angkut from SIB Taginambur was appointed as the first residing Pastor for Labuan. SIB Labuan reports to Sipitang as district controller.
(picture # 1)July 1996 SIB Labuan finally moved to Pohon Batu. Under the pastorship of local youth from Kuala Penyu district, Pst. Albert Chong. Attempt to build a temporary building with moderate structure at Pohon Batu was not favored by the local authority. Reason given was; land title status (agriculture) does not allowing more then one building.
In the year 2000 with the support of Labuan Interchurch and members (fund rising drive), Pohon Batu land status issue was solved. Now Pohon Batu land status is “Recreation & Tourism” which allows to have more than one building.
PBRC (Pohon Batu Retreat Center) was planned and the mega project will accommodate a “comfortable and conducive place” for SIB members in Labuan, migrating youth, students and future generation that wish to have “a seaside environment” to rejuvenate their strength before working out another outreach to this region.
