Education storytelling & digitization for the congregation of GKI Kwitang Bajem Cililitan, East Jakarta

Imelda Masni Juniaty Sianipar; Febrimarini Br. Sinulingga; Darynaufal Mulyaman; Audrey  Gracias; Destini Natalia  Situmorang; Rafael  Leonardo; Novret  Hiklai; Yubilliam Engthawils  Aziranoth; Yehuda Parningotan  Manullang; Devanove  Ray

doi:10.55942/pssj.v6i3.1642

Authors

Imelda Masni Juniaty Sianipar Universitas Kristen Indonesia
Febrimarini Br. Sinulingga Universitas Kristen Indonesia
Darynaufal Mulyaman Universitas Kristen Indonesia
Audrey Gracias Universitas Kristen Indonesia
Destini Natalia Situmorang Universitas Kristen Indonesia
Rafael Leonardo Universitas Kristen Indonesia
Novret Hiklai Universitas Kristen Indonesia
Yubilliam Engthawils Aziranoth Universitas Kristen Indonesia
Yehuda Parningotan Manullang Universitas Kristen Indonesia
Devanove Ray National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55942/pssj.v6i3.1642

Keywords:

storytelling, digital literacy, community engagement, youth empowerment, faith-based education

Abstract

This community engagement program focuses on improving storytelling competence and basic digital literacy among Sunday School teachers and youth at GKI Kwitang Bajem Cililitan, East Jakarta. The program was implemented through interdisciplinary collaboration between the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences and the Faculty of Letters and Languages, integrating social communication perspectives with literary and creative approaches. The main challenges identified were limited creative storytelling techniques and insufficient technical skills in using digital presentation media to support worship and educational activities. The methods applied included participatory training, hands-on workshops, storytelling simulations using puppet stages, and basic PowerPoint operation training for worship presentations. Program implementation emphasized practical skill development through guided practice and direct evaluation. The results show that participants were able to deliver stories more effectively, demonstrate improved narrative confidence, and operate presentation media with greater accuracy during church services. Audience engagement during Sunday School sessions also increased as storytelling became more interactive and visually supported. In conclusion, the integration of storytelling training and basic digital literacy proved effective in enhancing communication skills and youth participation within a faith-based community. This program contributes to sustainable community empowerment by strengthening creative expression and technical support for religious and educational activities.

Author Biographies

Imelda Masni Juniaty Sianipar, Universitas Kristen Indonesia

Imelda Masni Juniaty Sianipar is a lecturer in the International Relations Study Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Indonesian Christian University. Her areas of expertise include cultural diplomacy, global political economy, and sustainable development. Her research and community service focus on sustainable tourism, community participation, and the role of cultural narratives as tools for social transformation. She actively publishes scientific papers in reputable national and international journals.

Febrimarini Br. Sinulingga, Universitas Kristen Indonesia

Febrimarini Br. Sinulingga is an Assistant Lecturer at the Faculty of Letters and Languages, Indonesian Christian University. Her expertise includes applied linguistics, English language teaching, and literary and cultural studies. Her research interests focus on language skill development, reading strategies, and the use of storytelling as a learning medium. She is actively involved in community service activities centered on literacy, creative communication, and culture-based education.

Darynaufal Mulyaman, Universitas Kristen Indonesia

Darynaufal Mulyaman is a lecturer in the International Relations Study Program at the Indonesian Christian University. His areas of expertise include international political economy, sustainable development, and East Asian studies. His academic work focuses on diplomacy, foreign aid, non-traditional security, and digital communication. He is also actively involved in community service activities that integrate digital literacy with youth capacity building and served as the corresponding author for this community engagement activity.

Audrey Gracias, Universitas Kristen Indonesia

Audrey Gracias is a student in the International Relations Study Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Indonesian Christian University. In community service activities, she plays a role in program planning, activity facilitation, as well as documentation and creative content processing.

Destini Natalia Situmorang, Universitas Kristen Indonesia

Destini Natalia Situmorang is a student in the International Relations Study Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Indonesian Christian University. She is actively involved in community service activities, particularly in managing presentation materials.

Rafael Leonardo, Universitas Kristen Indonesia

Rafael Leonardo is a student in the International Relations Study Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Indonesian Christian University. He is actively involved in community service activities, particularly in managing presentation materials.

Novret Hiklai, Universitas Kristen Indonesia

Novret Hiklai is a student in the Faculty of Letters and Languages, Indonesian Christian University. He is actively involved in community service activities, with interests in developing communication skills, collaborative work, and the use of visual media in social initiatives. His role in these activities includes providing technical support for program implementation and assisting participants during the activities.

Yubilliam Engthawils Aziranoth, Universitas Kristen Indonesia

Yubilliam Engthawils Aziranoth is a student in the Faculty of Letters and Languages, Indonesian Christian University. Her academic interests include digital literacy, visual creativity, and youth engagement in community-based activities. In community service programs, she contributes to material preparation, documentation, and technical support for educational activities.

Yehuda Parningotan Manullang, Universitas Kristen Indonesia

Yehuda Parningotan Manullang is a student in the Faculty of Letters and Languages, Indonesian Christian University. He is interested in social communication, teamwork, and youth capacity building. He is involved in community service activities as part of the implementation team, particularly in supporting operational activities and mentoring participant.

Devanove Ray, National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan

Devanove Ray is a student of Computer Science and Information Engineering at National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan. His academic interests include information systems, digital technology, and the application of computing solutions in educational and community-based settings. In this community service program, he served as a facilitator, providing technical guidance and supporting participants in the effective use of digital tools during program implementation.

References

Baroud, R. (2010). My father was a freedom fighter: Gaza’s untold story. Pluto Press.

Bruner, J. (1990). Acts of meaning. Harvard University Press.

Darmawan, I. P. A., & Priskila, K. (2020). Penerapan storytelling dalam menceritakan kisah Alkitab pada anak sekolah minggu. Kurios, 6(1), 35–44. https://www.sttpb.ac.id/e-journal/index.php/kurios/article/download/129/80

Freire, P. (2000). Pedagogy of the oppressed (30th anniversary ed.). Continuum.

Hobbs, R. (2010). Digital and media literacy: A plan of action. The Aspen Institute. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED523244.pdf

Huth, K., Brown, R., & Usher, W. (2021). The use of story to teach religious education in the early years of primary school: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Religious Education, 69(2), 253–272. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40839-021-00140-y

Juliati. (2021). Implementasi metode storytelling dalam mengembangkan nilai karakter anak di TK Negeri Mentari Aceh Jaya (Undergraduate thesis, Universitas Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry). UIN Ar-Raniry Repository. https://repository.ar-raniry.ac.id/id/eprint/18234/

Jenkins, H. (2009). Confronting the challenges of participatory culture: Media education for the 21st century. MIT Press.

Lambert, J. (2013). Digital storytelling: Capturing lives, creating community (4th ed.). Routledge.

Lembaga Penelitian dan Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat Universitas Kristen Indonesia. (2018). Pedoman pelaksanaan pengabdian kepada masyarakat (PkM) di Universitas Kristen Indonesia. https://www.scribd.com/document/706918334/Buku-Pedoman-PkM-Universitas-Kristen-Indonesia

Luthfia, A., Wibowo, D., Widyakusumastuti, M. A., & Angeline, M. (2021). The role of digital literacy on online opportunity and online risk in Indonesian youth. Asian Journal for Public Opinion Research, 9(2), 142–160. https://www.ajpor.org/article/24299-the-role-of-digital-literacy-on-online-opportunity-and-online-risk-in-indonesian-youth

Saragi, D. M., Sitohang, S. A. H., Pardede, J. F., Gulo, M. B., Luahambowo, S. W., & Sinulingga, F. (2024). Pertunjukan boneka cerita Malin Kundang sebagai media pengenalan kearifan lokal bagi anak pengungsi Sudan dan Somalia. In Prosiding Simposium Pengabdian Masyarakat Humaniora. https://proceeding.infermia.com/index.php/spora/article/view/25