In the beginning, around 1976, there was a community of Indonesian Christians in New York who simply met at the annual Christmas event held at the Indonesian Consulate General in New York.

At that time, Christmas was organized by the Indonesian Christian community and assisted by non-Christian communities who were members of the IWI (Indonesian Citizens Association, at that time chairman: Mr. Singgih Nata). Between 1977 and 1979, there was an increase in the number of Christians coming to New York and its surroundings, especially those who came as tourists, ship crew, etc. who eventually settled, as well as several officials sent by BUMN, banking and government agencies.

In 1979, the Minahasa community organization was formed in New York, namely MAESA, as a forum where the majority of its citizens were Christians, so since then every meeting has often started on the basis of spiritual fellowship.

In the mid-1980s, Mr. Robert Mewengkang, as Maesa's manager at that time, contacted the deceased Mr. Christian from Toraja who serves as head of BULOG-NY, to discuss plans for holding Christmas with the Christian community in New York and its surroundings. his plan was approved, then Mr. Robert Mewengkang also contacted Mr. Poliston Munthe as administrator of PBB/PARSADAAN BANGSO BATAK-NY for this purpose, then continued with community Christmas preparation meetings in 1980 involving local staff of the Indonesian Consulate General who were Christians, namely: Mrs. Kailola, Marshall Sareseh (late), Simon Wattimury (late), Veibeke Lengkong, Pinna Pangaribuan, Linda Saqif-Pandeirot. So Christmas was held with the Christian community in 1980 with Mr. Robert Mewengkang as its chairman. Robert Mewengkang, deputy Mr. Poliston Munthe, secretary of Veibeke Lengkong and event coordinator Mrs. Kailola.

Since Christmas 1980, the desire of Indonesian Christians in NY has become stronger to form a Christian spiritual forum in the form of Ecumenical (Non-Denominational). With the involvement of the late. Mr. F. Toding (Head of the Indonesian Logistics Agency / BULOG in NY) with several Christian citizens including: late. Mrs. Pantiningsih, late. Mr. Simon Wattimury (kjri), mother Pinna Pangaribuan (kjri), mother Jeanette Awuy (kjri), Mr. Robert Mewengkang, this goal was finally realized at a meeting on April 28 1983, at the house of the Trade Attaché (Trade Attaché) in NY, namely: Mr. Edward Parapat-Bolang in Forest Hills, NY, under the name PERWAKRIN (previously someone suggested the name PERKI/Indonesian Christian Association. As the first chairman of Perwakrin, Mrs. Pantiningsih Atmodimedjo (who previously lived in Tokyo with the family of a PERTAMINA official). he deputy is Mr. Soeko Prasetyo.

In the second week of April 1983, Perwakrin officially started monthly worship using the Pancasila room of the Indonesian Consulate General, with permission given by the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in New York, at that time Mr. consul general Rudy Lengkong.

In 1984 due to health conditions, Mrs. Pantiningsih & Mr. Soeko Prasetyo resigned as chairman and deputy chairman of Perwakrin. So the Perwakrin's tasks are coordinated by Mr. Robert Mewengkang until 1987 assisted by Mrs. Jeanette Awuy-Widjaja/secretary & Mrs. Pinna Pangaribuan-Silaen/treasurer

Vision & Mission

In accordance with the AD/ART, PERWAKRIN's vision and mission are:

VISION: Promoting the welfare of Indonesian immigrant communities in the United States, especially those living on the east coast.

MISSION: Provide the information the community needs about the economy, health, immigration, law and spirituality.