Holistic Community Service at Lembaga Kesejahteraan Sosial Anak Widya Asih Blimbingsari: Spiritual Empowerment and Social Support by STT Bethel Indonesia Doctoral Program

This community service program aimed to provide holistic support—encompassing spiritual enrichment, educational assistance, and essential daily necessities—to children at Lembaga Kesejahteraan Sosial Anak (LKSA) Widya Asih Blimbingsari, Kecamatan Melaya, Kabupaten Jembrana, Bali. The program was jointly implemented by doctoral students and lecturers from Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Bethel Indonesia (STT Bethel Indonesia), Petamburan Jakarta, coinciding with the institution's commemoration of its 50th Golden Anniversary. A participatory approach was employed, integrating direct service delivery with academic inquiry through interviews with LKSA management and community figures. Core activities included a joint worship service, a devotional sermon, and the distribution of educational materials (notebooks, pens), personal hygiene items (bathing soap, shampoo), and institutional-branded t-shirts to all children. The results demonstrate that the program successfully strengthened the spiritual well-being and academic motivation of the children, provided meaningful material support, and fostered enduring relational bonds between STT Bethel Indonesia and the Christian social welfare institution. The participatory and holistic model employed in this program highlights the pivotal role that theological higher education institutions can play as partners in community-based social welfare, contributing meaningfully to the comprehensive development of children in institutional care.