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Indonesia

  • Islamic groups aim to close church

    Muslims are reportedly attempting to stop a church from holding worship services in West Java, Indonesia. Earlier this month, on November 7, more than 50 Muslims gathered outside a multipurpose building in Karask village where members of The King of Glory Church were gathered for a Sunday worship service. The Muslims chanted "Allah akbar" (God is great) and demanded that the meeting be put to an end because the building was not approved for worship services. The protest went on outside the church for more than an hour before the Muslims dispersed.

    Church permit applications are often stalled in Indonesian government offices, opening the way for Muslim groups to accuse them of worshipping without official permission. In this case, however, church leaders claim that they were given permission to worship by an official in 2005. One of the leaders reported that neither the building managers nor the church leaders have ever received a written complaint about the worship services. He also said that there was no regulation against using a multipurpose building for worship services.

    Pray that these believers will be free to worship in peace and without fear of violence from Islamic groups. Pray the Spirit of the Lord will guide and sustain Christians in West Java as they serve Him amid opposition. Pray that Indonesian authorities will take just and decisive action against those harassing Christians in the country.

    Stay informed on the persecution facing Indonesian believers by visiting the Country Report at theIndonesia Country Report.
  • Update: Decree prohibiting church's activities revoked in Bekasi


    Recently injured Luspida Simanjuntak
    Photo from Compass Direct
    After months of conflict and legal battles, the State Administrative Court in Bandung, Indonesia has revoked the December 31, 2009 decree prohibiting the Christian activities of Batak Christian Protestant Filadelfia Church in Jejalan village, Bekasi. The ruling decreed that the regent of Bekasi should issue a permit for the church to establish a place of worship. The church has faced severe opposition in recent months, including recent violence in which two members were injured (click here for more information).

    Since 2008, the church members have sought permission for a place of worship from Bekasi Regent H. Sa'duddin. According to church leaders, Sa'duddin declined their request following pressure from a small group of Islamists called the Forum Islamic Ummah Jejalen Raya Bekasi. The church was temporarily closed for worship shortly afterwards on January 12, 2010. As a result, the church had been holding services on a strip of roadside land in front of the temporary site, using umbrellas to protect them from the intense heat of the sun and from sudden rainstorms. Reverend Palti Panjaitan has shared that he is happy that the church has found at last fair authorities who base their decisions on the rule of law. (Source: Compass Direct)

    Thank the Lord that officials acted fairly in this situation. Pray that other such justice will reign in instances of harassment and opposition against Indonesian Christians. Pray that Christ will equip Indonesian believers to follow His example of faithfulness amid persecution (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)

    For more on the persecuted Church in Indonesia, go to theIndonesia Country Report.
  • Congregation attacked again in Bekasi

     
    Reverend Luspida Simanjuntak
    Photo from Compass Direct
    Members of the Batak Christian Protestant Filadelfia Church in Bekasi, Indonesia were attacked by a group of eight unknown assailants during a worship service on September 11. An elder, Asia Sihombing, was stabbed in the stomach. When Reverend Luspida Simanjuntak tried to come to his assistance, she was beaten with a stick and injured on her face, head and back. At last report, both of the believers were recovering in a local hospital.

    In August, the congregation was victim to a similar attack by Muslim militants opposed to the members holding worship services on a church-owned plot of land (click here for more information). Reverend Luspida, however, insisted that they had a right to worship in the open and said that she would continue her mission without fear despite growing threats against Christians. The recent violence has intensified fears among Christians, human rights activists and many other Indonesians over the decline of religious freedom in the country. (Sources: AsiaNews, Jakarta Globe)

    Pray for healing for Asia and Reverend Luspida. Pray that the assailants will be apprehended. Ask God to give these church members boldness and wisdom as they face difficult challenges because of their faith (Psalm 91, Isaiah 26:3).

    For more on the persecution of Christians in Indonesia, go to theIndonesia Country Report.
  • Church members injured in Bekasi

     

    Leaders of a church in West Java, Indonesia have demanded justice from police after an attack from Muslim protestors left at least a dozen people injured. As some 20 members of the Batak Christian Protestant Filadelfia Church in Bekasi gathered for Sunday worship on a church-owned plot of land in Ciketing on August 8, at least 300 members of the Islamic People's Forum (FUI) and the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) broke through a police barricade and ordered them to leave. When the church members refused, the protestors assaulted the group with sticks, stones and their bare hands. As many as 700 protestors reportedly took part in the attack on the congregation of 1,500 members. When church members decided to leave, the mob "hunted us down and hit us," a church leader said. Several church members required medical attention. The police chief, however, said he blamed the church members as he had warned them not to hold services in the area because they were disturbing residents. The church has filed charges against the FUI and FPI for assault and defiling a religion. (Source: Compass Direct)

    Please pray the Lord's healing hand will be upon those who were caught in the attacks. Pray these Christians will not have a spirit of fear but rather a spirit of faithfulness. May their conduct be a witness for the gospel. Pray that Christians will be granted the freedom to meet together to worship.

    Go to theIndonesia Country Report to find out more about the persecution of Indonesian Christians.
  • Death threat and increasing opposition in Bekasi


    Photo from AsiaNews

    Christians in Bekasi, West Java have faced growing opposition in recent months from Muslims opposed to "Christianization." On July 5, a banner with the picture of a Christian man with a noose around his neck was hung on the front of a mosque in Bekasi, stating, "This man deserves the death penalty." The man, Andreas Sanau (29), is one of two men accused of organizing mass baptisms. The accusations came after busloads of poor villagers arrived at a Christian relief agency on June 30 as part of an outreach program. However, baptism is not a part of the program.

    Church services throughout the city have been repeatedly interrupted and Christians threatened. In June, the Bekasi Islamic Congress met and set up a "mission center" along with a youth army to oppose Christian efforts. There is also a push for sharia law in the region. (Sources: AsiaNews, Compass Direct)

    Pray for protection for Christians in Bekasi. Pray that the threats against Andreas will not be acted upon. Pray that the authorities will protect the Christians against opposition from militant Islamic groups.

    Go to theIndonesia Country Report for more details on the persecution of Christians in Indonesia.
  • Two church buildings burned down


    Logo from Huria Kristen Batak Protestan Church
    Two partially constructed church buildings were burned down by suspected Muslim militants in Sibuhuan village, North Sumatra province, Indonesia on January 22. Hundreds of Muslims from outside the village arrived on motorcycles and burned down the Huria Kristen Batak Protestan Church (HKBP) building and then proceeded to set fire to the nearby Pentecostal Church building. The HKBP church members have worshipped at the site since the 1970s. In 1981 they erected a simple structure and in 2009 they began a construction project on the building. When Muslim leaders demanded the construction stop because a building permit had not been issued, the Christians agreed -- despite the fact that the building permit had been in process for five years. After requests from local Muslims to dismantle the constructed areas, the Christians began to take down the building on January 13. They were unable to complete the dismantling, however, before the mob set fire to the church. At last report, authorities were searching for a location for the churches to rebuild. In the meantime, the congregations are reportedly planning to hold services in believers' homes. (Source: Compass Direct)

    Thank the Lord that nobody was injured in these attacks. Pray that these congregations will soon be able to rebuild their churches. Pray that in the face of violence, Indonesian believers will confidently entrust themselves to Christ and preach the gospel without hesitation (2 Timothy 1:7-12).

    To find out more about the plight of Indonesian Christians,click here.
  • Militant Muslims destroy church building


    Destruction of the Church of Saint Albert
    Photo from AsiaNews
    A mob of approximately 1,000 Muslims attacked a church building under construction in Bekasi Regency, near Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. At midnight on December 17, the Muslims arrived at the Church of Saint Albert, some on bikes and some on foot, and stormed into the building, carrying banners and tanks of kerosene. One witness reported hearing them shout, "Destroy [the church]! Destroy it! Replace the church with mosque!" The Muslims damaged bricks, broke lights, uprooted newly planted trees and set the building on fire. No one was injured in the attack, but damage amounted to around 60 million rupees (approximately $6,700 CAD). Local Christians were planning to use the nearly completed building for a Christmas Mass service. Following the attack, a leader of the church's construction committee shared, "Even though our chapel was attacked we are not afraid. We will continue the construction of this chapel until its completion." (Sources: AsiaNews, Union of Catholic Asian News)

    Pray that these believers will not be discouraged but continue to rest secure in the joy and provision of Christ. Pray for peace to reign in their hearts this Christmas. Pray that Indonesian Christians will be emboldened by the Holy Spirit to share the Truth of the Lord (Acts 1:8).

    For more information on trials facing believers in Indonesia, go to theIndonesia Country Report.
  • Christians ordered to stop worshipping in home


    Pastor Bedali Hulu and his church
    Photos from Compass Direct

    After several weeks of pressure and intimidation, members of the Jakarta Christian Baptist Church have been ordered by officials to cease worshipping in the home of Pastor Bedali Hulu, according to an October 5 report from Compass Direct. The officials were reportedly pressured to make the order by the Islamic Defenders Front, the Betawi Forum Group and members of the political party Hizbut Tahrir. On September 13, hundreds of Muslims barged into Pastor Hulu's home and forced the believers to leave. Several days later, a church-owned vehicle was burned in the pastor's driveway. A large crowd again surrounded the home on September 27, demanding that the worship service be stopped.

    Pastor Hulu established and registered his church with Religious Affairs authorities in 2005 and obtained written permission from a local official to hold the services. However, in 2006 a Joint Ministerial Decree was revised, insisting congregations be composed of at least 90 adult members, demanding permission from at least 60 adult neighbours and requiring a permit from local authorities. According to local Christians, it is nearly impossible to meet all of these terms to qualify for a permit.

    Ask God to use this ordeal to strengthen the members of this church. Pray that they will keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere in their faith and not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 10:32-39; 12:1-3).

    To find out more about the suffering of Indonesian believers, please visit theIndonesia Country Report.
  • Elderly Christian couple murdered

    A pastor and his wife were murdered on April 25 in the predominately Christian city of Manado, North Sulawesi province, Indonesia. At approximately 7:00 a.m., two unidentified men approached the home of Frans Koagow and his wife, Femy Kumendong, and were told that Koagow was dining nearby. The men joined Koagow, ate with him and accompanied him back to his home. The assailants then used machetes to kill Koagow and Kumendong, who was in bed recovering from a stroke. Since the men did not steal anything from the believers' home, authorities have ruled out theft or extortion as possible motives.

    Ask God to comfort grieving friends and family members. Pray that those guilty will know Christ's love, forgiveness and blessings through the lives of Christians (Romans 12:14, 21).

    To find out more about the plight of Indonesian Christians,click here.
  • Riots erupt over Christian teacher's alleged blasphemy


    Photo from    AsiaNews

    Riots broke out in Masohi, Central Maluku province, Indonesia on December 9 after Welhelmina Holle, a Christian elementary school teacher, allegedly made comments that insulted Islam while tutoring a Muslim student. News of the incident spread throughout the Muslim community, sparking the Indonesian Ulema Council to file a complaint against Holle to the police. At around 8:30 a.m., approximately 500 Muslims protested outside the Central Maluku Education Agency, accusing Holle of blasphemy and calling for his dismissal. The mob then gathered outside the Central Maluku Police headquarters and demanded to meet with the police chief, but when informed that he was not on the premises, the Muslims dispersed. However, confrontations between some of the Muslims and police officials incited violence. Police and soldiers were eventually able to intervene but two churches, a health clinic, several vehicles and approximately 65 homes were burned. At the time of the report, Holle remained in detention. He is reportedly being charged with blasphemy -- a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment.

    Ask God to give strength and endurance to Holle. Pray for those who have lost property in the riots. Pray that Christ will equip Indonesian Christians to follow His example and remain faithful to Him (2 Corinthians 1:8-9).

    To learn more about how Christians suffer for Christ's sake in Indonesia, go to theIndonesia Country Report.

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