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Indonesia

• Mob storms church and calls for ban

  Banners calling for a ban on churches and religious services Photo fromCompass Direct

  On Sunday, August 17, a group of Muslims stormed a church service in Cipayung, East Jakarta, Indonesia, according to an August 19 report from Compass Direct.  About 20 church members, including Pastor Chris Ambessa, were gathered in celebration of Indonesia's Independence Day at the Pentecostal Church of Indonesia when an angry mob gathered outside the church building. Despite efforts to keep them outside, the mob forced its way into the church and overturned furniture. The church members were chased into the street and warned not to return for future services. The mob then erected large banners which called for a ban on churches and religious services. Although citizens are required to get permission before erecting banners, the authorities made no effort to intervene or remove them.

  Pastor Ambessa, who has hosted a house church in his home for the past 12 years, recently built a second floor addition to accommodate the growing congregation. On July 3, the Cipayung civil engineering department ordered him to dismantle the second floor. On July 13, he was also ordered to cease all religious activity at his home for an indefinite period of time due to neighbourhood protests and the lack of a Religious Building Permit (IMB).

  Pray for Pastor Ambessa and the other Christians in Indonesia. Pray that their church services can continue unhindered. Pray that believers in Indonesia will echo Peter's sentiment and remain determined to obey God regardless of what man says (Acts 5:29).

  For more information on the persecution facing Indonesian Christians, go to theIndonesia Country Report.

• Pastor Released

  Pastor Abraham Bentar, who was imprisoned in March 2006 on charges of attempting to convert Muslims to Christianity (click here for more details), was released on parole on April 27, according to VOMC contacts in Indonesia. Bentar had served two-thirds of his four and a half year sentence. Praise the Lord for his release.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Indonesia, go to theIndonesia Country Report.

• Church Worship Services Stopped by Muslim Mobs

  Muslim protestors have stopped worship services at a church in Sumatra and at another church in Java, according to March 10 report from Compass Direct. The congregation of Love Evangelical Bethel Church near Pekanbaru, Riau province in Sumatra ceased Sunday services after about 60 demonstrators from four local mosques on February 15 demanded its closure. The congregation comprised the only church in the village of 14 mosques.

  Similarly, in Banten province on the island of Java, a mob of Muslim youths on February 8 marched on a Christian social services house that also served as the place of worship for the Indonesia Pentecostal Church Kalibaru in the village of Melayu. Led by two mosque leaders, the mob demanded that the church of 30 members be closed. The attacking Muslim youths were part of the Islamic Defenders' Front, one of Indonesia's most active Muslim militant groups.

  Pray that the members of these churches will find peace and comfort in Christ as they face various challenges for His Name. Ask God to provide wisdom and guidance to the leaders of the churches to find creative ways to nurture their congregations and equip them to share the message of Christ with the lost (Hebrews 10:23-25).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Indonesia, go to theIndonesia Country Report.

• Muslims Sentenced for Beheading Christian Girls

  School girl martyred on October 29, 2005

  An Indonesia court handed down sentences of 10 to 19 years to six Muslims for a series of attacks in Central Sulawesi in 2005 and 2006. Abdul Muis bin Kamarudin (22) was sentenced to 19 years for his involvement in a 2005 bomb attack on a market selling pork in Palau in which eight people were killed and an October 2006 drive-by shooting of Rev. Irianto Kongkoli. Rahman Kalahe (21) was sentenced to 19 years for beheading three Christian school girls. Sentenced to 10 years and three months for the beheading was Yudi Heryanto (20) and a 14 year sentence was given to Agus Nur Muhammad (26). Kalale and Heryanto were also found guilty of the non-fatal shooting of two other Christian schoolgirls in the same town the following month. Three others were sentenced in March for the beheading attack with two receiving 14 years in prison and one 20 years (click here for more details).

  In another case, Syaiful Anam, known as Brekele (26) was found guilty of and sentenced to 18 years for organizing the bombing of a marketplace in the predominantly Christian town of Tentena, also in Poso, in May 2005. Amril Niode, 22, was also jailed 15 years for his involvement in the Tentena attack. Speaking after his trial, Anam told journalists they had no regrets over their attacks, "because this is a consequence of my jihad." He added that he thought 18 years was too heavy a sentence for his crime. "From my perspective, it's too heavy because those I killed were infidels. I should not have been punished," he said.

  Pray that those responsible for these acts will experience the love and grace of Christ. Pray for the safety of Indonesia's Christians in the coming month, as violence against them often escalates during the Christmas season.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Indonesia, go to theIndonesia Country Report.

• Church Building Severely Damaged by Islamic Militants

  

  Approximately 250 members of the Muslim "Anti-Apostasy Movement Alliance" (AAMA) forced their way into a Pasundan Christian Church in the South Bandung area of West Java on November 18, according to a report from the Dutch office of Open Doors. The militants held an Islamic prayer service in the building and then began destroying the furnishings and interior of the building with knives and sticks. The church has over 300 members and has been operating for more than fifty years. This is not the first time that AAMA activists have attacked this church.

  Pray for the members of this church as they rebuild following the attack. Pray that they will be a testimony of peace and forgiveness to those who perpetrated this violence.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Indonesia, go to theIndonesia Country Report.

• Imprisoned Christians Sentenced to Five Years

  In April, more than forty Christian leaders were imprisoned after Islamic organizations discovered a video of them praying for Muslims. The Voice of the Martyrs has learned that all the leaders still imprisoned have been sentenced to five years in prison for "abusing the Quran." The Christians were charged under Article 156 KUPH, which states that anyone who expresses hatred or opposition, or insults one individual or groups of Indonesian citizens in public, will be imprisoned four to five years or fined. Among the imprisoned are parents of young children.

  Pray for the release of these Christians. Pray that the Lord will give them opportunities in prison to share the gospel for which they suffer (Colossians 4:2-3). Ask God to fill the families of these imprisoned believers with His assurance and peace.

  To view an excerpt of the video which brought about these charges, click here.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Indonesia, go to theIndonesia Country Report.

• Three Christian Women Released Dr. Rebekka Zakaria (49), Eti Pangesti (45) and Ratna Bangun (40), three Christian women who were convicted of attempting to convert Muslim children to Christianity in 2005 (click here for more details), were released from the Indramayu district prison in West Java at 6:00 a.m. on June 8. They served nearly two years of their three-year sentence and were released on parole following several international advocacy campaigns on their behalf. The time of their release was secretly moved up three hours because militants stated that they were intending to gather outside the prison to protest the reduced sentences. All three women are now at home with their families.

  Zakaria, Pangesti and Bangun upon their release (top photo, holding their release papers) Photos fromCompass Direct

• Church Attacked in Indonesia

  Muslim militants stormed the Sidang Jemaat Allah Church in Gading Tutuka, West Java at approximately 9:30 a.m. on June 3, according to a June 4 report from Asia News. The militants struck the pastor's wife in the head with a Bible and demanded that the children's Sunday school activities cease. They also destroyed four images of Christ. A witness claimed that the attackers, who identified themselves as members of the Anti-Apostasy Movement Alliance (AGAP), said the church did not have the necessary permits to conduct services. According to a church member, however, the church has had its permits for religious services for the past seven years.

  Pray that there will be no further attacks on this church. Ask God to give these believers opportunities to share their faith with their persecutors. Pray that Christians in Indonesia will be encouraged to continue to meet together despite opposition (Hebrews 10:23-25).

  For more information on persecution in Indonesia,click here.

• Three Men Found Guilty in Beheading of Schoolgirls

  Three men on trial for the gruesome beheading of three Christian schoolgirls in Poso, Indonesia in 2005 (click here for more details) were found guilty on March 21. Hasanuddin (34), who is linked to the terrorist network Jemaah Islamiyah, was found guilty of masterminding the attack and was sentenced to twenty years in prison. The co-accused who actually beheaded the girls, Lilik Purnomo (28) and Irwanto Irano (29), were each sentenced to fourteen years in prison. While the men could have faced the death penalty, the sentences were reduced in light of remorse expressed by the men.

• Orthodox Christians Ask For Prayer in Face of New Threats

  Father Methodios Sri Gunarjo and his congregation Photo fromThe Orthodox Christian Mission Center

  On March 19, the Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia (Ecumenical Patriarchate), issued the following statement:

  "The Orthodox Christians in Indonesia have joined the list of those attacked by Muslim extremists. Father Methodios Sri Gunarjo, his family and other Orthodox were terrorized and threatened this past weekend. Although there are no reports of physical harm at this point, the verbal, psychological and other forms of abuse continue. At one point, a knife was put to the throat of Father Methodios, as his attackers demanded that he close the Churches in the Boyolali area of Central Java. It should be noted that there is a thriving ministry in this area.

  A large group of Muslim protestors has gathered in the Church area and continues making demands upon Father Methodios and the Church community. The attackers are not from Boyolali, as local Christians and Muslims have joined in showing their support for Father Methodios, who is noted for the love and compassion he has shown all people in the area. Father Methodios and his family have been forced to leave their home, as their lives have now been threatened. The attackers have also promised to purge the area of Christians.

  Metropolitan Nikitas has not been able to contact Father Methodios directly, although he is in constant communication with other clergy in Indonesia. He has requested that people pray for peace and an end to the violence and attacks upon the Church community."

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Indonesia,click here.