For over a month, the Indonesia Bethel Church in Pucung, Indonesia had been under threat by a group calling itself the "Muslim Communication Forum" (FKM) who is demanding that the church stop their meetings. On Sunday morning, November 30, the church's pastor, Onisimus Moelyono, was called to a meeting with the village chief and representatives of the FKM, while a mob of over one hundred and fifty Muslims gathered, calling for the end of the services and threatening Moelyono's life. When the meeting failed to stop the services, the mob moved against those gathering to worship, throwing rocks at the building. Only police intervention prevented them from entering the building. The mob dispersed only when the service was cancelled. Further meetings are planned for December 3 to try to resolve this issue.
On the same weekend, Christians in three villages in Central Sulawesi were attacked by unidentified militants. On November 29, two men, I Made Simson and Ketut Sarmon, were shot and killed and four others injured in the village of Kilotrans. In the village of Morowa, Ruslan Parrafik and Ririn Bode were shot dead when attackers on motorcycles opened fire on villagers who had gathered for prayer at a church. The next night around 9:00 p.m., shots were fired in the predominantly Christian village of Tiwa'a, fifteen kilometres from Poso. There are no reported casualties from this incident.
In recent weeks, Indonesian Christians have faced increasing violence from militant Islamic Jihad militia groups. Pray that the authorities will take aggressive action to prevent this violence from continuing. Pray for the families of those killed and for a quick recovery for those injured in these recent attacks. Pray for the members of the church in Pucung, as they attempt to peacefully resolve the problems they are facing.
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