Gunmen Kill Pastor; Injure Four Others


 Desrianty Tengkende

The relative calm in the Central Sulawesi region of Indonesia in recent months was shattered on July 18 when five men armed with machine guns overpowered a security guard at the Efatha Presbyterian Church in Palu during an evening service and opened fire. The gunmen then fled, leaving the pastor dead and four others injured; one critically. Rev. Susianty Tinulele died instantly with gunshot wounds to her head. A seventeen-year-old girl, Desrianty Tengkende, remains in critical condition after being shot in the left eye. When the attack started, Desrianty instinctively pulled her Bible to her face; the bullet went through the Bible into her eye. Also injured were Kris Midianto (18), Farid Mehingko (15) and Lustiani (15).

According to a report from International Friends of Compassion, Christian leaders received text messages on their cell phones following the attack, claiming that its purpose was to provoke a response. They were obviously hoping that Christians would respond violently. This attack culminated a weekend of violence in Central Sulawesi. The previous evening in Poso, a bomb exploded outside of a cultural event and a Christian woman was killed outside her home after being stabbed nine times.

Rev. Susianty was twenty-six and had been ordained only weeks before. She was due to be married in September. She was a strong supporter of Rev. Damanik who is in prison after being framed on weapons charges. She had visited Damanik only two days before, bringing him food.

Pray for the family and friends of Susianty during their grief. Pray for those injured, that they will fully recover. Pray that the Christian community will respond in a Christ-like fashion, refusing to be provoked by this senseless violence.

For more information on the troubles facing the Church in Indonesia, click here.

  • Country Information

    Population
    279,476,346 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Javanese (40.1), Sundanese (15.5), Malay (3.7), Balak (3.6), Madurese (3), Betawi (2.9), Minangkabau (2.7), Buginese (2.7), Bantenese (2), Other (23.8)

    Religion (%)
    Muslim (87.2), Christian (9.9), Hindu (1.7), Other (0.9), Unspecified (0.4)

    Leader
    President Joko Widodo (2014)

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    Legal system
    Civil law system based on the Roman-Dutch model and influenced by customary law

    Sources: CIA World Factbook.

  • Pray for Indonesia

    Pray for the continued growth of the church in Indonesia, despite the intense opposition and persecution that has taken place. May the destructive plans of the enemy to eradicate Christianity be frustrated and nullified.

    Pray that whatever is intended for evil, God will turn around for good – causing such hatred and violence to not only discredit extremism, but to also compel many to seek salvation in Christ... including the perpetrators of persecution.

Select a Region

Indonesia News

  • Two Women Injured in Attack on Prayer Meeting
    Trees surround a church building behind an open gate. There are colourful flags on either side of the gate.
    A church building in Indonesia.
    Photo: Wikimedia / F-GSPY (cc)

    Two young women were slightly wounded when a mob attacked a Catholic prayer meeting on May 5th in the city of Tangerang, Banten Province. The group meeting, which consisted of 15 Catholic students who had gathered in a home for prayer, was disrupted when armed assailants forced their way into the residence, injuring two females during the intrusion. Some concerned local Muslims attempted to defend the students, with one of them sustaining a minor cut from the attack.

    Read more...

  • Pastor Accused of Blasphemy
    Many people have their hands raised in worship.
      

    During a recent Sunday sermon, Pastor Gilbert Lumoindong made mention of Islamic prayer and compared the practice of almsgiving with Biblical tithing. After being posted online, the sermon quickly gained attention on social media. According to Jumzar Rahman, who serves as the head of the South Sulawesi Arimathea Forum, offence was taken by some Muslim viewers. "The video hurt us," he states. "We Muslims feel offended." Consequently, two complaints were filed with the police, claiming that Pastor Gilbert had blasphemed against Islam.

    Read more...

  • 2023 Year in Review
    A group of believers is worshipping together.
    Believers worship faithfully amidst much opposition.
    Photo: VOMC

    Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world. While freedom of religion is guaranteed in the constitution, Muslims generally receive preferential treatment from the government. In order to establish and operate places of worship, permits are officially required; yet, in practise, only non-Muslims must comply. These permits are very difficult for churches to obtain. To be granted an official permit, each congregation must be comprised of a minimum of 90 members and needs authorization from at least 60 non-Christian residents in the area.

    Read more...

  • Mob Attack Forces Church to Host Services Online
    A woman is standing with her hands lifted and eyes closed. She is with a congregation.
    A worship gathering in Indonesia.
    Photo: VOMC

    In the early morning of September 16th, a mob consisting of approximately 50 people had gathered at the front gate of the Maranatha Chapel in Depok City. Mob members angrily banged on the gate while shouting and causing a disturbance. Thankfully, at the time, no service was taking place inside the church building and the crowd eventually dispersed.

    Read more...

View All

Indonesia Videos

 
Indonesia: Four Christians Beheaded
/component/allvideoshare/category/indonesia.htm
 
Indonesia: Christian Family Killed in Terrorist Attack
/component/allvideoshare/category/indonesia.htm
 
Indonesia: Abandoned for coming to Jesus
/component/allvideoshare/category/indonesia.htm
 
Indonesia: ''I call the prison the school of trust''
/component/allvideoshare/category/indonesia.htm
 
Indonesia: Churches Under Attack!
/component/allvideoshare/category/indonesia.htm