Twelve House Churches Closed

On September 1, VOM reported that church leaders in Bandung City had been warned churches meeting in homes would be closed (click here). On September 10, sources from Indonesia reported that the Mayor of Bandung city has issued a letter, officially closing twelve house churches in the city.

 
The Matoneng family, featured in the September 2004
Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter

The churches closed were:
  1. Pasundan Christian Church (GKP)
  2. Protestant Batak Church (GBP)
  3. Pentecost Church (GP)
  4. Catholic Church
  5. Indonesia Christian Church (GKI)
  6. Indonesia Gospel Camp Church (GKII)
  7. Indonesia Independent Baptist Church (GBII)
  8. Oikumene Christian Church (GKO)
  9. Tabernacle Pentecost Church (GPT)
  10. Indonesia Pentecost Church (GpdI)
  11. Java Christian Church (GKJ)
  12. Protestant Karo Batak Church (GBKP)

VOM sources report that the congregations are concerned and nervous about not being allowed to continue holding services. Please pray for encouragement for these believers during this time of uncertainty.

For more information on persecution facing believers in Indonesia, click here. The feature article of the September edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter features a story on the persecution of Christians in Indonesia. To view the story and to subscribe to the monthly newsletter, 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.

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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...

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