Large Mob Vandalizes Church

On the evening of Saturday, October 23, a group gathered in a home in Karawang, Indonesia for a choir rehearsal, in preparation for Christmas Eve. At around 9:00, a group of Muslims came to complain, annoyed by the music. According to VOM sources in Indonesia, nothing further happened that night.

The next evening, a police officer came to the Nusantara Indonesia Christian Church and warned the pastor and his family to flee for their safety. After taking his family to the home of a church elder, the pastor returned fifteen minutes later to find approximately five hundred people surrounding the building and beginning to vandalize it. Again, he fled for his safety, but the destruction continued for two hours. As a result, the door and windows were damaged, the pews destroyed, and the sound system vandalized.

The next day, representatives from the mob met with local authorities to discuss the closure of this church.

Pray for this congregation and the pastor, as they assess their situation and look to the Lord for guidance. Pray for wisdom and strength to endure, despite such opposition. Pray for the protecting hand of the Lord on this ministry.

For more information on the trials facing Christians 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.

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Indonesia News

  • Community Clashes Halt Christmas Activities
    Believers are singing in worship together.
    Believers in Indonesia.
    Photo: VOMC

    Much of the harassment encountered by followers of Jesus in Indonesia arises from local community members who are opposed to Christian activities. Two recent incidents of community opposition have affected churches in their preparations for this Christmas season.

    Read more...

  • Church Threatened with Eviction
    A white church with blue trim clearly displays a cross on the front.
    A church in Indonesia.
    Photo: VOMC 

    Local authorities have threatened to evict a church in West Java because of its proximity to the Indonesian International Islamic University, despite the church having met previously in that location for nine years. The HKI Juanda Church in Depok, which consists of more than 150 members, is located on the edge of cultivated land. However, since the university was founded in September 2021, it has taken over the property of the neighbouring land.

    Read more...

  • Two Women Injured in Attack on Prayer Meeting
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    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...

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