Church Unable to Re-Open

Earlier this month, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on the Nusantara Indonesia Christian Church in Karawang , Indonesia which was vandalized by a mob of around 500 people (click here for details).  On November 18, Compass Direct reported that the authorities have since closed the church.  Pastor Suhardi and his family are now living in temporary accommodations and the police are looking into whether there are grounds to close the church permanently.

The types of problems facing the Nusantara Indonesia Christian Church also face other churches in primarily Muslim areas of Indonesia .  A recent survey published in The Jakarta Post reports that over forty percent of Muslim respondents do not agree with Christians conducting worship services in a neighborhood which is a majority Muslim.  At the same time, a majority of Muslims are opposed to the teachings and actions of militant Islamic groups involved in terrorist attacks.

Pray for Christians in Indonesia , as they deal with the challenges of living in a predominantly Muslim country where religious violence has been common in recent years.  Pray for Pastor Suhardi and the congregation of the Nusantara Indonesia Christian Church as they consider their future ministry plans.

For more information on the challenges Christians in Indonesia face, 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.

Indonesia News

  • Christians Blocked from Worshipping
    A white church building with blue trim in Indonesia.
    A church in Indonesia.
    Photo: VOMC

    For two consecutive Sundays, approximately 20 opposing Muslim residents in the village of Gerendeng Pulo have prevented a church congregation from gathering for worship. The opposition stems from concerns that the believers began meeting in a new location without the approval of local Muslim leaders.

  • Children Injured in Mob Violence
    A group of children are smiling and laughing. One is playing an ukulele.
    Children in Indonesia.
    Photo: ILO / Yodhi Prasetyo (cc)

    On July 27th, a violent incident occurred in Padang City, Indonesia, when several men attacked a prayer house, which was established to provide religious education to Christian children. Armed with sticks, the assailants ordered the believers to disperse, and then they proceeded to smash the building's windows. During the attack, two children (ages eight and eleven) sustained injuries after being struck by objects that had been thrown amid the violence.