Christians Continue to Face Challenges

Fire at VOM's Medical Treatment Centre
Three separate stories from Indonesia in the past week demonstrate the continued difficulties faced by Christians in the most populous Muslim nation in the world.

On January 25, The Voice of the Martyrs received the news that our medical treatment centre and storage facility in Indonesia had been totally destroyed by fire.  Valuable medical supplies and items for distribution to persecuted believers in the country were destroyed.  Thankfully there were no injuries.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.  Pray that the supplies needed for this valuable work will be restored soon so that the ministry will be able to continue.

On February 1, VOM also learned that the local government in West Pasaman, West Sumatra had issued regulations that all female students in public and Islamic schools must wear the Muslim head coverings, regardless of their religion.  Only private Christian schools are exempt from the regulations.
Immanuel Church in Indonesia
Site of Shooting on December 12, 2004

In a follow-up to our report in December in which a sixty-one year old security guard was shot during a church attack on December 12. VOM has learned that ballistic evidence indicates that a police weapon was used in the shooting.  A high-ranking police officer has also been implicated in this and another church attack in Central Sulawesi that day.

Pray for endurance for Christians facing persecution in various ways in Indonesia.  Pray for justice and peace. 

For more information on the difficulties 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

  • 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
    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...

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Indonesia Videos

 
Indonesia: Four Christians Beheaded
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Indonesia: Christian Family Killed in Terrorist Attack
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Indonesia: Abandoned for coming to Jesus
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Indonesia: ''I call the prison the school of trust''
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Indonesia: Churches Under Attack!
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