Three Women Face Charges for Evangelizing Children

Dufan (Fantasy World) in Jakarta
Charges have been laid against three Indonesian women as the result of a picnic which they led at Dufan (Fantasy World) in Jakarta in December 2004.  The picnic conducted by a church-run children's program.

Some Muslim children joined the picnic and there were no problems until some of their parents raised complaints last month.  According to VOMC sources in Indonesia, the three women, Dr Rebecca, Mrs. Ratna and Mrs. Lia, were summoned to the police station on May 3 and charges were formally laid against them on May 14.  The ladies face charges of attempting to Christianize the Muslim children and they could face up to five years in jail under the Children Protection Constitution. 

The Pondok Ceria ("House of Children") program is intended as a fellowship for Christian children but many Moslem children have expressed a desire to participate in the games and teachings.  The Pondok Ceria is operated under the auspices of Haurgeulis synod of the Gereja Kristen Kemah Daud (GKKD) in Indramayu County, West Java.

Pray that these charges will be dropped and that this ministry to children will be able to continue.

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Indonesia, click here.  A video report on the courage of Indonesia's Christians entitled "Island Jihad" can be viewed on VOMC's multimedia website, https://www.vomcanada.com/.

  • 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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