Christian Organizations Face Pressure to Close

Two reports were received from Indonesia this week underlining the pressures facing Christians in this predominantly Islamic country.

According to an April 25 report from Compass Direct, a Muslim study group raided a Christian social institution in West Bekasi district, West Java on April 8, demanding they cease all operations.  The group claimed the Apostolic Nation Building Foundation (ABB) was attempting to Christianize the community.  Police arrived to monitor the situation and there was no violence in the incident. Sarah Fifi, director of ABB, denied allegations they were operating a church. "We are a Christian social institution, non-profit and independent," she said. "We have a vision to strengthen our nation through education, free medication and environmental programs – any activities that help the community."  This is the fifth time this year that ABB has received such demands to cease operations.

House church in Bogor
VOMC sources in Indonesia report that a house church in West Java was surrounded by approximately two hundred militant Muslims on April 23 who demanded that they stop using the home for worship. Because of the pressure, the owner of the house in the Gunungputri House Complex in Bogor agreed to stop holding services in his home. After receiving this assurance, the mob moved on to a local house-store which is also used for Sunday worship.  Before the crowd arrived, however, the worshippers had left and the owner had locked the building.  The protestors warned the security guard they would return if the building was used for worship again.

Because of difficulties in gaining permission for constructing buildings to hold church services in Indonesia, many Christians gather in homes for worship.  Muslim militants have been putting significant pressure on the government and on local Christians in recent months to stop these gatherings.

Pray that Indonesian Christians will not become weary in carrying on the work of the Lord, knowing that their faithfulness will result in the furtherance of God's kingdom (Galatians 6:9,10). Pray that the church leaders will have the Holy Spirit's wisdom in the midst of ongoing harassment.

For more information on persecution of 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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