Church Building Severely Damaged by Islamic Militants

Pasundan Christian Church

Approximately 250 members of the Muslim "Anti-Apostasy Movement Alliance" (AAMA) forced their way into a Pasundan Christian Church in the South Bandung area of West Java on November 18, according to a report from the Dutch office of Open Doors. The militants held an Islamic prayer service in the building and then began destroying the furnishings and interior of the building with knives and sticks. The church has over 300 members and has been operating for more than fifty years. This is not the first time that AAMA activists have attacked this church.

Pray for the members of this church as they rebuild following the attack. Pray that they will be a testimony of peace and forgiveness to those who perpetrated this violence.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Indonesia, go to the Indonesia Country Report.

  • 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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