Churches Attacked Amidst Christmas Fears

15 December 2004

An explosion and the sound of gunfire shattered the quiet evening of December 12 in the Indonesian city of Palu. Two bombs exploded at the Immanuel Church, followed by gunfire at the Anugerah Church.

According to VOM sources in Indonesia, the Sunday evening service at the Immanuel Church was just beginning when a bomb exploded beside the front door. Bintijaya, the church's 61-year-old security guard, was injured. A few seconds later, gunmen began firing through the front door of the Anugerah Church, located one kilometre away. Two members of the congregation, Rada Krisna (38) and Novri (17), were injured. The bullet that was intended for the pastor missed its mark.

As the season approaches where the world remembers the coming of the Prince of Peace, many areas of the world, such as Indonesia, face a time of particular uncertainty and fear. Four years ago, eleven churches in Indonesia had to cope with a barrage bomb attacks. Nineteen believers lost their lives in those attacks. Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has called for increased protection for churches leading up to the Christmas season this year. According to CathNews, Palu's police chief, Nyoman Siswandi, as been dismissed for failure to provide protection needed on December 12.

Pray for a full and quick recovery for those injured in these attacks. Pray that Christmas will be a time when Christians in Indonesia will be able to celebrate in peace.

For more information on the trials facing Christians in Indonesia, click here.

^{Immanuel Church}

^{Anugerah Church}

Indonesia

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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