Three Women Face Charges for Evangelizing Children

18 May 2005

^{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/.

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.

Indonesia News

Blasphemy Legislation to be Updated in January

A church in Indonesia
Wikipedia / Christian Advs Sltg (CC)

Indonesia's blasphemy law has been enforced since 1965, despite multiple unsuccessful attempts to remove the legislation. Although the country is home to the world's largest Muslim-majority population, the national government has long sought to maintain a religiously diverse society. Even so, incidents of religious intolerance and persecution have often occurred on a local level.

Read more...
Protests Forcibly Delay "Holyland" Construction

Pray that Christians in Indonesia will remain faithful.
Photo: VOMC

Construction has been ordered to cease on the building of a Christian complex in Karangturi village, despite the fact that all necessary permits had previously been obtained. The order, which was issued on September 2nd by the Regency of Karanganyar, followed formal complaints from Islamic groups that were opposed to the construction project. The letter from the regency cited concerns that the development could lead to "social conflict," and then stated that construction may resume once tensions within the local community are resolved.

Read more...
Christians Blocked from Worshipping

A church in Indonesia.
Photo: VOMC

For two consecutive Sundays, approximately 20 opposing Muslim residents in the village of Gerendeng Pulo have prevented a church congregation from gathering for worship. The opposition stems from concerns that the believers began meeting in a new location without the approval of local Muslim leaders.

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Children Injured in Mob Violence

Children in Indonesia.
Photo: ILO / Yodhi Prasetyo (cc)

On July 27th, a violent incident occurred in Padang City, Indonesia, when several men attacked a prayer house, which was established to provide religious education to Christian children. Armed with sticks, the assailants ordered the believers to disperse, and then they proceeded to smash the building's windows. During the attack, two children (ages eight and eleven) sustained injuries after being struck by objects that had been thrown amid the violence.

Read more...