Three Teenage Girls Beheaded

Young Christian martyrsThree teenage girls in Central Sulawesi suffered a grisly death on Saturday, October 29. The girls were all students of a Christian high school. Theresia Morangkir, Alfita Poliwo, Yarni Sambue and Noviana Malewa were walking to school through a cocoa plantation in Poso Kota when they were attacked by men dressed in black and wielding machetes. Therisia, Alfita and Yarni were beheaded. Noviana managed to fend off her attackers and run away, but suffered severe gashes to her face.

The severed heads of the dead girls were found several miles away from the bodies. One was placed in front of a church and the other two near a police station. Upon his hearing of the murders, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono cancelled all his prior appointments in order to meet with security officials. While police have increased patrols in the area, no further violence has been reported and no suspects have been apprehended.

Please pray for the families who are grieving the terrible loss of these young girls. Pray that the Lord will surround them with comfort and emotional healing. Pray that the pain the people are experiencing will not turn into increased violence again in Central Sulawesi. Pray also for physical and emotional healing for Noviana who is recovering from serious facial wounds. Finally, remember to pray that the perpetrators of the crime will be brought to justice and that they will know and respond to the love of Christ.

For more information on these and other incidents of persecution against Christians in Indonesia, click here. VOMC's multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com, features a 21-minute video on the persecution of Christians in Indonesia entitled, "Island Jihad."

  • 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

  • Protests Forcibly Delay "Holyland" Construction
    A believer is being baptized.
    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.

  • Christians Blocked from Worshipping
    A white church building with blue trim in Indonesia.
    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.

  • Children Injured in Mob Violence
    A group of children are smiling and laughing. One is playing an ukulele.
    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.