Church Pressured to Close

Muslims in a neighbourhood in Bandung, Indonesia are pressuring the Baithani Pentecost Movement Church to stop meeting, according to VOMC sources.  On March 18, leaders of the Baithani church met with police officers and were told that local residents were protesting against the presence of the church in their community.  In a follow-up meeting on March 24, representatives of the church, the local neighbourhood, police, military and Muslim clerics met to discuss the issue.  At the conclusion of the meeting, the Christians were told that the church "disturbed" the residents.  They were also told that the store-house where the church met would not be attacked as long as it is not used for church activity.  The church representatives were asked to sign an agreement to close the church but they refused.

Pray for a unified spirit among Indonesia's Christians as they seek the Lord's wisdom in dealing with demands such as the one facing the Baithani church. Pray that they will have the freedom to meet and that the local police will support that freedom. Pray that those who oppose the church will come to Christ.

 

For more information on the challenges facing Indonesia's Christians, go to click here.  Various videos reports are available at no cost at VOMC's multimedia website, https://www.vomcanada.com/, including a 20-minute video 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.