Christian Organizations Face Pressure to Close

Two reports were received from Indonesia this week underlining the pressures facing Christians in this predominantly Islamic country.

According to an April 25 report from Compass Direct, a Muslim study group raided a Christian social institution in West Bekasi district, West Java on April 8, demanding they cease all operations.  The group claimed the Apostolic Nation Building Foundation (ABB) was attempting to Christianize the community.  Police arrived to monitor the situation and there was no violence in the incident. Sarah Fifi, director of ABB, denied allegations they were operating a church. "We are a Christian social institution, non-profit and independent," she said. "We have a vision to strengthen our nation through education, free medication and environmental programs – any activities that help the community."  This is the fifth time this year that ABB has received such demands to cease operations.

House church in Bogor
VOMC sources in Indonesia report that a house church in West Java was surrounded by approximately two hundred militant Muslims on April 23 who demanded that they stop using the home for worship. Because of the pressure, the owner of the house in the Gunungputri House Complex in Bogor agreed to stop holding services in his home. After receiving this assurance, the mob moved on to a local house-store which is also used for Sunday worship.  Before the crowd arrived, however, the worshippers had left and the owner had locked the building.  The protestors warned the security guard they would return if the building was used for worship again.

Because of difficulties in gaining permission for constructing buildings to hold church services in Indonesia, many Christians gather in homes for worship.  Muslim militants have been putting significant pressure on the government and on local Christians in recent months to stop these gatherings.

Pray that Indonesian Christians will not become weary in carrying on the work of the Lord, knowing that their faithfulness will result in the furtherance of God's kingdom (Galatians 6:9,10). Pray that the church leaders will have the Holy Spirit's wisdom in the midst of ongoing harassment.

For more information on persecution of Christians in Indonesia, click here.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Hundreds of Protestors Oppose Church Construction
    A street is lined with buildings and trees.
    Bulukumba Regency
    Photo: Wikimedia / Midori (cc)

    As the church in Indonesia continues to grow, opposition to the construction of various worship facilities remains a major challenge. One Catholic church in the Bulukumba Regency of South Sulawesi has been waiting for 45 years to receive a building permit. Although the congregation was initially granted permission in 1980, their permit was revoked following public protests. Since then, members of the church have attempted to secure approval for multiple locations, but each application has been met with rejection.

  • Young Boy Dies Following Tragic Bullying Incident
    A young boy is walking down a path surrounded by dense greenery. He is mostly silhouetted by the sunset shining between the trees.
     

    An eight-year-old boy, referred to as "KB" in Indonesia's local news reports, tragically died following a severe beating he received from a group of older male students at a school in Pangkalan Kasai, a village located within the province of Riau. According to various sources, the incident occurred because the boy was a Christian and belonged to a different ethnic group.