Churches Stopped from Holding Services

For the past several months, militant Muslims have been conducting a campaign against churches in parts of Indonesia by attempting to force them to stop holding services. On May 2, Compass Direct released information on three additional churches that were forced to cease holding services.

St. Clara Catholic Church in the North Bekasi district of West Java province, whose building is presently under construction, planned to hold Good Friday services in a tent on the property.  However, a militant Muslim group threatened the church and police asked that the services be cancelled.  The church was forced to hold the services some distance away, while a large mob armed with knives arrived at the original location to ensure that the services were not being held.

On April 17, approximately 150 people met with leaders of the Shining Christian Church in West Semper, North Jakarta to protest services being held in their community.  They presented a letter from West Semper authorities requesting the church to cease their activities even though the church is officially registered.  The neighbours threatened to call on two militant groups to close down the church if they did not permanently cease operations.

A mob of approximately 500 Muslims also forced the Ciledug Catholic church in Tangerang province to cease services.  Local officials had given permission to the church to hold services in the residential building but the official building permit was still being processed.  The 3000 church members are temporarily meeting in a rented office block. Church members noted that many of the protestors did not even live in the immediate vicinity of the church.

Pray that these and other churches facing pressure to close will have wisdom as they face their oppressors.  Pray that the Indonesian authorities will support these churches as they seek to meet together to worship.

For more information on the persecution facing 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

  • 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.