Congregation attacked again in Bekasi

16 September 2010

Reverend Luspida Simanjuntak
Photo from Compass Direct

Members of the Batak Christian Protestant Filadelfia Church in Bekasi, Indonesia were attacked by a group of eight unknown assailants during a worship service on September 11. An elder, Asia Sihombing, was stabbed in the stomach. When Reverend Luspida Simanjuntak tried to come to his assistance, she was beaten with a stick and injured on her face, head and back. At last report, both of the believers were recovering in a local hospital.

In August, the congregation was victim to a similar attack by Muslim militants opposed to the members holding worship services on a church-owned plot of land (click here for more information). Reverend Luspida, however, insisted that they had a right to worship in the open and said that she would continue her mission without fear despite growing threats against Christians. The recent violence has intensified fears among Christians, human rights activists and many other Indonesians over the decline of religious freedom in the country. (Sources: AsiaNews, Jakarta Globe)

Pray for healing for Asia and Reverend Luspida. Pray that the assailants will be apprehended. Ask God to give these church members boldness and wisdom as they face difficult challenges because of their faith (Psalm 91, Isaiah 26:3).

For more on the persecution of Christians in Indonesia, go to the Indonesia Country Report.

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

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Christians Blocked from Worshipping

A church in Indonesia.
Photo: VOMC

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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...