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Indonesia

• Church bombed in Central Java

  Government sent bulldozers to destroy church buildings in Indonesia’s Tangerang county in 2005.

  On Sunday, September 25, a suicide bomber detonated eight pipe bombs by the main door of the Bethel Full Gospel Church in Solo, Central Java as worshippers were leaving the morning service. Over 20 believers were injured, one of whom later died in hospital. The bomber was reportedly a member of an Islamist militant cell in Cirebon, West Java. Security has been heightened and police will now screen all church visitors. The following day, police found a similar bomb outside the Maranatha Church in Ambon city, on the island of Ambon.

  With a lack of will on the part of the government, extremism has constantly grown in Indonesia since the fall of the authoritarian President Suharto in 1999, who kept radical groups under control.

  Please pray for healing for those injured. Pray for God's comfort for those grieving. Pray the Lord will give wisdom to the church leaders to know how to comfort their church members. Pray against further unrest in this nation.

  To learn more about the persecuted Church in Indonesia, go to the Indonesia Country Report.

• Mission training school attacked

  A training school like this one was recently attacked.

  A mission training school was recently attacked by a mob of Muslims following a prayer meeting in Jonggol, West Java, Indonesia. Approximately 85 Muslims rushed into the school and raided each class and dorm room, removing pictures of Jesus. They told the staff that the school must be closed. No students were on the premises, as school was not in session that day. Several police officers and soldiers accompanied the mob from a nearby military base and neighbours did not recognize them as locals. The school, which was established in 1999 with the purpose of training evangelists in Indonesia, has reportedly always maintained a good relationship with its neighbours. At last report, mission leaders said that they were attempting to follow up on the incident in the hopes of helping to prevent further violence. The leaders also urged Indonesian Christians not to retaliate, but to remain calm and to pray.

  Pray that God will touch the hearts of the attackers, leading them to repent and recognize Christ as Lord. Pray that a spirit of trust and peace will govern the hearts of Indonesian Christians and guard them against fear. Pray that Christians in Indonesia will be a bold testimony of Christ's love to those around them.

  To learn more about the trials facing Indonesia's Christians, go to theIndonesia Country Report.

• Angry Muslim crowd attacks churches

  

  More than 1,000 Muslim protesters stormed a courthouse and burned churches in central Java, Indonesia, on February 8. The attacks in Temanggung happened after Antonius Richmond Bawengan, a Christian man, was sentenced to five years in jail for distributing leaflets deemed insulting to Islam. BBC News reported that Indonesian police said the crowd considered the sentence too lenient and were demanding the death penalty. A police spokesperson told BBC that the angry crowd began attacking the court building after the verdict was read.

  At least three church buildings were vandalised. Indonesia Bethel Church was set ablaze. Part of the school building inside the church's property was burned, along with six motorbikes. Arsonists also burned Temanggung Pentecost Church. The extent of the damage has not yet been reported. Santo Petrus Catholic Church and Santo Paulus Catholic Church received damage to their doors and windows as the mob threw stones at them.

  In early October 2010, Antionius handed out books and tracts with writings that are considered an insult to Muslims. He was arrested on October 26. He was found guilty of violating the Criminal Code on insulting Islam and received the maximum sentence for the offense -- five years in jail.

  Pray for the Lord's protection to be upon this Christian man while he is in prison. Thank the Lord for his efforts in spreading the gospel. Pray he will have opportunities to be a witness for Christ even while in prison. Pray the Christian population in Indonesia continues to grow and unite in their love for Christ.

  Learn more about the trials facing Christians in Indonesia at theIndonesia Country Report.

• Police, Islamists put up obstacles to worship

  Police try to restrain protestors at a GKI Yamin Christmas night service in Bogor, West Java Photo from Compass Direct

  During the Christmas season, government officials in West Java province, Indonesia, blocked church members from worshipping in one church, and Islamic groups pressured authorities to seize the property of another.

  The Bogor Regency Administrative Leadership Council was unsuccessful in keeping Gereja Kristen Indonesia (Indonesian Christian Church, or GKI) in Bogor's Taman Yasmin area from holding a December 25 service, but authorities did prevent its regular Sunday service on December 26.

  GKI spokesperson Bona Sigalingging said police telephoned church leaders to forbid Christmas services that were to begin at 7 p.m. on December 25. The church worshipped anyway, with nearby demonstrators screaming, "Allahu akbar [God is greater]!" and "Break it up!" However, authorities blocked church members from worshipping the next morning.

  Islamic demonstrators in Rancaekek, Bandung, got police to remove items such as pews from a Huria Kristan Batak Protestant church building on December 19. That church had already been sealed.

  Thank the Lord for the faithfulness of Indonesian Christians who continue to meet together in spite of severe opposition. Pray they will be greatly encouraged by seeing the Lord's hand at work in continuing to strengthen the church and add to its numbers.

  You can read more about the persecution Christians face in Indonesia by visiting theIndonesia Country Report.

• House churches forcibly closed

  Seven house churches were forcibly closed down in West Java, Indonesia, due to local Muslims' objections to the buildings being used for "illegal church meetings."

  On December 12, between 200 and 300 Muslim militants from hardliner groups such as the Islam Protector Front (FPI), Moslem Forum (FUI) and the Islamic Reformation Movement (Garis) gathered outside seven houses and performed sudden inspections of the buildings.

  The house churches were being used by members of the Protestant Batak Christian Huria Church. The militants said the buildings could not be used for Christian worship services and told the congregation to meet elsewhere.

  The police high commissioner adjutant, Hendro Pandowo, denied the news, saying the Muslim fundamentalists raided some churches. The security troops of Bandung city were following up on that report by sealing the seven house churches.

  The owners of the houses were told they could remain in their homes but were forbidden from opening their homes for Christian worship services.

  Ask God to use this ordeal to strengthen the members of this church. Pray that they will demonstrate Christ's love to those who oppose them and that their faith will be a light which helps lead others to the Lord. Pray that Indonesian Christians suffering for Christ will keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere in their faith and not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 10:32-39; 12:1-3).

  You can find out more about the trials facing Indonesian followers of Christ at theIndonesia Country Report.

• Islamic groups aim to close church

  

  Muslims are reportedly attempting to stop a church from holding worship services in West Java, Indonesia. Earlier this month, on November 7, more than 50 Muslims gathered outside a multipurpose building in Karask village where members of The King of Glory Church were gathered for a Sunday worship service. The Muslims chanted "Allah akbar" (God is great) and demanded that the meeting be put to an end because the building was not approved for worship services. The protest went on outside the church for more than an hour before the Muslims dispersed.

  Church permit applications are often stalled in Indonesian government offices, opening the way for Muslim groups to accuse them of worshipping without official permission. In this case, however, church leaders claim that they were given permission to worship by an official in 2005. One of the leaders reported that neither the building managers nor the church leaders have ever received a written complaint about the worship services. He also said that there was no regulation against using a multipurpose building for worship services.

  Pray that these believers will be free to worship in peace and without fear of violence from Islamic groups. Pray the Spirit of the Lord will guide and sustain Christians in West Java as they serve Him amid opposition. Pray that Indonesian authorities will take just and decisive action against those harassing Christians in the country.

  Stay informed on the persecution facing Indonesian believers by visiting the Country Report at theIndonesia Country Report.

• Update: Decree prohibiting church's activities revoked in Bekasi

  Recently injured Luspida Simanjuntak Photo from Compass Direct

  After months of conflict and legal battles, the State Administrative Court in Bandung, Indonesia has revoked the December 31, 2009 decree prohibiting the Christian activities of Batak Christian Protestant Filadelfia Church in Jejalan village, Bekasi. The ruling decreed that the regent of Bekasi should issue a permit for the church to establish a place of worship. The church has faced severe opposition in recent months, including recent violence in which two members were injured (click here for more information).

  Since 2008, the church members have sought permission for a place of worship from Bekasi Regent H. Sa'duddin. According to church leaders, Sa'duddin declined their request following pressure from a small group of Islamists called the Forum Islamic Ummah Jejalen Raya Bekasi. The church was temporarily closed for worship shortly afterwards on January 12, 2010. As a result, the church had been holding services on a strip of roadside land in front of the temporary site, using umbrellas to protect them from the intense heat of the sun and from sudden rainstorms. Reverend Palti Panjaitan has shared that he is happy that the church has found at last fair authorities who base their decisions on the rule of law. (Source: Compass Direct)

  Thank the Lord that officials acted fairly in this situation. Pray that other such justice will reign in instances of harassment and opposition against Indonesian Christians. Pray that Christ will equip Indonesian believers to follow His example of faithfulness amid persecution (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)

  For more on the persecuted Church in Indonesia, go to theIndonesia Country Report.

• Congregation attacked again in Bekasi

  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 theIndonesia Country Report.

• Church members injured in Bekasi

   

  Leaders of a church in West Java, Indonesia have demanded justice from police after an attack from Muslim protestors left at least a dozen people injured. As some 20 members of the Batak Christian Protestant Filadelfia Church in Bekasi gathered for Sunday worship on a church-owned plot of land in Ciketing on August 8, at least 300 members of the Islamic People's Forum (FUI) and the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) broke through a police barricade and ordered them to leave. When the church members refused, the protestors assaulted the group with sticks, stones and their bare hands. As many as 700 protestors reportedly took part in the attack on the congregation of 1,500 members. When church members decided to leave, the mob "hunted us down and hit us," a church leader said. Several church members required medical attention. The police chief, however, said he blamed the church members as he had warned them not to hold services in the area because they were disturbing residents. The church has filed charges against the FUI and FPI for assault and defiling a religion. (Source: Compass Direct)

  Please pray the Lord's healing hand will be upon those who were caught in the attacks. Pray these Christians will not have a spirit of fear but rather a spirit of faithfulness. May their conduct be a witness for the gospel. Pray that Christians will be granted the freedom to meet together to worship.

  Go to theIndonesia Country Report to find out more about the persecution of Indonesian Christians.

• Death threat and increasing opposition in Bekasi

  Photo from AsiaNews

  Christians in Bekasi, West Java have faced growing opposition in recent months from Muslims opposed to "Christianization." On July 5, a banner with the picture of a Christian man with a noose around his neck was hung on the front of a mosque in Bekasi, stating, "This man deserves the death penalty." The man, Andreas Sanau (29), is one of two men accused of organizing mass baptisms. The accusations came after busloads of poor villagers arrived at a Christian relief agency on June 30 as part of an outreach program. However, baptism is not a part of the program.

  Church services throughout the city have been repeatedly interrupted and Christians threatened. In June, the Bekasi Islamic Congress met and set up a "mission center" along with a youth army to oppose Christian efforts. There is also a push for sharia law in the region. (Sources: AsiaNews, Compass Direct)

  Pray for protection for Christians in Bekasi. Pray that the threats against Andreas will not be acted upon. Pray that the authorities will protect the Christians against opposition from militant Islamic groups.

  Go to theIndonesia Country Report for more details on the persecution of Christians in Indonesia.