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Indonesia

  • Churches Face Pressure to Close; Priest Killed

    Along with the challenges facing Indonesia after the December 26 tsunami, Christians in Indonesia are continuing to be confronted with difficulties in this predominantly Muslim nation.

    According to VOM sources in Indonesia, three new churches have been threatened with closure when the head of the North Grogol community where they are located accused the churches of disturbing the community, as well as meeting illegally in business buildings.

    The three churches, Abraham Camp Church (GKA), Bellezza Indonesia Bethel Church (GBI) and GKRI Karmel, confirmed that the meeting halls could be used for business or other purposes, including religious meetings.  The pastor of the GKA church, K.A.M. Jusufroni, is firm that the church will continue to meet.  They have a legal certificate from the Religion Department, authorizing them to meet. "Nothing can stop Christians to worship God," he said.

    In a separate incident, a priest in Purworejo in Central Java, Thomas Harsidiyono (50), was found dead in a church retreat compound on January 14 with massive head wounds.  Despite the string of attacks against Christians in various areas of Indonesia, the provincial police chief said that the attack was "probably" robbery.  However, police have frequently downplayed incidents of violence against Christians.

    Pray for these churches facing possible closure, as well as the parishioners dealing with the loss of Fr. Harsidiyono.

    For more information on the difficulties facing Christians in Indonesia,click here.
  • Pastor Seriously Wounded in Machete Attack

    Despite a massive police presence to prevent violence against Christians during the Christmas season, a pastor and companion were seriously wounded in a machete attack in Poso in Central Sulawesi on Christmas Eve. Reverend Jemri Tambalino was riding a motorcycle when he was attacked by a machete-wielding mob. He suffered deep wounds to his neck and face. A friend with him sustained injuries to his hand. This attack took place despite 180,000 police and military personnel on alert to prevent a repeat of the violence around Christmas time seen in previous years.

    Pray that Pastor Tambalino will fully recover from this attack. Pray for his attackers, that they will come to experience the grace and love of Jesus Christ.

    For more information on persecution of Christians in Indonesia,click here.
  • Christmas Celebration Forbidden

    A small group of believers in the village of Bandengan in Cirebon , West Java was refused permission to celebrate Christmas on December 15, despite earlier assurances that they would be allowed to do so.  For the past three years, Christian workers have been holding services in the village.  At present, there are ten believers in this predominantly Muslim community.  The day before the planned Christmas celebration, police informed the pastor that all regular religious services were to cease immediately.

    Bintijaya (61) Injured in Bomb Attack in Palu, December 12, 2004
    In recent weeks, several churches in West Java have been forced to close.  Last week, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on a coordinated attack of two churches in Palu, along with fears of increased violence during the Christmas season.  Photographs of the attacks are now available (click here).

    For more information on persecution of Indonesian Christians,click here.
  • Churches Attacked Amidst Christmas Fears
    An explosion and the sound of gunfire shattered the quiet evening of December 12 in the Indonesian city of Palu. Two bombs exploded at the Immanuel Church, followed by gunfire at the Anugerah Church.

    According to VOM sources in Indonesia, the Sunday evening service at the Immanuel Church was just beginning when a bomb exploded beside the front door. Bintijaya, the church's 61-year-old security guard, was injured. A few seconds later, gunmen began firing through the front door of the Anugerah Church, located one kilometre away. Two members of the congregation, Rada Krisna (38) and Novri (17), were injured. The bullet that was intended for the pastor missed its mark.

    As the season approaches where the world remembers the coming of the Prince of Peace, many areas of the world, such as Indonesia, face a time of particular uncertainty and fear. Four years ago, eleven churches in Indonesia had to cope with a barrage bomb attacks. Nineteen believers lost their lives in those attacks. Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has called for increased protection for churches leading up to the Christmas season this year. According to CathNews, Palu's police chief, Nyoman Siswandi, as been dismissed for failure to provide protection needed on December 12.

    Pray for a full and quick recovery for those injured in these attacks. Pray that Christmas will be a time when Christians in Indonesia will be able to celebrate in peace.

    For more information on the trials facing Christians in Indonesia,click here.

    Immanuel Church
    Anugerah Church
  • Photos of Church Attacks in Palu December 12, 2004

    Anugerah Church, Attacked by Gunmen


    Pastor Arnold (Anugerah Church) Shows Bullet Holes


    Novri (17) Injured at Anugerah Church


    Rada Krisna (38) Injured at Anugerah Church

    Immanuel Church, Site of Bomb Attack


    Bintijaya (61) Security Guard Injured at Immanuel Church

    For more details on this coordinated attack against these two churches in Palu, Indonesia, click here.
  • Church Unable to Re-Open

    Earlier this month, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on the Nusantara Indonesia Christian Church in Karawang , Indonesia which was vandalized by a mob of around 500 people (click here for details).  On November 18, Compass Direct reported that the authorities have since closed the church.  Pastor Suhardi and his family are now living in temporary accommodations and the police are looking into whether there are grounds to close the church permanently.

    The types of problems facing the Nusantara Indonesia Christian Church also face other churches in primarily Muslim areas of Indonesia .  A recent survey published in The Jakarta Post reports that over forty percent of Muslim respondents do not agree with Christians conducting worship services in a neighborhood which is a majority Muslim.  At the same time, a majority of Muslims are opposed to the teachings and actions of militant Islamic groups involved in terrorist attacks.

    Pray for Christians in Indonesia , as they deal with the challenges of living in a predominantly Muslim country where religious violence has been common in recent years.  Pray for Pastor Suhardi and the congregation of the Nusantara Indonesia Christian Church as they consider their future ministry plans.

    For more information on the challenges Christians in Indonesia face,click here.
  • Church Warned to Stop Services

    An official letter has been sent to a church in South Margahayu Village in the Bandung region of West Java, Indonesia, warning them to stop meeting for worship services.  According to VOM sources in Indonesia , Pastor Beniyanto Sugihono was told in the letter that continuing services would be "insulting Muslims."  The local government is being pressured to take action to close the church.

    Pray for encouragement, strength and wisdom for Pastor Beni and his church, as they face this threat.

    For more information on the difficulties facing Christians in Indonesia ,click here.
  • Church Leader Released from Prison

    After more than two years in prison, The Voice of the Martyrs is pleased to announce the early release of Rev. Rinaldy Damanik from Palu Prison in Central Sulawesi on November 9.

    Despite the danger he may face from militant groups, Damanik is determined to continue serving the Indonesian Church .  He was recently elected president of his denomination.

    Pray for safety for Rev. Damanik.  Pray that he will continue to have a fruitful ministry, demonstrating the love, forgiveness and reconciliation of Christ to Christians and non-Christians alike.  We want to thank each of you who has prayed and written letters to, and on behalf of, Rev. Damanik.

    For more information on the challenges facing Christians in Indonesia ,click here.
  • Christian Found Beheaded

    On November 4, Carminalis Ndele, one of the leaders of Pinedapa village near Poso, was murdered by an unknown assailant.  His head was found the next day, severed and thrown from a car.  Inside the bag with his head was a note threatening to target the heads of one thousand Christians.  Later that afternoon, his body was found two kilometres from his home.  According to VOM sources, the situation in Pinadapa is tense, as the people fear for their lives.  Police have been unable to identify the murderer.

    Pray for peace and comfort for the Ndele's family, as well as the people of Pinedapa and the surrounding area.  Pray that the one responsible will be brought to justice. 

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in Indonesia ,click here.
  • Large Mob Vandalizes Church

    On the evening of Saturday, October 23, a group gathered in a home in Karawang, Indonesia for a choir rehearsal, in preparation for Christmas Eve. At around 9:00, a group of Muslims came to complain, annoyed by the music. According to VOM sources in Indonesia, nothing further happened that night.

    The next evening, a police officer came to the Nusantara Indonesia Christian Church and warned the pastor and his family to flee for their safety. After taking his family to the home of a church elder, the pastor returned fifteen minutes later to find approximately five hundred people surrounding the building and beginning to vandalize it. Again, he fled for his safety, but the destruction continued for two hours. As a result, the door and windows were damaged, the pews destroyed, and the sound system vandalized.

    The next day, representatives from the mob met with local authorities to discuss the closure of this church.

    Pray for this congregation and the pastor, as they assess their situation and look to the Lord for guidance. Pray for wisdom and strength to endure, despite such opposition. Pray for the protecting hand of the Lord on this ministry.

    For more information on the trials facing Christians in Indonesia,click here.

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