INDONESIA -- Militant Muslims Destroy Church Building

On Dec. 17, a mob of nearly 1,000 Muslims attacked a church building under construction in Bekasi Regency, near Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, according to VOM Canada.

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Militant Muslims destroy church building in Indonesia

Destruction of the Church of Saint Albert Photo from AsiaNews

A mob of approximately 1,000 Muslims attacked a church building under construction in Bekasi Regency, near Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. At midnight on December 17, the Muslims arrived at the Church of Saint Albert, some on bikes and some on foot, and stormed into the building, carrying banners and tanks of kerosene. One witness reported hearing them shout, "Destroy ! Destroy it! Replace the church with mosque!" The Muslims damaged bricks, broke lights, uprooted newly planted trees and set the building on fire. No one was injured in the attack, but damage amounted to around 60 million rupees (approximately $6,700 CAD). Local Christians were planning to use the nearly completed building for a Christmas Mass service. Following the attack, a leader of the church's construction committee shared, "Even though our chapel was attacked we are not afraid. We will continue the construction of this chapel until its completion." (Sources: AsiaNews, Union of Catholic Asian News)

Pray that these believers will not be discouraged but continue to rest secure in the joy and provision of Christ. Pray for peace to reign in their hearts this Christmas. Pray that Indonesian Christians will be emboldened by the Holy Spirit to share the Truth of the Lord (Acts 1:8). You can post a prayer for Christians in Indonesia on our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.

For more information on trials facing believers in Indonesia, go to the Indonesia Country Report.

Watch the DVD Indonesia: Island Jihad and Be Encouraged by the Faith of Indonesian Believers

In this DVD, you will meet Christians like Adel and Methu, who were separated for 18 months after Adel was kidnapped by Muslims from a neighboring island. You will also meet Johannes, whose head was nearly severed and who now wants to be a missionary to his Islamic countrymen. You will hear firsthand accounts of overcoming faith from one of today’s most persecuted nations.
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Indonesians Responsive to Quake Relief

Baptist Press reports that Christian relief volunteers inIndonesia have found a surprisingly open audience. "And so, this is what He is up to on our island ... taking a tragedy and opening up a door for seeds to be planted," a Christian worker in Indonesia wrote following the magnitude 7.6 earthquake on Sept. 30. The worker, along with a team of 23 national believers and U.S. volunteers, took supplies to a remote village of nearly 3,500 people in Western Sumatra. The team held medical clinics and distributed tents, blankets, food and water. When they arrived in Indonesia, the volunteers were surprised by the friendly reception from villagers. Community leaders opened the mosque for their use. The village, previously a difficult place for Christian workers, joined the team in their prayers and openly talked about their experiences.

Indonesian Islamists Bully Villagers into Revoking Church Permit

Samuel Rionaldo

October 28, 2009

JAKARTA, Indonesia (CDN) -- The regent ofPurwakarta regency, West Java has revoked his decision to permit construction of a Catholic worship building in Cinanka village after Islamists threatened residents into withdrawing their approval of the project.

Dedi Mulyadi on Oct. 16 revoked the permit for construction of Catholic Church of Saint Mary after Islamists threatened some of the local residents whose approval is required by Indonesian law, the priest of the church told Compass.

"Those who had signed were continually terrorized by the FPI [Front Pembela Islam, or Islamic Defenders Front]," the Rev. Agustinus Made said. "They became so frightened that when they were called to a meeting by the Interfaith Communications Forum, many did not attend. Also, the members of the Interfaith Communications Forum and the Department of Religion were also terrorized by the FPI so that they were afraid to say that they agree to the church building."

The FPI also intimidated the regent, resulting in his revoking the building permit he himself had signed two years ago, Made said.

"Since the end of the Islamic month of fasting [Aug. 22], the FPI has staged repeated demonstrations in front of the regent's office demanding that the building permit forSanta Maria Church be rescinded," he added.

The 5,000-square meter residential lot had been zoned for a house of worship. Jaenal Arifin, head of the National Unity and Community Protection Purwakarta RegencyOffice, said Regent Mulyadi signed the Oct. 16 decree revoking the building permit.

A Joint Ministerial Decree promulgated in 1969 and revised in 2006 requires the permission of more than 60 neighbors and a permit from local authorities to establish a place of worship. The more than 60 local citizens giving their approval must provide photocopies of their identity cards.

The regency office's Arifin said that, after a review of a community survey taken by the Interfaith Communications Forum of Purwakarta Regency and the Purwakarta Regency Department of Religion, 15 citizens had withdrawn their support. Additionally, he said, the church had not secured permission from the block captain.

"Based upon the latest developments, only 45 citizens have agreed," Arifin said. "Therefore the requirement is not fulfilled."

The congregation of 1,000 people has been holding services in a warehouse belonging to a steel factory located far from the proposed building site. The church has been worshipping in the warehouse since 2002.

With the revocation of the building permit, the church is also in danger of losing its place of worship. There is fear, Made said, that a radical group will approach the owner of the warehouse to stop services there.

The church is preparing to bring a lawsuit in a West Java court, he said.

"We are building on land that was set aside [zoned] for a house of worship, and which we have purchased," Made said. "We demand that justice be firmly enforced.Intimidation by radical groups must cease."

Theology Students in Indonesia to be Evicted from Campground

Samuel Rionaldo

October 21, 2009

JAKARTA, Indonesia (CDN) -- Approximately 700 students from Arastamar Evangelical Theological Seminary (SETIA) are facing eviction at the end of the month from a campground where Muslim protestors drove them last year.

Education will end for students who have been living in 11 large tents and studying in the open air at Bumi Perkemahan Cibubur (BUPERTA) campground, many of them for more than a year. Hundreds of protestors shouting "Allahu-Akbar ["God is greater]" and brandishing machetes forced the evacuation of staff and students from the SETIA campus in Kampung Pulo village on July 26-27, 2008.

Urged on by announcements from a mosque loudspeaker to "drive out the unwanted neighbor" following a misunderstanding between students and local residents, the protestors also had sharpened bamboo and acid and injured at least 20 students, some seriously.

The Jakarta provincial government has ceased paying the rental fee of the campsite in East Jakarta, a bill that now totals 2.7 billion rupiahs (US$280,000), which camp officials said will result in the eviction of the students and the end of their studies at the end of the month.

At the beginning of the month, camp officials cut off electricity and water; as a result, the students have had to go 1,500 meters to bathe and use the toilet in the Cibubur marketplace. Additionally, several of the student tents were taken down. In spite of the conditions, sources said, the students have maintained their enthusiasm and no one has quit the school.

SETIA officials said camp management rejected their request for an extension.

"The electricity and the water were cut off after the Cibubur campground managers rejected Arastamar's request," said Yusuf Lifire, SETIA administrator.

Other students at the seminary have taken temporary shelter in the other parts of greater Jakarta. Those living quarters, however, are so overcrowded that some of the students have become ill.

Umar Lubis, head of BUPERTA campground, said camp officials have provided the students great leeway and shown great tolerance in the year that rent has not been paid.

"We have provided water, electricity, and other facilities," Lubis told Compass. "However, Jakarta Province has not paid us campground rental since October 2008. The government did pay 700 million rupiahs , but that only covered the rental fees through September 2008."

Muhayat, area secretary of Jakarta Province who goes by a single name, told Compass that beginning in October 2008, the provincial government was no longer responsible for campsite rental for the SETIA students. The provincial government made this decision, he said, because the seminary refused to move to Jonggol,Bogor, West Java, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the old campus.

"We offered to move them to Jonggol, but Arastamar took a hard line and wanted to be in Jakarta," Muhayat said.

The Rev. Matheus Mangentang, rector of SETIA, said that they refused to move to Jonggol because their school permit was for Jakarta.

"If we moved to Jonggol, we would have to get a new permit," Mangentang told Compass. "We suspect that this would be an extremely difficult process."

Illness Strikes

Many students are suffering from respiratory and other illnesses, and some have breast cancer. The sick are being cared for at the Christian University of Indonesiahospital.

One of the students living at the BUPERTA campground told Compass that many of the students had fever from mosquito bites.

"When it rains here, we sleep on water and mud," said a 21-year-old student who identified herself only as Siska. Her statements were echoed by a Christian education major named Ahasyweros.

"We struggle daily in a place like this - especially after our request was turned down," the student said. "We don't know where we are going to go. We hope that the Jakarta provincial government will have the heart to help us."

The staff and students were forced from their campus by a mob that claimed to be acting for the local citizens of Pulo Kampung, Makasar District, East Jakarta last year. Key among motives for the attack was that area Muslims felt "disturbed" by the presence of the Christian college. They wanted it to be moved to another area.

The approximately 1,300 seminary students were placed in three locations: 760 at the BUPERTA campground, 330 at the Kalimalang Transit Lodge, and 220 at the former office of the mayor of West Jakarta.

The fate of the students at all locations was similar; they were overcrowded and short on water, and overall facilities were substandard.

Jakarta Vice-Gov. Prijanto, who goes by a single name, had promised to find a solution. He had also stated that the government was ready to help and would pay for thestudents' room and board, but this has not been the case.

Mangentang said he continues to hope for good will from the Jakarta government, which he said should return the school to its original site in Pulo Kampung.

"Even if there is talk in the provincial government that the locals don't accept us, we still want to go back," he said. "After we are back, then we would be prepared to talk and negotiate about the future. Healthy discussions are not possible if we are not back in our own home. If we tried to talk now, while we are trampled upon and pressured, nothing healthy would result. It is better that we return to our own place so that we can talk at the same level."

Two Indonesian Churches Receive Bomb Threats

Compass Direct News reports that two churches in the greater Jakarta area have received bomb threats. In East Jakarta, the pastor of a Batak Protestant Christian Church received a threatening phone call before Sunday services on Oct. 4. The church building is located near the headquarters of an elite police corps. The unknown caller to the Rev. Abidan Simanungkalit's cell phone said the bomb would explode during the morning worship service. The pastor immediately called police, who discovered a fake bomb hidden in the back of the church. In the north of Jakarta, a church leader of a BethelIndonesia congregation received a similar threat the previous day, Oct. 3. Police did not find any explosives during their search. Officers speculated that the caller was unable to construct a real bomb but wanted to publicize a threat.

Christian Relief Groups Tread Carefully in Indonesia

Russ Jones

October 8, 2009

It is a centuries-old debate, dating back at least to the 16^th century when the Jesuits and Franciscans argued over the best means for religious groups to provide humanitarian aid. One side wants to turns a blind eye to the indigenous religions while the other seeks to take advantage of the crisis to spread its message, typically the Christian Gospel message of Jesus Christ.

Christian relief agencies are now faced with this longstanding debate as they attempt to help victims impacted by two massive earthquakes that crushed western Indonesia last week.

Humanitarian groups such World Vision, Samaritan's Purse, Open Doors and World Help all have teams on the ground in the aftermath of the earthquakes, which measured 7.6 and 6.6 magnitude. World Help, a Christian relief agency headquartered in Forest, Virginia, reports that more than 700 were killed in Indonesia. More than one thousand people are still missing.

As the death toll continues to rise, Christian relief agencies face steep challenges as they try to meet the demands of several natural disasters throughout Indonesia. One of these challenges is balancing faithfulness to the Great Commission and humanitarian aid.

In 2004 the largest tsunami in history tore through theIndian Ocean, killing tens of thousands in its path. Christian groups and private relief organizations sprang into action, but then were asked to cease their work in the ravaged Indonesian province of Aceh. Government officials accused some relief groups like Samaritan's Purse for targeting Muslims for conversion.

The recent disasters in Indonesia have opened the nation to accept at least aid from Christians and Christian nations, and perhaps an opportunity for sharing theGospel of Christ.

Relief agency executives, however, say a balance is necessary when working in areas that may impose religious restrictions.

"It isn't necessarily helpful when a ministry spokesperson gets on television and spouts off about the Gospel," said Rusty Goodwin, Director of Communication for World Help. "Sometimes you have to work in stealth mode and be sensitive to the culture - to achieve long term success."

This "stealth mode" strategy could have come from lessons learned during the 2005 tsunami when World Help sought to adopt some 300 Muslim tsunami orphans. That plan was apparently abandon due to strong opposition and influence from the Islamic government.

Since 1991, World Help has served over 60 countries through its four pillars of ministry: child advocacy, humanitarian aid, bible distribution, and church planting.

"We have partners throughout the world," said Humanitarian Aid Director of World Help, Jesse West. "We support our partners with finances and relief aid. The need is more urgent during a disaster."

Indonesia has the largest population of Muslims in the world. Christians make up about eight percent of Indonesia's population of 230 million.

The country generally regards as a moderate variant of Islam, but has seen an increase of more radical Islamist entities in recent years. Recently Christians have expressed concern over new sharia-based laws passed in the Aceh province of Indonesia. The law now allows stoning to death for women caught in adultery.

According to Agence-French Press (AFP) the law, passed by lawmakers in the northern region of Sumatra Island, also allows punishments of up to 400 lashes for child rape, 100 lashes for homosexual acts and 60 lashes for gambling.

At times, the country's Christian minority has also found its religious freedom curtailed by the government, according to Compass Direct News. Just before the most recent earthquakes, Islamic organizations pressured officials to close a house church where Christians met, while other government measures have prevented the congregation from building their own church.

It's no wonder Christian relief organizations are cautious in their approach. Strict conversion laws are a growing trend of religious intolerance which can threaten disaster relief efforts in South Asia.

When governments such as the Sri Lankan Parliamentintroduce bills that would silence religious expression and criminalize conversions, new strategies are warranted. The bill, which was introduced in April, would subject faith-based aid providers to up to seven years in prison if accused of "attempted conversion" for aiding the needy while retaining their religious identities. The bill would subject those who rushed to help after disasters like theIndian Ocean tsunami to the same penalties.

Christians in Sri Lanka say elements of the bill allow vast leeway in interpretation and could result in the criminalization of most Christian activity aimed at helping the poor.

Gospel for Asia missionaries work throughout Sri Lanka. They minister to people, whose lives have been battered by a 26-year-old civil war and numerous natural catastrophes, including floods and a tsunami.

Daniel Punnose, Vice President of Gospel for Asia, says while they have no confirmed reports of religious restrictions in parts of India where they are providing relief efforts, Christian humanitarian aid often brings a change of heart.

"Any time we do relief work and people receive help - they sometimes chose to follow Christ," said Punnose. "It does stir up persecution. It is mostly out of fear because they don't understand. But the Lord promised that persecution would come as part of the price of preaching the Gospel."

Ignacio Leon, the head of the U.N.'s humanitarian agency in Indonesia, told the Associated Press that the focus has now shifted away from finding survivors and "we are supporting the government now more in the relief side."

Indonesian Christians ordered to stop worshipping in home

Pastor Bedali Hulu and his church Photos from Compass Direct

After several weeks of pressure and intimidation, members of the Jakarta Christian Baptist Church have been ordered by officials to cease worshipping in the home of Pastor Bedali Hulu, according to an October 5 report from Compass Direct. The officials were reportedly pressured to make the order by the Islamic Defenders Front, the Betawi Forum Group and members of the political party Hizbut Tahrir. On September 13, hundreds of Muslims barged into Pastor Hulu's home and forced the believers to leave. Several days later, a church-owned vehicle was burned in the pastor's driveway. A large crowd again surrounded the home on September 27, demanding that the worship service be stopped.

Pastor Hulu established and registered his church with Religious Affairs authorities in 2005 and obtained written permission from a local official to hold the services. However, in 2006 a Joint Ministerial Decree was revised, insisting congregations be composed of at least 90 adult members, demanding permission from at least 60 adult neighbours and requiring a permit from local authorities. According to local Christians, it is nearly impossible to meet all of these terms to qualify for a permit.

Ask God to use this ordeal to strengthen the members of this church. Pray that they will keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere in their faith and not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 10:32-39; 12:1-3).

To find out more about the suffering of Indonesian believers, please visit the Indonesia Country Report.

Aviation Ministry Responds to Indonesian Earthquakes

Christian Newswire reports that Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) has flown in an assessment team to the devastated city of Padang, Indonesia, to help respond to the massive earthquake damage. The quake hit Sept. 30, destroying hundreds of buildings and homes, triggering landslides, knocking out power and cutting off roads into the city of approximately 900,000 people. Amid the fires and flooding, thousands will probably die. Relief agencies are relying on MAF and other groups in a desperate race against time. MAF currently has two aircraft and three expatriate pilots in Sumatra, and is basing operations from Pekan Baru to the epicenter. The group is coordinating efforts with operation Blessing International (OBI) and flying in OBI relief teams. "We are working primarily with OBI," said Stan Unruh, the MAF country director in Sumatra, "but the phone is ringing off the hook with requests from the Red Cross and others."

Quakes rock Indonesia: Food, water, shelter desperately needed

It had been hours when they pulled her out . . .

Rescuers and survivors clawed at the rubble. Sometimes with shovels, sometimes with their bare hands. Schools are supposed to provide shelter when disaster strikes

. . . not come crashing down on helpless children.

After two powerful earthquakes, Pandang, Indonesia is a city of rubble. In the next hours and days it will only get worse. Food, water, medical supplies and other essentials are running out.

Campus Crusade for Christ is responding through their humanitarian relief arm, Global Aid Network, who is working with partners on the ground.

Each $7 you send will bring food, water, medical supplies, and other essentials to one person devastated by this tragedy.

Nisrina was taking an English exam when the floor started rolling . . .

Read her story

Yours in Christ,

Steve Sellers

Vice President of the Americas

Campus Crusade For Christ International

P.S. Immediate action is required. If vital aid doesn't arrive within two weeks, deaths among survivors will exceed those killed in the actual earthquakes.

Death Toll Rises in Indonesian Quake, American Samoa

The Los Angeles Times reports that the death toll from back-to-back earthquakes in Indonesia is still climbing sharply. At least 777 people have been confirmed dead. "Let's be prepared for the worst," Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said in the capital, Jakarta, before boarding a flight for Padang, where powerful earthquakes hit on Wednesday and Thursday. Meanwhile, Baptist Press reports that North American Mission Board relief efforts in American Samoa have been delayed since the group's base on the islands was washed away. The islands suffered four devastating waves from an earthquake-induced tsunami. At least 100 people were killed by the 15 to 20 feet high waves. "We're looking at setting up the kitchen and a disaster response staging area at a school near Pago Pago," NAMB disaster relief coordinator Bruce Poss.

Indonesian Church Wins Legal Battle for Worship Building

Compass Direct News reports that Christians have won a court battle restoring the right to worship in their building in Depok City, West Java. Depok Mayor Nur Mahmudi Ismail had revoked the building permit for a multipurpose building and house of worship for Gereja Huria Kristen Batak Protestan (HKBP) church in March, when Muslims protested the construction. A Bandung court rescinded his order on Sept. 17, paving the way for congregants to resume worship there. Head Judge A. Syaifullah read the decision of the three-judge panel, which found the mayor's reasoning for canceling the building permit inadequate. "These objections by the local residents should have been raised when the building permit was going through the approval process, not protesting afterwards," said Syaifullah. "In this case, the revocation of the building permit was based upon the objections of one group in the community without considering those from the church," he said.

Christians Call for Rejection of Sharia-Based Bills in Indonesia

Samuel Rionaldo

August 20, 2009

JAKARTA (Compass Direct News) -- The Indonesian Council of Churches (PGI) has called for the rejection of two bills inspired by sharia (Islamic law).

The Halal Product Guarantee Bill and the Zakat Obligatory Alms Management Bill, both under consideration in the Indonesian parliament, cater to the needs of one religious group at the expense of others, violating Indonesia's policy of pancasila or religious tolerance, said the Rev. Dr. A.A. Yewangoe, director of the PGI.

"National laws must be impartial and inclusive," Yewangoe told Compass. "Since all laws are binding on all of the Indonesian people, they must be objective. Otherwise discrimination will result ... The state has a duty to guard the rights of all its citizens, including freedom of religion."

Dr. Lodewijk Gultom, head of PGI's Law and Human Rights Department, pointed out that according to regulations on the formation of proposed laws, a bill cannot discriminate against any group of citizens. But the Halal product bill several times mentions sharia, as if Indonesia were an exclusively Muslim state, he said.

"If this bill is enforced, it will cause other religions to demand specific rights, and our sense of unity and common destiny will be lost," Gultom said.

Gultom also said the bills were an attempt to resurrect theJakarta Charter, a statement incorporated into Indonesia's constitution in 1945 before it was quickly withdrawn. It declared that the newly-created state would be based on a belief in the one supreme God "with the obligation to live according to Islamic law for Muslims."

Public opinion on the Jakarta Charter remains sharply divided, with some insisting that Islamic law is warranted because of the country's Muslim majority, while others believe its implementation would disturb national unity.

Two members of Parliament, Constant Pongawa and Tiurlan Hutagaol, both from the Prosperous Peace Party, have requested the withdrawal of the Halal and Zakat bills to avoid creating conflict between Muslims and other religious groups.

"These bills are a step backward and will lead to the isolation of different religions," agreed Ronald Naibaho, head of the North Sumatran chapter of the Indonesian Christian Youth Movement.

National church leaders have requested a meeting withPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to discuss the impact of these bills and a number of other discriminatory laws being applied at provincial levels across the country.

Church, Orphanage Closed

Muslim groups, meantime, recently moved to close more Christian institutions.

On July 21, following complaints from community groups, police forcibly dismantled a church in West Java on grounds that it did not have a building permit, while similar groups in East Java successfully lobbied for the closure of a Catholic orphanage claiming that it planned to "Christianize" local children.

Police in Bogor district, West Java, dismantled the temporary bamboo structure erected by the Huria Kristen Batak Protestan church in Parung Panjang on July 21. Church leaders insist that the church had long ago applied for a building permit that was not granted even though they had met all requirements, including obtaining permission from the Bogor Interfaith Harmony Forum.

"There are 234 buildings in Parung Panjang that lack building permits, including a mosque," church elder Walman Nainggolan told Compass. "Why was our house of worship singled out?"

The church has filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia. Commissioner Johny Nelson Simanjuntak agreed to clarify the status of the church building permit with local officials and asked local police to permit peaceful worship as guaranteed by the constitution.

Separately, a group of Muslims lobbied for the closure of a Catholic orphanage for crippled children in Batu, in theMalang district of East Java, stating concern that the facility would become a covert vehicle for "Christianization." In response to demonstrations in front of the mayor's office in October 2008 and June 2009 and complaints from 10 different Muslim religious and community organizations, Batu Mayor Eddy Rumpoko on June 19 rescinded a building permit issued to the Catholic Bhakti Luhur Foundation and ordered that construction cease immediately.

The foundation operates 41 orphanages serving approximately 700 children with special needs.

"We are greatly saddened by this action," the Rev. Laurentius Heru Susanto, a local vicar, told Compass. "The home was meant to serve the people. There was no other purpose."