As Indonesian youth gathered for fellowship and teaching, an angry mob brought chaos and disruption.
In Indonesia, Christianity is permitted by law, yet gatherings often face obstacles. Bruce Allen from FMI recalls the recent attack on June 27:
“About two hundred residents of a neighborhood in West Java, Indonesia, stormed a private home where Christian youth had gathered for a retreat.”
They destroyed property and terrified attendees. The attack allegedly happened because the event was held in a place not officially designated for worship. Yet Muslim meetings outside mosques rarely face such concerns.
“So the Christians see a double standard at play, and that’s what disturbs them the most,” Allen explains.
There is strong evidence that the attack was intentional: the mob came with pre-made banners and seemed aware of the event’s nature. Police did not intervene, and the seven arrests made may lead nowhere.
Neighbors around the home reportedly tried earlier to persuade the owners not to use their residence for religious purposes. Allen adds, “They said it offends their sensibilities, and since the Muslims are the majority, in essence, you need to do what the Muslims say without them going so far.”
The community is still recovering from the attacks and needs our prayers for courage and wisdom on how to proceed.
Historically, West Java has been one of the most populated regions where Christians face difficulties worshiping openly.
While attacks remain isolated, bureaucratic hurdles add to the challenges. Indonesia, spread across over a thousand islands, strives to accommodate its diverse religions and communities. Allen says, “The goal is that the Indonesian authorities want there to be harmony, even though there’s such diversity in all these islands — that’s a very good goal.”
However, believers face disproportionate legal barriers. While building mosques is relatively easy, starting a church requires a congregation of at least ninety believers and sixty signatures from sometimes hostile Muslim neighbors. Often, this mission feels nearly impossible, as church planters have only a few members in the beginning, and their connections with local communities are unstable.
“It just shows that it’s very important to cultivate good relations with your neighbors in West Java,” says Allen. It requires love and forgiveness from believers, which often draws Muslim Indonesians to Christ.
FMI walks alongside believers in Indonesia, facilitating, mobilizing, and inspiring them amid hostility.
Pray for the courage of Indonesian believers, especially in West Java. Pray that as they long to grow in fellowship, God will grant them favor in the eyes of local Muslims to provide their signatures.
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This story originally appeared at Mission Network News and is republished here with permission.