Indonesia (MNN) — The true patriotism of Indonesian Christians is rooted in biblical forgiveness and trust in God.
Imagine knowing the law protects your right to believe — yet leaving your home for a prayer meeting, only to have the gathering itself ransacked by an armed group. This is the reality many Indonesian Christians live in. Yet there is something that helps them continue loving their neighbors and walking forward in faith.
Pastor Yandi (left) strategizes with another pastor for effective gospel outreach across (photo courtesy of FMI)
Indonesian Christians have built a strong biblical mindset that helps them overcome struggles.
Bruce Allen from FMI says, “The Christians are true patriots. They love Indonesia. They’re very patriotic. Then they want to see their nation be introduced to Jesus as their Savior.”
Harmony holds great cultural significance, but religious differences frequently challenge this sense of unity among people. In some areas, Muslim neighbors oppose the building of churches, in others there is a regulation that requires all religions (including Christianity) to follow animistic traditions in worship services.
Christians understand that forgiveness can only be truly achieved by walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. They find solace in the faith of those who came before them. Allen explains, “The Bible is chock full of examples of people who have been oppressed for following the Lord, and yet how they stood firm, resolute.”
Allen says these examples remind believers that, “This is one of the ways we reflect Christ’s love in our communities — by living at peace with others.” These lessons are passed down through sermons and from parents to children.
This faith enables them to start new churches. So far, FMI and local believers plan to plant nine new congregations.
Allen concludes, “So we encourage the church planters, the disciple-makers that we partner with, to make sure that they are grounding the people in the truth of the Scriptures so that they know how to respond again.”
Pray for the courage of the local leaders to guide their congregations in reverence to God and trust in His will. Pray also for the church planters and their partners, that they may navigate the legal and social challenges needed to build houses of worship.
Indonesian holding a flag (photo courtesy of Dio Hasbi Saniskoro via Pexels)
