Bruce Allen with FMI says the attackers incorrectly believed the prayer house was an unregistered church.

“Men armed with wooden sticks smashed the building’s windows even while women and children were still inside. Kids crying and screaming could be heard as they were forced out by the group. It was very terrorizing for them.”

Two children, ages 8 and 11, were injured by the attackers throwing objects. Police have arrested nine men in connection with the assault.

An Indonesian pastor hikes through a rainforest on the island of Borneo over a broken-down bridge to reach a ministry site. (Photo, caption courtesy of FMI)

The incident follows another attack on a Christian youth camp last month, raising concerns about the trend of anti-Christian violence in Indonesia.

While Indonesia officially recognizes Christianity and guarantees religious freedom in its constitution, believers often face harassment and discrimination in Muslim-majority regions.

Allen points out that Indonesia has appeared on Open Doors’ World Watch List for Christian persecution for years. “For the last couple of decades that I’ve been tracking, Indonesia has been on it,” he says. “Except this year, it did not make the top 50. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that things are improving in Indonesia. It could just mean that things got a lot worse in other countries and they had a worse score than Indonesia.”

Despite growing pressure, Indonesian Christians remain steadfast in their faith. Allen urges fellow believers to pray.

“Pray for that resilience and perseverance of the Christians — especially those young, tender students — that they would learn much from this experience that they endured. Pray for the Christians’ ability to forgive and to bless.”

Learn more about FMI’s ministry in Indonesia.

Header photo: Nestled in the rainforests of Sumatra, flanked by volcanoes, Christian churches and prayer houses continue to grow despite radical Muslim oppression. (Photo, caption courtesy of FMI)

I-Tec develops tools, technology, and training systems for indigenous God-followers to reach their own people with the Gospel of Christ through meeting their physical needs, according to I-Tec's Web site.

According to I-Tec's Facebook page, "Steve was conducting a test on a small aluminum airfoil mounted on a rolling test stand when it became unmounted and struck Steve in the head causing cuts to his head and resulting in whiplash. Currently, he has very limited movement capabilities in his arms and legs. Doctors suggest surgery in a few days to help relieve swelling around his spine. This accident was not Maverick Flying Car related, a car, or an aircraft accident."

The Maverick is a flying car Saint developed. It's fashioned after the paragliding technology. A mini car is suspended by a parachute, which is powered by a propeller in the rear of the car. The first Maverick is expected to be shipped to Australia this week where missionaries will be using it to reach the people in rural New Guinea.

Chief operating officer of I-Tec, Troy Townsend told Ocala.com that Saint had some feeling in his fingers and his toes. He says Saint may have surgery this week to relieve some of the pressure from his spine. One e-mail from I-Tec to supporters suggested, "This may end his career as a test pilot for the Maverick."

In the meantime, pray that Steve will regain all of the feeling in his limbs, and that he will fully recover.