By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
JAKARTA (Worthy News) - Lutheran Christians on the outskirts of Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, faced eviction from their church on Sunday, but their supporters told Worthy News they have appealed for prayers as they want to maintain a presence in this area of the world’s most populous Muslim nation.
Local authorities demand that the HKI Juanda Church in Depok city in Indonesia’s West Java province closes down “due to its proximity to the Indonesian International Islamic University,” Worthy News learned.
However, the move is controversial as Christians have been worshiping there “for nine years,” confirmed the advocacy group Voice Of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC).
VOMC told Worthy News that the university took over the property of the neighboring land after it was founded in September 2021.
In comments shared with Worthy News, an elder from the church proclaimed: "We aspire to remain here despite our lack of power. With the collective prayers of our friends, we hold onto hope."
The HKI Juanda Church has its roots in the Indonesian Christian Church (Huria Kristen Indonesia, HKI), a Lutheran denomination that grew out of the Rhenish Missionary Society from Germany.
Christians told Worthy News that European missionaries were vital in establishing churches before Indonesia’s recognized independence from the Netherlands in December 1949.
NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE
“As negotiations over the land dispute continue, pray that God will intervene in the ongoing hearings so that a peaceful, amicable solution will be attained,” VOMC added in a prayer appeal.
“Amid this difficult situation, may the members of the HKI Juanda Church serve as effective testimonies of the Lord's love, peace, and saving grace to the opposing university officials.”
VOMC said that the standoff comes at a time of growing concerns about devoted Christians in Indonesia. “In general, please pray on behalf of all churches throughout Indonesia that are encountering various challenges due to opposition from their local authorities.”
It was crucial to “ask God to grant the leaders and members of these congregations needed wisdom, guidance, and strength,” VOMC said.
In September, Pope Francis was due to visit Indonesia, but it remains unclear whether the pontiff will raise concerns about the plight of non-Catholics in the country.
Religious Christians comprise up to 11 percent of Indonesia’s mainly Muslim population of roughly 282 million people, according to estimates by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Evangelists and Christian leaders have told Worthy News the actual figure of “born-again Christians,” people who choose to follow Christ regardless of religious background, is higher.“Among them are many who appear as Muslims on the outside to avoid persecution” from their families or authorities, they said.