Indonesia
Mission Personnel John Campbell-Nelson Professor at the Theological Faculty of Artha Wacana University and consultant to the Christian Evangelical Church of Timor and the Protestant Church in East Timor Carlos Madrazo Development worker with the GMIM Synod of the Evangelical Church in Indonesia Partners Artha Wacana Christian University Artha Wacana Christian University was formed in 1985 on the grounds of a closed theological seminary. All of their facilities were inherited from that institution. The structures are generally in poor condition. Five of the dormitories are not inhabitable at present, but are much needed as the student population is growing. To better accommodate the needs of the students, the University is planning to renovate the 5 dormitories and to build a new multifunction hall that can seat the whole student body of 600 (the current hall can only seat 200 persons). Church World Service – Indonesia CWS has assisted with disaster recovery efforts after large regional outbreaks of violence. Communion of Churches in Indonesia – PGI PGI is the largest organization of Christian Churches in Indonesia and is instrumental in addressing national issues as they relate to the Christian communities. PGI has initiated projects aimed at cultivating interfaith harmony and is dedicated to promoting the development of leadership skills in the churches throughout Indonesia. After the tsunami hit in December of 2004, PGI worked in cooperation with Church World Service and other Indonesian disaster relief programs to assist the people who were most impacted by loss of family, property, health and livelihood. Protestant Christian Church of Bali ΓÇô GKPB GKPB is an organization of the churches on the island of Bali. Evangelical Church of Sumba ΓÇô GKS Evangelical Church in Minihasa – Evangelical Church in Eastern Indonesia Gerega Protestan Indonesia LUWU (GPIL) GPIL has provided agricultural development support in a remote region that they believe has the potential to increase productivity and provide a better living for the farmers. In these projects they have (1) built bridges to make arable land more accessible; (2) developed a supply of manure to be used as fertilizer for crops; and (3) provided cacao and vanilla seed for planting. They are providing this assistance to congregations in Nasakke, Lebang, Lambara, Kerepansu, Tabarano and Kalaena. Protestant Church in South Sulawesi (GPSS) In May of 2002 GPSS and UCC-USA began an ecumenical partnership in which the UCC-USA has expressed a willingness to work closely with GPSS in facing the challenges to which they are called. The UCC-USA will benefit from sharing the challenges and the experiences of church development in a different social and cultural environment. Communion of Churches in Wilayah – PGIW PGIW is the organization of churches in Wilayah, a region of southwestern Sulawesi. Jakarta Theological Seminary A premier theological institution and a center for Christian Leadership Training in Indonesia. Duta Wacana Christian University, Jogiakarta Duta Wacana is both a University and a Theological School and is a center for training the future church leaders in Indonesia. The school serves approximately 2300 students in the areas of theology, engineering, economics and biology. Approximately 70% of the students are Christian University in Tomohon (UKIT) UKIT is a premier Satya Wacana Christian University A Christian Theological Institution on the Indonesian island of Bali. Theological Seminary of Kalimantan ΓÇô STT GKE STT GKE is a center for Christian Leadership Development in Indonesia. Theological Seminary of Eastern Indonesia ΓÇô STT INTIM STT INTIM is another center of Christian Leadership Development.
Indonesia is the fourth most populous nation in the world, with both the world’s largest Muslim population and largest number of Protestant Christians in Asia. The current economic crisis is affecting every Indonesian, causing further delays in access to clean water and health care, etc. Unemployment and food prices are rising, and this will mean that fewer children will go to school, violence caused by economic and political uncertainty will increase, and churches will continue to suffer for lack of resources.
Christian dialogue with Muslims, Hindus and indigenous faiths is an important part of the church’s ministry in all parts of Indonesia. Since 1998, misunderstanding, careless derisive comments, and criticism from one religious group against another have sparked riots, church and mosque burnings, and mass killings. Religious leaders have tried to encourage all sides to end the violence, and to enter into discussions through meetings, seminars, and workshops that will foster understanding among peoples of faith.
Pray for: Those affected by conflict, who have lost homes, family members, livelihood, and being part of a community. Pray that they hold on to hope, and that they will feel God’s presence in each other, and in those who give them comfort. May God open our eyes to the suffering of people whom we see only in pictures, but to whom we are connected through our common humanity, created in God’s image.
Church leaders in Indonesia, that they will keep building bridges among Christians in that region, and between Christians and their neighbors of other faiths. We pray for the spirit of unity and grace to work among the leaders of Indonesia as they build a truly democratic system of government which will bring peace and justice throughout the nation.
Population (2014 est) – 253,609,643
Area – 1,184,000mi
Capital – Jakarta
Ethnic Background
Javanese – 40.1%
Sundanese – 15.5%
Malay – 3.7%
Batak – 3.6%
Madurese – 3%
Betawi – 2.9%
Minangkabau – 2.7%
Buginese – 2.7%
Bantenese – 2%
Banjarese – 1.7%
Balinese – 1.7%
Acehnese – 1.4%
Dayak – 1.4%
Sasak – 1.3%
Chinese – 1.2%
Other – 15%
Exports – oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, textiles, rubber
Imports – machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs
Life Expectancy (2014 est) – M 70 years F 75 years
Infant Mortality (2014 est) – 25.16 deaths/1,000 live births
Adult Illiteracy Rate – 7.2%