Indonesia is a string of 17,000 islands, which stretches between Thailand and the northern tip of Australia in the Indian Ocean.

Current issues include: alleviating poverty, preventing terrorism, consolidating democracy after four decades of authoritarianism, implementing financial sector reforms, stemming corruption, and holding the military and police accountable for human rights violations.

Indonesia is troubled by deep racial divides and the situation recently worsened in the north of Sumatra where the circumstances for Christians and Christian organizations has become precarious. There are 170 million Muslims compared to the 30 million Christian minority in Indonesia. Whilst there is a large Christian population, they are systematically and socially discriminated against. Many Christians are in jail under false or unlawful charges.

Everyone must choose to follow one of five recognized religions: Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Christian.

There are strong movements for independence in many of the islands, particularly in East Timor (Timor Lorosae).

The country was badly affected by the Asian economic crisis in 1997; nearly half the population now live under the poverty line. Indonesia is plagued by natural disasters. The 2004 tsunami had greatest impact on Indonesia particularly in the northern hostile region of Acech. 45,000 children were killed in Indonesia alone. Estimates show that 417,124 displaced people, 55 percent of them children, are still living in temporary shelters and camps.

Tens of thousands of people, who used to believe in animism, worshipping and sacrificing to spirits, have become Christians. Over 50% of Chinese Indonesians now follow Jesus. Throughout the ‘90s persecution against Christians united the church and gave birth to a growing passion for prayer.

At least 30 % of Indonesia’s 1.5 million students are Christians.

Tens of thousands of people, who used to believe in animism, worshipping and sacrificing to spirits, have become Christians. Over 50% of Chinese Indonesians now follow Jesus.

Throughout the ‘90s persecution against Christians united the church and gave birth to a growing passion for prayer.

Please pray for the church in Indonesia

Indonesian Christians are committed to spreading the gospel across the whole of their nation. Pray that God would resource their vision to see people hearing the gospel in every village on every island.

Sumatra, Indonesia’s largest island is the largest unevangelised island in the world. More than 25 million people there have never heard about Jesus.

The cities of Jakarta and Surabaya are key cities in reaching the rest of Indonesia. The capital, Jakarta has at least 1,000 churches and thousands of cell groups. Pray that the lives of Christians in these cities will be able to spiritually impact their whole country.

Pray that churches and key Christian agencies will be able to provide solutions for post-tsunami issues and the widespread poverty.