Source: www.vomusa.org
Date: September 14, 2026
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Indonesian Church Holds Service Despite Ban
You can make a gift to stand with Christians facing persecution from Islamic extremist groups.
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| In recent years, Islamic extremist groups in Indonesia have targeted churches with demonstrations, legal complaints and violence. Those who leave Islam to follow Christ pay a price — children are often disowned by their Muslim families, and Christians who actively share their faith face persecution from local governments and the community. On Christmas Eve in 2025, Muslim leaders insisted on an official ban and pressured a local pastor in the province of West Java to cancel his church’s planned holiday worship services. Religious and government leaders cited the potential for attacks from radical Islamist groups but could not identify a specific threat. While a public announcement was made that the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations were canceled, the 70-member church decided to continue their services as planned. “I was indeed under pressure,” said Pastor Irianto Budy, who added that his congregation has frequently received opposition and threats from Muslim groups. You can stand with Christians facing Islamic extremists in nations like Indonesia today. Your gift to support Christians persecuted by Islamists will help them respond to persecution events, meeting urgent needs for shelter, medical aid and spiritual encouragement when attacks take place and letting our brothers and sisters in Christ know they are not alone. This month, when you give to support Christians facing Islamic extremists, you can also receive the book I Am N for free as a special thank-you.
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