Todd and Debbie Adams, Alliance international workers in Indonesia, have seen remarkable openness to the gospel in the Seinma area of Papua. Recently, 21 people were baptized—including an influential war chief named Lio Matuan, who had killed and cannibalized his victims.
During the service, in front of hundreds of witnesses, the elderly warrior burned his fetishes, which he had used for idol worship. His animistic practice involved belief in innumerable spiritual beings and the need to appease them so they would help him and his tribe rather than harm them.
“Lio Matuan had come to understand that the power of Jesus was greater than the charms and ancient beliefs of animism,” said Todd. “We who were there saw in graphic measures what God does for all who put their faith in Jesus—He takes us who were dead in our trespasses and makes us alive in Christ.”
Seeing Jesus’ power to regenerate the former cannibal, two more chiefs have since decided to follow Jesus and burn their fetishes; they will be baptized in October.
“The conversion of these men also opens the way for many under them to come to faith,” said Barry Jordan, an Alliance worker who serves in Papua with Todd and Debbie.
When Alliance pioneer missionaries entered this dark area nearly 60 years ago, there were no believers. “Today, fruit is still being born as people turn from their sinful past to the light and hope of Jesus,” Todd and Debbie said.
“Pray that many more in this region will experience the forgiveness of sin and new life in Jesus.”
—Based on reports from Todd Adams and Barry Jordan, Alliance workers who serve in Indonesia
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Watch as Todd Adams, international worker in Indonesia, shares the story of ministry among the Dani people.