March 3, 2011
By an Alliance worker serving in Indonesia
The saga of the Indonesia church breakaway continues. In a recent prayer request, we asked you to pray for a very important meeting that was to happen on February 23 in Enarotali between the head of the GKIP (the breakaway group), the GKII (the C&MA church in Indonesia), and the police.
For the last several years, the GKIP’s leader has told people in Enarotali, and in other areas, that the GKIP is the legal Alliance church in Indonesia. In their minds, that belief has justified the burning of 27 GKII churches.
When the leaders of the GKII arrived in Enarotali for the meeting, the GKIP’s leader did not show up. So instead of a having the meeting, the police read a public announcement saying that all violent acts against the GKII would be prosecuted as criminal actions and that the GKII, and not the GKIP, is the legal, registered church. The announcement also said that because the two sides could not come together in Enarotali, the matter would be taken to Jayapura, the provincial capital.
Praise the Lord for this, the first clear statement that has been publicly announced about the church breakaway.
Before we celebrate this news, please keep in mind that revenge is a virtue here in Papua. In the midst of their joy for having received justice, the GKII youth are angry for four years of persecution and have struggled with thoughts of vengeance. Pray for the GKII youth to work toward forgiving their persecutors. Also, pray that God will give wisdom to church leaders and love and grace to His people in the aftermath of this announcement.
What You Can Do
In your prayers, praise God for this legal victory for the C&MA in Indonesia. Also, pray for a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation between both parties. Pray that Christ’s Name will be glorified as this situation continues to be resolved.
Donate to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. In doing so, you partner with Alliance workers, like those in Indonesia, to ensure that the message of God’s healing grace and forgiveness is proclaimed to a world in need of Christ’s peace.