Land & People

Indonesia is comprised of over 13,000 islands stretching across an area as wide as the continental United States. Located on the equator in Southeast Asia, the country enjoys a mild, tropical climate. It is a land of beauty and variety: mountainous rain forests, fertile rice fields, crowded cities, and volcanoes.

The fourth-largest nation in the world, Indonesia has an estimated 250 million people. Hundreds of people groups make up the population, each bringing its own cultural traditions. While the national language is Indonesian, many people groups also use their own ethnic language. It is often said that Indonesia has one spoken language for every day of the year.

Religion

Six major religions are accepted in Indonesia: Protestant and Roman Catholic Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, and Islam. Islam makes up 87 percent of the population, making Indonesia the largest Muslim-populated country in the world.

Year Established

1952

Past & Current Work

Ernest Loong was an art teacher, pastor, and a publisher of Christian materials in his home country of China. After the rise of Communism severely limited religious freedom, Loong and his family left China for Hong Kong, where he continued his literature ministry. Loong also used art as a ministry and held an exhibit in Indonesia, where he was deeply impressed with the country’s spiritual needs. In 1952, he established the first organized Baptist church in Indonesia. The Loongs returned to Hong Kong several years later, and the church continued under Indonesian leadership and started daughter churches, assisted by the Loongs’ missionary coworker Helen Jean Moose.

A new couple is now serving in a large metropolitan area. Only two Baptist churches of like faith are known of in the city.

Goals

While the door for expatriate gospel workers is open, the need is great to reach and disciple the next generation of Indonesian gospel proclaimers. Unbelievers must be evangelized, and new believers must be strengthened in the Word of God so that they are equipped and empowered to stand as a church and carry the gospel message to others in their own country. Indonesia is home to nearly 200 unreached people groups. By God’s grace, the opportunity and responsibility for reaching them can be shared with nationals.

Workers Needed

The field of Indonesia is wide open for those with faith in the power of the gospel to work even in dark places. Currently our new couple is praying for partners to join with them. Team members from a variety of backgrounds, occupations, skill sets, and ages are part of the vision for establishing long-term roots in the nation.

Additional Facts

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