indo

Indonesia

Indonesia is an exotic land of ethnic diversity and tremendous natural beauty. This complex cultural melting pot has
created an attitude of tolerance and openness unique among Islamic nations. Indonesia has seen a spiritual revival in
which hundreds of thousands of people have come to Christ. Yet recent events have proven that long-held ethnic and
religious prejudices are not dead. Indonesia is a key nation in reaching the Muslim world with the life-giving Gospel of
God's Grace.

Indonesia is a sprawling archipelago of 13,750 islands which extends some 3,200 miles from the Malay Peninsula to the
island of Irian (New Guinea) in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The total land area is 741,096 sq. miles which is about
three times the size of the state of Texas. Territories on five islands make up 90% of the nation. Kalimantan , on the
island of Borneo, is the largest territory. This is followed by Sumatra, Irian Jaya on the western half of the island of Irian
and the islands of Sulawesi (Celebes), and Java. Indonesia is the fourth most populated nation on earth. About 64% of
Indonesia's over 200 million people are crowded onto the island of Java which has a population density of 1,800 persons
per sq. mile. Most of the major cities are on Java, including Jakarta (the capital), Bandung and Surabaya. Indonesia is a
major exporter of petroleum and natural gas. Much of the country is mountainous with peaks reaching 16,000 ft. The
climate is tropical with abundant rainfall. Agriculture and forestry employ 55% of the labor force, but in recent years the
nation has taken steps to diversify and expand its economy. The standard of living is relatively low with an average per
capita gross national product of US$650.

Indonesia came under thedomination of Islam through the influence of Arab traders that arrived in the 14th and 15th
centuries. From 1602 to 1945 Indonesia was controlled by the Netherlands. The first president, Sukarno, ruled from
1945 to 1965. In 1965 an attempted Communist coup was successfully crushed under the leadership of General Suharto,
who became the second president in 1967. In 1998 Suharto was forced to resign as a result of growing dissatisfaction
with corruption and nepotism in the government. The stability of the current government is uncertain as recent
economic problems have caused great hardship and discontent among the people.

The people adhere to a secular national ideology known as "Pancasila" which promotes loyalty to one supreme God and
the government while at the same time encouraging tolerance of other religions. Indonesia officially claims religious
freedom however; it is illegal to actively proselytize others. Because of its overwhelming majority and influence in the
government, Islam is granted many privileges not afforded to Christians and members of other religions. Animosity
against ethnic Chinese and Christians has also flared up recently and they have been the victims of rioting and looting
mobs that are reacting to the economic downturn the country has experienced.

In recent years Christianity has grown tremendously in Indonesia. The true number of people converting to Christianity
cannot be known since the government tries to hide this fact for fear of violent reaction from the radical Muslims in the
society. The great size and openness to the Gospel make Indonesia a strategic nation for evangelization. As committed
Christians, we must make every effort to assure that this window of opportunity does not close without the Church taking
full advantage of it.

History of TCM in Indonesia

In 1973 TCM missionaries Vernon and Darlene Anderson left the Philippines to begin a new ministry in Indonesia. They
made contact with a group of college students in the city of Manado, North Sulawesi, who had become Christians and
were hungry for sound, Bible-based teaching. This group was zealous to share their newfound faith with others. Many
others eventually joined this fellowship of believers and under the leadership of the Andersons, the group became
organized in 1975.

Because of the boldness of this band of committed believers they were persecuted by the religious and civil leaders in
the area. In 1979 the Andersons were forced to leave the country but they left behind a core of competent leaders who
were able to continue the work and guide the group to further expansion and development. Among this dedicated group
was a young man named Frans Tamarol who had been educated in the United States and had later returned to Indonesia.
He eventually emerged as the main leader and organizer.

As these young people finished their schooling and found employment throughout the country their enthusiasm for
evangelism and the truth of God's Word followed them. This resulted in the establishment of congregations in various
parts of the nation. There developed a need for well-trained pastors to lead these fledgling congregations. In 1979
Things to Come Mission sent one of its Filipino pastors, Mario Indino, to Indonesia to work with the national leaders and
organize a Bible Institute. He was able to accomplish his task but he also was forced out of the country in 1983. While
there, he met and married his wife, Ella, who was an active worker in the churches.

These strong and mature Indonesian believers were once again left alone to carry on the ministry. Thanks to the able
leadership of Dr. Tamarol and others, as well as the newly -trained graduates of the Bible Institute, the work continued to
flourish. They expanded the ministry through literature and began publishing regular Bible study materials in Indonesian.
In 1987 the Bible Institute and office for the national Grace Bible Church were moved to the capital city, Jakarta.

In 1986 another worker from the Philippines, Luz Gaddi, went to Indonesia to help train Sunday School teachers in the
churches. She was admitted into the country as an English teacher in a local university but also had opportunity to
minister to the churches. Luz has been located in Surabaya and Jakarta. In 1991 Joel and Darcy Molina went to join the
ministry but they were forced to leave in 1993 because of problems obtaining visas.

In 1998 Mario and Ella Indino returned to Indonesia to help in the ministry they left 15 years earlier. Because of Ella's
Indonesian citizenship they were able to obtain the necessary visas and permits to allow them to reside indefinitely in the
country. They will develop the Bible School campus in Manado and help organize churches in that area of the country.

Present Ministry of TCM in Indonesia

There are more than thirty congregations throughout the country affiliated with the "Grace Bible Church of Indonesia,"
the largest and most mature being located in the cities of Manado, Jakarta, Surabaya and Balikpapan. There are plans to
expand and reach new areas in the country.

The President of the fellowship of churches in Indonesia is Pastor Ruddy Akay. He took over this responsiblity in August
2000. He had been a manager for a major international corporation for many years, but has resigned that position in
order to serve the Lord full-time.

The Bible Institute in Jakarta is active in preparing students to become well-trained church leaders in the growing
congregations. Dr. Tamarol is the director of the Bible Institute. A satellite campus of the Bible Institute will be started in
Manado as well.

Besides directing the Bible Institute and teaching at a university in Jakarta, Dr. Tamarol continues to write and publish
Gospel tracts, a Bible study magazine, Bible Correspondence Courses, and books. Luz Gaddi is active in organizing
Sunday Schools in the churches and training teachers to carry on that vital ministry. The Indinos are working in training
and church development in the Manado area.

The door remains open for ministry in Indonesia. The national church has received approval for another missionary to
enter the country as a teacher in the Bible School. Presently there is no one to take advantage of that remarkable
opportunity. You must pray that someone would be burdened to answer the call.