Asia

BosNewsLife Covering Plight Of Persecuted Christians in Indonesia

By BosNewsLife Asia Service with reporting from BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos from Jakarta

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BosNewsLife)-- Millions of people in Indonesia are becoming Christians, despite efforts by authorities and militants to halt this trend, according to an extensive BosNewsLife investigation. Amid the turmoil, the world's largest Muslim nation experiences unprecedented church growth. Following are links to the SEVEN latest stories about the trials and triumphs of those seeking Christ or who raise debate about Indonesia's attitudes towards minorities. Click on the headline or read more. Media can reach reporter Stefan J. Bos for interviews or additional audio via bosnewslife@gmail.com or +36 70 31 71 611

Millions Secretly ‘Turn To Christ’ In Indonesia

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife reporting from Jakarta, Indonesia

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BosNewsLife)-- Millions of Indonesians are becoming Christians, often secretly, but authorities refuse to recognize this trend in the world's largest Muslim nation, several evangelical leaders have told BosNewsLife. At least three to four million Indonesians "turned to Christ" over the past year, according to Christian officials with very close knowledge about the situation.

Indonesia’s Prominent Priest Demands End To Church Attacks Ahead Of Presidential Poll

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife reporting from Jakarta, Indonesia

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BosNewsLife)-- The priest of Jakarta Cathedral, Indonesia's most known Catholic parish, has urged the government to prevent a repeat of attacks against churches ahead of upcoming presidential elections. Markus Yumartana, 53, said he hopes authorities would continue on the path of religious tolerance that he claimed surrounded the recent Asian Games, the largest sports event ever held in terror-prone Jakarta, the capital.

Indonesia’s Pentecostal Church Evangelizing Despite Opposition

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife reporting from Jakarta, Indonesia
JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BosNewsLife)-- When Ferry Mamangkey had a liver health scare he knew he needed a miracle. Now many prayers and "miracles" later, the recovered 62-year-old evangelist has become 'Indonesia's Billy Graham' traveling through often remote areas of this diverse archipelago of thousands of islands. "My healing was a miracle. The Lord touched me in my home. Now I am praying for the sick as part of the Gospel outreach."

MISSION WATCH: Funding Shortfall Threatens Indonesia Bible Translations In Remote Areas

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife reporting from Jakarta, Indonesia.

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BosNewsLife)-- A lack of funds overshadows preparations by dozens of native Christians to secretly translate and bring the Bible to 30 language groups in Indonesia who have been waiting for that moment for generations, an official supporting the project told BosNewsLife.

Religious Leaders End Protest Over Woman Sentenced For Blasphemy in Indonesia

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent reporting from Jakarta, Indonesia

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BosNewsLife)-- Religious leaders in Indonesia's North Sumatra province have reportedly agreed to stop protesting the prison term given to a local Buddhist woman for allegedly insulting Islam. Meiliana, a 44-year-old ethnic Chinese woman, had complained the Muslim call to prayer, repeated five times a day, was being played too loudly at the mosque near her house in the port town of Tanjung Balai in North Sumatra.

China Government Raids House Churches, Landlords Pressured

By BosNewsLife Asia Service and BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos

BEIJING, CHINA (BosNewsLife)-- Chinese authorities pressure landlords to cancel their leases to house churches and security forces are raiding home congregations as part of a government campaign against Christianity, rights activists, and local Christians say.