How Did the Gospel Get to Indonesia?
Out of a population of over 285 million, 29 million people in Indonesia claim to be Christians. As we consider the Church today, we can gain insight by looking back in history to see how and when the gospel was first brought to Indonesians. So, how did Indonesia get to this point?
How Was the Gospel Brought to Indonesia?
Centuries ago, Indonesians mainly practiced forms of animism and indigenous religions. In the first century AD, Hinduism was introduced to Indonesia. In the second century, Buddhism was brought to Indonesia through trade routes with India.
In the 20th century, Protestant missionaries arrived in Indonesia, leading to a rise of Christianity.
By the end of the 13th century, there is evidence of an Islamic presence in the country due to Muslim traders from the Middle East arriving in Indonesia, introducing Islam to the country. Soon after, Muslim rulers began seeking control of some regions, leading to Islam becoming the majority religion of Indonesia.
In the 16th century, Catholic missionaries arrived, as Portugal colonized Indonesia. In 1605, the Netherlands defeated Portugal, leading to the expulsion of Catholic missionaries, a long period of Dutch colonization, and influence from the Dutch Reformed Church. In the 20th century, many Protestant missionaries arrived in Indonesia, leading to a rise of Christianity as a significant number of Indonesians in particular regions became Christians.
What Does the Church Look Like Today?
Today, Indonesia is a melting pot of religions. It’s a country where you can find one of the largest mosques in the world just a few minutes from a Protestant megachurch. On another island of Indonesia, you can find some of the largest Buddhist and Hindu temples in the world.
Despite the presence of various religions, Indonesia is a nation where Islam is the dominant religion, with about 242 million people identifying as Muslim. That makes it a country with one of the largest Muslim populations in the world.
Watch how the gospel is spreading in Indonesia
At the same time, Indonesia is home to one of the largest populations of Christians in Asia. Yet, Protestant Christians make up only about 7% of the Indonesian population. Many Indonesians have never heard the gospel, nor have a church near them. There are an estimated 175 unreached people groups across the islands of Indonesia.
Religion is a main facet of Indonesia’s culture. The country officially recognizes six religions: Buddhism, Catholicism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, and Protestantism. Indonesians must choose one of the major religions on their Indonesian ID cards. Since most Indonesians simply choose the religion of their family, some may identify as Christians without ever hearing the gospel or without fully understanding it.
Indonesia is home to one of the largest populations of Christians in Asia.
Since pursuing unity is highly valued in Indonesian culture, sharing the gospel with an Indonesian who doesn’t identify as Christian can be perceived as imposing your worldview on them. And while changing religions isn’t illegal, it can be costly. Muslims who convert to Christianity often face pressure from their families and communities.
How Can You Pray for the Church in Indonesia?
We praise God that the gospel has already taken root in Indonesia. Yet, while Indonesia is one of the most spiritually diverse nations in the world, there is still little to no gospel presence in many regions of the country. Pray that missionaries may be equipped and sent to areas of Indonesia that have never heard the gospel before. Pray that they may have endurance as they seek to change hearts and minds with the power of the gospel and plant churches.
Pray for the boldness of Indonesian believers as they seek to share the gospel with their neighbors. Pray for Indonesian believers to find community within the local church. With many religions in Indonesia claiming to be the way to God, pray for gospel opportunities, so that Indonesians may know that Jesus is the only true Savior. Since leaving Islam can also be costly, pray for the safety of converts from Islam and for the Holy Spirit to fill them with peace.
