The largest Muslim country in the world is rapidly becoming Christian! This is the amazing news coming from Indonesia where 2 million Muslims a year are converting to Christianity!¹

The Beginning

It all began back in 1965 following an unsuccessful Chinese Communist coup that led to an incredibly bloody civil war. During this war, the tiny Christian minority began to exert an influence for peace; pleading for love and forgiveness that had a transforming effect in war-torn communities.

Throughout the 1970s and 80s the churches grew right across the country. In 1987 my wife and I were speaking at a church in Surabaya, the second-largest city in Indonesia, and there were about 5000 people at the 6am service.

We counted about 70 people in white gowns sitting near the front and asked the pastor “Is this a special baptismal service?” He replied, “Oh no! We baptise this number every Sunday”.

Government Worried

We visited the church again in 2003. They had built a new building seating 25,000 which was full three times on Sundays. At that time the Muslim Government was already getting worried about the growth of Christianity. They had introduced a scheme of resettling Muslim families from Jakarta into solidly Christian islands. But the Christians greeted the newcomers with such love and generosity that they converted to Christianity.

'Save Maryam'

The Government abandoned the scheme. But there is still great anxiety that it will not be long before Indonesia becomes a Christian country. The growth rate of Muslims becoming Christians has increased to 2,000,000 a year – that is one conversion every 15 seconds! The imams have become so alarmed that they have produced a video “Save Maryam” in an attempt to reach young people and stop them converting to Christianity. See the video they have produced appealing for $2 million to try to stem the flow of disillusioned Muslims turning to Christianity!

With one conversion to Christianity every 15 seconds, the imams are alarmed"

The atrocities of the Islamic State trying to take Islam back to its Mediaeval past are causing widespread disillusionment among Muslims throughout Europe and the Middle East. But the faith of Christians in Europe does not equal Christians in Indonesia where most believers are active witnesses to the love of Jesus. Now is the time for Christians in Britain to open their eyes to the great harvest that awaits among their Muslim neighbours.

Spiritual Awakening

The great spiritual awakening in Indonesia could happen in Britain if Christians really believe and act upon John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” In talking to our neighbours we should follow the example of Paul in Romans 1:16 – “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”

References

1 Strang, S, 2015. Can This Be True? 2 Million Indonesian Muslims find Jesus Per Year, Charisma News, 7 April.