[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”119857″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]11/24/2020 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) – During the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, local pastors and their congregations have suffered job and income loss. Since late March, Indonesia has been in a national lockdown and these evangelists have been unable to gather their congregations or do home visits. There is also discrimination against Christians from the government for aid distribution thanks to the religious sentiment favoring Muslims.
The central government in Jakarta has distributed aid funds to areas throughout Indonesia which will later be converted into staple food aid to be given to Indonesians who are directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, small traders and ride-hailing drivers are eligible for such aid. However, members from the two churches in a city in West Sumatra did not receive any assistance. This happened due to the Muslim majority in the city.
Many of these Christian families find it difficult to feed themselves. To help these pastors, ICC partnered with Open Doors Indonesia to provide two weeks of food aid to 50 believers in West Sumatra and to another 50 believers in North Sumatra.
Evangelist Marzuki told ICC, “I really thank ICC and Open Doors Indonesia very much. […] My income has been greatly reduced due to the current COVID-19 condition. But praise God, my ministry has been going well even during the COVID-19 pandemic, I have always served faithfully. The benefits of the basic food assistance are very useful for me and my family. I hope in the future the help from ICC and OD Indonesia will continue. Thank you, Lord Jesus! Bless you, shalom!”
Evangelist Sutra also shared, “Since this pandemic, the umbrella workshop business to help run my ministry has been very quiet. The food package assistance provided to me has really helped my family’s life. I am currently sick and being treated in a hospital. Hopefully I can get well soon and my business will run smoothly again.”
Rev. Ronal in West Sumatra also expressed his appreciation to the gift: “I would like to thank ICC and OD Indonesia for the basic food assistance that has been given to the GKII congregation. We really didn’t expect that you would actually help and sustain us for the next 14 days. Hopefully the congregation can breathe a sigh of relief in response to the increasingly difficult situation due to Coronavirus.”[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1606232213003{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org
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