Count it all joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials. We saw how these verses from the book of James came alive during our 8th discovery trip. In the summer of 2006, we visited few churches in the eastern part of Indonesia particularly those serving the under-developed area in Indonesia. The average member of these churches was less than 50 people. Sometime the membership was less than 3 family unit.
From our observations, these churches experience persecution in 3 areas: political, physical, and human rights. At that time, the area where these churches located was strongly under the influence of radical Muslim politicians. These politicians wanted to subject their people to Shariah law. The church was the face of the enemy. These politicans did the best they could to rid these churches out of these areas. In political arena, the churches were persecuted through the implementation of discriminative laws. Among these laws were the enforcement to wear Muslim dress for all government employee, the prohibition of pig farming, and the ban to work during certain hours of the day to let the Muslim employee to pray. These laws had devastating consequences. It was very difficult, if not impossible, to be government employee and a teacher for Christians. Christians were experiencing harder time to gain government services or to obtain neutral education. Most students were required to be able to read their religious books. However, since there was no Christian teacher in the public school, Christian students had to learn the Qur’an. This was a denial of the human rights of the students for not being able to learn their religion.
Oldest Church in Makasar
Physically, the persecution took place from discomforting actions, such as removal of the church facilities to remote areas, and up to physical threats. All the applications to build church were denied. There were several physical threats made earlier that year by some radical Muslim groups directed toward the Christians.
We were completely surprised with the attitutes among the church leaders. We would think they were the most blessed people. In the midst of their suffering and poverty, they were still thankful for their rugged church building, their children cloths, their meager foods. Make no mistake, they were not living in a bubble. These leaders knew what they were up against. They were very diligent in compiling the list of politicians, laws, and areas where the discrimination and persecution occurred. We were amazed, with their limited budget and education, they could create and execute a lot of works, especially to restore their ability to worship, to sustain the fellowship and economy, and to develop next generation leaders.
Our eyes and hearts were opened. We realized that God never make any empty promise. As we continue reading James 1, we would understand that perserverence would make us realize that the only thing we needed is God. James 1:3-5 says “for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverence. And let perseverence finish its work, that you may be mature and complete lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”