Indonesian Ministry

We asked prayer for Siswanto, who was a practicing Muslim for 84 years. In 2008 he met Abdullah, coordinator for a Back to God Ministries International listener community in Indonesia. “Although I was a Muslim at that time, Abdullah gave me a radio and encouraged me to listen to the Christian radio programs,” says Siswanto.  “At first, I just listened to them at my home, but did so every day. Day by day I grew to appreciate those radio programs more.” Abdullah stayed in contact with Siswanto and then invited him to join the listener community. “This helped me learn the truth of the Christian teaching. I became more certain that religion could not save us, but Jesus Christ alone can do it through His blood on the cross.” Siswanto came to faith and has been baptized. His faith continues to grow, and he has become a strong witness for…[Read More]

Pastor Timotius Dawir from Papua had been praying for three years for Bible study resources to help people in his community grow in faith. When he learned about Coffee Break* Bible study training coming to Manado, Indonesia, he traveled twenty-six hours by bus, boat, and plane to participate in the workshop. From October 1-13, 2011 Coffee Break leaders from North America partnered with Rev. Untung Ongkowidjaya and his wife, Ivany, to provide training for 140 church leaders. The workshops were scheduled to take place in four strategic locations throughout Indonesia, but the trainers ended up leading two additional workshops. Because of flight delays, Pastor Dawir arrived ten minutes after the Manado workshop concluded. Appreciating his efforts, three members of the training team met with Pastor Dawir that evening to provide a mini-training. So convinced that Coffee Break Bible study is an effective method of outreach, Pastor Dawir invited the team…[Read More]

As a member of the Sumbanese people on the West Sumba island of Indonesia, Mr. Nabula Naputenga practiced the Merapu ancestor religion. At 70 years old, neither he nor his wife had ever gone to school and they were unable to read or write. Mr. Naputenga wanted more for his six children, so he worked hard as a rice farmer in order to send them to a local Christian school that had a reputation for quality education. There his three sons and three daughters all learned about the Christian faith. “Many times they asked me for permission to leave the Merapu faith and be baptized as Christians,” Mr. Naputenga told Mr. Hesron Kentju Limu, the listener community coordinator for Back to God Ministries International (BTGMI) in West Sumba. “But in the past I always forbid them.” However, a few years ago, Mr. Hesron gave him one of BTGMI’s specialized radios…[Read More]

Miss Aprilia is from the Dayak tribe in Palingkau, Central Borneo. She had been a Christian for a long time—but was also still immersed in the local ancestor religion. She tried to go to church, but had difficulty understanding the sermons. “I was not growing in faith because I was only listening to a half hour message once a week,” she explained. Then she connected with Back to God Ministries International listener community in Palingkau, Indonesia. There she learned of our daily morning and evening Gospel broadcasts. Aprilia listens to our radio program in Bahasa (the official language of Indonesia) but the local listener community coordinator helps her understand by translating the messages in her tribal language. As a result of this Bible teaching and meeting faithfully with other believers, Aprilia testifies, “Little by little I am coming to know the truth of the Christian faith. Thank you so much…[Read More]

Poverty, illiteracy and cultural religions have significant impact on people living in the remote regions of Indonesia’s vast island nation. But by God’s grace through media, Back to God Ministries International is able to reach people for Christ and change lives! Mr. Dendra is illiterate, but came to Christ through Back to God Ministries International listener community in Bali. “I used to be a Hindu,” he testifies. “But I was cast out because my wife and our son were ill and unable to walk. People accused me of being cursed by god. I was so sad and did not know what I should to do.” Then Mr. Dendra met Pastor Nengah, Back to God Ministries International listener community coordinator in Bali. “Pastor Nengah became a friend. He has a small and simple house in the middle of a rice field and he allowed me and my family to stay with…[Read More]

Back to God Ministries International produces devotional materials for seekers, new believers, and seasoned Christians in North America and throughout the world. Our Indonesian ministry team, for example, produces five daily devotionals to help people of all ages grow in their walk with the Lord. Eleven-year-old Mutiara from West Java received a copy of Kiddy, our Indonesian children’s devotional booklet and wrote to our staff in Indonesia: “My Kiddy devotional makes me nearer to God.” The Kiddy devotional booklet is part of the discipleship material sent in response to children who listen to our Kiddy radio program. Working in partnership with the Indonesian Christian Church, these devotionals are also widely used in schools across Indonesia. Children eagerly read the good news of Jesus Christ through this daily devotional booklet. Lydia from East Java wrote: “I love Kiddy because of the stories and cute pictures. In the past I have never…[Read More]

Ministry in Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world, faces several challenges. People who convert from Islam to the Christian faith are often persecuted and exiled from their families and communities. Still, the message of peace through Christ is breaking through as Christians live out their faith. Muhajir, a Muslim from Central Java, works for an Indonesian Christian family and notices that their faith is different, so full of love. He hears our Indonesian-language children’s program, Drama Kiddy, when the family listens to the radio. He wrote to our Indonesian staff that he wants to be a Christian, but is very afraid and has been threatened by his family. Pray that someday Muhajir will be bold to declare his faith in Jesus. Pray also that Muhajir’s family will come to know Christ as Savior. The family for whom Muhajir works is part of one of our 142 listener communities…[Read More]

Just before he died, Alunsyah, testified to his Listener Community in Indonesia that the Bible Studies made an eternal difference in his life! Alunsyah, a former Muslim, became acquainted with the Bible study course through Back to God Ministries International Listener Community in Padang Sidempuan, Indonesia. He was only able to complete the first set of lessons before he passed away in January, 2010. But before he died he told the Listener Community coordinator, “I am thankful and praise the Lord to have the opportunity to be a participant in the Bible studies.” The Bible studies are an integral part of Back to God’s discipleship ministry in Indonesia. The studies were developed especially for people living in remote areas who are eager to know more about Christ, the Bible, and the Christian faith. The curriculum includes 4 levels of study, with four comprehensive lessons in each level. To date, 498…[Read More]

When Sairah and her parents first became Christians, they were rejected by a community who would have murdered them. "My father, mother and I were worshipping in our small church with 47 other Christians when suddenly the Islamic leader of our village attacked and burned our church. My parents and I were arrested and tortured. They wanted us to leave our faith in Christ and go back to Islam." Sairah recently shared this testimony with the Sopeng Listener Community in South Sulawesi, established by Back to God Ministries International (BTGMI) Indonesian leader Rev. Untung Ongkowidjaya. "They soaked us in dirty water for several days to force us to deny our faith. However, I felt that Jesus made us strong to go through this bad situation. I remember that my father was severely tortured. His leg was pressed by a long bench on which ten people sat. They wanted my father…[Read More]