12/26/2019 Indonesia (International Christian Concern) – While most people were able to celebrate Christmas at their churches, this year marked the second year for some churches in southeast Sumatra to have to hold their services at other places.

According to Jakarta Post, members of the Assemblies of God Church (GSJA) were in shock when they saw a posted notice on the closed front doors informing them the church was sealed on Dec. 24. The notice was not new, as it was signed before by local public order agency investigator Said Faizal on Sept. 27 of last year.

The GSJA is among three churches in the Simpang Rimbo area in Jambi, alongside neighboring Huria Kristen Indonesia (HKI) and Methodist Kanaan Indonesia (MKI), that were shut down by the Jambi city administration following protests by some residents last year, citing the absence of building permits.

“This is the second Christmas celebration to feel depressing for us,” said GSJA pastor Jonathan Klaise on Christmas Eve.

It was the second time that around 200 GSJA churchgoers had to make do by celebrating Christmas outside their church, since their house of worship was forced to close last year. Members of the church have since set up a modest space nearby where they can continue church activities.

“This second Christmas [celebration] teaches us patience, to bow down to prevent any conflict from escalating further,” Jonathan said tearfully.

Meanwhile, members of MKI church had to celebrate Christmas at a makeshift space outside their sealed church. MKI pastor O. Tampubolon said around 600 church members would gather on Christmas day and the day after, adding that he hoped for a peaceful Christmas celebration.

In November, many local residents stormed their church when they caught wind of a rumor that the local administration would re-open the building.

“I don’t know for how much longer the situation will persist. We can only hope that we will soon be able to pray in our church,” Tampubolon said.

Although Indonesia’s Constitution guarantees religious freedom for all, a 2006 joint ministerial decree, which regulates places of worship, has made it extremely difficult for non-Muslim groups to build their own places of worship.

The decree requires a congregation to get 90 signatures from their members and another 60 from local residents before building a house of worship. In a Muslim-majority country, it is not uncommon for the local residents to be opposed to having a church built in their neighborhood.

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].