Many Indonesians are turning to Christ despite rise of radical Islam, says pastor

A Baptist pastor from Jakarta has claimed that Christianity is growing in Indonesia even as the influence of radical Islam continues to spread across the country.

In a phone interview with The Christian Post on Thursday, the pastor who goes by the name Kongkin said that more and more people in Indonesia are turning to Christ. He maintained that he is not saying this "because I am a Christian, just to excite the Christian body, but this is what I personally see happening."

Kongkin, whose ministry in Jakarta helps persecuted Christians, noted that he has heard many stories of former Muslims who decided to follow Jesus during his experience as a pastor in the field.

"The numbers are getting bigger and bigger in many parts of Indonesia. There is steady growth," he said, while noting that some parts of the Islamic community have raised concerns about the rise of Christianity.

"Yes, the number is growing. I think a lot of Muslims are realizing that Islam is false; they see the bombings and terrorist attacks done in the name of Islam, and they wonder 'Is this it? Is this what I want?'" he stated. "They realize there has to be a better way, and then they find Christ," he added.

Kongkin narrated that he was a former Muslim who started to follow Jesus after he heard the Gospel message. He said that the main reason for his decision to convert was the "call of Salvation by Christ."

The pastor recounted that he heard the Gospel from his friend, and he saw the "peace and joy" that came with his friend's Christian walk. He said that it was also what he wanted, so he decided to accept Jesus Christ as his savior.

He noted that his Muslim did not beat him or cast him out, but other relatives who adhered to a stricter version of Islam treated him differently. He said that they still wanted to have a relationship with him, but they made it clear that they were on "different sides" by doing things such as refusing to greet him during Christmas.

Kongkin explained that the biggest threat to Christians in Indonesia comes from the government's laws as well as radical Islamic elements, which are attempting to influence the policies of local governments. He said that hardliners are pressuring local representative bodies to create bylaws that reflect Sharia law.

International groups have raised concerns about human rights and religious tolerance in Indonesia after the outgoing Christian governor of Jakarta was convicted of blasphemy earlier this month.

Gov. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, who lost his re-election bid in April, was sentenced to two years in prison following a lengthy trial.

The case stemmed from an incident in September when he said that his opponents are using some passages in the Quran to deceive people into voting against him.

Last week, Purnama decided to drop his appeal against his prison sentence, saying he is making the decision "for the sake of our people and nation."

Kongkin said that many people in Indonesia are now seeing the governor's case as an injustice carried out by the court, which has been "influenced by people who have agendas."