In the early morning of 16th September, a mob of about 50 people gathered at the front gate of the Maranatha Chapel in Depok City, banging on the gate, shouting and causing a disturbance before eventually dispersing.
Church members were unsettled by this incident and expressed concerns about holding future worship services in the building. The church rented the facility recently and held their first worship service at the premises the previous Sunday.
Even though the church building fulfilled all the requirements for a permit, some local community members were opposed to the opening of this new place of worship.
To ease tensions and after discussing matters with the authorities, the church agreed to host its worship services online for two weeks while all the permit processes were being completed and verified even though such permits were usually not required for rental of commercial buildings that the church is using.
Pray that church will be able to come to an agreement with the leaders of this neighbourhood, allowing them to peacefully continue to meet together for worship in their rented facility. Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to move mightily in the hearts of believers even during the online services.
(Source & Photo: VOMC)
#Persecuted Church