Discover
The identity of the nation
Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world: more than seventeen thousand islands spread across two oceans, from the far west of Sumatra to the mountains of Papua. With about 285 million inhabitants, it is the fourth most populous country on Earth and the largest Muslim majority nation on the planet. Hundreds of peoples live here, speaking hundreds of languages, under the national motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika: unity in diversity.
Faith permeates public life. Islam shapes the calendar, the landscape and the customs of most of the country, but the Constitution recognizes six official religions, and the state philosophy, Pancasila, affirms belief in one God as a founding principle of the whole nation. In Bali, Hinduism sets the tone; on islands such as Flores and parts of North Sumatra, Christian communities are centuries old.
Christianity has been present since the centuries of trade and colonization, and it grew in specific regions, but it remains a minority overall. Many peoples follow an Islam intertwined with local beliefs, with a strong attachment to spirits, sacred places and practices inherited from their ancestors. The fragmented geography leaves entire communities isolated, far from any witness.
It is also a young, urban and rapidly changing country. Jakarta and the major cities buzz with commerce, technology and internal migration, while the interior of the islands preserves ancient ways of life. This contrast between the modern and the ancestral runs through all of Indonesian society.
The missionary challenge is immense: hundreds of peoples little or not at all reached, many languages still without the Scriptures, and a minority church that lives out its faith under pressure. At the same time, there are signs of life and hope, in faithful communities that persevere with gentleness among a welcoming and deeply religious people.
- 7th-14th centuries Kingdoms such as Srivijaya and Majapahit flourish, influenced by Hinduism and Buddhism.
- 13th century Islam arrives via trade routes and spreads across the islands over the following centuries.
- 17th century The Dutch East India Company dominates the archipelago, beginning centuries of colonization.
- 1942 Japan occupies the territory during the Second World War.
- 1945 Sukarno and Hatta proclaim independence on August 17.
- 1949 The Netherlands recognizes independence after years of struggle.
- 1965 A violent political crisis leads to the rise of Suharto's regime, the New Order.
- 1998 Suharto's fall opens the period of reform and democratization.
- Today The world's largest Muslim nation, a diverse democracy, with hundreds of peoples still unreached.
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Indonesianofficial, the unifying language derived from Malay, spoken throughout the country
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Javanesethe most spoken mother tongue, in central and eastern Java
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Sundanesespoken by tens of millions in western Java
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Regional languagesmore than 700 living languages across the archipelago
Indonesia is the largest island nation in the world, with more than seventeen thousand islands straddling the Equator between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The largest are Sumatra, Java, Borneo (Kalimantan), Sulawesi and the western part of New Guinea (Papua). It is a land of active volcanoes, tropical forests and rich seas, situated along the so called Pacific Ring of Fire.
Major cities
- JakartaCapital and largest city, political and economic center, in Java
- SurabayaSecond largest city, a major port in eastern Java
- BandungUniversity and industrial hub in western Java
- MedanSumatra's largest city
- DenpasarBali's main city, the heart of tourism
Climate and temperature
Nasi goreng
Fried rice with soy sauce, garlic and spices, topped with an egg, considered the national dish.
Rendang
Meat slow cooked in coconut milk and spices, originally from West Sumatra.
Sate
Skewers of grilled meat served with peanut sauce, popular throughout the country.
Gado-gado
A salad of boiled vegetables, tofu and tempeh with a creamy peanut sauce.
Soto
An aromatic soup of seasoned broth with meat or chicken, in many regional variations.
Understand
Culture and spirituality
2a · The culture
Unity in diversity
The motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika brings together hundreds of peoples and languages into a single nation.
Community life
Gotong royong, mutual help and collective effort, is a deep value of society.
Everyday religiosity
Faith is present in daily routine, in the calendar and in public spaces.
Respect and harmony
Direct confrontation is avoided; face and cordiality are preserved in relationships.
Hospitality
Visitors are welcomed with generosity, especially in inland communities.
- Touching someone's head The head is considered the most sacred part of the body.
- Using the left hand to hand something over The left hand is considered impure; prefer the right hand.
- Pointing with the index finger It is impolite; point with the thumb or an open hand.
- Disrespecting religious norms Dressing modestly and respecting local customs is essential.
- Forcing confrontation or direct criticism Social harmony is valued; harshness offends.
2b · The field
Areas of spiritual battle and cultural captivity to cover in prayer. Tap each point to understand:
The Muslim majority makes the Christian faith a minority with limited access to many peoples.
Devotion mixes with local beliefs, amulets and inherited practices.
On many islands, reverence for spirits and ancestors persists.
Inland communities turn to healers and offerings to spirits.
Those who leave Islam face rejection from family and community.
Hundreds of islands keep peoples far from any witness.
Many peoples still do not have the Bible in their mother tongue.
National identity blends with the majority religion in some regions.
Corruption persists as a wound in public life and erodes trust.
Rapid city growth fuels the pursuit of status and consumption.
Indonesia has a Constitution that guarantees religious freedom and recognizes six official religions, and coexistence between communities is, in many places, peaceful. Even so, Christians face significant pressure, especially in regions of strong Islamic influence and where local laws and customs restrict the life of the church.
Those who suffer most are converts from a Muslim background, who often face rejection from family and community, and in some cases lose their jobs, security and social ties. Building and maintaining churches runs into requirements and local opposition, and there are reports of churches and Christian properties damaged or destroyed.
Extremist groups pose a threat in certain areas, and everyday social pressure, suspicion and administrative restrictions weigh on the Christian minority. Even so, many communities persevere with faithfulness and gentleness, bearing witness among a welcoming and religious people.
The persecution score runs from 0 to 100: the higher it is, the greater the pressure on Christians.
Indonesia is home to hundreds of people groups, and more than two hundred of them remain unreached by the gospel, totaling tens of millions of people. The largest include the Javanese and the Sundanese, the latter one of the largest unreached people groups in the world. Hundreds of languages still lack the Scriptures, and the geographic isolation of many islands leaves entire communities without access to Christian witness.
- 195M Unreached 69%
- 1.5M Minimally reached 0,5%
- 884K Superficially reached 0,3%
- 31.5M Partially reached 11,1%
- 53.8M Significantly reached 19%
- 234 Unreached 29,7%
- 66 Minimally reached 8,4%
- 27 Superficially reached 3,4%
- 408 Partially reached 51,8%
- 53 Significantly reached 6,7%
Source of people group data: Joshua Project (joshuaproject.net). Estimates, may vary.
Bonerate Frontier
Kaili Ledo
Lolak Frontier
Penesak
Taje, Petapa Frontier
Maba Frontier
Cumbalacu Frontier
Source: Joshua Project. Estimates, may vary.
Pray
Intercede for this nation
Every nation carries a redemptive purpose. Marks that seem woven into the identity God desires to restore:
Go
Practical details for those who want to go
Local time
Cost of living
affordable by Western standards, varies widely by region
Cost by city
Reference values (source: Numbeo). Confirm before traveling.
Practical points for those who go
- Learn Indonesian: Bahasa Indonesia is the unifying language and opens doors throughout the country.
- Dress with modesty and respect local religious customs.
- Use the right hand for eating, greeting and handing over objects.
- Have patience and cordiality: harmony and respect are highly valued.
- Prepare for the tropical heat and humidity year round.
- Respect regional diversity: each island has its own culture, language and sensitivities.
Send and sustain
Not everyone goes, everyone takes part
Not everyone goes. Everyone takes part.
Behind every worker among these peoples stands a network of people who pray without ceasing, care for the family left behind, and faithfully sustain the work. Sending is mission too.
Start with your church: introduce this nation, adopt it in ongoing prayer, and walk alongside those God is raising up to go.