Release International

A pastor and his pregnant wife are in hiding in Aceh after Islamist militants burned down their church -- because they had dared to speak of Christian revival.

A 100-strong mob poured gasoline over the Indonesia Evangelical Mission Church in Siompi town, Aceh Singkil, and set it alight after news got out that the church was planning a revival meeting.

Pastor Luther Saragih had sent invitations to local Christians about the special service on September 1. But his letter had fallen into the hands of a Muslim who edited it to give the impression that everyone was invited -- and circulated it to 3,000 Muslims.

So when 500 Christians turned out for the meeting, they were joined by a large crowd of Muslims, furious that such an event should be held in a province under Sharia or Islamic law. Pastor Saragih was detained briefly and told by police to send the Christians home. This he did -- but not before he'd preached for 10 minutes on enduring persecution.

Later that same night, a horde of 100 men on motorbikes set the church ablaze, then went looking for Pastor Saragih and his wife Netty. The couple escaped into the jungle and hid in the undergrowth until they were found by friends in the early hours of the next morning.

Christians in a neighbouring province are now caring for the couple -- but Compass Direct reports that local police and Muslim leaders are still hunting for them.

• Pray for the safety of Pastor Luther Saragih and his wife Netty, who is pregnant. Thank God for the pastor's bravery in preaching to his flock under huge pressure.
• Pray for all churches in Aceh, a province which adopted Sharia law earlier this year. Praise God that Pastor Saragih's church continues to meet in someone's home.

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