Indonesia
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Demographics 
Population: 234,693,997
Ethnic Groups: Javanese 40.6%, Sundanese 15%, Madurese 3.3%, Minangkabau 2.7%, Betawi 2.4%, Bugis 2.4%, Banten 2%, Banjar 1.7%, Other 29.9%
Religions: Muslim 86.1%, Protestant 5.7%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 1.8%, Other 3.4%
Languages: Bahasa Indonesia, English, Dutch, Local dialects
Industry: petroleum and natural gas, textiles, apparel, footwear, mining, cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood, rubber, food, tourism
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About Indonesia
Indonesia is widely known as the world’s fourth most populous country and the nation with the largest Muslim population. She has an estimated population of 240 million, 300 ethnic groups and more than 17000 islands. It is as diverse culturally as it is geographically, and visitors will observe distinct social values and norms depending on where they are.
As a former Dutch colony, Indonesia gained independence in 1945 and has been led by five different presidents in her young history. In 2004, a historic moment arrived when the people of Indonesia voted for their first democratically elected president, who is also the current serving president, Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Being a predominantly Islamic country, people of other religions would be considered the minorities in Indonesia. This includes Christians and despite their relatively smaller representation, the local believers are beginning to make an impact on the society. While there is an increasing persecution on Christians in different parts of the country, many thriving churches are now springing up, with some being found in the most fundamental areas.
Cornerstone’s work in Indonesia is based in two cities – Yogyakarta, which has a population of around 3.2 million people and Bekasi, a slightly smaller city of 2.2 million people. Both cities are located on the island of Java.
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Cornerstone Church: Cornerstone Jogjakarta
Cornerstone Jogyakarta was started in January 2007 with a congregation of about thirty people. It is led by Pastor Sarlin Mataheru and one of the church’s main ministries is a Women’s Bible Coffee Hour, in which they use it as an outreach to the women in the city. Additionally, the church is also active in a city-wide prayer effort, and Pastor Sarlin serves as the prayer coordinator for the city.
Leadership: Pastor Sarlin Mataheru was born into a Christian family, and she founded and headed the Rise-Up Generation Ministry before taking up her current pastoral ministry. She is also a teacher of Christian Education at a local mission school and hosts a weekly radio program, which has been instrumental in leading many women to Christ.
Prayer Focus:
- The leadership would have wisdom to build strong churches and that the various church plants would be established in their locales.
- God would raise up strong and committed supporting leaders to help in the building process of the churches.
- The people of Jogjakarta would have a spiritual awakening and God would bring revival to the city.
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Cornerstone Church: Livingstone Jogjakarta
Livingstone is located in Jogjakarta. It was formerly a Baptist church before becoming independent. The congregation has grown in the past year from 60 to about 100 members. The church has a strong focus on evangelism to the Muslim community and contains several Muslim converts. It also has a strong ministry to the middle and lower class and is known for its compassion and generosity.
Livingstone is also planning church plants in the cities of Solo, Bali, Jakarta, and Pontianak, as well as a church plant in the east part of Jogjakarta. These churches should be starting in 2009.
Leadership: Sulaiman Samuel Dul Soleh is the Senior Pastor of Livingstone. Pastor Sulaiman is a Muslim convert who experienced a radical conversion in 1980. He went from being a passionate Muslim to a passionate follower of Christ. Pastor Sulaiman holds a Master’s Degree in Theology and has been a seminary lecturer for many years.
Prayer Focus:
- The church continues to grow in favor with the government and the other churches in the area.
- The leadership of the church will be built up and become a great strength for the senior pastor.
- For wisdom and grace to establish the new church plants.
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Cornerstone Church: Zion Ministries Bekasi
Bekasi is a town located about a 2 hour drive from Jakarta. It is an industrial hub in Indonesia. Zion Ministries Bekasi is located in the small-city center.
The church was started in February of 2008 and currently has about 50 people. Pastor Yoel and Esther’s English school has opened many doors for the church, which also has a growing youth ministry.
Zion Ministries Bekasi has a leadership team of 12 people, composed of solid men and women who are united in vision and purpose. With this leadership team in place, the church is poised for growth and impact.
Leadership: Pastor Yoel Sukardi pastors Zion Ministries. He lived in Singapore for 5 years where he graduated with his theological degree from TCA College. Pastor Yoel has an evangelistic passion and is a powerful preacher. He is married to his wife, Esther, and they both are English teachers by profession and run an English school.
Prayer Focus:
- The leadership team will always be united in love and spirit to do God’s will.
- The youth will be used mightily in their generation to reach out to their friends in the workplace and schools for Christ.
- The praise and worship team would be skillful and worshipful, drawing God’s presence and power through the worship ministry.
- The Lord’s name would be glorified, in Bekasi, West Java, and even Indonesia.
