BY BETTINA KRAUSE

HEN THE WORLD sees Indonesia on the evening news, it's often in the context of political unrest, or some act of religiously motivated violence. In recent years headlines focused on the long-standing tension between Muslims and Christians in the Maluku Islands--tension that spilled over into bloodshed and death. Later, the devastating Bali bombing of 2002, and the bombing of a Marriott hotel in Jakarta in 2003, also drew the world's attention to Indonesia as a place where politics and religion sometimes form a deadly mix.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has not been immune from these troubles. Between 1999 and 2003, in the Maluku Islands alone, 15 church buildings were destroyed, along with more than 50 homes of Adventist members. At least 16 Adventists were among the estimated 6,000 who lost their lives in local conflicts between Islamic fundamentalists and religious minorities.

But Adventists in Indonesia say that these reports don't give a balanced view: that religious strife is not the whole story--or even the main story--of the church in this country. The story they want to tell is of an energetic, growing Adventist community; a community that is witnessing and reaching out in practical ways in towns, cities, and villages across the country; a community which, although small, is increasingly known for its positive contributions to Indonesian society.

There's no underestimating the task facing the Adventist Church in Indonesia--a country of 235 million people. "The major challenge the church faces is the mission challenge," says Pastor Houtman Sinaga, president of the West Indonesia Union Mission. "We are so small if you compare us to the population of Indonesia."

And yet committed leaders and laypeople are making a difference. "Indonesia may not seem like the most likely spot in which to sow the gospel seed and expect a rich harvest," said Pastor Jan Paulsen, world church president, during a four-day visit to Indonesia in February this year. But, he says, "amazing things" are happening in this country.

For many, it seems extraordinary that the Adventist Church not only operates in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim country, but is also experiencing steady growth--at the rate of 2 or 3 percent each year. Today, there are almost a quarter of a million baptized members throughout the country.

How is this happening? "Much of the answer lies in the contact that ordinary church members, laypeople, have on a one-to-one basis with their friends, their neighbors, the people they work with," explains Pastor Paulsen. He adds that this form of outreach--individuals expressing to others the joy and peace they have found in Christ--has proved to be key, not just in Indonesia, but in many other parts of the world where the church is experiencing growth.

Indonesia also proves an exception to the worldwide trend of Adventist churches being stronger in rural areas than urban. In the capital, Jakarta, in the sprawl of one of the world's largest cities, 16,000 church members meet each Sabbath in 98 churches.

Focusing Outward
Adventists are also working to integrate better within their communities, says businessman and lay evangelist Jannus Hutapea. "Many people still think that Adventists are an exclusive group, so we need to change that paradigm," he says. Hutapea, who has worked for many years in high-profile public relations and media positions, says that the church aims to improve in this area by participating in outreach programs such as Go One Million and Sow 1 Billion, and by taking every opportunity to demonstrate that the church is a part of the community, not separate from it.

Throughout his visit to Indonesia, Pastor Paulsen emphasized the responsibility of every Adventist to contribute to a culture of tolerance and peace, and to make a positive contribution to the communities where they live.

Meeting with the national minister of religious affairs--Muslim cleric Said Agiel Munawar--Pastor Paulsen said that he wanted the church in Indonesia "to be a servant of the Lord, but also a servant of the people; that our faith will find practical expression in the work we do for the betterment of society and the improvement of people's lives."

The minister and Pastor Paulsen discussed ways to increase communication and reduce tension between different religious groups in Indonesia. "We are not expected to water down our religion until it doesn't have anything specific to say--there will, of course, be differences," said Paulsen. "But it is very important that we both understand each other, and that we show a commitment to be tolerant."

The minister thanked the Adventist Church for being a group that faced other denominations "with smiles rather than harsh words," and he reaffirmed the government's commitment to maintaining laws that respect the rights of religious minorities.

The Church's Future
At Indonesian Adventist University--one of three universities operated by the church in Indonesia--some 3,000 students, faculty, and other church members turned out to greet Pastor Paulsen. The beautiful campus is located in the green hills surrounding Bandung--a place known as "the city of flowers." More than 1,500 students are enrolled in programs ranging from theology, to education, to health sciences.

Dr. Johnny Rantung, dean of the theological department, says 20 to 25 percent of students are not Adventist church members. But all, he says, are expected to respect the Christian culture of the university. Attendance at the school's twice-yearly Week of Prayer is high, and 20 to 30 students are baptized each year as a result of this on-campus ministry. The university also organizes and conducts regular outreach programs.

"Most of our graduates work in big cities, especially those who have graduated from business, and nurses working in hospitals," adds Dr. Rantung. "They're helping our church very much." As well as providing financial support with their tithes and offerings, these members help raise awareness of the church in the general community.

Pastor Paulsen urged the students who crowded the university church building to be "productive members of the nation, positive members of society, and good citizens." He added: "It is a tragic distortion if the best thing that can be said about us as a church is that 'They know a lot,' or 'They have all the theory,' but they are not nice people to be around. It is vital to know the truth, to take care of the truth. But the truth has to be lived--to find expression in our daily lives--for it is in this way that the goodness of God is made known to other people."

Pastor Sinaga says that as church leaders in Indonesia look to the future their main concern is to find ways to win more people for Christ, and to prepare Adventist pastors who are well equipped for this task. "My greatest hope here," he adds, "is that all our members will someday get to heaven, our last destination. That's what we're preparing our people for--the soon return of Jesus Christ."

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Bettina Krause is assistant to the General Conference president for global initatives.