missions
Indonesia’s economy struggles, but Christians are finding opportunities to share Jesus
By Brennan Berryhill at Mission Network News
· July 16, 2026
· 2 min read
Indonesia (MNN) — Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s largest economy, but Patrick Anthony with Forgotten Missionaries International (FMI) explains how things have taken a turn for the worse. “We’ve heard from our Indonesian believers a consistent story: the economy is bad. They will tell us that it’s ver
Key takeaway They will tell us that it’s very bad,” Anthony says.
Why this matters
The economic struggles in Indonesia present a complex challenge for Christian ministries, as funding transportation for evangelism efforts becomes increasingly expensive and religious offerings decline. However, this situation also creates opportunities for Christians to share the Gospel with people seeking hope. The fact that Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-majority country, with a strong emphasis on interfaith harmony, can make evangelism difficult, but the current economic climate may help to break down these barriers. As Christians in Indonesia find more natural opportunities to share their faith, it will be crucial for them to balance boldness with sensitivity to the cultural context. The ability of church leaders to respond creatively to the economic challenges will be essential in maintaining ministry efforts and supporting pastors, particularly in denominations where they are not allowed to hold another job. Prayer for boldness and creativity will be vital in helping Indonesian Christians navigate this challenging environment.
About this story
Original reporting by Mission Network News . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: missions ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: Mission Network News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Indonesia (MNN) — Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s largest economy, but Patrick Anthony with Forgotten Missionaries International (FMI) explains how things have taken a turn for the worse. “We’ve heard from our Indonesian believers a consistent story: the economy is bad. They will tell us that it’s ver
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by Mission Network News and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Brennan Berryhill at Mission Network News. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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