Feb 26, 2025 Maluku Project Update

In partnership with the Maluku Mission in Indonesia, the Spiritual Revival Meetings have touched the lives of hundreds.

What began as a project in one location expanded after the local church saw the need for people outside the original area to also learn about Jesus.

This is one of the special aspects of the projects we’re involved in: they are truly collaborative efforts. The local partners understand intimately what is needed in their communities, and our partners in the Maluku Province were in the perfect position to meet the unique needs of the area.

Originally intended for just one location, the project ultimately expanded to 11 locations across the province, allowing 295 guests to attend each night.

Thanks to the Holy Spirit working through the Gospel Workers, 69 people were offered Bible studies, and 41 were baptized.

These results are miraculous, especially considering the challenges the area faces.

One of the biggest obstacles in reaching souls for Christ is the strong cultural traditions that tie people to their ancestral religions, making it difficult for them to let go of the faith they’ve inherited. Furthermore, the dominance of the majority religion in certain regions makes it difficult for Seventh-day Adventist Church activities to thrive, especially in areas where the Church is a minority.

In the Kandar and Adaut areas, revival meetings were planned, and invitations were widely distributed. However, the majority religion actively worked to hinder the events. Public announcements were made urging villagers not to attend, with threats of social exclusion or expulsion from their villages. These threats were not just directed at the church but also came from families, discouraging participation or baptism. Individuals who attended or chose to be baptized faced severe pressure from their own families.

Similarly, in Latdalam area, the majority religion placed prohibitions on the meetings and made physical threats against those accepting baptism. Despite these threats, 23 souls were brought to Christ—the highest number from any single region. Of those, 22 were baptized on Sabbath, but one individual faced an incredibly dangerous situation. Due to threats of physical violence from their own family, this person had to be secretly transported to another village for baptism, hidden away to avoid the risk of harm or even possible death.

The Tepa area also faced opposition during the revival meetings. The majority religion protested the event and disrupted the meetings by creating disturbances at the venue. They even attempted to prevent the meetings by repeatedly cutting the electricity, hindering the lighting. Despite these challenges, the events were successfully carried out, thanks be to God.

These obstacles highlight the strength of faith, and the persistence required to carry out ministry in regions where cultural and religious barriers run deep.

The impact of these revival meetings has been profound, as many people have not only heard the message about Jesus but have also accepted it. As a result, several areas have requested similar events to be held next year. In total, around 325 individuals were introduced to Jesus and gained a true understanding of His teachings as found in the Bible.