The Rev. Martin Nolet, minister of Parefreville United Methodist Church in Waupaca, Wisconsin, was among 30 participants in the General Board of Global Ministries travel/study seminar to Indonesia January 10 through February 4, 1998. The purpose was to learn more about the culture and history of Indonesia and how to be in greater partnership with Christians there. Participants included clergy, church laity, and staff of the Board, many of whom will be teaching on Indonesia in the conference Schools of Christian Mission.
Rev. Nolet shared his reflections on return: "Listening to television news, I heard the announcer speak of more church burnings here in the U.S. and learned that one was a United Methodist Church. My mind immediately returned to Indonesia and a meeting with Christian leaders in which church burning was a topic of discussion. We heard that this was the result of rising tension between Muslims and Christians and is under investigation by the Indonesia Communion of Churches. I recall that as I sat listening to this and also hearing of the difficulty of Christians in getting government permission to erect church buildings in that predominantly Muslim region of the world, I mused over how fortunate we were in the U.S. `We have freedom of religion and do not have to worry about things like permits and church burnings,' I remember thinking at the time.
"But today as I hear an announcement of this ongoing tragedy here
in the U.S., reality hits me. Racism and hate remain alive in this
country. We are not immune from church burnings or brutality inflicted
upon others who are of a different color, religion, or ethnic background.
As I reflect on the courage and determination of Indonesian Christians
to spread the gospel, I realize that though miles of distance separate
us, we are not worlds apart in our struggle to bring about harmony
among humankind."
| Stories | Asia-Pacific | Global Connections | GBGM |