Prayer Alert

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Today we ask for your prayers for the people in West Papua. We have received the following information from our member church GKI-TP about the incident happening in Anggruk district.

Murder and persecution of teachers and health workers in West Papua

UEM Church on the ground advocates for peace and justice

On Friday, March 21, 2025, a murder and persecution of teachers and health workers took place in the Anggruk district in the mountainous region of West Papua (Indonesia). Six teachers and one health worker were abused. One teacher died, the others were injured and are currently being treated in hospital. The West Papua National Liberation Army of the separatist movement Free Papua Organization is held responsible for the attack. This is the armed arm of the separatist organization in West Papua, which is said to have already destroyed and set fire to public facilities such as schools and teachers' houses.

In a press conference on March 21, 2025 in Jayapura, the Synodal Committee of the local church GKI-TP (Christian Church in the Land of Papua) regretted the incident and expressed its deep regret for the attack on the teaching and nursing staff in Anggruk District. Pastor Andrikus Mofu, Chairman of the Working Committee of the Synod of the GKI-TP, informed that this incident has caused many residents to flee to the forests out of fear and a deep sense of insecurity. This situation worsens the well-being of the people, especially women and children, and disrupts economic activities and public life in the region.

The Anggruk church district is part of the GKI-TP service area, which is a member of the United Evangelical Mission (UEM). In the GKI Yalimo Anggruk church district, the church looks after 65 congregations in eight regions. One of the affected educational institutions is the Protestant elementary school Yayasan Pendidikan Kristen in Anggruk.

At the press conference, the synodal committee of the GKI-TP also expressed its hope that similar incidents would not happen again in the future. The committee called on all parties to work together to ensure security and peace in the land of Papua. Furthermore, the church assured that it will continue to fulfill its humanitarian mission and service in the community according to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew 28:19-20.

Irma Simanjuntak, UEM Advocacy Officer for the Asia region, emphasized: “This act of violence must be investigated immediately and thoroughly so that justice is served to the affected families and victims. The state is called upon to ensure adequate protection for teaching and health personnel, especially in conflict areas. The cycle of armed violence must be broken by building trust between all parties involved.”

Let us pray:

Prince of Peace,

We shout and we cry with the people in West Papua, and especially in the Anggruk church district:

Where are you now?

We cry to you: Show yourself!

Change the hearts of the people to make peace!

End the suffering and fear of teachers, health workers, their families and community. Protect them in this crisis.

We pray: Strengthen your church in the midst of this suffering.

Bless and strengthen all who already work for peace!

Let them not hope and work in vain!

Prince of Peace, you have promised your peace to the world.

We cry out to you to make this come true!

Amen.