Attendees of Michael Youssef’s Leading the Way to Revival event in Indonesia worship during the first day of the event.

An evangelistic team running a series of meetings in a Jakarta stadium met with a church of Iranian refugees last Friday night (May 24). Leading the Way, headed by Dr Michael Youssef is currently presenting gatherings in the world’s largest Muslim nation.

“Ahead of Friday Night’s  meeting at the Istora Stadium in Jakarta, Jonathan Youssef and a Leading The Way team, ministered God’s hope to a church of Iranian refugees, who have fled an oppressive government,” Chris Makin of the Leading the Way Australian office reports.

“Each of the refugees has come to Indonesia as a half-way point on their journey to countries like Australia or the United States. They are waiting for the Indonesia government and the United Nations to process their paperwork—which can take up to three years. In the meantime, it’s illegal for them to work in Indonesia, so they wait in difficult circumstances.”

Jonathan Youssef, Michael Youssef’s son, encouraged the refugees with the stories of the Apostles in the book of Acts – they had their struggles too “The result was a powerful time of worship and prayer, and the refugees were encouraged to trust God with their future and continue believing there is a divine purpose in their lives”, Makin told Eternity.

At the main Friday night meeting in Istora Stadium in Jakarta, nearly 300 came forward when Dr Yousseff gave an invitation after preaching on the sacrificial love of Christ. many more were weeping.

Comments to Leading The Way after the meeting included:

“A friend invited me and I thought it was a music concert. But when Dr. Youssef spoke about how much Jesus Christ loves us, my attitude was completely changed. I’m encouraged about the future because I know God cares and I want to honor Him.”

“How can we get this message to more people? I would like to see Leading The Way broadcasting to every home in my country. This is a message that can change my family.”

“No one has ever told me about this Jesus. Tonight was something I’ve never experienced.”

Reflecting on today, Phil Cooke, one of the media producers for Youssef’s Indonesia mission (and a Keynote speaker at the Christian Media Association conference last week on the Gold Coast) commented:

“Today was a clear indication that there is much to be done in Indonesia. This is a country with the largest Muslim population in the world, and yet a country that is eager to hear the Truth of the Gospel message.”

Cooke, who is also the founder and CEO of Cooke Pictures added: “Eight satellite networks carried the message to an international audience and the broadcast TV and online audiences dwarf even the massive live audience in the national arena.

“We live in a digital age, and Leading The Way is committed to using every available resource to reach people with a message of hope.”

Image: Attendees of Michael Youssef’s Leading the Way to Revival event in Indonesia worship during the first day of the event. leadingtheway.org