And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14
Susianty Tinulele (2004)
Shot in the Pulpit
Susianty Tinulele was shot dead while speaking from the pulpit of her church in Central Sulawesi in Palu, Indonesia, on Sunday 18 July 2004. Four masked men opened fire with machine guns on the preacher and worship team. Susianty was shot in the head and died instantly. Four teenage worshippers were hospitalised with serious injuries and one 17-year old girl died.
Susianty was a victim of what appears to have been a campaign to assassinate Christian leaders in Central Sulawesi that began in November 2003. When police arrested suspected members of militant group Jemaah Islamiyah they found detailed descriptions of church services and lists of Christian leaders.
Violence was also directed against Sulawesi Christians who were not church leaders. The night before Susianty’s death, Mrs Helmy Tombiling died from nine stab wounds to her chest and stomach inflicted by attackers outside her home in Poso, Central Sulawesi.
May we be strengthened in our faith, live the rest of our lives in following your Son, and be ready when you call us to eternal life. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
The Alternative Service Book, 1980