"Jesus calls the disciples," cloth cut by He Qi, China, 1995

Nineteenth century religious awakenings in Europe led to increased activity in world missions and mission societies. The Dutch East India Company established a form of colonialism over much of Indonesia. Soon Dutch and German missionaries sought to bring the gospel even to isolated tribes. Several early missionaries were killed or driven out, but by the 1860s, about 50 of the Batak people became Christians. Then several tribal leaders converted, and the number of conversions rose dramatically, reaching over 100,000 by 1911. Ludwig Nommensen (1834-1918), a leader among the missionaries, wanted indigenous leadership and a church which would be culturally Batak rather than European. It was not until World War II, however, that German missionaries withdrew from Indonesia.