This research takes place within the knowledge domain of missiology addressing the key issues of contextualization, hybridity, syncretism and identity within the context of a community of believers in Jesus that remains, as much as is biblically possible, in their socio-religious context. Such believers have been labelled by the institutionalized church as “insiders”. This research centres upon an Islamic boarding school (Pesantren) network of Indonesia, examining, analyzing, and identifying patterns of belief, religious practice and identity expressed across three generations of faith of Muslim followers of Jesus (MfJs) to understand their contextualized faith and appreciate their ongoing journey of discipleship.

This research project endeavours to accurately represent these MfJs as they see themselves and identify their patterns of belief, contextualization, spiritual power, guidance, Holy Spirit experience, witness and self-identification. These patterns of faith and identity from succeeding generations of faith will be compared to that of their previous Islamic faith and so understand and appreciate their faith in Jesus Christ and understand their ongoing journey of discipleship. It is anticipated that this research will result in the MfJ movement better understanding its faith and its discipleship journey with its unique strengths and challenges. A further consequence is that the institutional church will better understand and appreciate the diverse nature of those following Christ within different contexts, and their ongoing journey of discipleship.