Battered Body of Christian Evangelist Found

23 February 2005 0 minutes read

On February 11, the body of a Christian evangelist, Pastor Narayan, was found in the town of Channapatana in Karnataka state, India. According to a February 22 report from Compass Direct, Narayan had suffered broken ribs and teeth and injuries to his abdomen. Doctors performing the autopsy said that he had been brutally murdered. Despite this evidence, the official report of his death, issued after his body was cremated, suggested suicide.

Local Christians are suspecting that militant Hindus may be responsible for his death. Christians in the area have been subjected to attacks for several years. Sajan K. George, national convenor of the Global Council of Indian Christians, is calling for an official inquiry. Narayan's family is Hindu, however, and has refused to file a police report.

Pray for all those who are mourning the death of this brother in the Lord. Pray that the truth behind his death will come to light. Pray that many more in the area will come to faith in Christ. Pray that others will take his place in courageously sharing the gospel in this part of India.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, click here.

India

India Information

Current Ministry Projects
VOMC assists persecuted Christians with legal support and rehabilitation assistance, and cares for children of martyrs by providing them with a safe place to be nurtured physical and spiritually. VOMC also partners to equip Christians in India with Biblical training and works to strengthen and support marginalized and persecuted Christian women. Additionally, VOMC helps to provide medical assistance to believers who have faced injuries after being attacked.”

Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Equipping the Saints, Legal Defense, Relief and Development, Women’s Ministry, Medical Fund
Country Information
Population
1,399,179,585 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Indo-Aryan (72), Dravidian (25), other (3)

Religion (%)
Hinduism (79.8), Muslim (14.2), Christianity (2.3), Sikh (1.7), other (2)

Leader
President Droupadi Murmu (2022)

Government type
Federal parliamentary republic

Legal system
Based on English common law; separate personal law codes apply to Christians, Hindus and Muslims.

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for India
Despite the intimidation and violence that have taken place in many of India's states, may Christians wisely yet unashamedly preach the Gospel. Pray that indigenous Christians and foreign missionaries will minister in ways that do not hint at fraudulent conversions, unmasking the intentions behind the anti-conversion legislation. Intercede for India's leaders, that they may reign with justice and righteousness.