Evangelists Threatened, Accused of Forcible Conversion

15 August 2007 0 minutes read

India map A team of evangelists was threatened by Hindu militants while distributing Christian literature to children in the town of Nagarkurnool, Andhra Pradesh on August 8, according to a report from the All India Christian Council. Four women, along with Pastor Joseph and a few church members of the Mennonite Brethren Assembly, had stopped at a local restaurant when they were surrounded by children from a nearby school who asked them for tracts and books. The militants approached the Christians and threatened to beat them if they did not leave. The Christians left the town but later returned in order to interact with the children and other local people. The militants then alerted the local media about the incident. The media photographed the team and published false reports that claimed the Christians were forcibly converting people.

Pray that these Christians will remain steadfast in the work the Lord has given them (1 Corinthians 15:58). Ask God to thwart the militants' efforts to slander and intimidate. Pray for the provision of Bibles and other Christian literature to reach areas in India where they are in the shortest supply. (Psalm 119:42-43).

For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to the India Country Report.

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.