Pastor Attacked in Madhya Pradesh

18 June 2008 0 minutes read

Madhya Pradesh, India Pastor Rampal Masih was attacked by Hindu militants while leading a morning church service in the town of Gurh, Madhya Pradesh on June 15. At approximately 11:30 a.m. militants gathered outside the church building and began to shout curses at the 70 believers present. Five of the militants forcibly entered the church, dragged Pastor Masih outside and beat him. When some of the church members rescued the pastor, the militants fled to the local police station. Later that day, the militants returned with two police officers and another group of militants. They ordered Pastor Masih to come outside of the building and when he did, they beat him for a second time. Before leaving the premises, the attackers threatened to set fire to the church.

Pray for healing for Pastor Masih. Pray that he and his congregation will grow in Christlikeness through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4). Pray that the faithfulness of Indian Christians will be a light that draws others to Christ.

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.