Church Burned

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A small rural church in the Anuradhapura district of Sri Lanka has been facing harassment from local Buddhist monks for several months. While the government has stepped in to try to assist, the problems have persisted, including a protest rally against the church on February 16, demanding that the church close.

According to an April 1 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, the Apostolic Church of Padhavi Siripura was set on fire during the night of March 27, completely destroying the building. There were no injuries and no witnesses.

Anuradhapura is a traditional Buddhist stronghold, attracting pilgrims from around the world. Pray for the pastor, Shantha Kumara Fernando, and the small group of believers. Pray for wisdom, protection, and the boldness to continue to proclaim the Gospel for those who minister in Buddhist strongholds in Sri Lanka.

  • Current Ministry Projects

    VOMC supports persecuted Christians in Sri Lanka as they witness for Christ in hostile environments through Biblical training, legal aid, and advocacy, as well as rehabilitation and emergency assistance.

    Project Funds: Equipping the Saints, Legal Defence, Relief & Development, Families of Martyrs

  • Country Information

    Population
    23,326,272 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Sinhalese (74.9), Sri Lankan Tamil (11.2), Sri Lankan Moors (9.2), Indian Tamil (4.2), other (0.5)

    Religion (%)
    Buddhism (70.2), Hinduism (12.6), Islam (9.7), Roman Catholic (6.1), Evangelical Christianity (2.0)

    Leader
    Ranil Wickremesinghe (July 2022)

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, and Jaffna Tamil customary law

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Sri Lanka

    Let's unite our hearts in prayer for those in Sri Lanka who are being persecuted for their faith, thanking God for what He is accomplishing despite the opposition. Ask that His people will be encouraged, strengthened and equipped by the promises of the Bible – the Sword of the Spirit – knowing that He is watching over His Word to perform it (Ephesians 6:17; Jeremiah 1:12). May they not only overcome the strategies of the enemy, but also serve as effective witnesses to those in need of eternal salvation and deliverance from spiritual captivity.

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