Church Destroyed and Pastor Threatened

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St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Orutota, Gampaha, was destroyed when a mob of about 100 people attacked the church around midnight on June 3. They first broke the streetlights and then flattened the small hall, which was nearing completion. A Christian family next door to the church was threatened with death if they left their house, which was later damaged by the mob.

One arrest has been made in the attack. People in the village have threatened to bomb the church if they ever rebuild.

These types of incidents are not uncommon in Sri Lanka, as Buddhist leaders frequently stir up opposition to Christians. Pray for safety for believers in Sri Lanka. Pray that the police will provide the protection needed. Pray for St. Stephen's church as they consider their future plans.

  • 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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Sri Lanka News

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