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India

  • Mission Property Destroyed

    A book stand, a church building and a school, which are all operated by Hopegivers International, were destroyed in Ramganjmandi in the Kota District of Rajasthan State on February 17.  According to VOMC sources, the problems began when Hindu militants purchased a book from a display which contained negative references to Hindu gods. It is believed the violence may have been intended to prevent annual graduation ceremonies planned for February 23-26, just Hindu militants attempted to do in 2005. The purchase of the book is seen as an attempt to provide justification for the anti-Christian violence. In the wake of police warnings, Hopegivers has postponed the ceremonies.

    Despite the damage caused to the mission property, the only ones detained by police were three mission workers. 

    Pray for the leadership of the mission, as well as those whose graduation has been delayed. Pray that the leadership in the mission will be led by the Holy Spirit as they decide what action to take next.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here.
  • Pastor Missing in Hyderabad

    When Pastor K. Chandra Paul was traveling away from home, he made it a regular habit to call home every hour.  Thus, when he left home on January 28 for prayer and ministry, he kept regular contact until January 30.  His family has not heard from him since.  After waiting four days, the family contacted police who advised them to check with friends and family.  Finally on February 13, a missing person's report was filed with the police.  There has been no sign of Pastor Paul or his motorcycle.

    In light of the violent deaths of two other pastors in the area in June 2005 (click here for the story), there is concern for his safety.

    Pray for Pastor Paul's family during this time.  Pray that they will be able to rest in the Lord, knowing that the Lord never forsakes His own. Pray that there will be full cooperation from the police.

    For more information on the persecution facing India's Christians,click here.
  • Pentecostal Church Targeted in Indore, India

    In recent weeks, the ministry of the Gospel Church of God in Indore, India has been targeted by Hindu militants.  On January 30, Assistant Pastor Jojin was distributing tracts in slum areas of the city when he was accosted by members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) who beat him and chased him out of the area.

    On February 5, the attacks continued when approximately forty people entered the church compound as the pastors were preparing for the morning prayer service. The door of the church was smashed in and the mob began beating Pastor Jojin and Pastor Jijo, a trainee. Some Bibles were destroyed.  Other Scripture portions and worship books were gathered up and removed from the church.  The two pastors were paraded through the streets as the crowd humiliated and thrashed them on the way. When the police intervened, the injured pastors were first detained but later taken to the hospital.  Three of the attackers have been arrested. The attackers have accused the pastors of misleading the public and preparing them to be converted to Christianity.

    Pray that these men will recover fully from the attack. Pray that the congregation will continue to stand firm in reaching out with the message of the cross of Christ. Pray that the peace of Christ would rule in every heart.

    For more information on India and the persecution facing Christians there,click here.
  • Serious Injuries as Christian Prayer Meeting Raided

    Six Christians suffered serious injuries when Hindu militants stormed a prayer meeting in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India on the morning of January 28.  It is believed those responsible were affiliated with either the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or the Bajrang Dal, two militant Hindu organizations.

    The incident began as Pastor Sam Francis led prayer at the beginning of a day that was planned for prayer and fasting.  The militants began to pelt the building with stones, shattered windows and tried to break down the doors. Accusing the Christians of organizing religious conversions, the mob began to beat the worshippers with rods.  The most seriously injured sustained broken bones and were treated in hospital.

    Pray that God will mend the broken bones and uplift the spirits of these believers. Pray that their testimony and faithfulness will result in many Hindus coming to Christ.

    For more information on the increasing persecution facing Christians in India,click here.
  • Homes Burned and Christians Beaten in Orissa

    As Rabindra Mallick, brother of Pastor Kulamani Mallick, was returning from the market in the village of Matiapara in Orissa, India on January 15, he was beaten and abused by local Hindus.  To prevent problems in this small village of 70 people (where only nine are Christians), the incident was not reported to the police.  The next day, however, local villagers armed with "lathis" (bamboo rods) attacked the Christians.  Their houses were ransacked and the home of Pastor Mallick was set on fire.  Nearby homes also caught fire and were destroyed.  Six of the eight homes burned belonged to Christians.

    According to a January 25 report from Compass Direct, police have arrested five of the villagers involved in the attack.  Hindu villagers have also accused the Christians of forcible conversion.  Members of the militant youth organization, Bajrang Dal, claimed the Christians were using torture to convert Hindus to Christianity.  Pastor Mallick and his cousin Gunanidhi Mallick were arrested but were later released on bail.  The All India Christian Council is urging the government to provide compensation, food and shelter to those now without homes.  At last report, no aid had been received.

    Pray that our brothers and sisters in Matiapara will be able to rejoice in the hope they have in Christ because of the false accusations leveled against them. Pray that Pastor Mallick will have clear direction from the Lord as he shepherds the people through this time.

    For more information on India and the persecution experienced by Christians there,click here.

    (Source: Compass Direct)
  • Four Arrested for Converting Hindus

    Police in Jabalpur, India arrested four Christians on January 26, accusing them of converting tribals to Christianity.  According to VOMC sources in India, a bus load of 23 tribal Christians were on their way to a Nazarene Church convention in Nagpur when police, acting on complaints from a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) arrested the leaders and charged them under the state's "Religion Freedom Act."  According to the Hindustan Times, the four arrested were Praveen Pawar, Samath Pawar, Shashi Prabha and Maclin Masih.

    Pray that Praveen, Samath, Shashi and Maclin will be released soon and that all charges against them will be dropped. Pray that they will have opportunities to share their faith while they are detained. Ask the Lord to sustain their friends and families.

    For more information on persecution in India,click here.
  • Bishop and Three Priests Pelted with Stones
    Biship Thomas Dabre
    Bishop Thomas Dabre of Vasai and three priests, Oneil Faroz, Philip Vaz and Andrew Rodrigues, were inaugurating a hostel for tribal children in the village of Ghosali, Maharashtra on January 29 when they were pelted with stones and verbally abused.  One of the priests sustained head injuries.

    According to a January 31 report by the Indian Catholic news agency, the incident began when over 100 members of the militant organizations Bajrang Dal and Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad began protesting against the hostel, claiming that its purpose was to convert the children to Christianity.  Local villagers who were grateful for this new facility drove the militants away before violence could escalate.

    Join us in thanking God with us that the violence was stopped when it was. Continue to pray that there will be no further opposition to this ministry.

    For more information on the persecution facing Christians in India,click here.
  • Pastor Beaten While Distributing Literature

    Pastor Aharon, a Pentecostal pastor from Nizamabad, India was giving out Christian literature at a bus stop on January 13 when he was attacked by Hindu militants. They claimed he was using money to lure people into converting to Christianity.  Two members of the Hindu organization Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) were detained by police following the incident.

    Pray that those opposed to the spread of the Gospel in India will come to understand the message of Jesus Christ. Pray that the literature that was distributed by Pastor Aharon will fall into the hands of those who are spiritually hungry.

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

    (Source: Webindia123)
  • Children's Homes Face Opposition

    On January 14, approximately forty Hindu militants opposed to a children's home and school being constructed in the north-eastern Indian village of Tikri in Uttaranchal came to the construction site and threatened to kill the workers who were building the new facility. The workers all fled for their lives. Ashish Massey, the head of the North India Evangelistic Association (NIEA) who is funding the project, has also been threatened with death by the militants. According a report received by VOMC, credited to Khumi Massey, a staff member of NIEA, some of the local villagers allegedly complained to the activists that the Christians had come to their village to convert them.

    In a separate incident in West Bengal, the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority demolished a church building and orphanage on January 16, despite on-going legal proceedings.  According to Indian Express, the development authority claimed that the buildings were impeding a planned road expansion.  At the time of its destruction, the orphanage was home to thirty children and twenty women.

    Pray that those who are serving these little ones in the name of the Father will know His protection. Pray that the displaced children and women in West Bengal will find comfortable, safe housing. Pray that the threats against Ashish's life will amount to nothing more than powerless words.

    For more information on persecution facing Christians in India,click here.
  • House Church Closed After Conflict with Hindu Worship

    Members of a house church in the village of Umarkote in Orissa state have been ordered by police to stop meeting after a conflict with Hindu militants.  According to a January 4 report from Compass Direct, the militants set up a make-shift Hindu temple in October 2005 near the house church.  They then complained to police that the noise from the Christians was interfering with their Hindu worship.  On December 29, an official complaint was also issued, charging the Christians with forcible conversions.

    On December 30, three Christian women were physically abused as they were making their way to a prayer meeting at the home of Tirinath Nag.  Another member of the church, Samraj Rai, was also slapped and had his motorbike damaged when be came to warn the women. The Christians reported the incident to the police the next day, but the officer would not register an official complaint.  When contacted by Compass, Inspector Narayan Chand Barik said he had not received any complaint from the Christians, but had a complaint submitted by the Hindus.  He also discovered that some Hindus had converted to Christianity without the official process of reporting their conversion to the magistrates, as required under Orissa's "Freedom of Religion" laws.

    As a result of a meeting on January 3, police said they would allow the makeshift Hindu temple to remain on public land, but Christians were banned from holding services in Nag's house. They would be allowed to meet in the home only for prayer and not for any other church-related activity.

    Pray that the believers will display patience and love during this confrontation. Ask the Lord to bring justice into the situation, and that the Christians will be allowed to worship freely. Pray that the believers will be strengthened in their walk with the Lord and in fellowship with each other and will have even more boldness to share the Gospel of Peace.

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

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