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India: Church Planting and Persecution
India: Church Planting and Persecution
As India's Hindu population reaches nearly one billion, nationalism within the country is on the rise. Fundamentalist Hindus are calling for the nation to be purged of all non-Hindus, leaving Christians increasingly vulnerable to persecution. Since 2016, the cases of persecution have worsened yearly and, in 2020, India ranked 10th on the list of countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian.
Another reason for the escalating number of attacks on Indian followers of Jesus is the growth of Christianity that's presently taking place within the country. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, Greg Musselman is joined by David Witt, the CEO of Spirit of Martyrdom International, who aspires to shine God's light into this spiritually dark nation by planting 100,000 churches. David has spent several decades providing support and encouragement to persecuted Christians in more than 50 countries across the globe.
In his recently published book, God's Global Grace Movement: Hope Rising from An Awakening in India, David teaches how we can all learn to be more effective in advancing God's Kingdom. In this book, he also shares inspiring stories of believers who have committed their lives to following Jesus, no matter the cost.
Date: December, 2022
Length: 47 minutes
Show Notes
Spirit of Martyrdom International
spiritofmartyrdom.com
To order David Witt's book, God's Global Grace Movement: Hope Rising from an Awakening in India, go to spiritofmartyrdom.com/online-christian-bookstore
The Voice of the Martyrs Canada
vomcanada.com
The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (Canada)
idop.ca
The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (US)
persecution.com/idop
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 republicLegal 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.
Select a Region
India News
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Christians Injured in Church Attack
A village in Chhattisgarh.
Photo: Flickr / United Nations Development Programme (CC)More than 25 Christians – including children and elderly believers – were injured when a worship service was violently disrupted by Hindu nationalists on May 31st. The attack occurred in the village of Sadrapal, which is located within Chhattisgarh State, as more than 60 Christians gathered for worship. Among those injured were Pastor Hunga Mandavi and his pregnant wife. During the assault, the attackers demanded that the congregants renounce their faith in Christ.
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Christian Families Denied Access to Basic Resources
People drawing water in Chhattisgarh.
Photo: Unsplash / Wietse JongsmaMore than 180 Christian families from 32 villages in the Kanker district of Chhattisgarh have reportedly been denied access to communal water supplies and livelihood opportunities for refusing to renounce their faith in Jesus.
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Increased Harassment Since New Anti-Conversion Laws
Photo: VOMC On the morning of May 10th, members of a Hindu nationalist organization travelled to disrupt several worship services in the city of Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh, where they verbally confronted the churches' pastors and demanded to see their identification papers. In some cases, police were also present to monitor the situation.
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Harsh Anti-Conversion Laws in Chhattisgarh
A pastor is sharing the Gospel in India.
Photo: VOM InternationalWhile many Indian states have instituted laws aimed at preventing coerced or forced religious conversions, the newly passed legislation in Chhattisgarh is notably more severe. Signed into effect by the governor on April 7th, the recently implemented law replaces a 1968 statute that Christian leaders say was frequently used as a weapon against minority communities.
