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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.

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

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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.”

Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Equipping the Saints, Legal Defense, Relief and Development, Women’s Ministry

Country Information

Designation
Persecuted

Population
1,326,093,247 (July 2020 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Indo-Aryan (72), Dravidian (25), Mongoloid and other (3)

Religion (%)
Hinduism (79.8), Muslim (14.2), Christianity (2.3), Sikh (1.7), other (2)

Leader
President Ram Nath Kovind

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.

end

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