Photo: VOMC
The Jesus Jeewamanai Revival Church in the town of Polgahawela has been the target of attacks perpetrated by disgruntled members of the community who oppose their place of worship. On July 7th and 11th, stones were thrown at the church building. Then, on July 14th, before the Christians' Sunday services were scheduled to begin, villagers blocked the road leading to the building in order to prevent the congregants and their pastor from accessing the facility.
As a result, an official complaint was issued with the local police about the obstruction. The officers requested that the church members cancel their services that day and ordered those blocking the road to disperse from the area. The next day, the pastor attended a meeting at the police station to further discuss the issue. He brought along with him another pastor, a church worker, as well as the landlady of the building in which the congregation regularly meets. Also present at the meeting were five opposing Buddhist religious leaders and about 40 villagers. Throughout that time, approximately 200 additional villagers gathered outside the police station in protest of the church members' activities.
The opposing villagers and their Buddhist leaders demanded that all worship services be permanently stopped. When the pastor responded by stating that he and his church members were acting within their constitutional rights, the police concurred. A request was then made by the opposing villagers, stating that anyone from outside the area should not be permitted to gather at the church. However, this condition was rejected by the pastor. In the end, the church members were told to limit the total number of people attending their worship services while further information was being sought by the authorities.
Much of the opposition encountered by churches in Sri Lanka comes from local villagers who are often provoked by Buddhist leaders in their communities. To learn more about the hardships experienced by followers of Jesus in Sri Lanka, go to our country report.
Pray that appropriate action will be taken to protect the religious freedoms of our Christian brothers and sisters from the Jesus Jeewamanai Revival Church. As these believers endeavour to reach out to those of the community around them with the "Good News" of God's salvation, may they be empowered with His wisdom, strength and compassion – responding to their opponents with love and grace. As a result, may the hostile members of their community come to understand the truth of the Gospel and willingly turn to faith in Christ.
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