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India

• Priest martyred in Andhra Pradesh, India

  Father Thomas Pandipally Photo fromGCIC

  Catholic priest Thomas Pandipally (38) was tortured and killed in Nizamabad District, Andhra Pradesh, India on the night of August 16. On Sunday, August 17, a group of nuns travelling to the church found Pandipally's body on the road. He suffered more than 30 stab injuries and was hit in the head with sticks and boulders. According to Anthoniraj Thumma, the executive secretary of Andhra Pradesh Federation of Churches, Christians are viewed as a threatening influence in the community.

  Pray for those who are grieving the loss of Thomas Pandipally. Pray for the Christians in India and ask God to give them strength. Pray also for those who tortured and killed Pandipally; pray that they will come to know Christ's love, forgiveness and blessing through the lives of Christians (Romans 12:14, 21).

  For more information on persecution in India, go to theIndia Country Report.

• Pastor and believers attacked in Karnataka

  On August 10, Hindu militants attacked a group of Christians gathered for worship in Rona, Gadag district, Karnataka. Pastor Samuel Philip (30) was forewarned about a possible attack and, as a result, police protection was provided. However, when the police returned to their station, the militants attacked the believers present. Six people have been arrested for attacking the congregation.

  On August 11, approximately twenty members of the Shivasainya Youth Association Hindu militant group attacked a prayer meeting in the village of Emmanabettur and beat the believers present. Pastor Rajendra Gowda and Pastor Kumara were stripped, placed in a van and taken to a local police station. On route, they were also assaulted by the militants. They have been charged with deliberately and maliciously intending to outrage the religious feelings of others.

  Pray for healing for those injured in these attacks. Pray that increased persecution will result in increased boldness among the believers (Acts 4:29-31). Ask God to work in the hearts of militants in India, drawing them to Himself.

  For more information on the challenges facing India's Christians, go to the India Country Report.

• Hindu Militants Attack Christians in Karnataka

  

  Several Christians were attacked by Hindu militants in the state of Karnataka, India in recent weeks.

  On July 13, Hindu militants disrupted a morning worship service at the Full Gospel Assembly Church in the village of Harapanahalli Taluk, Davangere district and beat believers present. Pastor Prakash Nayak and an evangelist, Kari Basappa, were severely injured. The militants also destroyed Bibles and song books in the attack.

  On July 20, another church in the same district, the Gypsy Prayer Hall, was attacked by a group of Hindu militants. At approximately 12:30 p.m., the militants stormed into the church during a worship service and shouted insults and threats at believers present. Bibles and song books were burned. They dragged Pastor Naik (48) and two other believers outside and beat them. The three were then taken to the local police station where they were accused of forcibly converting Hindus.

  Also on July 20, approximately twenty Hindu militants stormed into the Friends Mission Prayer Band Church in the village of Konvallichawla, Haveri district during a worship service and assaulted Pastor Abraham. The militants also destroyed Christian literature, including Bibles. They took Pastor Abraham to a local police station, planning to have him arrested, but he collapsed as a result of his injuries and was hospitalized.

  Pray for healing for those injured in these attacks. Ask God to bless the ministry of these and other Christian workers spreading the Gospel in India. Pray that the Lord will work in the lives of the persecutors and lead them to faith in Christ.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.

• Christians Beaten, Accused of Forcible Conversion in India

  There were at least three incidents of attacks against Christians in India in recent weeks.

  At approximately 1:00 p.m on July 5, four Hindu militants attacked an evangelist, Shyam Kumar (22), while he was distributing Gospel tracts to the poor in the village of Baswapur, Andhra Pradesh. The militants falsely accused him of forcibly converting people and severely beat him, rendering him unconscious. He was later found by a friend and hospitalized for his injuries.

  On July 10, Pastor A. Jayrag was assaulted by Hindu militants who opposed local authorities' decision to grant him permission to build a church in the village of Dandu Mylavaram, Andhra Pradesh. At approximately 9:00 p.m., the assailants barged into the house of the pastor and dragged him outside. He was beaten, kicked, accused of forcibly converting people and warned of dire consequences if he continued to preach the Gospel in the village.

  Ms. Prabhavati (27) and Ms. D. Malleswary Photo fromGCIC

  Two Christian women, Ms. Prabhavati (27) and Ms. D. Malleswary (24), were arrested on false charges of forcible conversion in the town of Vivek Nagar, Bangalore on July 12. At approximately 2:00 p.m., Hindu militants came to the women's church and asked them for Christian tracts. As soon as they received the tracts, however, the militants accused the two believers of forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity. Police arrested the women and detained them at a local jail where they were ordered to remain for 13 days.

  Pray for healing for those who were injured in these attacks. Pray for the release of imprisoned believers. Ask God to strengthen the Body of Christ in India to stand in His grace as it faces continual pressure from Hindu militants (1 Peter 5:10-12).

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

• Pastors Attacked, Accused of Forcible Conversion

  Pastor Murugan (65) was beaten by Hindu militants who ambushed him and two other believers while returning home from a prayer meeting in Moodalpalya, Karnataka on June 24. The other two managed to flee and escape any harm. The militants accused the pastor of forcibly converting people and "spoiling the minds of the children" and took him to the local police station where he was detained.

  On June 26, Hindu militants barged into the home of a local believer in Hubli, Karnataka, shouted curses at the Christians gathered for a prayer meeting and beat Pastor Vinod Talakere. They dragged the pastor and another believer to the local police station where the men were detained on accusations of forcibly converting people and kidnapping local girls and enrolling them in Bible college.

  Pray for the release of these pastors. Ask God to bless their ministry and the work of other Christians spreading the Gospel in India.

  For more information on persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.

• Pastor Attacked in Madhya Pradesh

  Pastor Rampal Masih was attacked by Hindu militants while leading a morning church service in the town of Gurh, Madhya Pradesh on June 15. At approximately 11:30 a.m. militants gathered outside the church building and began to shout curses at the 70 believers present. Five of the militants forcibly entered the church, dragged Pastor Masih outside and beat him. When some of the church members rescued the pastor, the militants fled to the local police station. Later that day, the militants returned with two police officers and another group of militants. They ordered Pastor Masih to come outside of the building and when he did, they beat him for a second time. Before leaving the premises, the attackers threatened to set fire to the church.

  Pray for healing for Pastor Masih. Pray that he and his congregation will grow in Christlikeness through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4). Pray that the faithfulness of Indian Christians will be a light that draws others to Christ.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to the India Country Report.

• Christian Couple Beaten by Hindu Militants in Madhya Pradesh

  Shankaral Saket and his wife were severely beaten by Hindu militants in Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh on May 27. Both believers were seriously injured and Saket required 20 stitches on his head. The attackers were angered by Saket's conversion to Christianity four years ago.

  Pray for healing for Saket and his wife. Ask God to strengthen Christians in India to continue to share their faith in Christ despite attacks from militants who oppose the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.

• Pastor Beaten; Churches Attacked Pastor Rampal Kori was beaten by two Hindu militants in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh while returning from a prayer service at approximately 7:30 a.m. on May 27. The militants repeatedly struck the pastor with an iron rod and accused him of forcibly converting villagers to Christianity. They also robbed him of 3000 Rupees ($70 CAD). Pastor Kori sustained serious injuries that required stitches in his head.

  Hindu militants attacked at least two churches in recent weeks. On the evening of May 26, militants demolished a thatched church in the district of Adilabad, Andhra Pradesh. Similarly, the Masihi Mandir Church in the district of Oriya Para, Chhattisgarh was attacked by a group of Hindu militants during a morning church service on June 1. At approximately 11:00 a.m., the militants barged into the church building and destroyed the facility's furniture. The attackers accused the believers present of forcibly converting people, and threatened them of dire consequences if they continued to worship Christ.

  Pray for healing for Pastor Kori. Ask God to strengthen the believers whose churches were attacked to continue to stand in His grace (1 Peter 5:12).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to the India Country Report.

• Christians Concerned over Hindu Nationalist Party Victory in Karnataka

  A Hindu nationalist leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), B.S. Yeddyurappa, was elected as the chief minister of Karnataka state on May 25, according to a May 29 report from Compass Direct. This first-ever victory of the BJP in a south Indian state is causing concern among the minority Christian community in Karnataka, where anti-Christian attacks have been on the rise since 2006. The BJP is the parent organization of the Hindu militant group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a major force behind attacks on Christians.

  Ask God to embolden Christians in Karnataka to remain steadfast as they suffer for the sake of Christ (Rev. 2:10). Pray that those who persecute Christians will see Christ's grace and mercy and be reconciled to Him.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.

• Hindu Militants Attack Bible School Students in Karnataka

  Fifteen Indian students at Timothy Theological College in Bellary, Karnataka state were beaten by Hindu militants on May 24, according to a May 26 report from the Global Council of Indian Christians. Two lecturers at the Bible college, Dr. Isaac Namadevu and Rev. Jayaprakash, were also beaten in the attack. The report indicated that the attack took place at approximately 12:30 p.m. when 20 members of a Hindu militant group barged into the college accusing Rev. Jayaprakash of "forced conversions." The students and lecturers sustained various injuries in the attack. The militants also tore up Bibles, smashed windows, and destroyed the furniture in the facility. After the college filed a complaint, 11 militants were arrested and remain detained in a police station.

  Pray for the healing of the students and the lecturers of the Bible college. Ask God to strengthen believers in India to continue to spread the Gospel despite opposition from Hindu militant groups.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.