Couple Kidnapped Just Before Baptism

14 April 2004

In meetings with church leaders in northeastern India this week, The Voice of the Martyrs learned about a Hindu couple living in the village of Barobisa (near the Bhutan border) who had recently accepted Christ. They were about to be baptized when they were kidnapped by local Hindus and have not been heard from since. Church leaders expressed concern for their safety and believe that the kidnapping may be an attempt to pressure the couple to reconvert to Hinduism.

The religious climate in India has grown markedly more hostile in recent years. The country's ruling BJP party has close connections with militant Hindu organizations intent on suppressing the growth of Christianity in the country.

Pray for the safe release of this couple. Pray for church leaders as they face the difficult task of encouraging those who desire to follow Christ while facing community and family rejection and violence if they do. Pray for the elections in India later this month.

For more information on persecution in India, click here.

India

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 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.

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