Seven staff members of the ATMIK Vikas Trust (AVT) mission in Uttar Pradesh, India are under police investigation following accusations from a group of former employees. According to a May 31 report from Compass Direct, the former employees claim they each gave the mission a deposit 20,000 rupees ($575 Cdn) when they signed up for a training program. They claim that the staff at the mission converted them under the guise of finding them jobs. When the group lost their jobs in November 2004, they allege that they were beaten and threatened with death when they requested their deposit back.
One of the accused denies that money was ever received. Another defendant, M.M. Philip, told Compass, "This is simply an expression of frustration by our ex-employees. We provide Biblical teachings and focus on the personal transformation of a trainee, but some come in with false expectations. They think they will get a job and money, and when such expectations are not met, they think they have been wronged."
The seven have been accused of criminal breach of trust, voluntarily causing hurt and criminal intimidation. If convicted, they could face imprisonment of up to seven years, a fine or both.
Pray that the truth will come out in this case. Pray for the continued ministry of AVT. Pray for strength, wisdom and courage for each of those accused.
For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, click here.
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