Serious Injuries as Christian Prayer Meeting Raided

01 February 2006

Six Christians suffered serious injuries when Hindu militants stormed a prayer meeting in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India on the morning of January 28. It is believed those responsible were affiliated with either the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or the Bajrang Dal, two militant Hindu organizations.

The incident began as Pastor Sam Francis led prayer at the beginning of a day that was planned for prayer and fasting. The militants began to pelt the building with stones, shattered windows and tried to break down the doors. Accusing the Christians of organizing religious conversions, the mob began to beat the worshippers with rods. The most seriously injured sustained broken bones and were treated in hospital.

Pray that God will mend the broken bones and uplift the spirits of these believers. Pray that their testimony and faithfulness will result in many Hindus coming to Christ.

For more information on the increasing persecution facing Christians 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.

India News

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Believers in India.
Photo: VOMC

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Photo: Wikimedia / Subhashish Panigrahi (cc)

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A church in India.
Photo: Flickr / Ashish Kumar Milap (cc)

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A screenshot of people disrupting the service in Bhilai.
Photo: Morning Star News

On July 20th, six pastors were arrested after a mob disrupted a church service in Bhilai, a city located within the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. The assailants chanted Hindu slogans and accused the pastors of engaging in forcible conversions. As the mob grew increasingly vocal, shouting obscenities and threatening violence, Pastor Baksh locked the church doors to protect his congregation members.

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