Emmanuel Mission President Arrested

^{Pastor Samuel Thomas being arrested
Photo from}^{Hopegivers International}

The violence that began on February 17 against the ministry of Emmanuel Mission International (EMI - also known as Hopegivers International) has led to the arrest of the president of the organization, Dr. Samuel Thomas. Hindu militants had previously put a price on Thomas' head, causing Thomas and his father, Archbishop M.A. Thomas, to go into hiding. M.A. Thomas, founder of EMI, remains in hiding. Samuel Thomas was arrested as he was going to a meeting with a senior advocate of the Supreme Court of India to arrange anticipatory bail in preparation for his arrest.

The violence against the EMI ministries in Rajasthan began after militant Hindu groups protested against a book that was being sold at a book table at an EMI conference. They claimed the book denigrated Hindu gods. The book has since been banned by the government. The Indian parliament has been forced to adjourn twice within a week because of heated arguments about what should be done about the violence in Rajasthan. Some parliamentarians are demanding a stop to the harassment of EMI by Rajasthan's state government. Members of the Hindu nationalist BJP party, however, support the state government's actions.

More than 2000 orphans in the EMI-run orphanage in Kota, Rajasthan have been suffering since EMI bank accounts have been frozen and utilities were cut off. EMI staff has offered to transfer them to other orphanages but have been unable to do so because of inadequate security.

Pray that the children of the orphanage will be protected from harm. Pray that they will be able to be transferred to a place where they can receive adequate care. Pray that the staff will have the strength and wisdom they need to continue to serve the children. Pray that all charges will be dropped against Dr. Thomas. Pray that there will be a resolution to the crisis very soon and that this vital ministry will be allowed to carry on without hindrance.

For more information on this story, as well as other incidents of persecution against Christians in India, go to 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.