As many as twenty Indian militants interrupted the worship service at the Hossana Church in Kosa Nala, Chhattisgarh on June 18, according to a June 22 report from Compass Direct. The intruders grabbed the Bible of Pastor David Raj as he was preaching and began beating him. The mob also assaulted Raj's wife and some of the church members. The attackers then placed a rubber tire around Raj's neck and attempted to burn him to death. When they were unsuccessful in lighting the tire, they beat him some more and then turned him over to the police.
Raj and his wife have both been arrested on charges of deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings and promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion. They were also charged with attempted forced conversion.
According to local sources, the charges arise from statements signed by two of the women in the church. The women thought they were signing statements that they had been in the church that morning. Instead, the statements claim the two were offered cash and a motorcycle if they would convert to Christianity. Such allegations against an extremely poor pastor and his wife are considered preposterous.
Three of the assailants were arrested for their part in the attack but were immediately granted bail.
Pray that all charges against Pastor Raj and his wife will be dropped. Pray that they will be protected from every plan to harm them and that God will bring about justice in this situation (Psalm 140). Pray that they will confidently entrust themselves to Christ so that they may preach the gospel without hesitation (2 Timothy 1:7-12). Pray that the attackers will see that the message Pastor Raj proclaims is one of a free gift, not coercion, and respond in faith to Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, click here. To see the latest video report on the persecution in India, go to https://www.vomcanada.com/. The June edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter focuses on India. The feature article is available online to those who subscribe to this free monthly publication. Go to our newsletter page (Sorry, Canadian mailing addresses only).
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