Pastor Forced From Home for Not Bowing to Hindu Gods

On the evening of August 21, a group of militant Hindus broke into the home of Pastor Joseph (50) in the village of Kodambi in Karnataka state. The attackers accused him of not bowing before the Hindu gods and of converting Hindus to Christianity. They hauled him and all his possessions to a police station twenty miles away where police took him into custody but released him after a short time.
Pastor Chandrakanth

Two Christian leaders in the area, Pastor Johnson and David Chacko, heard of the attack and wanted to help resolve the issue. As the men were leaving for the police station on August 23, they were severely beaten and dragged to the police station where they were detained for a short time. Militants also chased an evangelist named Pastor Chandrakanth from the village and have been searching for other evangelists. Chandrakanth has taken shelter in a nearby city so he can continue his evangelistic work, despite the opposition.

Pray that these pastors will remain faithful to the task to which God has called them (1 Peter 5:1-4). Pray that they will rest in the knowledge that God is in control and has their best interests in mind (Jeremiah 29:11). Pray that the Holy Spirit will work through their testimony to bring the persecutors to Himself (Romans 12:14, 21, Matthew 5:14-16).

For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, click here.

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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