Bible School Students and Leaders Arrested

Pastor P.R. Anthony, Pastor Reji K. Sunny and five students were taken by police from the Christian Education Institute in Katuwa in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir on August 31. According to the All India Christian Council, they were charged with "abetting conversions" under section 109 of the Indian Penal Code.

A local Christian leader believes that the militant Hindu organizations Bajrang Dal and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are responsible for the arrests in an effort to shut down the Bible school. The school has been operating in Katuwa for many years and there are presently twenty-five students. The seven have been released on bail and are scheduled to appear in court on September 16.

Pray that these believers will keep their eyes on Jesus, finding their encouragement and strength in Him (Hebrews 10:32-39; 12:1-3). Pray that they will rely on the Lord to give them wisdom as they stand in court on September 16 (Matthew 10:19).

For more information on the persecution facing India's Christian community, 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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  • Christians Accused of Forcibly Converting Children
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