Eight Christians Arrested

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Eight workers at a home for the destitute in the Indian state of Karnataka have been arrested on false charges of wrongful confinement and abduction, according to an October 17 report from Compass Direct. The workers at the Lourd Matha Seva Ashram home in the village of Thyagarathi were arrested after a crowd of five hundred villagers stormed the facility because of false television news reports.

According to police sub-inspector P.B. Hanummanthappa, a 75-year-old resident of the home had reported to police that residents (many of whom are mentally handicapped) were being confined, forced to work too hard and given strong medication. There had been reports that the home was involved in trafficking human organs, but police have dismissed any such allegations. They do say, however, that the home has not complied with some administrative requirements.

Ask God to deliver these workers and bring about justice in their case (Psalm 140). Ask God to give them wisdom to know how to answer their accusers (Matthew 10:19). Pray that the ministry of the home would carry on uninterrupted.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, click here. A new video report by Crossroads Communications about some of the ways that VOMC is assisting persecuted Christians in India is available on https://www.vomcanada.com/.

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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India News

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    Photo: Wikipedia / Suyash Dwivedi (cc)
     

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  • Family of Deceased Pastor Forcibly Converted to Hinduism
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    Pastor Manju, an outspoken leader and prominent advocate for Christian rights in India, pastored churches in two different villages within Chhattisgarh State. Sadly, Pastor Manju suffered a heart attack on August 28th and suddenly passed away, leaving his surviving wife, daughter and two sons grief-stricken and in a state of shock.

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    The remains of a church building
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    Photo: All India Christian Council (cc)

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     A village in Odisha
    Photo: Wikimedia / Strange Burg (cc)

    Around 120 tribal Christians from two villages in Odisha State were forcibly "reconverted" to Hinduism on August 4th during a ceremony known as "ghar wapsi" (meaning "homecoming"). The ceremony involved Hindu and tribal rituals which are believed to "cleanse" those who had previously accepted Christ and wash away any remnants of Christianity.

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