All India Christian Council has reported two separate attacks on Christians in early December.
In Pedda Demili in the district of Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh a church building was completely destroyed by fire following threats from local villagers. Three months ago, four villagers approached Pastor B. Vijay Kumar and demanded that he destroy the building or else they would. On the night of December 1, while the pastor was staying with relatives, villagers informed him that smoke and flames were coming from his church building. Though villagers attempted to extinguish the fire, they were too late and the building was completely destroyed.
On December 4, a Christian media team visited the village of Malkapur in Sangareddy, Andhra Pradesh to show a film on Jesus. They obtained the necessary permission from the village head and then announced the screening to the villagers. However, while the film was being shown, police arrived and demanded to know what was happening. When one of the Christians told him that they had permission, the officer slapped him. A pastor who was present attempted to intervene but the officer demanded that the team leave immediately. The film was stopped and the team went to their place of accommodation. Early the next morning, the pastor found out that some of the local villagers were intending to burn the team's vehicle. Frightened, the team left the village.
Pray for efforts to rebuild the church in Pedda Demili. Pray that believers in Pedda Demili will exemplify the love of God through consistent love and prayer for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:43-48). Pray for the continued spread of the Gospel in Sangareddy and throughout Andhra Pradesh.
For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, click here.
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