Christian Meeting Disrupted in Madhya Pradesh

As many as fifteen Hindu militants attacked a Christian meeting in the Pathakhera area of Madhya Pradesh on March 2. According to a March 6 report from Compass Direct, Pastor Avinash Kanchan was leading the meeting of an independent church when the militants burst into the room and started to beat the twenty-five women and five men present. They slapped Pastor Kanchan, beat him with shoes and threatened the believers gathered. Kanchan's motorcycle was damaged and his cell phone, watch and Bible were stolen.

Pray for protection and help for Pastor Kanchan and the other believers in Pathakhera. Pray that they will take comfort in the fact that God commends those who suffer for doing good (1 Peter 2:20-21). Pray that they will have opportunities to share their faith with their persecutors.

For more information on the persecution facing 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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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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  • Concerns of Imminent Violence in Odisha
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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)

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