Church Building Vandalized and Christians Beaten

Hindu symbols on the walls of the church building
 Pastor Thomas Koshy's family
Pastor Thomas Koshy's
church building
and family
Photos from GCIC
Pastor Thomas Koshy (36) has been living in Yelahanka, Karnataka with his wife Elcy (32) and children Tincy (8) and Jason (2) for the past five years. Since 2004, he has also been pastoring a church in the community. On August 18, Hindu militants came to his house and threatened to burn him and his wife to death unless Koshy stopped holding services in the community.

The next day, as believers were gathering to worship, militants forced their way into the church building. They locked the doors and beat several of the believers who had gathered. The attackers then forced the believers outside, painted Hindu symbols on the building and held a Hindu worship ceremony in the building. At last report, Pastor Koshy has been unable to return to his home and is staying with friends for his protection.

Pray for protection for the believers in Yelahanka. Pray for healing for those injured. Pray that the Christians will be a testimony of the love and grace of Jesus Christ in the face of opposition.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to the India Country Report.

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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    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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