Christians Beaten, Church Burned by Militants

At approximately 12:00 p.m. on September 12, a Christian named Xaxa (52) was beaten by Hindu militants in Annuppur district, Madhya Pradesh. The militants had reportedly targeted him in an attempt to protest against the central government. One of the assailants was a man who attacked Xaxa in June after accusing him of running a school in order to convert people. Xaxa is reportedly suffering severe pain from the injuries he sustained.

On September 15, six Gospel for Asia (GFA) Bible college students were attacked by Hindu militants while distributing Christian literature and evangelizing in Gujarat. According to a September 17 GFA report, the militants accused the believers of trying to forcibly convert people to Christianity. Their literature was confiscated and burned. One of the students managed to escape during the attack in order to get help from GFA leaders. The remaining five were taken to the local police station but when the leaders arrived, they had been released without charge. None of the believers were severely injured.

Pastor Virendra Singh and his family
Pastor Virendra Singh and family
Photo from
GCIC.

On September 16, Pastor Virendra Singh (50) his wife Bhavana (45) and his daughter Rushali (14) were on their way to their church in the village of Bhadwadi when they were beaten by approximately 150 Hindu militants. The militants accused the family of forcibly converting people to Christianity. Both the pastor and his wife received minor injuries. The militants then went to Pastor Singh's church and burnt it to the ground. The 500-600 believers present fled the building. Bibles, religious books and musical instruments were destroyed. Prior to the incident, Pastor Singh had registered a report with the local police asking for protection because the militants had threatened to kill him.

Pray for healing for Xaxa. Pray that the Bible college students will be emboldened to continue spreading the gospel (Acts 4:29-31). Ask God to give safety and strength to Pastor Singh, his family and his congregation as they recover from the attack.

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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