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Believers in India facing charges - Photo: Morning Star News www.morningstarnews.org
Lalsingh Tomar (left), Pastor Mukam Kiraad (in blue) and Nanliya Rawat (right)
Photo: Morning Star News

Three Christians were arrested in the village of Vadi in Madhya Pradesh on December 16th after fellow villagers accused them of practising illegal medicine. They spent 11 days in jail before being released on bail. Pastor Mukam Kiraad, along with two members of his church, Lalsingh Tomar and Nanliya Rawat, were shocked to learn they were charged with medical malpractice after praying for physical healing.

Christians were gathered for worship on December 10th when more than a dozen villagers barged into the home. While some of the intruders filmed what was happening, others seized cell phones, Bibles, literature, and a bottle of oil. Nine Christians were detained and then released that evening. However, Pastor Mukam and the two others were called back on December 16th and placed under arrest. A hearing was scheduled to commence on January 8th. To learn more about the persecution facing Christians in India, visit our country report.

Please bring these three arrested believers before the God's throne room in prayer, petitioning that all charges be dropped so they will be free to continue in their service for Him. At the same time, may He provide opportunities for them to use this incident as a means of leading others to salvation through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. On behalf of the many believers throughout India, pray they will be given discernment and the right words to say as they interact with those who lack an understanding of the Christian faith.

Current Ministry Projects

In addition to providing persecuted Christians legal support and rehabilitation assistance, VOMC cares for children of martyrs by ensuring they have a safe home in which to be nurtured both physically and spiritually. VOMC also partners to equip Christians in India with Biblical training and offers specialized ministry to further strengthen and support marginalized, persecuted Christian women.

Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Equipping the Saints, Legal Defence, Relief and Development, Women’s Ministry

Country Information

Designation
Persecuted

Population
1,339,330,514 (July 2021 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Indo-Aryan (72), Dravidian (25), Mongoloid and other (3)

Religion (%)
Hinduism (79.8), Muslim (14.2), Christianity (2.3), Sikh (1.7), other (2)

Leader
President Ram Nath Kovind (2017)

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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