Church Attacked

While the Assembly of God church in Yakkala, Sri Lanka were meeting for worship on October 29, a group of approximately fifty Buddhists, including four local monks, arrived at the service and demanded that it be cancelled. He was told that as this was a Buddhist village, there was no need for a Christian church. According to a report on October 31 from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, the pastor denied the mob's accusations that he was offering money to induce people to convert to Christianity. To prevent any violence, the pastor reluctantly agreed to cancel the service for that week. The mob demanded that he permanently close the church or face serious consequences. A police report has been made and the authorities are promising protection to the congregation.

Pray that the authorities will follow through with their promise. Pray that the church will be faithful to continue the ministry the Lord has given them (1 Peter 5:1-4). Pray that they will have God's wisdom in dealing with the accusations of the local Buddhists (James 1:5).

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Sri Lanka, click here.

  • Current Ministry Projects

    VOMC supports persecuted Christians in Sri Lanka as they witness for Christ in hostile environments through Biblical training, legal aid, and advocacy, as well as rehabilitation and emergency assistance.

    Project Funds: Equipping the Saints, Legal Defence, Relief & Development, Families of Martyrs

  • Country Information

    Population
    23,326,272 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Sinhalese (74.9), Sri Lankan Tamil (11.2), Sri Lankan Moors (9.2), Indian Tamil (4.2), other (0.5)

    Religion (%)
    Buddhism (70.2), Hinduism (12.6), Islam (9.7), Roman Catholic (6.1), Evangelical Christianity (2.0)

    Leader
    President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (Sept 2024)

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, and Jaffna Tamil customary law

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Sri Lanka

    Let's unite our hearts in prayer for those in Sri Lanka who are being persecuted for their faith, thanking God for what He is accomplishing despite the opposition. Ask that His people will be encouraged, strengthened and equipped by the promises of the Bible – the Sword of the Spirit – knowing that He is watching over His Word to perform it (Ephesians 6:17; Jeremiah 1:12). May they not only overcome the strategies of the enemy, but also serve as effective witnesses to those in need of eternal salvation and deliverance from spiritual captivity.

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Sri Lanka News

  • Church Services Restricted to Pastor's Family
    A woman is raising her hands in worship.
    Photo: VOMC 

    In July, a complaint against the Jesus Jeewamanai Revival Church in Polgahawela was issued by some villagers and Buddhist leaders who opposed the worship services that were taking place at the pastor's home. In response, police requested that the church restrict the number of people attending the gatherings, particularly by limiting participants who were visiting from outside of the community, until guidance was received from the authorities on how to handle the situation. For more information about this incident, go to this report.

    Read more...

  • Church Building Pelted with Stones; Worshippers Restricted Access
    Christians are seated on floor mats as they pray together. Two women are in the foreground.
    A group of Christians praying together.
    Photo: VOMC
     

    The Jesus Jeewamanai Revival Church in the town of Polgahawela has been the target of attacks perpetrated by disgruntled members of the community who oppose their place of worship. On July 7th and 11th, stones were thrown at the church building. Then, on July 14th, before the Christians' Sunday services were scheduled to begin, villagers blocked the road leading to the building in order to prevent the congregants and their pastor from accessing the facility.

    Read more...

  • Arrests During House Church Construction
    People are in and around a small building under construction.
     
     

    On June 13th, the pastor of God's Kingdom Gospel Church in Kandapola, Sri Lanka, was constructing a house church building, together with the support of other pastors and church leaders, when he was approached by a junior manager. The pastor was questioned by the manager as to whether or not the Christians had permission to build a church.

    Read more...

  • Acts of Vandalism Disrupt Pastors' Convention
    The inside of a church building shows crosses at the back of the stage, two flower arrangements and chairs arranged, ready for a gathering.
    A church building in Sri Lanka.
    Photo: VOMC

    Pastors from the Foursquare Church recently gathered at their denominational campground in the Puttalam District of Sri Lanka for an annual convention. At around 1 a.m. on January 25th, a group of unidentified individuals entered the camp and began vandalizing the property.

    Read more...

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Sri Lankan church attacked
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