The persecution of evangelical Christians in Mexico's southern state of Chiapas is "accelerating daily in the indigenous regions" according to a February 9 report from Compass Direct. Alfonso Farrera from the National Bar of Christian Lawyers states that most of the problems stem from small town leaders insisting that evangelicals pay a share for the cost of local festivals which include ceremonies that are a blend of traditional native religions and Catholicism. If the evangelicals refuse, they are forced from their homes and their properties are confiscated.
On January 31, three evangelicals from the San Juan Chamula municipality were driving home when they were ambushed and shot at. All required hospitalization. Authorities concluded the raid was because of their faith. Also in January several families in the Los Pozos municipality of Huixtan had their water cut off and lost government assistance grants for religious reasons, according to Gomez Ton, representative of the Alas de Aguila denomination. Local leaders destroyed their water pipes and forbade believers to chop wood. Incidents where believers in Chiapas have been driven from their homes, imprisoned, threatened with hanging and given fines have also been reported.
Pray that the Christians in Chiapas will find a peace that passes understanding in the midst of this ongoing pressure (Philippians 4:7). Pray that these believers will be able to be a testimony of God's love and grace to those around them.
For more information on the persecution of Christians in Mexico, click here.
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