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India

• Mob Publically Ridicules Pastor

  
  Pastor Awdhesh was publicly
  shamed for sharing the Gospel.
  Photo: Alpha Ministries

  In the state of Uttar Pradesh, a Christian pastor was publicly humiliated for allegedly leading a few men in their conversion to Christianity. On January 29th, a mob comprised of more than a hundred activists belonging to Bajrang Dal, a youth organization dedicated to Hindu nationalism, went to the home of Pastor Awdhesh and forcibly took him to the organization's district headquarters in the city of Orai.

  The activists made a public mockery of the pastor by shaving his head, eyebrows, and moustache before placing him on a donkey and parading him along the city's streets. Also, a garland of shoes, considered a symbol of shame in India, was placed around his neck. When police arrived at the scene, the mob refused to release Pastor Awdhesh. Senior officers subsequently arrived with reinforcements to deal with the situation. While there have been claims that the rally initially began with peaceful intentions, police are continuing with their investigation of the mob riot.

  Similar incidences perpetrated by Hindu nationalists have occurred before in India, including the massive outbreak of state-wide violence against Christians in Orissa during August of 2008. According to writer John L. Allen, the "series of riots ended with as many as 500 Christians killed" and, as a result, numerous traumatized children orphaned. Two Christian orphanages in India, assisted by The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, are still providing the orphans needed housing, education and ministry. For additional reports, including a video clip of these children singing at one of the assisted orphanages, go to our India Country Report.

  More recently was another incident of concern. In 2015, five Christian brothers, some of whom are pastors and evangelists, were charged with proselytizing after a video of their street witnessing in a predominantly Hindu city was made public. As their case is still being mediated in the courts, VOMC's legal defence fund continues to cover the believers' legal fees in support of their families.

  May the Lord remind Pastor Awdhesh of the psalmist's encouraging words in Psalm 119:50-52: "This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your promise gives me life. The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from Your law. When I think of Your rules from of old, I take comfort, O Lord" (ESV). Pray that this publicly humiliated spiritual leader in India will also be greatly comforted in his shame. May Pastor Awdhesh, like the early apostles, rejoice that he has been "counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the name" (Acts 5:41). Let us also prayerfully remember all believers who have been victimized as a result of Hindu nationalist violence, including the surviving loved ones of those slain in the Orissa attacks.

• Community Disrupted by Brutal Attacks and Forced Conversions

  Several Christians were hospitalized after the incident in Chhattisgarh state. Photo: World Watch Monitor

  Hindu hardliners brutally attacked members of the Independent Pentecostal Church in Kohkameta, Chhattisgarh state, causing some to be hospitalized and compelling others to reconvert to Hinduism. Worshippers were dragged out of the church and beaten with sticks. There were victims who became unconscious and required hospitalization, including the pastor. Others were forced to sign forms indicating that they have renounced Christianity. "They forced believers to sign," one of the victims stated. "When a believer refused, the villagers began to beat them again." Two days prior to the incident, which took place on October 25th, the attackers had reportedly conspired to end all Christian activities in the village.

  The brutal tactics of the opposing villagers have caused four assaulted families to reluctantly reconvert to Hinduism. Five other believers were reinitiated at a local Hindu temple. Those in the hospital were also forced to sign the forms, even though some were illiterate. The pledge is a court affidavit, which means anyone who violates it could be arrested. Despite being threatened with death if police were told, the assaulted Christians reported the incident to police and the media. When questioned by the authorities, the opposing villagers made their own complaints to police, telling them that the Christians had beaten them and disposed of their gods and goddesses. Previous prayer alerts concerning persecuted followers of Christ in India, as well as informative video reports and testimonies, are available at the India Country Report.

  May there be an end to the spread of such violence and forceful coercion by those who oppose Christianity. Please intercede for them so that their spiritual eyes will be opened to the truth of the Gospel and their hearts receptive to the ministry of the Holy Spirit. While God is preparing the hearts of the unsaved, ask Him to strengthen the believers' commitment to Christ -- enabling them to defend the Gospel with great love and mercy toward the lost. Also uphold in prayer the governing authorities of India, that they will obliterate any laws and policies that are unfair to Christians and citizens of other minority groups.

• Brutal Attack of Prayer Meeting Participants

  Hindu militants attacked Christians who had attended a prayer meeting in Jharkhand state on Friday, September 4th, causing some of them serious injuries requiring hospitalization. About 30 members of Anugrah (Grace) Church in Hututag village were gathered for the in-house meeting when a group of village women entered and began insulting Pastor Sarvajit Bharti and others. Shortly thereafter, two males arrived at the scene, ordering the members of the church to go outside. When the Christians refused to comply, the angered assailants forced Associate Pastor Mitilesh Kumar outside, asking if he was willing to worship Hindu idols instead of Jesus. “Mitilesh replied that they are not doing anything wrong by worshipping Christ, and they would not stop," reports another spiritual leader by the name of Pastor Nandi.

  Later on, about 15 Hindu extremists broke into the prayer meeting with guns, axes, spades and clubs. Angered by the apparent absence of Pastor Sarvajit, who by this time was hidden on the roof by fellow believers, the militants began to brutally attack the remaining Christians. Six of the victims were hospitalized. Fortunately, the others sustained only minor cuts and bruises.

  Since July, Christians throughout Jharkhand state have endured a growing amount of intimidation, threats and violence, in what some suspect to be a deliberate campaign to drive out Christians. With a village head that supports the Hindu extremists' actions, it has been difficult for these believers to hold worship meetings. Christians have also been forbidden from walking on the main road and getting water from the main pump. Prior to this incident, Pastor Sarvajit had to relocate from the village in July after Hindu extremists chased him during a midnight raid. More information on persecution in India is available on our website.

  Let us pray for the healing of each injured victim, as well as those who've been traumatized by the attack. May these faithful believers recognize and appreciate their Heavenly Father's love as He now brings them healing and comfort in a variety of ways. May the Christians of Jharkhand province be supernaturally filled with the joy of the Lord as they continue to fellowship and worship together. In addition, pray that the perpetrators will witness the reality of Christ in the lives of the village Christians, so they will turn from evil and follow only that which is holy and honouring to their Creator.

• Church Members Brutally Assaulted by Radicals

  A village in India.

  Christians in a village of India's Chhattisgarh state have reportedly been brutally assaulted by Hindu radicals following the passing of a resolution banning all non-Hindu religious activities in the village.

  The incident took place in Karmeri village on September 8th. According to local sources, a mob of over 50 Hindu radicals gathered and surrounded the premises of a church at around 4 p.m. Before any of the believers could ask what was happening, the radicals attacked, assaulting them with wooden clubs and sticks.

  When some of the targeted women confronted the radicals, they were brutally beaten with wooden clubs and fists. Two of the Christian women, Pulo Bhai, 40, and Ludri, 35, were seriously injured in the assault and, as a result, had collapsed to an unconscious state.

  Tensions between Karmeri's Christian and Hindu communities mounted when construction of a church began in the village. Once news of the church building spread, Suresh Yadav, the district president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (a Hindu nationalist organization), convened a village meeting. As a result of the meeting, a resolution was passed banning all non-Hindu religious propaganda, prayers and speeches throughout the entire village. This resolution is similar to ones passed in 50 other villages within the state -- all intended to effectively make Christianity illegal.

  Other reports on the challenges facing Christians in the country of India can be reviewed at our India Country Report.

  Ask the Lord to minister His healing power upon each of the women who were beaten, including Pulo Bhai and Ludri, fully restoring them to good health. May the local believers of these villages be granted His favour and abundant provision for all their day-to-day needs. Pray that they will also be greatly encouraged and strengthened -- having an increased resolve to not give up their faith nor refrain from meeting together for worship. Additionally, pray that the witness of these Christians will be faithful, forgiving and filled with love for their persecutors so their example may be used by the Lord to bring many Hindus to salvation.

• Youth Grateful for God's Presence

  In August of 2008, the assassination of a Hindu leader led to a massive wave of mob violence against Christians in Orissa. Militant Hindus had been looking for an excuse to stop evangelism, and the uproar surrounding the assassination provided them an outlet. The violence spread rampantly throughout the state, destroying thousands of Christian homes and churches, while consequently forcing over 100,000 believers to seek government protection or hide in the jungle.

  Jisaya was just six years old when his family was chased from the state of Orissa during the 2008 upheaval. "We were so helpless at that time," he says in retrospect. It was the Sideras International School, one of the children's homes supported by VOM Canada, that enabled Jisaya's family to provide for him. Though uprooted, his parents continued in ministry, grateful for the care and education VOM Canada donors have made available to their son.

  Recently, we received the following praise report from Jisaya who is now 13 years old: "(God) is blessing me abundantly in my study, as well as in my personal life. By His grace and mercy, I was able to succeed in my study. He has given me His presence in my life yesterday, today, and I hope...also in the upcoming days."

  The effects of the 2008 wave of violence are still being felt by many of its victims today. Unfortunately, the pattern of "mob justice" against Christians remains a tremendous concern. Accused of "forced conversion," many believers have been mercilessly burned alive. With regards to governmental justice, India's new "religious freedom" laws, in fact, only pose further discrimination against India's Christian minority.

  Thankfully, God is continuing to remind these believers that they are not alone and, as in the case of Jisaya, their suffering shall not be in vain, for He has promised to somehow use it for greater blessing. You can learn more about persecution in India from our country report.

  Praise the Lord for His ongoing faithfulness in ministering to the victims of violence through the provision of the children's homes. Please pray for the families of those who've been martyred, granting them continued courage and provision. Also uphold all the dedicated men and women who compassionately care for these children of the persecuted. May the Lord grant the caregivers wisdom and endurance in their vital discipleship work. Finally, pray for open doors -- and receptive hearts -- so the Gospel can reach multitudes throughout the nation of India; those who would otherwise be hopelessly lost.

• Christian Torturously Slain for his Witness

  Pastor Sadavir’s wife and two of his three children

  Brother "Sadavir" regularly shared his faith among members of India's Koya tribe in the thick forest of the Dantewada district. It eventually cost the husband and father of three his life.

  Fearing the loss of their cultural identity, members of the Koya tribe attacked Brother Sadavir in 2010 and then again in 2012. Despite these previous attacks, Sadavir's ministry faithfully continued -- until a knock on his door at 1 a.m. took place on January 22nd. When his wife "Jani" opened the door, she was confronted by an angry mob of 200 people. The mob was composed of both Koyas and Naxalites, members of India's Communist guerrilla groups. Before she could say anything, the mob forcibly entered the home, grabbing Sadavir and taking him away. Jani frantically ran after the group into the forest, pleading for her husband's safety and release. "We will not do anything to him," she was told. "Go, and in the morning get food for him and come to our camp."

  The next morning, Jani, joined by Sadavir's mother and sisters, began the long walk to the camp, finally arriving at about 1:30 p.m. At the camp, the Naxalite leaders were told by others affiliated with the mob, "(Sadavir) is converting all of our people to Christianity by bribing them, and he's giving all your information to the police." The abductors then tied the Christian man to a tree and -- in front of his wife, mother and sisters -- began beating his legs with bamboo sticks while accusing, "You are spoiling our culture by converting our people to Christians!" They beat him until his flesh was hanging from his bones. Then they killed him by piercing his chest with a trishula, a three-pronged spear and an important Hindu symbol.

  The killers initially kept Sadavir's body, out of fear that his wife would notify the police. When Jani begged them for her husband's body, they finally gave in under one condition: that the body would be burned, not buried, as his murderers wanted no evidence of the crime. VOM is now supporting the 27-year-old widow and her three children during this difficult time as they deal with the aftermath of such horrendous trauma and loss.

  Please lift up in prayer this mourning widow and her three young children, as well as other loved ones who are sharing their immense grief, asking the Lord to personally minister to each one of them through the power of His Holy Spirit. Also request that every need of this suffering family be sovereignly met through the support of the local community and ministries like VOM. Additionally, ask that this gruesome attack will somehow be used for God's glory and as a means of drawing more Koya people into a saving relationship with His beloved Son Jesus.

  For more information on India's persecuted church, visit this page.

• Faithful Widow's Life Counts for Eternity

  Vani ministered to many imprisoned women and their guards.

  A 31-year-old widow in India is being remembered, following her recent death from a heart attack, for demonstrating bold faith -- a faith that compelled her to help numerous women in jail find freedom in Christ, including one of the prison guards.

  Vani, who is survived by an eight-year-old daughter, spent 15 days in jail roughly 10 months ago for sharing her faith. During this time in prison, Vani reached out with the love of Jesus to more than 70 women -- 14 of whom became believers. Even the jailer encouraged her to continue with this outreach after witnessing a dramatic change in the lives of several prisoners who accepted Christ.

  Vani was charged with kidnapping and forceful conversion of a child to Christianity. With a heart to help a troubled teenager, she introduced the girl to the Lord and to other believers who were willing to provide further support. The caring Christian woman was arrested when the girl's parents reported her to police.

  After being released from imprisonment, Vani returned to the jail every two months for a regular court appearance. While there, she shared snacks with the women, taking time to pray for them and the police officers. One guard who came to faith in Jesus invited Vani to her house for prayer. "Everything that happened this year...is good because it is taking me very near to my God," Vani told a VOM worker just this past January.

  During her time behind bars, Vani received assistance from VOM towards the cost of bail, household rent, her daughter's school fees, and in many other various ways. VOM is currently assessing how to best assist Vani's daughter following the sudden death of the child’s God-honouring mother.

  While we certainly join with those now mourning the recent loss of Vani, let us also thank God for the incredible impact this dear woman has made on the lives of both believers and those who have yet to know Jesus! May her faithful example continue to draw many more to our Lord, even after her death. Especially remember Vani's young daughter in your petitions to our loving Heavenly Father. May He surround this grieving child with devout Christians who will guide and counsel her as she discerns His call on her own life.

  Do you have a heart for faithful women like Vani who have suffered because of their unwavering commitment to Jesus? Click here to find out how you can minister to the women of the persecuted church.

• Christians Arrested for Allegedly 'Forcing' Conversions

  Christians in India are often accused and jailed for allegedly "forcing" conversions. Vani was jailed for several weeks after sharing her Christian faith with a young runaway.

  On December 28th, ten Christian workers and three young girls (under the age of six) were arrested in the central region of India and charged with "deliberate and malicious acts intended to hurt religious feelings." Hindu nationalists, who pressured police to arrest the Christians after a healing celebration, accused them of forcing conversions and insulting the gods and goddesses of the village. However, police have stated that they have no evidence of forced conversions. At last report, three of the Christians remain in prison while the others have been released on bail.

  Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Venkaiah Naidu, recently proposed a ban on all religious conversions -- not just "forced" or "fraudulent" ones. Throughout last year's Advent season, religious minority groups -- including Christians and Muslims -- were targeted in a reconversion campaign led by several Hindu nationalist groups. These reconversion drives caused political and religious tempers to rise and produced much heated debate.

  While thanking God for the Christians who have been freed from imprisonment, let us also pray that the remaining three believers will soon be released as well. May their unjust detention fail to hinder their efforts to share God's love, but instead spur them on to advance His Kingdom purposes throughout India. Please also pray that the Lord will strengthen the precious faith of the three young girls, encouraging their spiritual growth so they may be used mightily for His glory. Also remember to intercede for the Hindu nationalists who are striving to suppress religious freedom. May they, in response to God's holy conviction, also come to faith in His Son Jesus.

  For more information on India's persecuted church, please visit our website.

• Christians Beaten and Arrested by Hindu Radicals

  Pray that many will come to know the Lord in Madhya Pradesh. Flickr / Nagarjun Kandukuru

  Eight Christians have been imprisoned following a brutal attack in which a pastor and seven members of his congregation were stripped naked, whipped with belts, and punched before being arrested by local police.

• Christians Attacked by Hindu Militants

  This man was injured in the attack. Photo: World Watch Monitor

  Tensions remain high in a remote village of Chhattisgarh State after clashes between Hindu militants and followers of Christ. On October 25th, local officials summoned area Christians to a meeting in Madota Village under the pretext of resolving conflict over bans in the district on missionaries and non-Hindu religious activity. Dozens of villages in the district passed such bans earlier this year. (To learn more about these bans, you can read a previous prayer alert.)