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India

  • Pastors beaten in Madhya Pradesh

    Approximately 20 Hindu militants attacked two pastors travelling home from a prayer meeting in Palasapara village, Meghasah Tehsil, Madhya Pradesh on December 5, according to a December 6 report from Evangelical Fellowship of India. At approximately 3:00 p.m., Pastor Pangala Bhai and Pastor Limba Bhai were beaten, verbally abused, and accused of forceful conversion. Their bikes, cell phones, and money were also stolen.

    Pray for healing for these pastors as they recover from this attack. Pray that increased persecution will result in increased boldness among India's believers (Acts 4:29-31).

    Learn more about India's suffering Christians at theIndia Country Report.
  • Hindu militants offering rewards for violence against Christians in Orissa

    According to various sources, Hindu militants in Orissa state are offering compensation in money, clothing, or basic necessities for those who succeed in killing Christians, destroying their property, or burning down churches. A reward of approximately $300 is being promised to those who kill a pastor. Women are also being recruited by the militants and being trained in secret locations to use swords and clubs to attack believers. The interior minister has called for the creation of a special police division to protect those under threat of violence.

    Ask God to thwart the attempts of those seeking to harm and intimidate Christians in Orissa. Pray that believers in India will remain steadfast in faith as they serve Christ in hostile and dangerous environments.

    To find out more about the plight of Christians in India,click here. The feature article of the January edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter focuses on the testimonies of Christians in Orissa who are suffering for Christ's sake. Read their testimonies by subscribing to our free newsletter.
  • Believers beaten in Mumbai


    Photo from NDTV

    A mob of approximately 30 Hindu militants attacked the Church of God building in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India on November 15. According to a November 17 report from Union of Catholic Asian News, the militants, angered by the conversion and baptism of five Hindus, barged into the church building at approximately 12:30 p.m. shouting anti-Christian slogans. They damaged furniture and other church property and assaulted several believers present. Pastor Fernandes (50) was stripped and beaten so severely he lost consciousness. The mob dispersed when the police arrived. Several people have since been arrested for their involvement in the attack.

    Pray for healing for Pastor Fernandes and the other injured believers. Pray that Christians in India will put their hope in the Lord as the One who upholds their cause (Psalm 146).

    Find out more about India's suffering church by visiting theIndia Country Report.
  • Relief workers arrested in Orissa

    Seven Christians working for the Discipleship Centre relief agency in Bhadrak district, Orissa, India were arrested by police for forcible conversion on November 4. According to a November 6 report from the Evangelical Fellowship of India, the workers were travelling to their office by motorbike when a collision occurred with another cyclist. A mob of approximately 50 people then gathered around the Christians and began to attack them. The mob swelled to approximately 400 people after it was joined by members of Hindu militant groups who shouted anti-Christian slogans. The police eventually arrived on scene and took the Christians into custody and charges of forcible conversion were brought against them. At the time of the report, the Christians remained in detention.

    Pray that these charges will be dismissed. Pray for the safety of believers working with relief agencies in India as they are often falsely accused of forcible conversion.

    Learn more about India's persecuted Christians by visiting theIndia Country Report.
  • Priest dies after being beaten by Hindu militants in Orissa


    Father Bernard Digal, marked with the red cross
    Photo from    GCIC

    On October 28, Father Bernard Digal (48), died after succumbing to injuries he suffered in an attack by Hindu militants in Kandhamal, Orissa in late August. Thousands of believers attended the funeral for the martyred priest on October 31, commending his courage, his tireless commitment to working with persecuted Christians and his willingness to forgive those who brutally beat him.

    Thank the Lord for the life and work of Father Digal. Pray that those who mourn for him will find strength and peace in Christ. Pray that God will embolden Christians in India to follow in his example of cross-bearing discipleship in an environment of opposition (1 Corinthians 4:9-14, 16).

    More about Christians suffering for righteousness' sake in India can be found by visitingIndia's Country Report.
  • Update: More homes burned; closure of relief camps planned in Orissa

    On the evening of October 19, Hindu militants burned several homes belonging to Christians in Kandhamal district, Orissa -- a region plagued by widespread anti-Christian violence since Maoists killed a Hindu leader in late August (see links on the India Country Report for more information). Despite the government's claim that the state is "returning to normal," reports of militants burning homes, raiding hospitals and stealing animals belonging to Christians continue.

    Health conditions remain extremely poor in the overcrowded relief camps, and some who have sought refuge have been sent away with only a plastic tent and a ten-day food supply. Reports that authorities may close the camps have caused further concern for Christians who are unable to return to their homes.
  • Update: Christians continue to be maligned and attacked in Orissa

    Hindu militants continue to malign Christians for the murder of Hindu leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and target them in widespread violence that began in late August in Orissa, India (see links on India's Country Report for more information).

    Maoist groups have claimed responsibility for the murder and, on October 6, three Maoist individuals were arrested in connection with the crime. However, a Hindu militant group recently released a document that allegedly implicates the Christians: a copy of the minutes from a pastoral council meeting held in Kandhamal district in May during which the militants claim a plan to assassinate Swami was discussed. The pastoral council has vehemently denied the accuracy of the minutes, and claim that their signatures on the document were forged.

    Remember your brothers and sisters in India in your prayers. Ask God to give strength to those who suffer for His sake. Pray for peace in this terror-stricken region.

    For more information on the plight of Christians in India,click here. To watch a BBC video report about attacks on Christians in Orissa, click here.
  • Christians beaten and arrested

    Christians who were gathered for a three-day prayer meeting in Dumarbhavna village, Surguja district, Chhattisgarh state were viciously beaten on October 3, according to an October 13 report from Compass Direct. Around midnight, a mob of Hindu militants entered the house where the meeting was being held and attacked the sleeping Christians. Three believers -- Muneshwar Ekka, Beik, and Ravi Devangan -- were forced into vehicles belonging to the militants and brought to a secluded place where they were further beaten. Muneshwar Ekka and Beik were then told to beat Ravi Devangan or face their own death. In fear for their lives, they beat Devangan until he was unconscious.

    When local Christians reported the beating to the police the next day, they were assured that if they did not file a complaint against the militants, no complaints would be filed against the three Christians. However, the police later registered a "forcible conversion" case against the men. Another Christian, Fakir Chand Toppo, was falsely accused of the same charge. If found guilty, they could be fined or imprisoned for up to a year. At last report, the four were detained in a local jail.

    Pray for these men as they await a sentence. Pray that those who falsely accuse Christians of forcible conversion will understand that the Good News is a free gift, not coercion, and respond in faith to Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

    To learn more about the struggles of Christians in India, please visit theIndia Country Report.
  • More Christians killed in anti-Christian violence Orissa

    At least three more Christians have been killed over in the widespread violence that began seven weeks ago in Orissa state's Kandhamal district (see links on India's Country Report for more information).

    On October 1, an elderly Christian, Lalji Nayak, died from axe wounds he received when a mob of Hindu militants attacked the village of Hrudangia the previous day. His wife, also attacked with an axe, was seriously injured in the head and his brother has been hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds.

    On October 2, two men were dragged out of their home in Sindhipankha village, shot and then dismembered. The assailants also massacred cattle belonging to village Christians and burned Christian-owned houses. Approximately 400 homes have been set on fire by militants in in Kandhamal and Boudh district over the past week.

    Pray that those who mourn will find peace in the fact that those who have suffered with Christ will be glorified with Him (Romans 8:15-17). Pray for healing for those injured. Pray that Christians in India will
    continue to live as cross-bearing disciples and remain steadfast in
    faith at all cost.

    To find out more about the plight of Christians in India,click here.
  • Christians targeted by bombs in relief camps in Orissa


    Christians have fled to refugee camps, hoping to find safety
    Photo from    AsiaNews
    For the sixth week, VOMC continues to receive reports of violence against Christians in Orissa, India (see links at India's Country Report for more information). On the evening of September 29, Christians in three relief camps in Kandhamal district were the targets of bomb attacks. The explosions began at approximately 7:00 p.m. and went off in the villages of Nuagoan and Mahasinghi and the town of Baliguda. Hindu militants continue to use violence and intimidation against Christians in the camps in an attempt to forcibly convert them. Several Christian families in the camps succumbed to pressure from militants and "reconverted" to Hinduism in exchange for being allowed to return to their homes in Ladapadar village. Fresh violence is also persisting outside the Kandhamal camps, including burnings and bombings of homes and church buildings.

    Pray for safety and protection for believers in the relief camps. Pray that Christians in India will stand firm in their faith despite severe pressure to deny Christ.

    More information on the persecution of Christians in India is availablehere.

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