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India

  • Pastors Attacked, Accused of Forcible Conversion

    Hubli, KarnatakaPastor Murugan (65) was beaten by Hindu militants who ambushed him and two other believers while returning home from a prayer meeting in Moodalpalya, Karnataka on June 24. The other two managed to flee and escape any harm. The militants accused the pastor of forcibly converting people and "spoiling the minds of the children" and took him to the local police station where he was detained.

    On June 26, Hindu militants barged into the home of a local believer in Hubli, Karnataka, shouted curses at the Christians gathered for a prayer meeting and beat Pastor Vinod Talakere. They dragged the pastor and another believer to the local police station where the men were detained on accusations of forcibly converting people and kidnapping local girls and enrolling them in Bible college.

    Pray for the release of these pastors. Ask God to bless their ministry and the work of other Christians spreading the Gospel in India.

    For more information on persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.
  • Pastor Attacked in Madhya Pradesh

    Madhya Pradesh, IndiaPastor Rampal Masih was attacked by Hindu militants while leading a morning church service in the town of Gurh, Madhya Pradesh on June 15. At approximately 11:30 a.m. militants gathered outside the church building and began to shout curses at the 70 believers present. Five of the militants forcibly entered the church, dragged Pastor Masih outside and beat him. When some of the church members rescued the pastor, the militants fled to the local police station. Later that day, the militants returned with two police officers and another group of militants. They ordered Pastor Masih to come outside of the building and when he did, they beat him for a second time. Before leaving the premises, the attackers threatened to set fire to the church.

    Pray for healing for Pastor Masih. Pray that he and his congregation will grow in Christlikeness through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4). Pray that the faithfulness of Indian Christians will be a light that draws others to Christ.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to the India Country Report.
  • Christian Couple Beaten by Hindu Militants in Madhya Pradesh

    Madhya Pradesh, IndiaShankaral Saket and his wife were severely beaten by Hindu militants in Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh on May 27. Both believers were seriously injured and Saket required 20 stitches on his head. The attackers were angered by Saket's conversion to Christianity four years ago.

    Pray for healing for Saket and his wife. Ask God to strengthen Christians in India to continue to share their faith in Christ despite attacks from militants who oppose the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20).

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.
  • Pastor Beaten; Churches Attacked Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, IndiaPastor Rampal Kori was beaten by two Hindu militants in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh while returning from a prayer service at approximately 7:30 a.m. on May 27. The militants repeatedly struck the pastor with an iron rod and accused him of forcibly converting villagers to Christianity. They also robbed him of 3000 Rupees ($70 CAD). Pastor Kori sustained serious injuries that required stitches in his head.

    Hindu militants attacked at least two churches in recent weeks. On the evening of May 26, militants demolished a thatched church in the district of Adilabad, Andhra Pradesh. Similarly, the Masihi Mandir Church in the district of Oriya Para, Chhattisgarh was attacked by a group of Hindu militants during a morning church service on June 1. At approximately 11:00 a.m., the militants barged into the church building and destroyed the facility's furniture. The attackers accused the believers present of forcibly converting people, and threatened them of dire consequences if they continued to worship Christ.

    Pray for healing for Pastor Kori. Ask God to strengthen the believers whose churches were attacked to continue to stand in His grace (1 Peter 5:12).

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to the India Country Report.
  • Christians Concerned over Hindu Nationalist Party Victory in Karnataka

    B.S. YeddyurappaA Hindu nationalist leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), B.S. Yeddyurappa, was elected as the chief minister of Karnataka state on May 25, according to a May 29 report from Compass Direct. This first-ever victory of the BJP in a south Indian state is causing concern among the minority Christian community in Karnataka, where anti-Christian attacks have been on the rise since 2006. The BJP is the parent organization of the Hindu militant group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a major force behind attacks on Christians.

    Ask God to embolden Christians in Karnataka to remain steadfast as they suffer for the sake of Christ (Rev. 2:10). Pray that those who persecute Christians will see Christ's grace and mercy and be reconciled to Him.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.
  • Hindu Militants Attack Bible School Students in Karnataka

    Karnataka, IndiaFifteen Indian students at Timothy Theological College in Bellary, Karnataka state were beaten by Hindu militants on May 24, according to a May 26 report from the Global Council of Indian Christians. Two lecturers at the Bible college, Dr. Isaac Namadevu and Rev. Jayaprakash, were also beaten in the attack. The report indicated that the attack took place at approximately 12:30 p.m. when 20 members of a Hindu militant group barged into the college accusing Rev. Jayaprakash of "forced conversions." The students and lecturers sustained various injuries in the attack. The militants also tore up Bibles, smashed windows, and destroyed the furniture in the facility. After the college filed a complaint, 11 militants were arrested and remain detained in a police station.

    Pray for the healing of the students and the lecturers of the Bible college. Ask God to strengthen believers in India to continue to spread the Gospel despite opposition from Hindu militant groups.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.
  • Christian Beaten by Militants in Maharashtra
    Maharashtra Village Ministries
    A Christian worker was beaten by Hindu militants in the district of Yavatmal, Maharashtra state on May 13, according to a May 13 report from All India Christian Council. Shrikant Chandekar, who works with Maharashtra Village Ministries, was holding a prayer meeting in his home when approximately 30 Hindu militants arrived and demanded that he stop the gathering. When he refused to do so, they severely beat him.

    Pray for healing for Shrikant. Thank the Lord for his example of standing firm in Christ. Pray that the bold faith of Christians in Maharashtra will be a light that draws others to Jesus
    (Matthew 5:14-16).

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.
  • Pastor Martyred in Jharkhand

    Jharkhand, IndiaPastor Letaro Horo was killed by a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Hindu militant group in the village of Burju, Jharkhand state on April 28. The militant, Durgan Mundu, invited Pastor Horo to his home to pray for healing for his family members. When Horo closed his eyes to pray, Mundu sliced his throat with an axe, killing him instantly.

    Pray that those who mourn for Pastor Horo will find strength, courage and peace in Christ. Pray that God will raise up other cross-bearing disciples to continue His work in India.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.
  • ''Anti-Conversion'' Law Implemented in Gujarat

    Gujarat, IndiaAn anti-conversion law passed in 2003 in the Indian state of Gujarat came into effect on April 1, increasing Christians' concerns that it will open the door to false accusations by Hindu militants. The law is supposed to curb religious conversions made by "force," "fraud" or "allurement." However, Christians and human rights groups believe that the law actually obstructs all conversions, as Hindu nationalists invoke it to harass Christian workers with arrests and imprisonments, which are often accompanied with violence against the accused. The law dictates that any person who intends to convert must notify the government or will be declared an offender and prosecuted under criminal laws. It also stipulates that those convicted of "forcible conversion" could be jailed for up to three years.

    Anti-conversion laws are now enforced in five states -- Gujarat, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh -- and have been passed but are yet to be implemented in Arunachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.

    Ask God to strengthen Christian workers in Gujarat as they face more opposition in serving the Lord. Pray that the faithfulness of Indian Christians will be a light that draws many to the love of Christ (Matthew 5:14-16).

    For more information on the persecution of Christians, go to theIndia Country Report.
  • Pastors Beaten By Militants in Andhra Pradesh
    Pastor John Kumar
    Pastor John Kumar
    Photo from    GCIC

    Three pastors were beaten with sticks by approximately 50 Hindu militants while distributing Christian tracts to children in the town of Devarkonda, Andhra Pradesh on April 14. Pastor John Kumar's hand was broken and the other two were severely injured in the attack.

    Pray for healing for these believers. Ask God to give them and other church leaders in India the wisdom to know how to shepherd the believers through times of suffering (James 1:5).

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go tothe India Country Report.

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