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India

• Two Christians Abducted and Beaten by Militants in Madhya Pradesh

  Two men, Vijaya Kumar Maurya and Keera Lal, were abducted and beaten by Hindu militants in Madhya Pradesh on January 17, according to a January 22 report from Compass Direct. At approximately 8:00 a.m., six armed men stormed a house church meeting in the village of Pathigaon and accused the believers present of forcibly converting Hindus. The militants demanded that Maurya and Lal accompany them to the police station. When other believers requested that they go along to the station, the militants beat Maurya and Lal and kidnapped them. Both men were taken to a jungle, where they were beaten again. They were then taken to a nearby temple. The militants planned to sacrifice the two to the temple god, but decided not to do so after the police informed them that a complaint had been filed against them. The militants forced Maurya and Lal to call the police and say that they had not been kidnapped and also forced them to sign a paper making the same claim. At approximately 8:00 p.m., both believers were released.

  Pray for healing for Maurya and Lal, who both sustained serious injuries. Ask God to embolden Christians in India to proclaim the Gospel even while suffering.

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

• Help Christians in Orissa, India

  During Christmas, Christians in the Kandhamal district of Orissa state experienced violence at a level never before seen in the region. At least 90 churches have been burned and 600 houses torched or vandalized in the attacks. Thousands of Christians have been displaced and others are still missing. The total number of Christians killed is unknown. Full details of the carnage are still uncertain since authorities are often denying church groups and fact-finding teams access to the area.

  The Voice of the Martyrs in Canada is responding to the situation by working together with our partners in India in projects that will provide relief aid and support rebuilding efforts in the effected region in the coming weeks and months. You can join us in lifting up our brothers and sisters in Orissa by contributing to VOMC's Relief and Development Fund. Donations can be made online using our secure donation form or through CanadaHelps at our Donations Page.

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

• Believers Attacked During Prayer Meeting in Rajasthan

  

  Hindu activists attacked a group of Christian families while they were conducting a prayer meeting in a believer's home in Udaipur, Rajasthan at approximately 9:00 p.m. on January 6. According to a January 8 report from the Evangelical Fellowship of India, the militants surrounded the house and then barged into the home and beat those present, injuring several people.

  Pray that these Christians will rejoice in the opportunity to grow in Christlikeness through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4). Pray for healing for those injured. 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 theIndia Country Report. Video reports on India are available on VOMC's main website, on our multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com, and on our YouTube and Facebook pages.

• Christians Killed, Churches and Homes Destroyed in Mob Violence in Orissa

  Image from video report onIBNLive

  Christians were killed, many injured and numerous homes and churches destroyed in a spate of attacks on Christians over Christmas in the Kandhamal district of Orissa state. The violence began on December 24 in the village of Brahmani when a mob of Hindus belonging to the Vishva Hindu Parishad militant group attacked Christians and their shops in order to protest their planned Christmas celebrations. The violence then spread throughout the area and continued in the following days.

  Christians remain at risk as religious tensions persist in the region. On December 31, at least three houses were burned down in three separate attacks in the villages of Rabingia, Barpada and Daringbadi, according to the Indo-Asia News Service. The Evangelical Fellowship of India has reported further incidents as late as January 2. Local Christians believe that the violence is a direct attempt to intimidate the Christian community and stop missionary work in the state, which is one of several Indian states with strict anti-conversion laws.

  According a memorandum submitted to the National Human Rights Commission on December 31, at least 90 churches have been burned and 600 houses torched or vandalized in the attacks. Thousands of Christians have been displaced and others are still missing. The total number of Christians killed is unknown. Full details of the carnage are still uncertain since authorities are often denying church groups and fact-finding teams access to the area.

  Pray that God will strengthen and protect the believers in Orissa. Pray for comfort for those who have lost loved ones. Pray that believers will continue to rely on their Saviour in this time of trial. Ask God to enable Indian Christians to act as ambassadors of reconciliation who help to draw even their persecutors to faith in the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:18-21).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report. The January edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter features the persecution of Christians in India. To receive your copy, subscribe today.

• Pastor and Wife Beaten by Hindus in Andhra Pradesh

  Pastor William Cary and his wife were beaten in their home by two Hindus in the village of Kandla Koyya, Andhra Pradesh on the evening of December 10, according to a December 10 report from All India Christian Council. A day before the attack, Pastor Cary, who leads a local church affiliated with Bharat Bible College, had asked nearby Hindus gathered for worship nearby to reduce the sound of their service. The Hindus peaceably agreed to the pastor's request. At approximately 9:30 p.m. the next day, however, two people came to the pastor's house and asked him if he was the one who had asked the Hindus to turn down the volume. When he told them he had, the visitors forcibly entered his home and beat him along with his wife.

  Pray for Pastor Cary and his wife as they recover from this attack. Pray that they will find opportunities to share Christ with their persecutors. Pray that non-Christians throughout India would be challenged by the consistent witness of God's people and come to know Him (Romans 12:14, 21).

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

• Militants Destroy Church Building Under Construction in Delhi

  At approximately 7:30 a.m. on December 5, a group of 150-200 Hindu militants destroyed a church building under construction in Pitampura in north Delhi. According to a December 5 press release from the Delhi Catholic Archdiocese, who owns the building, the attackers roughed up the site foreman and threatened to assault any labourers who remained on the site. They also threatened to return if their threats were not heeded. The militants reportedly opposed the building of the church because they feared it would increase the conversions of local people to Christianity. The ground-breaking ceremony for the building of the Church of Divine Mercy had only taken place a month ago.

  Pray for wisdom for the members of this church, as they consider the future in light of this attack. Pray for the spread of the Gospel throughout India, despite those who oppose its message.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report. To view a trailer of "Faith Under Fire: India," a video documentary by The Voice of the Martyrs, go to our multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com. You can order a copy of this thirty-minute DVD at out online catalogue.

• Pastor Beaten

  

  On the evening of December 5, Pastor Nandu Rathod (38) was rturning from a Bible study in the Gadag district of Karnataka, India when he was stopped by 10-15 men. The men asked him if he was a Christian preacher and accused him of forcibly converting people. They severely beat him, fracturing his ribs and legs and left him with serious internal injuries. Believing he was dead, they left him on the side of the road. Others passing by found him and took him to a hospital where he received treatment.

  Pray for a full and quick recovery for Pastor Nandu. Pray that those responsible for this attack will come to understand and accept the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, as the Apostle Paul did (Acts 9:1-19).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report. The feature story of the January edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter tells the exciting testimony of a Hindu persecutor who came to know Christ and is now serving Him, despite persecution. Subscribe here for free.

• Two Pastors Stripped, Beaten and Arrested

  According to a November 29 report from Compass Direct, two pastors, C.J. Joemon and C.J. Jojo, and another believer, G. Anil, were stripped, tied to a pole and beaten after a worship service at the Christ Vision Church was raided in the Hassan district of Karnataka on November 25. When police arrived several hours later, they took the Christians to the police station and charged the pastors with forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity. The Christians have reportedly refused to press charges, saying that they have forgiven their attackers.

  Pray for a full recovery for those injured in this attack. Pray for endurance to stand firm, despite the opposition. Pray for the continued ministry of Christ's Church in India. Pray for Christian converts throughout India who are facing pressure to renounce their faith in Christ.

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

• Church Building Demolished, Young Man Killed

  Hindu militants beat a pastor and others and demolished a house church in Mandwa village, Chhattisgarh on November 19. According to a November 27 report by Compass Direct, members of the Bajrang Dal, together with local villagers, surrounded the church, tied up Pastor Suduru Kashyap and his associates and severely beat them. The church building was also destroyed. Reports indicate that they tried to kill Pastor Suduru by throwing a large stone at his head.

  The pastor and his associates went to the local police station where they were detained for twenty-four hours without food and water. They were finally released without an official complaint being registered.

  The following day, the body of 21-year-old Aayatu Kashyap, a distant relative of the church's pastor, was found fifteen kilometres from the village. The police superintendent claims that the killing was a separate incident but told Compass Direct that villagers were angry with the pastor because he used to criticize other gods.

  Pray for the family of Aayatu Kashyap as they mourn his death. Pray for a full recovery of those injured in this attack. Pray for the continued ministry of this church despite the on-going opposition they face.

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

• Police Officer Part of Attack on a Church

  

  Pastor Siddarama Gokhavi (60) and six other Christians were beaten by Bajrang Dal activists who attacked them as they were worshiping in Ananda Nagara, Karnataka on November 18. The attackers vandalized the building, burned Bibles and chanted slogans against Christians. The militants included a senior police officer. Pastor Gokhavi and his wife, Rekha, were injured in the attack, along with five others. The attackers accused the Christians of coercing Hindus into becoming Christians.

  Praise God that there were no serious injuries in the attack. Pray that those responsible for the attack will come to recognize the love and grace of God and turn to Him in faith. Pray for the continued ministry of this house church.

  For more information on the persecution of Chrsitians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.