Pastor Tortured in Police Custody

International Christian Concern 05 May 2022

A group of believers listening to a speaker — Pray for wisdom as pastors faithfully share God’s Word.
Photo: VOMC

On April 16th, a Christian pastor was arrested in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh under false charges of conversion activities. The pastor and his family were visiting relatives in the village of Anamouh Anam and, as part of their visit, they all joined together in a time of singing praises to God and prayer. However, police were notified of the gathering by a neighbour who overheard the Christians' voices.

After the authorities accused the pastor of allegedly converting people to Christianity, he was taken to the local police station, along with his uncle. According to the pastor, "They beat us as we got into the police van, and the police took turns to physically torture us." The two believers were held in custody and tortured for nearly 24 hours before being released. "I could not walk out of the police station," the pastor told contacts. "My two legs were swollen badly, and there was so much pain that I could not move from one place to the other."

Pray for the healing of these two injured believers, asking the Lord to provide them added strength of heart, mind and body so they can fully recover from the trauma. May the ways in which they respond to the situation serve as examples of God's compassion and grace to their persecutors. Continue to pray that the church in India will faithfully hold fast to Christ in the midst of extreme persecution.

India Information

Current Ministry Projects
VOMC assists persecuted Christians with legal support and rehabilitation assistance, and cares for children of martyrs by providing them with a safe place to be nurtured physical and spiritually. VOMC also partners to equip Christians in India with Biblical training and works to strengthen and support marginalized and persecuted Christian women. Additionally, VOMC helps to provide medical assistance to believers who have faced injuries after being attacked.”

Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Equipping the Saints, Legal Defense, Relief and Development, Women’s Ministry, Medical Fund
Country Information
Population
1,399,179,585 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Indo-Aryan (72), Dravidian (25), other (3)

Religion (%)
Hinduism (79.8), Muslim (14.2), Christianity (2.3), Sikh (1.7), other (2)

Leader
President Droupadi Murmu (2022)

Government type
Federal parliamentary republic

Legal system
Based on English common law; separate personal law codes apply to Christians, Hindus and Muslims.

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for India
Despite the intimidation and violence that have taken place in many of India's states, may Christians wisely yet unashamedly preach the Gospel. Pray that indigenous Christians and foreign missionaries will minister in ways that do not hint at fraudulent conversions, unmasking the intentions behind the anti-conversion legislation. Intercede for India's leaders, that they may reign with justice and righteousness.

India News

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The Supreme Court of India.
Photo: Wikimedia / Subhashish Panigrahi (cc)

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Photo: Flickr / Ashish Kumar Milap (cc)

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A screenshot of people disrupting the service in Bhilai.
Photo: Morning Star News

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A church in India.
Photo: World Watch Monitor

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