Gunmen shot and killed a pastor at a railway station in central Pakistan on January 5. Mukhtar Masih, pastor of the Church of God in Khurrampra, had arrived at the railway station at Khanewal around 3:00 a.m. to catch a train to Lahore, when he was shot twice in the chest by unidentified gunmen. At last report, there was no indication who the killers were, but the deputy superintendent of police in Khanewal, Mohammed Shahzad, told Associated Press that it appeared to be an act of terrorism. Money and other valuables were not taken, ruling out robbery. According to his son, Mukhtar had previously received threats from Islamic militants attempting to close down the church. Mukhtar had six daughters and one son.
Pray that the family will know the strength of God's grace in the midst of their grief. Pray that those responsible for this death will be found. Pray for the church as they mourn the loss of their pastor.
For more information on persecution facing Christians in Pakistan, go to Pakistan's Country Report.
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