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India

  • Church leaders attacked in Andhra Pradesh


    Photo from    GCIC

    Although Christians were relieved to celebrate Christmas in relative peace and stability in Kandhamal district, Orissa, VOMC received reports of other Indian Christians who were targeted around the Christmas season. At approximately 10:30 p.m. on December 23, several pastors and prayer group leaders were attacked and severely beaten by Hindu militants while returning home from a Christmas prayer meeting near the suburb of Ramnagar in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. At the time of the report, three Hindus had been arrested for their involvement in the attack.

    Ask God to grant healing and strength for those injured. Pray that the perpetrators will turn to faith in Christ and become a demonstration of God's love and mercy to others (1 Tim 1:16).

    Learn more about how Christians suffer for Christ in India at theIndia Country Report. The feature article in the January edition of VOMC's monthly newsletter focuses on the persecution of Christians in Orissa, India. Click here to subscribe.
  • Christian found dead, believers apprehensive as Christmas approaches

    On the evening of December 9, approximately 20 Hindus stopped Yuvraj Digal (40), a respected Christian leader, and his 20-year-old son as they were heading home on motorbike from the village of Tikabali, Kandhamal district, Orissa. The Hindus accused Digal of being involved in the murder of Hindu leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati (click here for more) and began beating him. His son was able to escape the attackers and seek help from the police. Digal, however, disappeared and his body was found on December 18.

    The situation remains tense for Christians in Orissa even though Hindu militant groups have called off a protest that was planned for Christmas Day. The district has employed additional security measures, but many Christians remain apprehensive about possible outbreaks of violence in the coming days. District authorities in Kandhamal have asked churches not to hold midnight services. Many churches have cancelled Christmas ceremonies.

    Pray for those mourning the loss of Digal. Pray that the Lord will be exalted, even through the deaths of those who proclaim His name (Phil 1:20). Ask God to bring peace to Orissa as believers celebrate the birth of our Saviour.

    For more on the persecution Christians face in India, go to theIndia Country Profile. To watch a video report about how Christians are fearful as Christmas approaches, please see our blog.
  • 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.

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