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A video leaked to social media has forced a pastor into hiding. Sukdev Giri, pastor of Trinity Fellowship church has received death threats from Hindu militants. Family and friends have also faced threatening phone calls.

In March, Pastor Sukdev spoke at the International Christian Media Workers Summit. In his presentation, he shared about his journey to Christ and discussed the various belief systems in Nepal. While the interview was recorded to video, access was restricted due to its sensitive nature. However, one unidentified woman reposted the video to YouTube on August 11th, leading to a flood of hostile comments. The video received over 750,000 views before it was removed.

More than a month after Pastor Dhurba Kumar Pariyar was attacked by Maoist rebels, he remains in pain and faces mental trauma. Despite that, he has found strength in the Scriptures, as well as the testimonies of others who have suffered for their faith.

Pastor Dhurba was riding a motorcycle on his way back from distributing toys and supplies to poor children when he was stopped by two other motorcyclists. After confirming his identity, the pastor was pulled off and dragged towards the jungle. The attackers accused him of preaching a foreign religion and bribing people to convert. While beating him, they threatened his life if he did not hand over any American money that was with him at the scene. The men fled when a vehicle passed by and the headlights fell on them.

Five Christians, including two foreign nationals, were arrested on April 23rd on allegations of attempted proselytization. The arrests happened during an early morning raid on a hotel in Ghorahi. The police seized Bibles, computers and other items, including American currency. Before being arrested for preaching Christianity and converting through allurement, the five were scheduled to attend a Christian conference that day.

In August 2018, a new anti-conversion law came into effect in Nepal, including new punishments for those convicted (see this report). According to John Puidate of Bibles for the World, this has resulted in persecution as never before.

Pastor Sagar Baizu had stopped at a café for coffee on July 19th when he was suddenly assaulted by a group of men. After beating him on the head, the assailants fled with a warning: "We will blast your church and all the churches with bombs and shoot you and all your leaders." Cafeteria staff assisted the pastor and police were called to the scene. Thankfully, there appears to be no lasting long-term injuries.

Nepali believers are determined
to remain faithful to the Lord.
Photo: International Mission Board

For the past several years, the church in Nepal has been growing at a significant rate. Christians have shown the love of Christ by caring for orphans, fighting human trafficking, and providing necessary job training. Recognizing the benefits, even the communist government requested assistance from the church.

After praying for a mentally ill woman, four Nepali Christians were sentenced in December 2016 to five years in prison for alleged "violence and witchcraft." Thankfully, their sentences were recently overturned and they have all been released. Lali Pun, Bimkali Budha, Ruplal Pariyar and his wife Ganga, were initially found guilty at the District Court in Salyan -- a district in western Nepal -- even though the woman had testified in court that their prayer had ultimately resulted in her healing. A fifth Christian, Rupa Thapa, was found not guilty.

A VOM ministry worker gives
this Nepali woman a Bible.

In early 2016, two VOM ministry workers stayed with a local couple, "Durga" and her husband "Dinesh," while serving in a remote Himalayan village. When Durga became ill, the workers prayed and cared for her until she recovered. Both Durga and Dinesh subsequently came to faith in Christ and began listening to an audio Bible. Today, they willingly share the Gospel with others and invite low-caste villagers into their home. Pray for Durga and Dinesh, as well as VOM's in-country workers, who are committed to ministering the Gospel in Nepal.

Some of the believers recently released.
Photo: Christian Solidarity Worldwide

Eight Nepali Christians were acquitted of "proselytizing" charges on December 6th, bringing a close to their ordeal. The believers had been arrested in June of 2015 as part of a crackdown on Christian activities in the fledgling democracy. The believers were reportedly mistreated in jail prior to their release on bail.

Leah holds a Nepali Bible.

"Leah," a 15-year-old girl from a rural village in Nepal, has been told that her Christian faith was the cause of her father's illness. Although Leah's family was initially opposed to her conversion to Christianity, the young believer steadfastly held onto her faith in Christ, walking for about four to five hours to attend church with other believers.

Thankfully, Leah's family members are now showing an openness to the Gospel as they are attending church with her. Please pray that they will also wholeheartedly commit their lives to the Lord, joining Leah by becoming strong witnesses of the Christian faith.