05/15/2023 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) – It’s an epidemic of violence toward Christians in Uttar Pradesh, an Indian state that has seen a sharp rise in crimes against Christian communities in recent years. In one attack, radical Hindu nationalists left a church building destroyed, the congregation injured, and everything, including and especially the Bibles, burned.

The furious mob demanded the Christians leave the area and told them that the police would not protect them from their wrath. Sure enough, the police stood by while the attack took place. It was only after the damage was done that police arrested the attackers – only to release them later that day.

The mob would later rally and move on to the neighboring village to inflict more harm on the Christian community.

There, several Christian families were expelled from the village. Fearing for their lives, they took shelter where they could until the hostilities died down. Hungry and traumatized, the Christian families never waned in their faith. They ultimately decided to return to their village to repair the damage from the attacks.

ICC found out about the attacks shortly after and stepped in to aid the Christian community. Food packages for the affected families, rent for their stay, and medical attention were needed. ICC also supplied building materials to repair the church building.

In total, ICC served more than 30 Christians in the small community who expressed their deep gratitude.

“When we saw things that were brought to us like groceries and the items for the church repair, I felt scriptures being fulfilled in our lives. When one part of the body suffers, the other part shares and helps,” said one member of the congregation. “I want to really thank God and His servants for not only meeting our physical needs by providing food and church building repairs but assuring us that we were one alone. We are one body.”

The local pastor of the church also shared his feelings, saying, “We have a roof over our heads again. We have resumed our Sunday worship after almost three months of recovery, thanks to people who graciously supported the repair of our church.”

It was a full house with all the congregants of the church gathering for Sunday worship. The pastor continued to share his gratitude, saying how the congregation was in full attendance after seeing God’s people come together to help and pray for them.

What happened to these Christians is all too common in India, especially in Uttar Pradesh. Last year alone, immense pressure from Hindu nationalists closed more than 500 churches and house fellowships. Politicians and media turn a blind eye to the flagrant persecution of religious minorities, only adding to the system of oppression for those who suffer because of their faith.

We continue to pray for our Indian brothers and sisters and be inspired and humbled by their resilience. They cling to their faith, even when it costs them everything. ICC will do everything it can to bring attention to this injustice, advocate for change, and bring relief to God’s suffering children.

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