Believers Suffer Another Onslaught in Orissa

Gospel for Asia
07/01/09 INDIA (ANS) - On the evening of June 30, a group of believers in Orissa, India, was attacked with weapons by 40 to 50 people after refusing to participate in a Hindu festival. Villagers demanded that the Christians make donations and cooperate in the festival, but when the believers decided to stay in their homes instead of pay homage to Hindu gods, the crowd became angry. They broke into the Christians' homes and began to beat them without mercy.

They searched for Pastor Rajat, a Gospel for Asia-supported missionary, wanting to kill him, but the believers kept him hidden. Three Christians-Shivnath, Etua and his wife Jayamanti-were seriously injured and taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The police were informed and took immediate action to stop the violence. Upon arriving at the scene, the police protected the believers from more attacks and tried to calm the mob, but their presence didn't stop the attackers from demanding that Pastor Rajat be handed over to them.

The police are struggling for reconciliation between the villagers and the Christians, but the villagers refuse to cooperate until Pastor Rajat is banished from the village.

Pastor Rajat started his ministry in this village six years ago. Eighty believers now gather in a temporary church building to worship the Lord under his leadership. To the glory of the Lord, new believers are being added to their numbers every month.

Please pray for protection over Pastor Rajat and the believers of this village. Pray also for a peaceful solution and the villagers to open up their eyes to see the worthlessness of their gods and turn to the one, true God-Jesus Christ.