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This
has been brought in by a dear brother in India. We encourage you to
write us with live information about what is happening to the church of
Jesus Christ around the world. Please pray for the church in India and
also think about how you can support the gospel financially and
materially in the region.
"Christians
in India today live in fear."
Dear Pastor Derek & Selly
Loving Greetings to you in Jesus' Most Precious
Name.
Everyday we are bombarded by secular news reminding
us we are in a spiritual battle for the souls of mankind. I would feel it is
important to Christians worldwide to pray for India. Today Christians in India
live in fear. My heart is aching, faithful servants of God suffering so
greatly, we
would like to ask for your urgent prayer and action for the situation in
India.
India is the most religious country in the world,
known for its diverse culture and traditions. India is the birthplace of many
religions. Virtually every major religion has a strong connection with India
(including Christianity – it is treated as foreign religion brought into India
by the foreigners, some people claim Jesus Christ meditated in India in his
early 12-30 years). Buddhism was born in India (not China), so were Sikhism,
Jainism, and of course Hinduism. The
Zoroastrians, the Jews (living in India since 600 B.C.), the people of Bahai
faith, all are found in India in substantial numbers.
Many Hindu religious leaders feel Christianity is a
real threat today. They claim
India is a Hindu Nation; they would not entertain other religion to prevail in
India (aiming Christianity). To keep India as a Hindu Nation they would not
hesitate to take any measures that would need.
Attacks from the anti-Christian
Organizations –
Especially the Christian Leaders, Pastors, and Evangelists have been facing
attacks from the antic-Christian organizations which have the Hindu leaders
influence and pressure on Government to pass the bill against the Christians not
to increase the Christian work.
* Recently in the state of Andhra Pradesh a Pastor by
name – Abraham was killed after a birthday thanks giving prayer by the Hindu
extremist for not stopping the Proclamation of the gospel. Churches have been
demolished!
* In another state Pastors were attacked for
preventing child prostitution; nuns were attacked and a pastor's wife is raped,
children were kidnapped!
* Even Australian Missionary Rev. Graham Stains and
his 2 sons were burnt alive.
* There were number of reports – many places in India
extremists have prevented when so many should have been celebrating Christmas,
extremists continue to
threaten us Christians in India.
Severe
Oppressive Measures coming up against Christian Missionary work in
India.
Though freedom of religion
guaranteed by the Constitution of India, but Hindu Extremists have been
bringing pressure on the political parties to pass a bill in the Parliament
(congress) that throughout India there should not be Conversions into
Christianity. Thus it has become so difficult for a Christian to
survive.
And there are several
other Oppressive measures…….
* Church should be at 3 kilometers away from a Hindu
Temple: This causing great
trouble among the pastors and evangelists especially in the villages. In fact, India is living in the Villages.
There are approximately 500,000 villages spread throughout India. India is
having 330 millions of gods and goddesses, there would be great number of idols,
and temples. If a village if about 3-5 kilometers circumference, even if there
is one idol temple…in such instance church should be outside the villages? It
has become a great turmoil..what should be done with the existing churches/
worship places?
It's nothing but the devils plan to expel the church
out of the town/village – thus proclamation of the gospel would be
stopped!
* Gospel tracks should not be
distributed to the patients in
the hospital & schools/prisons. If the government runs the school there
should not be any distribution of Christian literatures/bibles; if the Christian
Organization runs the school they have the freedom to teach Bible.
*
There should be limited number of Evangelists/Pastors in a
Village/Town
*Christian organizations should handover
properties into Government Custody: Hindu Extremists have been
bringing pressure on the political parties to bring a bill in the Parliament
that every Christian organization/church should handover the churches/
ministries properties into the Government Custody. This bill is meant to stop
preaching gospel, the stop the social services to the people,
thus there wouldn't be any
conversions into Christianity. Thus India would remain as Hindu
Nation!
* Generation not willing to take stand for the
missionary work: Even pastors/evangelists sons
are not willing to become preachers of the gospel due to the prevailing
situation and due to the severe financial struggles which their
(pastors/evangelists) families have been facing. Proclaiming the gospel is
treated as a dirty job among the Hindu society. Please pray may God raise this
generation for His kingdom work.
Please pray for
us and the ministries that striving for the protection
of the interests of the Christian community – pray as the Christian community
raises the voice before the Government, God would work for His
people.
Pray
that Christians will be protected from attacks, and that the Christian message
may be heard by all.
Pray that ALL ANTI- CONVERSION laws will be repealed: for
boldness and courage in the face of persecution; for protection to missionaries
on the frontlines; for more Christian workers and missionaries.
Please continue to pray with
us that God will bring millions in
India to Himself during these difficult times. May the work of transforming
India, one village at a time, continue and expand.
We need your continued cooperation in the mission's
advancement! We are praying for you and looking forward to hearing from you. God
Bless You.
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