Persecution of Christians In Orissa

Church building burning

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Make sure to mention the Orissa Relief Fund when giving online or by check.

Persecution of Christians by extremist groups in the Indian state of Orissa has been escalating and over the past weeks. Christians throughout the country have had to flee or be burned alive. One Christian nun was burned alive and one priest was shot to death. Hundreds of Christian churches and homes have been destroyed.

One of the groups has threatened one of our missionaries saying they will destroy the church there. Our missionary, Pastor Kumar, and his family are managing a Mercy Home in Orissa. Currently, he has 45 Christians attending Sunday services.

One of many damaged churches

On the morning of August 25th our office in India received a call from Pastor Kumar stating that 300 extremists came to attack and threaten both him and the Christians in the church. Pastor Kumar fell to the ground unconscious seeing the situation and police suddenly took him to the hospital. Currently, Pastor Kumar is under police protection.

Our missionaries in India have mobilized in prayer for Pastor Kumar and his ministry. They praise and thank God for sparing him and his congregation.

On the morning of August 27th even though 300 men came to destroy Pastor Kumar, his flock, and the church they could not harm them. The believers simply said, “God Protected Us”. Remember these Christians as you pray and for their safety. Please pray for his safety and the children and the congregation and for wisdom for Pastor Kumar.

One of our former faculty members and his wife, S & S, e-mailed us that 99% of the Christian homes in the Kandhamal district have been burned down. S & S have lost their home to Hindu militants. The husband’s parents are running for their lives. They have been hiding in the forest for days without food or water. His brother-in-law was killed, chopped into four pieces, and set on fire. He was praying as the extremists came in and martyred him. His body was placed outside the place he had been a pastor. Please pray for his wife, Lydia, who is now a widow and for her safety.

She was set on fire inside the church and left to die

The government and its administration are silent spectators. We earnestly beg you to pray for all of the Christians in Orissa during this terrifying time.

On September 15, we were updated that the extremists had boldly proclaimed that they would destroy more than 200 churches in the next 24 hours and many more pastors will be murdered. We have also heard there will be persecution in Karnataka as a result of what is transpiring in Orissa. This is a deliberate plan by the extremists as the two states do not border each other. They are separated by the state of Andhra Pradesh.

We have been praying for those being forced to flee and whose lives are on the line for them to remember I Corinthians 15 which is a reminder of Christ’s victory over death and Satan.

“For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” I Corinthians 15:53-58 (ESV)

It is hard for any of us to imagine how one could hate another human being so much as to chop them into pieces. At times it is impossible to even find the words to pray for the Christians who are being so brutally persecuted.

Our seminary chaplain received a call from his parents letting him know that if they do not see him here on earth again they will see him in Heaven. How would any of us react to receiving such a phone call? But praise God for the tremendous legacy these parents are leaving behind for their son!

Revelation 21 comes to mind when thinking about Heaven and the grief and pain Christians are suffering in Orissa right now.

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV)

Please continue to pray for the Christians in Orissa and now, Karnataka. Pray for wisdom regarding when to flee. Pray for courage to be known as a follower of Christ. Pray for families as they flee on foot and are in need of food and shelter. Pray for Christians who are fleeing to be granted refuge and kindness by those they run into. Pray for the safety of pastors and Christians throughout the state. Pray for comfort for those who have lost loved ones and for those who have seen their loved ones murdered before their eyes. Pray for Christians to be reminded of their eternity in Heaven with their Savior during these terrifying times.

Thank you for joining with us in praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

If you would like to help, you can give to the Orissa Relief Fund by clicking here. These funds will be used to provide food, clothing, medical assistance, and counseling and provide for any of the other many needs that these believers have. Make sure to mention the Orissa Relief Fund when giving online or by check.