No slowing of persecution against Christians in India

Two more of our missionary pastors have been attacked and imprisoned for proclaiming the truth of Jesus in east-central India. Please pray for Pastor Jose Pappachan and his wife Sheeja.

Sheeja and Jose Pappachan

After Hindu militants had ransacked and defaced the Pappachans’ ALG Church in Raipur in Chhattisgarh last month, the pastor declared a time of prayer and fasting. As a result, more villagers from neighboring Hindu communities attended the church services, and many received Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. They all received baptism and continued attending the worship services. This further provoked the Hindu militants who again attacked the church, this time seriously injuring the pastor, his wife and seven members of their church. The injured were initially admitted to hospital, but the attackers convinced hospital authorities to immediately discharge them. They then filed a case against the Christians (converting Hindus to Christianity being a crime in many predominantly Hindu regions), which prompted their arrest. Now, the judgement of the court has come that the missionary couple will be imprisoned for five years and must pay fines of 25,000 rupees each.

Although the Constitution of India declares that all are free to practice their own religion, circumstances and attitudes certainly prove otherwise. Policies of the ruling party, under Narendra Modi, adhere to Hindutva, a Hindu nationalist ideology. Anyone NOT Hindu faces unpleasant repercussions on all sides.

Last year 264 Christian churches were attacked in Chhattisgarh State alone. Authorities take no action against the attackers, but instead join in the persecution. Please pray for all churches, especially the ALG (umbrella) Church and Bibles for Mideast churches, ministries, and people.

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UPDATE

Bibles for Mideast has appointed a team of advocates for Pastor Jose and Sheeja Pappachan’s legal proceedings. As reported a few days ago (see above), both were imprisoned in North India, accused of converting people to Christianity.

They applied for bail in the country’s High Court, with Sheeja being granted bail but with strict commands not to leave the jurisdiction. Her husband, Pastor Jose Pappachan, unfortunately did not receive bail.

Please pray for their soon release from this case against them, as well as for the needed resources to meet the expenses of the legal proceedings, advocates’ fees and related expenses.

Even while imprisoned, the couple have kept up witnessing to the Truth of Jesus! We know of at least one female police officer from a Hindu background who has approached Sheeja and asked to learn more about Jesus.

May our Lord give the pastoral couple more strength, courage and power in the Holy Spirit to witness Jesus Christ  even more.  Please continue your prayers!