Christian Martyred in India's Assam State

On June 28, Hemanta Das, a Christian convert from Hinduism to Christianity, was brutally beaten by suspected members of a religious fanatic group. Das, a former member of the Hindutva fanatic group known as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, died four days later in a local hospital. The Council of Baptist Churches in Northeast India has declared Brother Das the first Assamese martyr. Das was a member of the Guwahati Baptist Church. The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts in India report, "On several occasions, Brother Das was cautioned by radical groups of the dire consequences that would follow if he tried to convert people to Christianity." Christian leaders in Assam state say that this murder case has been reported to local police, but police have not yet found those responsible. Pray for the family of Brother Das and for the Holy Spirit to convict those responsible for this attack. Ask God to protect and encourage Christians in India. John 14:27, Colossians 3:15

Christians Beaten by Police Inspector; Pastor Beheaded

• KARNATAKA - On July 15, while a group of Christians were gathered for worship in Thadesa, a police inspector assaulted two believers and took them to the police station. The police inspector continued to beat them for another three hours there. Pray for healing. Ask God to encourage believers in India and for their love to draw non-believers into the knowledge of Christ.
• MANIPUR - On July 5, Pastor Pau Za Khen, a Burmese pastor of the Upper Myanmar Evangelical Lutheran Church, was beheaded by an unidentified group in the town of Churachanpur, Manipur. Pastor Khen was abducted from his daughter's home by four men on July 4. His decapitated body was found in a field outside of town the next morning. His hands were tied behind his back and he was blindfolded. Pray for Pastor Khen's family and ask God to touch the lives of the killers so they can find forgiveness in Christ like Saul did.

Pastor Charged Under New Anti-Christian Law in Andra Pradesh

Pastor Devampu, was beaten by Hindu radicals in the presence of police in Kanipackam, Andra Pradesh. He was arrested and charged under Indian Penal Code 295, and the law GO 747, which bans non-Hindus from being in 12 temple towns in Andra Pradesh State. Pastor Devampu has been ministering in Kanipackam, which has one of the 12 temples, for the past two years. Pray Pastor Devampu will be released. Pray for protection for Christians in India. Ask God to touch the hearts of the persecutors and draw them into the knowledge of Him. Psalm 91, 1 Corinthians 15:58

Two Christian Leaders Killed, VOM Coordinator Attacked

UTTER PRADESH - On June 2, 2007, two Christian leaders were stabbed to death at a Christian school and orphanage in Etah District, Uttah Pradesh. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, it is believed Samuel Masih and Aman Singh, leaders at the school, were brutally killed by anti-Christian Hindu extremists. "Aman Singh's body had more than 20 stab wounds, while Masih had been stabbed five times. Police are investigating. Robbery has been ruled out as a motive, and the family suspects that religion was a factor," the contacts said. Pray for the families of those killed. Pray believers in this area will be strengthened and encouraged despite the hardships they face.

BANGALORE – On June 8, 2007, a coordinator for The Voice of Martyrs was attacked at his home by Hindu extremists. According to VOM contacts, more than 150 extremists were bussed in from different areas and gathered at his house, which also serves as a house church. "Brother N hid in a room while other believers contacted the police. While the police arrived, the crowd grabbed him and beat him severely. He has cuts and bruises and was nearly unconscious when he was taken away to the police station and hospital." Pray for healing for Brother N's injuries and for believers in India who are experiencing an increase in persecution. Psalm 147:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 3:7-

Attack on Priest and Nun, Services Disrupted, Christians Beaten

• JHARKHAND - On May 14, Reverend George Minj and Sister Teresa Kindo, were attacked in a village near Ranchi as they returned to their parish in the evening after leading prayers in a nearby village. The priest sustained a blood clot in the head and is being kept under observation. Pray for the priest's speedy recovery and for protection as they continue their ministry in the area.
• KARNATAKA - On May 13, more than 20 Hindu extremists attacked a worship service in the town of Kushalnagar. The extremists destroyed Bibles, and beat several believers. They told the pastors to stop converting people to Christianity. Pray for protection for Christians in India. Ask God to heal the believers that were beaten. Acts 4:29-30

UPDATE: Pastor Released After One Year in Prison

In Orissa state on May 2, 2007, Pastor Jeremiah Mahji was released after spending a year in prison. The Voice of the Martyrs contacts report that since Pastor Jeremiah's release, there have been repeated phone calls threatening that his son, Pastor Nehusena, will be killed. Thank God for the release of Pastor Jeremiah. Pray God protects their family and believers in India. Ask that their testimony will bring others into the knowledge of God. Romans 15:1-6

Christians Attacked and Imprisoned; Pastor Beaten

RAJASTAN

• On April 22, Pastor Jayasheelan and eight other believers were beaten by more than 90 people at a prayer meeting in Rajankunte Village. After surrounding the house, the mob shouted slogans and threatened to burn it down if the Christians did not meet them outside. After Pastor Jayasheelan and the others came out of the house, they were beaten and kicked while the police looked on. The pastor was struck on his head, back and hip. The other believers were also injured. They were later jailed in the Central Jail and released after two days. The believers befriended the other prisoners while they were in jail and shared the gospel. Some of the 20 prisoners received Christ.
• On April 29, Pastor Walter Masih was attacked by Hindu extremists while returning home after Sunday worship. Two young men asked the pastor if he could tell them about Jesus and while the pastor was sharing with them, a group of more than 15 young men started beating Pastor Walter with sticks. This happened in front of Pastor Walter's 7-year-old daughter. While he was being beaten, Pastor Walter prayed loudly for the extremists and this further infuriated them.

Pray God protects these believers and Christians in India. Ask Him to heal the wounded and for His comfort to overwhelm them and their families. Psalm 32:7, Psalm 30:2

Christians Arrested and Beaten

• ORISSA - On April 17, four pastors were arrested by local police in the Cuttack district after Hindu extremists saw them distributing Christian literature and accused them of forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity. The pastors were released on bail the following day.
• TAMIL NADU - On April 22, two pastors were beaten and jailed after more than 20 members of a Hindu extremist group disrupted a prayer meeting. The extremists surrounded the house where the Christians were meeting and verbally abused the pastors. When the police arrived the pastors were ordered to accompany them to the police station. On the way, the extremists attacked again, beating the pastors and four believers who accompanied them. The extremists accused the pastors of forced conversions and are being held in the central prison. Pray for God to speedily heal those who were injured and that Christians in India will trust Him in the midst of great persecution.

Psalm 103:1-3, Psalm 5: 11-12

Christian Beaten, Arrested in Andra Pradesh

• CHITTOR DISTRICT – On April 11, several Christians were severely beaten by Hindu militants after an evangelistic team returned from distributing gospel tracts in the area. While they were fellowshipping with believers, more than 50 militants attacked them and burnt their literature.
• HYDERABAD – On April 14, five Christians were arrested for distributing literature and praying for the sick at Gandhi Hospital. On April 15, twenty Christians were attacked by Hindu militants at Bethel Church in Borabanda. Four people were injured, including a three-year-old child. Pray for healing for the injured and ask God to comfort those in prison and their families. Pray Christians in India continue to share Christ with boldness despite their suffering. Acts 4:29

Pastors Imprisoned; Church Building Demolished - VOM Sources/ Global Council of Indian Christians

• GALIMERA TOWN - Pastor Jeremiah Majhi held a three-day evangelistic meeting in his church in April, 2006, following which he baptized 20 new believers. While he was baptizing them, some members of anti-Christian Hindu groups came and beat him and the people who were being baptized. They destroyed his church and house. The attackers filed false charges against Pastor Jeremiah saying he was smuggling drugs and other materials. The authorities arrested him along with his nephew and have held them in prison since April 26, 2006. Bail applications have been presented and rejected. A new hearing is expected April 14, 2007.
• GUNTHAPUT VILLAGE - On March 30, a mob of 300 Hindu militants completely demolished a church building in an attempt to kill Pastor Shri Chetti. According to a report from the Global Council of Indian Christians, during the demolition, the militants demanded that all Christians leave the village and said they will not allow any Christian worship centers in the area. The church has been suffered persecution in the past when Hindu villagers burned down their building.

Pray these believers will continue to meet despite losing their property. Ask God to encourage them and for the persecutors to know Christ's love forgiveness and blessing through the testimony of these Christians. Romans 12:14, 21