Persecuted Watch

Bimala came to faith in Christ in 2021 through the witness of her daughter. But fellow villagers who are opposed to the gospel disapproved of Bimala and her family becoming Christians and sharing the gospel with others.

They accused Bimala of engaging in “evil practices” and illegally spreading the Christian religion and also instigated the police to arrest her. However, Bimala was able to give an answer to the charges against her and explained her Christian faith to the police officers. Eventually, no charges were filed against Bimala.

Now, the villagers who had previously shunned and verbally abused Bimala are beginning to accept her and have asked her to pray with them. Bimala remains strong in her faith and hopes to start a Christian fellowship in her village.

We thank and praise God for believers like Bimala who chose to remain firm in her faith despite the opposition from fellow villagers. Pray that God will bless her and her family richly as they continue to be faithful in whatever God has called them to do. Pray that even those who are opposed to Christians and the gospel will make peace with Bimala and her family (Prov 16:7).

 

(Source & Photo : VOM)

#Persecuted Church

Survivors of the 2004 Tsunami in Sri Lanka, including Pastor Srikanth, were relocated from Pasikuda to another village. He shared the gospel in the new village and many accepted the Lord.

In 2019, villagers began to oppose the worship services held in Pastor Srikanth’s home. These villagers brought the police, armed themselves and leveled death threats at the worshipers. They even incited government officials to threaten to take away Pastor Srikanth’s house from him.

When the believers continued worship services in spite of the threats, villagers became more aggressive. They launched a brutal attack on a Sunday morning which left several believers badly wounded.

The police filed charges against the attackers as well as Pastor Srikanth. Despite this opposition and ongoing legal proceedings, the believers continue to gather for worship in a shed next to Pastor Srikanth’s home.

Pray that God will strengthen and bless these believers for their courage and faithfulness. Pray that many more people will come to know and believe in the Lord because of the testimonies of these faithful believers. Pray that all charges against Pastor Srikanth will be dropped.

 

(Source & Photo : VOM)

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Pastor Sawan, who leads a church in Western India, together with an elder in the same church was taken in custody and questioned at length.

After some time, when the two men were not released, other members of the church, including Pastor Sawan’s wife and son, went to the police station to inquire about case. They too were detained for a month.

Six of the church members were later released but Pastor Sawan remained in custody. This was because one of the thugs who instigated the police to arrest Pastor Sawan had falsely claimed that the pastor tried to convert him and threatened his life.

When Pastor Sawan became sick during his imprisonment, he was transferred to a government hospital for treatment for a week but he had to be chained to his bed.

Pray that Pastor Sawan will be released and reunited with his family. Pray that justice will prevail and the false charges against him will be dropped for lack of evidence. Pray that God will supply the finances needed for Pastor Sawan’s family to pay for the legal fees for this case.

18-year-old Rung and her brother left their village to find work. They were employed by a Christian family whose lifestyle and testimony won Rung and her brother to faith in the Lord.

After the siblings returned to their village, their mother became ill. Family members believed it was because of the siblings’ Christian faith. One day, while Rungs’ brother was away from home, the family sacrificed a chicken and encouraged Rung to renounce her faith and participate in the ritual.

When she refused, the police was called. After interviewing her, the police told her to go to the police station the next day. Afraid that she would be held in custody, Rung left her village to seek refuge with a front-line worker in the region’s capital.

Rung left home with only the clothes she wore, her handphone and $12. She is now receiving aid for food, clothes and sewing supplies so that she can learn a trade.

Pray that both Rung and her brother will continue to grow in their faith despite the many challenges they are facing. Pray that Rung will be able to pick up sewing skills fast and with ease so that she can support herself. Pray that Rung’s family will come to faith in Christ.

 

(Source: VOM, Photo: Internet)

#Persecuted Church

Pastor Sy, an evangelical pastor, was kidnapped by 3 men driving a black truck. The abduction was witnessed by a bystander who thought the men were capturing a criminal.

A few days later, on 23rd October, Pastor Sy’s badly beaten body was discovered near his motorbike in a forested area outside Donkeo village in Khammouane province.

Local residents believe Pastor Sy was murdered because of his religious beliefs and evangelistic work. According to church leaders, Pastor Sy’s activities were being monitored and he received warnings from local authorities, relatives and neighbours that he could face harm if he continued to share his faith.

Pray for the family and friends of the late Pastor Sy. Pray that God will comfort and strengthen them as they grief and mourn the loss of a loved one. Pray that those who have been blessed and ministered to by the late Pastor Sy’s will carry on the evangelistic work he started. And many people in Laos will hear the Gospel message, believe in the Lord and receive salvation.

 

(Source & Photo : VOMC)

#Persecuted Church