Persecuted, but not Abandoned

Near Delhi, ACP has established a centre that serves as a safe haven of refreshment, strength and encouragement for persecuted Christians. Most recently, a group of pastors and their families – 80 people in total – were able to stay here for three days.

Marked by Suffering

On the first day of the meeting, there is a heavy, oppressive atmosphere in the room. So many of those present have wounded souls. More than half of the participants have been brutally beaten several times by radical Hindus because of their Christian faith, some to the point of unconsciousness. Many of them have spent days, weeks, even months in prison. Some share their experiences.

New Courage

Pastor Pradeep* had to leave his home with his family in the middle of the night. Extremists in their town had spread the rumour that someone had slaughtered a cow – an animal considered sacred in Hinduism. As a result, many members of radical Hindu circles roamed the town and set houses on fire. Fearing that his house would also fall victim to the mob, Pradeep took his family to safety.

After the situation had calmed down, we helped him install cameras on his house so that he would have evidence if anyone attacked his home. The pastor has since overcome his fear and is celebrating church services again. But he must remain vigilant.

Prison as an Answer to Prayer

Pastor Nikhil* and his wife Nayab* repeatedly drove past a prison, and each time they prayed, ‘Lord, may your kingdom come to this place too.’ One Sunday morning during the service, a Hindu mob broke into their church and beat up those present. Then the pastor and his wife were arrested by the police and sent to prison for five months because of their faith in Jesus Christ. God had answered their prayer in His own way. "We were happy to go to prison because we had prayed so much for it. We saw it as an opportunity to bring the gospel in," say Nikhil and Nayab. The Holy Spirit worked powerfully through them and many prisoners became Christians.

The persecuted pastors do not pray for the persecution to stop. Rather, they ask God to provide opportunities to proclaim the gospel fearlessly. Persecution and revival go hand in hand. As we wash the feet of the persecuted pastors at our meeting, tears flow: it is Christ who is encountering them anew and healing their hearts.

* Names changed