Soli Deo Gloria

Gospel for Asia is a wonderful missionary organization that reaches many of the areas of Asia that desperately need to hear the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We in America just have no clue as to the persecution and distress Christians are under in many regions of the world. While we enjoy plush pews in mega churches and can freely carry our Bibles out in public our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are tortured, killed and harassed for even mentioning Christ’s name. They need our prayers. Not to be taken out of the situation but to endure and persevere through God’s grace and His power – for that is how the Church of Jesus Christ grows.

I encourage you to consider giving to Gospel for Asia. They are undoubtably the most gospel centered missionary organization I have ever encountered and their president’s passion for Christ is amazing. (Listen to a moving sermon by K.P. Yohannan, GFA’s president.)

The following article is from GFA’s web site and really gives us a brief insight into the condition in India. Please pray for this family and this pastor as they seek to bring glory and praise to the Lamb who was worthy to be slain!

The Choudhury family in Assam, India, is paying a heavy price to follow their new life in Christ. They have been forced to flee their home by the harassment and threats from other villagers, including their own relatives.

Lalit, Anjali and their three children chose to follow Jesus after hearing about His love from GFA-supported Pastor Samir Datta. When the couple recently made a bold proclamation of their new faith in the community, their relatives and others in the village reacted strongly. In fact, they launched an intense campaign of harassment to try and force the family to come back to the area’s traditional religion.

Because of the pressure, Lalit and Anjali realized they couldn’t stay in their own house. They took refuge in Pastor Samir’s home, but now some in the village are threatening him, saying they will beat him for “converting” the Choudhury family and giving them shelter.

In the area where the Choudhury’s and Samir live, there is the added tension of tribal-related conflict. Their state has witnessed much bloodshed and strife over the past several decades as political and ethnic groups—particularly differing tribes—have warred against each other. The situation has been quite volatile at times, and some have feared that the conflict could explode like it did in the early 1980s when more than 3,000 lives were lost.

In this environment, Christians live with both the tension of tribal conflict and the risk of persecution for their faith.

GFA leaders ask for prayer for the Lord’s divine protection for the Choudhury family and Pastor Samir as they suffer under threats and pressure from the local community. They also request prayer that those opposing the family for their faith will have their hearts changed toward the Gospel.

From Gospel for Asia

Evangelism, Prayer Requests, The Church, The Gospel

From Gospel for Asia:

Gospel for Asia missionary Vinay Ganpati is still facing threats months after an anti-Christian mob attacked his church in Tamil Nadu, India. The attack happened after a local woman, believed to be a goddess, blamed two deaths on the Christian community.

After the attack on the church building and congregation, one of the anti-Christians died in an accident. This caused people to further blame the Christians, and there were threats of more violence.

On September 26, a group approached Pastor Vinay and told him to vacate the church and stop all activities by October 10. Vinay tried his best to reason with the group, explaining the land was lawfully owned by the church and that he couldn’t leave so suddenly.

“The extremists were not ready to listen to him and again warned him to vacate by the deadline or face dire consequences,” GFA’s correspondent wrote. “Vinay seems very worried.”

Vinay and his leaders plan to file a complaint with the police station in an effort to protect their land. This is not their first choice, as it could further hinder relationships with the people of the village.

Vinay earnestly requests prayer that God would remove fear from the Christians’ hearts and make them strong to face these trials. Pray that the Lord will bring a peaceful solution, and that those opposing the Gospel will realize God’s love for them.

Prayer Requests, The Church, The Gospel

From Gospel for Asia:

“India is in a scary situation,” says Gospel for Asia President K.P. Yohannan. “While violence continues in Orissa, on India’s east coast, anti-Christian extremists have unleashed another wave of attacks on Christians in Karnataka, a state on India’s west coast.

“At the same time, churches are under attack in Jharkand and other states, and Muslim extremists have set off bombs in Delhi.

“But we know that, in the end, the future is bright, because Jesus is with His church.”

On Sunday, Hindu mobs rushed into churches and prayer centers of many different denominations in Karnataka, attacking Christians during their times of worship. The extremists then destroyed the church buildings and their properties. At least 11 churches were destroyed, including at least one led by Gospel for Asia missionaries.

Christians responded with protest rallies, and more than 60 extremists have been detained by authorities as a result of Sunday’s attacks.

“What we saw in Orissa was a well thought-out and detailed agenda to eradicate Christians from the state,” said Dr. Yohannan. “As you can see, the same pattern is being followed in Karnataka. It is well planned and orchestrated by Hindu radicals.”

Read the rest of this article over at Gospel for Asia and remember to keep those who are dying for their faith in Jesus Christ in your prayers.

Evangelism, Prayer Requests, The Church, The Gospel

A fellow blogger and brother in Christ is asking for your prayers and assistance.  Josh, who runs a wonderful blog called “Truth Matters” is asking for prayers and assistance for his mother who is fighting cancer.  Your prayers are needed and if you’re able to provide any financial help it is greatly appreciated.  Please visit his blog to learn more.  Soli Deo Gloria!

Prayer Requests