Persecution Alert

150-man mob attacks Mission India partner leading free medical camp for poor

Prayer to Jesus is a source of comfort and strength for believers in India suffering from persecution.

They spat in his face. A clenched fist slammed into his jaw.

When Anij* crumpled to the ground, they began kicking his ribs. "You force people to convert to Christianity. Well, let this be a lesson to you," they yelled.

Anij, who leads and trains a group of Mission India Church Planters, tried to shield himself from the blows. The Hindu fanatic group had captured him and brought him underground.

Anij knew that they looked for excuses to harm Christians.

Earlier that morning, Anij and his Christian team (including some Church Planting students) opened a free "medical camp" that offered dental and eye check-ups for free to the poor.

That's when the Hindu fundamentalists showed up.

They demanded to see the letter of permission that was needed for Anij to legally operate the medical camp. Anij produced it, but one of the fanatic leaders, Mukut, demanded a copy for himself.

Anij refused. Mukut was no government official or medical inspector - what right had he to demand a copy?

Mukut left, angry.

But he returned - with a mob of 150. The mob shouted anti-Christian slogans. "You're pretending that this is a medical camp, but we know that you are trying to convert people," they accused. They began beating the Christian believers.

Anij's team managed to escape, but Anij was taken to a dark basement, where he was abused and humiliated.

Anij heard that the Hindu group had intended to capture Anij's team, lock them in the basement, and set it on fire - burning them alive.

Thankfully, someone called the police. And the police were able to rescue Anij from his attackers.

The Hindu activists told police, "Put Anij behind bars." But since Anij had a letter of permission for the medical camp, the police did not.

Instead, the police arrested Mukut and put him in jail. Within 24 hours, Mukut was released on bail.

Pray for God's protection for Anij and other brave Christians who are serving people in their communities and showing the love of Christ.

Pray for the Persecuted Church!

We invite you to spend time today lifting up these recent prayer requests from our partners in India.

• An anti-Christian activist is warning locals, “If you convert to Christianity, you must leave the village.” Tanuj, a Church Planter, is witnessing in this village. Pray that Tanuj will see a great many villagers place their faith in Jesus.
• In west India, a Children’s Bible Club leader named Monish was attacked by four Hindu activists. Monish’s mother and sister were also seriously injured. Pray for physical healing and protection for Monish and his family, and for courage to continue ministering to boys and girls who need to know Jesus.
• Yuvati accepted Jesus and is attending church, but her family is persecuting her for her faith. Ask God to transform the hearts of Yuvati’s family.
• 45-year-old Anil, his wife, and their three daughters plan to be baptized soon. Local villagers have threatened to cast them out of the village for their faith. Pray for God's provision and protection for this family.
• An Adult Literacy Class in southern India is having trouble meeting because of interference from local Hindu activists. Pray that these classes will be able to meet without any interruptions and for the safety of the students and teacher.

Click here for more prayer requests from India

*Names have been changed to protect the safety of believers.