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Gospel For Asia: prayer for India needed all year

Millions of Christians around the world joined together in prayer Nov. 9 for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. More than 100-million Christians each year are forced from their jobs, marginalized, beaten and abused, or even killed, simply because they profess Christ as their Savior, reports MNN.

Founder and President of Gospel for Asia KP Yohannan, speaking from India, says persecution is being felt firsthand by Christians in India. "We are right now facing one of the most severe [campaigns] of persecution the church has experienced in the history of this country--especially in Orissa, where over 1,000 homes of believers were destroyed."

Yohannan says dozens of people have been killed, and church buildings have also been destroyed. The attacks by Hindu nationalists have forced Christians from their homes and into displacement camps. He wished he could report that things were getting better. "I got an e-mail saying that seven pastors who were bringing help to persecuted Christians in camps were arrested by police, accused of converting people and causing disturbances."

One example of government-approved persecution against Christians is an Orissa State law. "There's an anti-conversion bill enforced in Orissa," says Yohannan. "They use that any way they can, saying that [Christians] are trying to convert people. And they end up in trouble, put in jail, or they are beaten up."

He says radical extremists are blocking the roads to the displacement camps, preventing help from getting in.

Yohannan likens it to Hitler's attempt to exterminate the Jewish people. "This is a strategy some of these radical fundamentalists learned from Hitler -- his agenda of isolating people and hurting them. This is a strategy that continues."

Despite the persecution Gospel for Asia pastors, missionaries and evangelists continue to share their faith. Yohannan says, "Several pastors have said, 'You know what, you can kill us, you can destroy everything we have, but we will have to continue to tell you Jesus loves you.' It is fulfilling God's call on their life, and they are paying a high for doing that."

Following IDOP Sunday, many Christians are looking for ways to specifically help the suffering Church. Yohannan says GFA needs your help to do just that. "We need to rebuild at least 1,000 homes. These people lost everything. $2,000 to $3,000 can help rebuild one of these lost houses."

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TAGS: India Gospel For Asia International Day of Prayer anti-Christian violence persecution

[11/10/2008]

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