“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 … Read entire article »

On August 3, a violent anti-Christian mob stormed into a church where Gospel for Asia missionary Vinay Ganpati was leading a worship service in Tamil Nadu, India. The fanatics viciously beat the pastor and all of the believers—including the small children present. The church service was coming to a close when the angry mob surrounded the church and pelted stones at the congregation. Using wood planks and iron rods, the radicals rushed into the building and began mercilessly beating those who had come for worship. The violence started after two women were found drowned in a pond near the church. Another woman, whom the villagers believe to be a local deity, claimed that her goddess spirit had killed the women because the church was meeting in the area. The woman who claims to … Read entire article »

ORISSA, India- Anti-Christian extremists continue their violent rampage against Christians in the state of Orissa. On September 8, they totally destroyed the church where Gospel for Asia missionary Prakul Chirag serves as pastor, and three other GFA missionaries barely escaped from being burned to death. Prakuls church had only recently been built when the radicals demolished it. The missionary and believers were forced to run into the forest for protection from the mob. The fanatics are also threatening to destroy two more churches in the area. Missionaries and believers are fervently praying that the Lord will spare them from the extremists intent to persecute them. Three other GFA missionaries, two of whom are women, were nearly burned to death by a radical mob. The three ran into a house and huddled in hiding … Read entire article »