Believers Attacked and Pastor Warned to Leave

WEST BENGAL, INDIA (ANS) – A Gospel for Asia-supported missionary and several members of his church are being ostracized and attacked for their faith. The missionary, Gangi Ram, serves as pastor of a small church in West Bengal, India.

Recently 13 people in his village chose to follow Christ. They chose to publicly testify of their new faith on March 12. The next day, the trouble started.

Since then, their fellow villagers have beaten the new Christians if they see them in public. Anti-Christian extremists in the village have even gone so far as to damage the homes of the new believers. These new Christians are also being denied access to the village well and the pond, where most villagers go to bathe.

The villagers have threatened to harm Gangi if he remains in the village.

Gangi and the other Christians in this place ask for prayer for Padipti Tiwary and Keshav Raman, the two village leaders who seem to be spearheading the abuse. They are praying that these two men recognize their need for the Lord.

This dedicated missionary also asks for prayer for the Christians enduring this persecution, that they would not lose heart nor waver in their commitment to the Lord. He specifically asks for prayer that they would be able to overcome their difficult circumstances.

Prayer is also needed for Pastor Gangi, says our correspondent, “that he will continue in his constant and cheerful service for Christ.”