Pastoral Training Center Attacked in India

By Jeremy Reynalds, Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

NORTH INDIA (ANS) – A group of about large mob of around 40 anti-Christian Hindu militants stormed a training center for pastors.

The incident occurred on Sunday in the North Indian state of Chhattisgarh.

According to a news release from Empart, the church-planting organization that runs the center, Prebhu, a center leader, was punched and kicked as he screamed for mercy. Many students were brutally beaten and seriously injured.

According to Empart, while attacking students, the Hindu militants interrogated them about center leadership. Students refused to reveal any names or addresses, so the Hindus reportedly burned all of the center’s teaching tools. They included Bibles and (Christian) literature.

Empart said that students tried in vain to protect their Bibles and notebooks. Just days before they were due to graduate, all the notes they had made throughout the year were gone. Personal belongings were also added to the fire. Clothes purchased for the graduation were also burned.

According to Empart, the militants then discovered the center store room – where gospel literature and Bibles are kept to supply the entire region. Empart said the organization had also stored thousands of book kits to be distributed at the graduation and a pastor’s conference. Empart said students were forced to watch these precious gifts burn, under the threat that they would be thrown into the fire if they protested.

Empart said when center leaders took the injured students to the local government hospital they refused to treat them for fear the hospital may be attacked. Desperate for treatment, many of them had to find public transportation to get to hospitals in surrounding towns.

Prebhu, Empart said, is in intensive care. The rest of the students and local leaders are all in hiding due to further threats of violence.

Adding insult to injury, Empart said, mob leaders then defaced an Indian flag by painting a red cross on it- a criminal act in India. Calling the police, they reported that they found a group of Christians who had defaced the Indian flag and asked the police to come and arrest them.

Empart said local authorities have arrested three center students for questioning. They are still under police custody.

Biju, the Training Centre Coordinator, escaped amidst the chaos and is still in hiding. According to Empart, his wife and children are being cared for in a safe location but the remaining students at the center are living in fear of another attack.

Speaking with Empart Founder and Director Jossy Chacko, Biju said in the news release, “The enemy will try to stop us making disciples and training leaders, but he cannot and will not stop God’s Kingdom expanding. We will not stop, no matter what happens.”

Empart said a mission team from Australia had planned to be at the center graduation ceremony this week, but had to abandon their plans after hearing of the attack. The team is in a secure location, but they are all disappointed they cannot be there to support the students throughout their difficulties.

Empart asked that those concerned pray for everyone affected by the attack.

Empart is an international non-profit church planting organization assisting unreached communities in Asia by training local people to start churches in their local communities.

Donations to help restore the training center and provide teaching resources can be made through Empart at www.empart.org