New Churches planted in heartland of Hindus
"Please pray for our brothers and sisters in the field"
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India., Nov. 26 - A mission team in India conducted gospel meetings in a dozen villages, dedicated two new churches and saw many strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ in a recent journey across parts of Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh states in northern India.
The team first conducted gospel meetings in a series of small fellowships. The leader said, "People possessed of demons were set free and some sick received their healing. One girl was miraculously delivered from the clutches of demons. The evil spirits had overpowered her for quite some time, but after we rebuked the spirits in the name of Jesus, she was instantly set free. Many villagers received the gospel with joy and are now ready for baptism."
The team planned to reach the next village by 5 p.m., but didn't get there until 8. By that time it was pitch dark and the villagers had gone to bed. Even though the village was "electrified," there was no electricity. The host pastor got up and prepared food for the team.
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Over 50 people gathered for a gospel meeting the next day. Many asked for prayer. One of them was an influential village leader who was paralyzed. "He was touched by the Lord and now is offering his property for the Lord's work," the leader told Christian Aid.
The team next traveled to the Lucknow region where on two successive days they conducted inauguration services for new church buildings in two locations.
One of the missionary pastors they visited was a Hindu Brahmin convert. Hindus angry at his conversion had cut down all his mango trees and poisoned his fish pond, killing all his fish. They also cut down all the trees fencing his property. Now villagers are claiming his private courtyard is a public throughway. "He and his wife were greatly encouraged by our visit," the leader said.
"Please pray for our brothers and sisters in the field," he requested. "Many are living under threats to their lives. One missionary and his coworkers are facing persecution daily. Another worker and a new believer were badly beaten and false charges filed against them in court."
Yet in another area, a retired Christian worker with the federal government, believes opponents of the gospel dare not come against him because of his respected position. His son is a lawyer with the High Court. He even built a school in the community and erected a big cross over it so it can be seen from afar.
