Gospel for Asia Reports Increased Persecution in India

Gospel for Asia reported persecution is worsening in India, and violence continues against their workers.

"Six of our missionaries (have) been beaten so severely that they are now in the hospital. The Hindu fundamentalist group in that community warned our missionaries, saying that 'you should not stay here, you have to leave', but our brothers felt that the Lord sent them there and they should not run away," said Gospel for Asia’s KP Yohannan. "Especially when they realize they got a church now starting and the new believers need care."

New believers are also being threatened, said Yohannan. "(The Hindu militants) are saying, 'you should renounce your faith and come back to their faith of their forefathers'" otherwise they'll be treated like the missionaries.

According to the recent anti-conversion laws, new believers are required to sign affidavits declaring their conversion before their baptism.

However, Yohannan added, "Never the less, by the grace of God, people, who are truly coming to Christ, are willing to do that. These brothers are saying we are grateful the Lord gave us the privilege to suffer for His sake and if the leadership allows they will want to go back to the same place and continue the ministry."

Yohannan asked for funding to their mission. "We just need 3 or 4-million-dollars just to be able to buy the paper. I can't even begin to tell you the tremendous need that we have right now to see more Bibles printed."