A Group of Ladies On Their Two Hour Walk Home After Church in Pedong
 

Area Persecution

We hiked up the mountain after lunch and drove with Pastor Emanuel to a small village that he had targeted to evangelize and plant a church.  We prayed for the people of the village and for safety for Pastor Emanuel.  When entering a fresh area, it was not uncommon for the Hindu extremists to try to stop things before they start, sometimes through violence.

 

We worshipped at Nandu’s church, the Full Gospel Church.   As I (Steve) had done at the other churches we visited, I gave a greeting and short message comparing what I had observed with the church in this area to the early church described in Acts.  I talked of the miracles, the rapid growth and the persecution they faced which was likely to increase as they grow and become more of a threat to the political leaders.  I don’t think they were hearing anything that they didn’t already know, but I wanted to let them know that we supported them and to draw inspiration from what the early Christians had faced.
 
Christians are a minority in numbers in India and are considered to be the lowest of the social class. If someone from a higher class marries a Christian, their social status changes to that lower class.

Many new Christian pastors, especially those in the remote areas we visited, have a hard time supporting their families based solely on the support they receive from their congregation.

The struggles they face has not stopped the planting of new churches. Their perseverance in the face of their struggles was a faith builder for us as we witnessed what God is doing there. The BTCP training and the fellowship of others they meet during their four months of training has proved to be part of the driving force behind their steadfastness in doing what God has placed on their hearts.

We left one village hiking back to our jeep with our backpacks and hiking boots. We were soon caught by a group of ladies in sandals making  their way home on their two hour walk after the service.

One has to observe that being a Christian is not easy in this part of India, but the people carry on due to their faith bolstered by the Holy Spirit. We learned through conversations we had that God seems to choose to move differently in areas of the world where the Gospel has not been preached as it has in the United States. Many have come to the Christian faith in this area of India due to miracles and healings within their families.

 

Below is a an email sent us from Pastor Nandu in Jan of 2006 that speaks of persecution of by extremist groups:

 

Just a small e-mail. On February 6th Hindu extremist group (Siva Sena and Hindu militants) is going to conduct big meeting in Gujarat a southern state of India. Their objectives are to reconvert Christian forcefully to Hinduism by politically and applying physical-tortures. They are making plans to enter towns and villages with their militant groups. In our town Kalimpong, these Hindu militant had big rally and protest with slogan of Hinduism only, on full day light, last week in the town by walking. Since last few years they are trying pass the anti-conversion bill in the parliament. They are quite successful up to some extend. That in few states, state government has made compulsory in every school teach one subject from Hindu religious-book and articles and student must pass to qualify for class promotion. They are quite active than last times.

Kindly pray for God’s intervention, specially in this coming Hindu militants meeting on 6th February 2006. Their meeting objectives and agenda go for in vain. Share this prayer request to prayer worriers and to those who has burden for India.

In prayers,
Pastor N. K. Gurung (India)