Religious persecution against Christians is growing in India. Now listed as the eleventh most dangerous country for Christian persecution, India’s northeastern state of Manipur has seen intense violence against Christians increasing within the last year. In recent years there has been a big increase in Hindutva, an ideology that believes only Hindus are true Indians, and that Christians, Muslims and other religious minorities have “foreign” roots and must be expelled. Hindu extremists are attacking others with impunity, even using extreme violence such as burning churches, destroying homes, and even killing innocent bystanders. Despite pleas from the displaced Christian population, no major steps towards peace have been made.
The plight of Indian Christians right now is critical. While we in America can enjoy the relative religious freedom that we often take for granted, there is real and dangerous persecution for Christians around the world. Oppression is a very scary reality many Christians face every day. In areas where Christian persecution is growing, we must work even harder to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ of the truth of the Gospel amidst horrific conditions. I urge Christians around the world to pray that those who are suffering persecution in the name of the Lord find strength and fortitude that comes only from the Holy Spirit.
In India, Christians comprise only 2.3% of the population while Hindus account for approximately 80%. We have grown from a single Hindi language broadcast to include radio programs in eight regional languages. Our ministry in India is complemented by effective discipleship activities including literature distribution, Bible correspondence courses, seekers conferences (discipleship seminars) and a radio distribution project called “Radios for India.” This combination of ministry elements has proven to be extremely effective in changing lives throughout India and planting churches where believers can be nurtured in their faith and through which whole communities can be drawn into the Kingdom of God.
We call on all Christians to ask God to protect these new believers and to open the door for fellow Christians to provide spiritual encouragement and support. Please also pray that these new believers are able to stand strong in their faith and that their response will be a testimony that demonstrates the love of God to those who are persecuting them. We fervently hope that this persecution does not discourage others from responding to the Gospel messages we are broadcasting in this region.