Court hearing delayed to September

Persecution is a daily reality for our Indian ministry partners, including those using Children’s Bible Clubs to introduce the Christian message into unreached communities.

Ministry staff and partners continue praying for false charges to be dismissed

6 July 2010

Please be praying as persecution is a daily threat to Indian believers ministering in a region of south India.

A July 2 court hearing was delayed until September for eight Mission India ministry staff and partners facing false charges of forcefully converting people to Christianity.

Last August, the eight men were arrested in this persecution-heavy region, following an attack by Hindu extremists.

Today, 11 months later, their legal case is still pending.

Thankfully, these men were released after spending one week in a south India jail—where God opened incredible doors for them to preach the Gospel to other prisoners. Four of the five falsely based charges were later dismissed.

Please join us in praying that the court will dismiss the final charge of “deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.”

The ministry partners were attending a training for Children’s Bible Clubs when the arrests occurred. After their release from jail, they were able to move forward with plans for Bible Clubs in their local communities.

Praise God, our staff reports that the ministry work has not been slowed by the pending legal charges!

Please be praying as persecution continues to be an ongoing concern for Indian believers ministering in this region of south India.