India: Church Leaders Attacked

VOM Sources

Praise God! Christians in Kandhamal district, Orissa, were able to celebrate Christmas in relative peace and stability. However, in Hyderabad, Andra Pradesh state, this was not the case.

VOM sources reported Christians in Hyderabad were targeted by Hindu extremists on Dec. 23. Several pastors and prayer group leaders were attacked and severely beaten by Hindu extremists while returning home from a Christmas prayer meeting near the suburb of Ramnagar. At the time of the report, three Hindus had been arrested for their involvement in the attack.

VOM provides assistance to persecuted believers in India. Following the Christmas attacks in 2007, and the systematic attacks by Hindu extremists in August 2008, VOM provided immediate assistance to persecuted believers and distributed thousands of Bibles to displaced Christians. VOM also provided resources and supported families that lost loved ones during the attack through the Families of Martyrs fund. The August 2008 attacks resulted in more than 116 believers killed and more than 50,000 believers displaced.

VOM encourages you to continue praying for believers in Orissa and Christians recently attacked in Andra Pradesh. Ask God to heal and strengthen them. Pray that the perpetrators will turn to faith in Christ and become a demonstration of God's love and mercy to others.