Persecution of Christians in India
How your gifts and prayers are bringing hope and strength to desperate Christians in India
 Believers in Orissa are the continued targets of severe persecution at the hands of Hindu extremists. |
When Ravi heard the angry clamor of the mob, he knew his worst fears were about to be realized. As the shouts grew louder, Ravi gathered his family to him and told them to run for their lives.
The extremists were merciless. Ravi’s home was ransacked and burned, and his livestock stolen. Going from house to house, the gang continued their rampage until the whole village was destroyed. Like Ravi, the rest of the villagers fled into the nearby forest for cover—knowing that to resist would mean certain death.
Ravi’s story would be harrowing enough if his were the only village to have been hit by the extremists. But when you understand the scale of these vicious attacks, you begin to realize that the sorrow and suffering endured by the Christians of Orissa in recent months is beyond imagination.
Hate campaign Against Christians in India
Hindu extremists hold a firm grip in India’s eastern state of Orissa. The persecution of Christians in India has has significantly increased in recent years. Christians in India have been systematically targeted in a vicious hate campaign, with hundreds of homes burned and many believers killed.
The tensions reached an all-time high in August 2008 when prominent fundamentalist Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati was killed, allegedly by local Maoist rebels. The Hindu extremists leapt at the opportunity to blame Christians for the murder—and the violence against believers quickly spiraled out of control.
Hindu extremists marched ruthlessly from village to village, intent on destruction and murder. In the ensuing months, 315 Christian villages were destroyed, with 4,640 homes burned to the ground. Some 252 churches and 13 schools were demolished.
Approximately 120 people were murdered, including 7 pastors. And 54,000 people were forced to flee their homes in fear for their lives. Can you imagine what it would be like if this happened in the U.S.?
We have been at work in Orissa for many years, but never before have our brothers and sisters in the region needed our help and support on such a massive scale.
Approximately 120 people were murdered, including 7 pastors. And 54,000 people were forced to flee their homes in fear for their lives. Can you imagine what it would be like if this happened in the U.S.?
We have been at work in Orissa for many years, but never before have our brothers and sisters in the region needed our help and support on such a massive scale.
As the violence escalated, the first priority was to provide emergency relief. Our teams supported thousands of families—with food parcels as well as other essential items such as blankets, mosquito nets, clothes, and toiletries.
 Healing the wounds of oppression and violence, SSTS brings the care believers in Orissa need. |
Spiritual welfare of Christians in India
As always, our concern for Christians in India was not only for their material provision, but for their spiritual welfare as well. Open Doors teams were quick to plan specialist trauma counseling programs.
“The riots shocked us beyond our imagination,” says Pastor Paul. “I am really thankful to the Lord for the privilege of attending this training. These skills will be effective instruments to counsel those who have lost everything.”
“The riots shocked us beyond our imagination,” says Pastor Paul. “I am really thankful to the Lord for the privilege of attending this training. These skills will be effective instruments to counsel those who have lost everything.”
Alongside the trauma counseling, Open Doors teams have also stepped up our provision of “Standing Strong Through the Storm” (SSTS) seminars.
Designed to give believers a biblical understanding of persecution and suffering, and to promote forgiveness and reconciliation, the SSTS program has been in great demand across the region. More than 600 believers have been able to attend SSTS since last September.
Designed to give believers a biblical understanding of persecution and suffering, and to promote forgiveness and reconciliation, the SSTS program has been in great demand across the region. More than 600 believers have been able to attend SSTS since last September.
Still so much to be done for Christians in India
Praise God for all the needs that our teams have been able to meet since the escalation of violence in Orissa last August. But there is still so much to be done!
The persecution of Christians in India is an issue you can directly help. Today, 4,000 Christians remain in makeshift relief camps and thousands more are still desperate for our care. Please consider how you can support these believers—your prayers and gifts can help them rebuild their broken lives in the months ahead.
[All names changed for security reasons.]
