Contact: Taun Cortado, Gospel for Asia, 972-300-3379
ORISSA, India, September 12 /Christian Newswire/ -- Anti-Christian extremists continue their violent rampage against Christians in the state of Orissa. On September 8, they totally destroyed the church where Gospel for Asia missionary Prakul Chirag serves as pastor, and three other GFA missionaries barely escaped from being burned to death.
Photo: The rampaging mobs attacked churches and Christian institutions, such as orphanages, destroying their contents and setting fire to the buildings. This burned-out church was home to a congregation led by a GFA missionary in Orissa. At least 27 GFA-related churches have been destroyed in Orissa. (Photo courtesy of the Global Council of Indian Christians).
Prakul's church had only recently been built when the radicals demolished it. The missionary and believers were forced to run into the forest for protection from the mob.
The fanatics are also threatening to destroy two more churches in the area. Missionaries and believers are fervently praying that the Lord will spare them from the extremists' intent to persecute them.
Three other GFA missionaries, two of whom are women, were nearly burned to death by a radical mob. The three ran into a house and huddled in hiding as the radicals--carrying kerosene and gasoline to burn them alive--surrounded the home.
A GFA leader in the area heard reports about what was happening and immediately contacted the local police. The officers went to the house and rescued the missionaries. They have been taken to a safer place, but the extremists are threatening to find and kill them.
The extreme violence against Christians in Orissa began on August 22 after Swami Laxmananand Saraswati, a top leader of the VHP (World Hindu Council) and an outspoken opponent of Christianity, was murdered. Although Maoist rebels have repeatedly claimed responsibility for the Swami's murder, the Hindu radicals continue blaming Christians and using the killing as an excuse to incite violence against them.
The Indian government has taken action against the extremists by deploying four additional federal police battalions specifically to protect Christians in the worst-affected area, the Kandhamal district. However, violence continues throughout the state.
Gospel for Asia leaders in Orissa ask for prayer that peace will come to their state and that the Hindu extremists who are seeking to destroy them will see Christ's love in their response to the persecution. They also request prayer for the Christians who are suffering, that the Lord will fill them with His grace and comfort.
Gospel for Asia is an evangelical mission organization based in Carrollton involved in sharing the love of Jesus across South Asia.
