Archive for the 'Asia' Category
Posted by Job on March 12, 2008
More than 60 Christians who were kidnapped by extremists in Himachal Pradesh, India, on February 27 were released unharmed. However, the kidnapped Christians were forced to participate in a humiliating ceremony at a religious temple before they were released. Click here to read the news story about their release.
http://links.mkt561.com/ctt?kn=2&m=1001994&r=NTE2NDg4OTczNAS2&b=2&j=MTAyNjA4NjI2S0&mt=1
We also learned today that Gospel for Asia missionary Haresh Kujur was released after being kidnapped March 1. He was conducting a youth program at his church in Assam, India, when a group of anti-Christian extremists abducted him. No other details about his release are available at this time.
Please keep both of these situations in your prayers, even as we rejoice over the release of these Christian brothers and sisters.
K.P. Yohannan
Founder & President
Himachal Pradesh Kidnapped Christians Released
Anti-Christian extremists have released the more than 60 Christians they kidnapped on February 27 in Himachal Pradesh, India. None of the Christians were harmed during their ordeal, and none were members of GFA-related churches as was previously thought. The kidnapped Christians were forced to endure a humiliating ceremony at a religious temple before the extremists gave them anti-Christian literature and let them go.
The radical group responsible for the kidnapping, while part of a system that keeps Dalits and other low castes in virtual slavery, covered their own agenda by publicly accusing Christian missionaries of trying to split the nation of India along caste lines.
This leader also falsely claimed that missionaries offered inducements to low-caste people to lure them into converting to Christianity. Himachal Pradesh’s ruling anti-Christian political party believes that keeping people in the traditional religion brings unity to the state, and ultimately to the entire country. It is reported that the group who kidnapped these Christians is affiliated with the political party.
It is not unusual for these extremists to kidnap believers and try to force them to bow before the statues that represent the country’s traditional gods. If the Christians refuse to bow, they risk being ostracized from society, which brings much shame in the Asian culture in which they live.
GFA’s correspondent is thankful for the prayers for these believers, and says that by God’s grace, they are safe. However, religious and political tensions in the area are still strong. Please pray that these Christians and others near them will trust in the Lord and not fear.
Read the original report here.
Learn more about Himachal Pradesh, where the kidnapping took place.
Posted in Asia, Christian Persecution, Christianity, Hinduism, buddhism, dalit, evangelism, missionary, religion | 4 Comments »
Posted by Job on March 5, 2008
They could ALL receive Bibles
India–Like many preachers in India, Nikhil had no formal training—he simply felt called to lead a congregation. But once he realized there was so much to learn, he turned to a Bible League-trained Christian who was offering Bible studies. Read more
Taking a stand for the Gospel
Middle East–Aaqib refused to give up when he encountered difficulties in establishing a church. Because of his faith, more Christians are now sharing the Gospel in an area where Islam dominates. This church and others like it are beacons for Christ amid strife and violence. Read more
Breadth of mercy
Colombia–Envigado, Colombia is home to more than 175,000 people. Surrounded by lush green hills and winding roads, walks on dirt paths and through the mountains are inevitably routes taken daily. One Colombian man shares his story of a winding path that led him into the arms of a loving Savior. Read more
God’s Word continues to go forth in Kenya
Despite deadly riots and widespread violence in Nairobi, as well as in Kenya’s eastern and western provinces, Bible League staff members are continuing ministry. While three ministry areas have been completely shut down, Bible League staff members are pressing their
way through the tense spiritual environment. Read more.
Posted in Asia, Bible, Christianity, Hinduism, India, Islam, Jesus Christ, Muslim, buddhism, evangelical christian, evangelism, missionary, testimony | No Comments »
Posted by Job on March 5, 2008
One of our missionaries, Gautam Taru, is back with his family after severe threats
forced them to leave their village for a few days. The police, who previously did nothing to protect Gautam, are now actively trying to help him.Read this update on Gautam to find out more about the situation, which is far from stable.
Praise God for these answers to prayer. Please continue to lift up this brother, who is risking his safety to share the Gospel. Thank you for being part of his ministry through your prayers.
Yours for the unreached.
K.P. Yohannan
Founder & President
“We are extremely grateful for your prayers for Pastor Gautam,” wrote Gospel for Asia’s correspondent in Madhya Pradesh, India. “The situation has calmed down.”
Police have stepped in to protect GFA missionary Gautam Taru after extremist groups threatened him last month. The group told him he must leave the village within three days or face “serious consequences.” At first, police simply advised Gautam to leave the village until things settled down. Gautam sent his wife and children to stay with her
father for their protection, and he sought shelter at the GFA state office.
The anti-Christians did not leave him alone, however. They actively planned to lodge an official complaint against him, compelling many people to give false testimony against him. And three days after the original threat—the day the group said Gautam would face serious consequences—the situation looked ominous.
“Every day, the fanatic group goes to the village to inquire whether Pastor Gautam has left the place or not,” our correspondent wrote that day. “We even heard that they are preparing a person to pretend that the pastor gave him money to become a Christian.” However, now that the police have said they will protect Gautam, the situation appears to be calmer. Pastor Gautam was able to join his wife and children at his in-laws’ home. But the anti-Christian sentiment is still strong. Pastor Gautam asks for prayer for safety to continue his ministry.
Read the original report about the threats against Pastor Gautam.
Madhya Pradesh is Pastor Gautam’s home state.
Posted in Asia, Christian Persecution, Christianity, Hinduism, India, Jesus Christ, buddhism, dalit, evangelical christian, evangelism, missionary | No Comments »
Posted by Job on February 28, 2008
I am coming to you today asking for your fervent prayer for a group of Christians who have been kidnapped in Himachal Pradesh, India. Read the full story here: http://links.mkt561.com/ctt?kn=3&m=989699&r=NTE2NDg4OTczNAS2&b=2&j=MTAyMDQ1NTQyS0&mt=1
Their captors are thought to be the anti-Christian extremist arm of the state’s ruling political party. Initial reports are that the extremists are trying to get the Christians to renounce Christ and follow their country’s traditional religion. Please join me in praying
for these Christians, that their faith would not waver.
K.P. Yohannan
Founder & President Gospel For Asia
About 40 Christians were kidnapped February 27 by anti-Christian radicals in Himachal Pradesh, India. The extremists reportedly took the Christians to a religious temple and are trying to force them to renounce Christ and return to the country’s dominant faith. Initial reports from the area indicate that some of those kidnapped are part of a Gospel for Asia-related church in the village where the kidnapping occurred.
GFA leaders in Himachal Pradesh ask for prayer for those who were captured, that they will stand firm in their faith, even in this difficult time. They also ask for prayer for the overall situation for Christians in this northwest Indian state.
An anti-Christian political party controls Himachal Pradesh, and it is possible that the group who kidnapped these Christians is affiliated with the political party. One of this party’s goals is to convert Christians to India’s predominant religion. It is not unusual for these extremists to kidnap believers and force them to bow before the statues that represent the country’s traditional gods. If the Christians refuse to bow to the statues, they risk being ostracized from society, which brings much shame in the Asian culture in which they live.The extremist ruling party believes that keeping people in the traditional religion brings unity to the state, and ultimately to the entire country. Since Christianity is so radically different than the other religions, a person’s decision to follow Christ creates friction
in families and sometimes entire villages.
Himachal Pradesh is a mountainous area that forms India’s border with Tibet. It is India’s
least evangelized state. Read about the history of this state here.
Posted in Asia, Christian Persecution, Christianity, Hinduism, buddhism | No Comments »
Posted by Job on February 28, 2008
A grueling schedule does not dampen the enthusiasm of Gospel for Asia’s mobile teams! These six-person teams will go to whatever lengths necessary to share the Good News with those who have never received it before. Click here to see how they do it.
Your prayers for these missionaries are making a difference as thousands hear the Gospel for the first time. Thank you for your heart for them!
Yours for the lost, 
K.P. Yohannan
Founder & President
Posted in Asia, Christianity, Hinduism, India, buddhism, evangelism, missionary | No Comments »
Posted by Job on February 17, 2008
From http://gfa.org
A Last-Resort Effort Saved His Life
A Last-Resort Effort Saved His Life Gospel for Asia For Immediate Release
JHARKHAND, INDIA (ANS) — Nogen acted like a madman. He ran wildly from one place to another in his village in Jharkhand, India. He was incoherent and could no longer speak clearly. Of course, Nogen’s family was concerned and tried all they knew to get help for him. What they did not understand was that Nogen was being controlled by a demonic spirit.
Demons often torment their victims as Christians pray them out.
When a loved one is in physical or mental distress, Asian families will employ a variety of methods to help them. In addition to medical treatment, they will turn to the rituals of their traditional religions or ask a witch doctor to perform an incantation over the sick person. They also turn to Gospel for Asia missionaries for help.
Many in India, like this woman who was tormented by demons for many years, have been released from the bondage of Satan through the prayers of Gospel for Asia missionaries.
Nogen’s family asked GFA missionary Kamat Ramtake to pray for Nogen.
Kamat prayed for him, and slowly Nogen began to regain his senses. But the family decided it would be good to also take him to a local witch doctor, who said a mantra over him. Much to their surprise, Nogen got worse after the witch doctor’s incantations.
After this setback, the family took Nogen to a hospital, where he was admitted and stayed for three days. But his condition remained the same. When doctors discharged him, he was in no better shape than when he entered the hospital.
As a last resort, the family again approached Kamat, asking him to again pray for Nogen. Kamat spent time praying over Nogen, and as a result, the Lord healed him completely, freeing him from the evil spirit that was tormenting him.
Just as his erratic behavior pointed to demon possession, Nogen’s dramatic healing was a testimony to the power of Christ. After seeing the change that Christ brought into his life, many people in Nogen’s village chose to put their trust in Jesus, too.
Kamat requests prayer that Nogen and his family will live for Jesus, and that through them, many more would come to know the Lord.
Jharkhand, India is home to many tribal groups. Read about this interesting state.
Read an article about the ways in which God uses difficult circumstances to help missionaries share the Good News.
Posted in Asia, Christianity, India, evangelical christian, evangelism, missionary, spiritual deliverance, spiritual warfare, testimony | No Comments »
Posted by Job on February 5, 2008
My note: another report from the mission field that references demonic activity among the unsaved. It is good to see that Third World Christians acknowledge that demons are real and spiritual warfare and deliverance are real and tangible necessities, not things to be dealt with indirectly or referred to metaphorically or in abstraction as do many western “civilized and educated” fundamentalist and evangelical Christians.
The first time Dhanjoy read a Bible was at a Gospel for Asia Bible college. There, his life would change forever. Read his story–and learn how his transformation was the answer to his mother’s prayers–here.
Thank
you so much for your prayers for people like Dhanjoy to have a chance
to hear the Gospel. Truly, you are making an impact for eternity.
Yours for the unreached,K.P. Yohannan Founder & President
“Lord, please change my whole family as you have changed my life,” Meena Patni earnestly prayed. Meena had found peace and joy she never expected after a pastor told
her about Jesus. Delivered from a life of spirit worship and bondage to
demons, Meena’s hope was that her family would find salvation
too—especially her son Dhanjoy, who was difficult to handle. Dhanjoy had grown up among people whose only hope in life was to
appease the anger of evil spirits. He was a mischievous boy, and he
fought with his father and brother. He would even grab and pull his
mother’s hair or throw his sandal into the food she was cooking. Meena
desperately wanted her son to grow up knowing the love of Jesus, and
she prayed for him often.
She began to see the answer to her prayers when Gospel for Asia
missionary Benjamin Masih visited their home. For the first time,
Dhanjoy—who was by then a teenager—listened to the Gospel message. When
Benjamin invited Dhanjoy to visit a GFA Bible college, he agreed. Dhanjoy attended an introductory class at the Bible college,
intended for young men such as himself who had been introduced to the
Gospel but didn’t yet know the Lord. During the weeks he was there,
stories of Jesus’ life deeply touched him, as did reading the Bible for
the first time. Dhanjoy gave his life to Christ there at the college.
Soon, Dhanjoy received a phone call from his father with the news
that he had passed his college exams and could look for a job. But by
that time, Dhanjoy desired to stay and study at the Bible college. He
stayed for two months, then went home for his brother’s wedding. During this visit, Meena was overjoyed to see her son again and
witness the changes that had taken place in his life. Dhanjoy shared
his new faith with his family members who did not yet know Christ.
Now, Dhanjoy is a Bible college graduate serving the Lord full-time
in the mountainous Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. He has faced
opposition several times from anti-Christian groups, but he continues
faithfully. Dhanjoy asks for prayer that many people will receive salvation
through his ministry, and especially that his brother and father will
choose to follow the Lord.
Read about an exciting outreach in Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir is a beautiful state in North India. Read the story of another man whose mother’s prayers impacted his life.
Jammu, Kashmir
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Posted in Asia, Christianity, India, dalit, evangelical christian, evangelism, missionary | No Comments »
Posted by Job on February 3, 2008
Location:China
Arrested: July 2007
Print Fact Sheet
In July 2007, 42-year-old Li Mei and nine house church leaders were arrested, when they were discovered having a Sunday worship service. They were charged with singing Christian hymns to villagers, showing the JESUS film in a nursing home and praying for healing for a disabled elderly man. The nine were sentenced to re-education through labor for 12 to 18 months. Li Mei served part of her one-year sentence in a hospital with both hands chained to her bed. Repeated beatings and torture caused her to require a hysterectomy. She is currently serving the remainder of her sentence at home under house arrest.
www.prisoneralert.com
Posted in Asia, China, Christian Persecution, Christianity, evangelism, missionary, women preachers | No Comments »
Posted by Job on January 29, 2008
