Kidnapped India Christians Forced To Participate In Humiliating Hindu Temple Ritual Then Released!

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.

Bible League: Jesus Christ Changing Lives In India, Kenya, Colombia, Middle East

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.

Gospel For Asia: Answered Prayer Amid Danger In India

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.

Gospel For Asia Prayer Alert: Christians Kidnapped In India!

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.

Evangelism Road Trip

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

Gospel For Asia: New India Believer Turns Successful Islands Evangelist!

Giri, a new believer in West Bengal, brought more than 100 people to a saving knowledge of Jesus through his testimony. Read how the Lord used this believer to pave the way for Gospel for Asia missionaries to disciple the people.

I think you’ll agree with me when I say it is a blessing to hear how Asian believers
are so faithfully sharing the Gospel. They are excited because the Lord
has transformed their lives.

Yours for the lost,

K.P. Yohannan
Founder & President

Dashing along the waves in a small motorboat, Rasul Layak, Gospel
for Asia’s island ministry leader in West Bengal, India, traveled to
meet a small group of local believers for a prayer meeting. When he
stepped onto the shore he was shocked: There stood Giri Banke with 150
believers to greet him.

Giri, a criminal investigator, had received the love of Christ in
his life and was faithfully following the Lord, but Rasul had no idea
that Giri was involved in ministry as well. Since his transformation,
Giri had been sharing the Gospel in five surrounding villages, and many
people had come to Christ as a result.

Seeing that the number of believers had grown so large, Giri
realized they needed a full-time pastor to conduct worship services and
disciple the people. So he had called Rasul to come to a prayer meeting
to see the need for himself.

After the prayer meeting, Rasul went to visit Giri’s cousin, Priti
Rajat, who was also involved in outreach in a nearby area. She hosts
five prayer groups of about 50 people each who have recently come to
know the Lord through her witness. She also leads several women’s Bible
study groups.

As Rasul saw how the Lord was working through Giri and his family,
he knew it was time to send missionaries who could help minister to the
people’s long-term needs. When he returned home, he found three young
men who felt called to serve on the islands. They all had recently
graduated from GFA Bible colleges and were eager to begin ministry.

Gospel for Asia native missionaries provided relief for flood victims in West Bengal.

Learn more about the Indian state that is home to the islands where Giri and Priti live.

Gospel For Asia: How Effective Gospel Tracts Are In India

How much does
salvation cost? The Bible tells us that salvation is the free gift that
God gave us that first Christmas—His Son, Jesus Christ. But what about
those who still don’t know about that gift? One of the easiest ways for
them to hear the Good News is by reading a simple Gospel tract. Click here to view a photoshow about how one GFA Mobile Team uses Gospel tracts to multiply its ministry.

These tracts only cost half a penny each to produce. They are printed in dozens of
languages so that many more can read about God’s greatest gift—Jesus
Christ.

Yours for the unreached,

K.P. Yohannan
Founder & President http://gfa.org

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Gospel For Asia: Christian Missionary Attacked On Train In India

Can you imagine boarding a plane and being attacked by other passengers because you
were a Christian? Arun faced this terrifying situation when he shared his faith with another passenger on a train in Haryana, India.Learn more about Haryana, the Indian state where Arun serves, here.

May your faith be strengthened as you read this powerful story of Arun’s willingness to suffer for Christ. Please keep Gospel for Asia’s missionaries in your prayers. Opposition like this is a daily fact of life for many of them.

Yours for the unreached,

K.P. Yohannan
Founder & President

As the train pulled out of the station and bumped down the track, Gospel for Asia native missionary Arun Brajendra found his seat. Striking up a conversation with another passenger, he saw an opportunity to share the love of Jesus. So, with a Gospel booklet in
his hand, he began outlining the steps to becoming a follower of Christ. Little did he know that he was about to pay a great price for obeying the Lord’s call on his life.

Arun grew up in a nominal Christian family, but in August of 1997 he wholeheartedly gave his life to the Lord. He soon answered a call on his life to full-time ministry and left his secular job to travel with an evangelistic group across India.

During this time, Arun read an article about missionary Graham Stanes and his two sons who were burned to death by anti-Christian extremists. Challenged by this missionary’s dedication, Arun felt the Lord calling him to serve regardless of the cost. So, he enrolled in
Bible college to further prepare himself for ministry. Following graduation from the GFA Bible college, Arun went to serve in Haryana, India. As he boarded the train that day, Arun looked for someone who needed Christ. He began discussing the Gospel message with the person sitting next to him.

Out of nowhere, some of the other passengers jumped up and began beating Arun. They were anti-Christian extremists and had been listening in on his conversation. Tearing his clothes and destroying his Gospel literature, the extremists kept attacking Arun until he fell to the floor unconscious. As the group was ready to throw him off the train, another passenger came to his rescue.

After a few days rest, Arun became well enough to continue his ministry. Although he was badly injured in the attack, his resolve to reach the lost was only strengthened. Since the attack, Arun has faced more opposition along the way. However, he counts it a blessing to be able to suffer for the name of Jesus to be proclaimed. Through perseverance in his ministry, Arun recently started a church where 40 people now regularly worship.

Arun requests prayer that more people will come to know Jesus as he shares the Gospel message with those who have never heard it before. GFA field leaders also ask for prayer for protection for Arun and his new wife as they serve in an area where many are opposed toChristianity. Read about two other missionaries who were recently attacked in Haryana. Learn more about Haryana, the Indian state where Arun serves, here.