To help you take a closer look at each of our overeas offices, our international staff keep an ongoing journal with snapshots and stories of the joys and struggles of ministry in their part of the world. In India, there is an especially critical situation unfolding right now involving intense persecution of Christians. Please read the update below to find out how you can help.
Persecution in Orissa--2008
October--News of intense persecution against Christians in the Indian state of Orissa has reached our Lincoln, Nebraska, office. Back to the Bible's office in India remains unaffected by the violence because it is in the state of Andhra Pradesh. However, great numbers of people who believe in Jesus are being beaten, burned and killed in India; and we know our Back to the Bible family will want to be praying for believers in Orissa and other affected areas. Following is an e-mail from Immanuel, a manager in our office in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
We are not sure of the exact happenings of the persecution. The media hides so many atrocities against Christians.
Orissa is known for persecuting and killing Christians. We do not know the exact number of murders, rapes, beaten and burned ones. It is said that many pastors were killed and hundreds of others were wounded. Many fled to the jungle to save their lives. But it is understood that the Hindu fundamentalists are aggressive, and they want to harm as many as they can. The government can do nothing here. It indirectly supports fundamentalists.
This persecution has recently crept to another state called Karnataka. All the Christians in India are aware of this and are praying for them. We are also praying in the office daily. Now the situation is much more controlled, but we don't know what will happen next.
Please pray for us
Yours in Christ,
Brother Immanuel
I know you can feel the urgency in Immanuel's words, "We don't know what will happen next." The fact sheet of violence and loss we received in Nebraska was 11 pages long and included murder--some were burned alive, looting, destruction of churches and attacks of all kinds. God's people in India desperately need our help.
Please consider a financial gift. Back to the Bible provides hope and comfort that only God's Word can give this spiritually needy nation. In a world of unrest and loss, God is the only answer.
India's Web site: http://www.backtothebibleindia.org