Cover photo by Reuters/Parth Sanyal
India (MNN) ― Authorities issued shoot-on-sight orders in Orissa to forcibly quell the religious tensions between Hindus and Christians. Rival groups from both communities attacked each other on Wednesday, despite a curfew.
We spoke with a ministry leader who works with Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Mission India. For security reasons, we have not named him.
He says the impact of the situation undermines much of their momentum. "Where we had programs, the Christians are no longer living there. In cases where they haven't fled, there is enough fear created where it will be a while before they have the courage to gather together--whether it be in a church service, or children's program, or in the evening with our literacy classes."
Because Mission India believes India's Christians are capable and committed to carrying the Gospel into their communities, they are working to resource them.
Indians know the languages and customs and can work effectively in sensitive areas where a Western missionary could never set foot.
Mission India provides these dedicated believers with essential training and materials through three core programs: Children's Bible clubs, adult literacy programs and church planter training.
Building trust in the villages takes time, especially in regions where only the women are attending literacy classes. With so many people taking refuge from the violence in the forests, there are few left to attend the programs, leaving many ministers no choice but to start over if and when people return.
Pray for God to bring peace to the region even as He continues His work in India. "Persecution, in many ways, also brings about encouragement and strength in believers where they are willing to stand against anything."
