India (MNN) ― Eight ministry workers with Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Mission India are finally free on bail in India.
Hindu extremists charged the Christians under India's penal code for "deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs".
The case stems from an incident two weeks ago in Karnataka State. At that time, a group of 80 ministry partners in the state of Karnataka was gathered at a 4-day training for the Year-Long Children's Bible Clubs, which will launch this fall in India. On the evening of August 11 around midnight, a mob of 20 Hindu extremists burst into the rented building, shouting threats and wielding sticks.
According to Mission India, the attackers beat two partners, burned Bibles, and terrified the participants who were held against their will for at least 14 hours. Another local pastor who rushed to the scene was also badly beaten.
One Christian escaped the melee and ran to the police for help. Police arrived on the scene and promptly arrested 8 of the Christians, including two members of Mission India's ministry staff. Officials also refused bail for several days.
Mission India's Don Edwards says while their team was in jail, "They did what Paul and Silas did while they were in prison. In the mornings and every evening, they had a worship service. They developed relationships with the prisoners. They shared the Gospel regularly with these people in prison."
The team's release is an answer to prayer; however, the false charges haven't been dismissed. It's not over yet, says Edwards. "It's very possible that there will be long term consequences. However, at the same time, when persecution like this sets in, often it often emboldens the Christian community to take an even stronger position."
Please continue to pray for the situation as Mission India continues to fight for these charges to be dismissed. Pray, too, that the training will be rescheduled in the near future so boys and girls can have the chance to hear about Jesus.
