(Map courtesy GFA)
India (MNN) ― Since his conversion from Hinduism six years ago, Indian pastor Vanamali Parishudham has suffered opposition for his faith in Christ from other Hindus and even his parents. Most recently, Pastor Parishudham was physically attacked on his way to his home in Narketpalli, Andhra Pradesh.
On his five-kilometer walk home from a Sunday service, three Hindu extremists came up behind Parishudham and struck him hard on the head with what are being called sharp-edged metal rods. According to International Christian Concern, Parishudham was knocked unconscious almost immediately and left for dead by his attackers. He was bleeding severely from the head.
Someone from the village called an ambulance, and Parishudham was taken to the hospital in which he has worked for the past seven years. Parishudham suffered blood loss but is now recovering with six stitches in his head. Tests are still underway to check for internal damages.
Onlookers later told Parishudham that they believed his attackers were members of the Hindu extremist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). It was speculated that the extremists disliked Parishudham's Christian preaching and opposed his recently-opened prayer house.
Fourteen similar cases of physical persecution against Christians have taken place this year in Andhra Pradesh alone. Some of those persecuted have fled and quit their ministries as a result.
Parishudham, however, plans to continue on with his ministry and continue preaching. Pray that the Lord would bless Pastor Parishudham with the ability to stand firm and the means to continue spreading the Word in love. Pray that the hearts of Parishudham's attackers would be softened and changed for Christ.
