“Two years later, there is still tension. There’s still unrest in this community, and unfortunately, kids are being affected as a result,” Mission India’s Raina Miller says.

Persistent unrest led to the resignation of Manipur’s Chief Minister Biren Singh in February, followed by the imposition of President’s Rule. More about that here.

Violent clashes between Manipur’s Meitei and Kuki communities have displaced thousands of people in the past two years, destroying homes, churches, and schools.

Gaman fell behind in school due to two years of unrest in Manipur.
(Photo courtesy of Mission India)

“A young boy named Gaman was in first grade when the violence first broke out in Manipur. He wasn’t able to go to school for months, and as a first grader, that’s a big deal; he quickly forgot everything that he learned,” Miller says.

“Once things settled down in his area enough to go back to school, he was really behind and discouraged.”

Thankfully, Mission India’s partners began a year-long Children’s Bible Club in Gaman’s hometown. “Our Bible clubs feature time each day spent on tutoring, so Taber, as the Bible club leader, was able to help [Gaman] with his schoolwork,” Miller says.

“[Tutoring took place] while doing tons of fun activities like sports and games, not to mention all the Bible-based activities like memorizing Scripture and singing songs about Jesus.”

After months of hard work and help from the Bible club leader, Gaman caught up to his classmates. Best of all, he learned more about Christ and grew in his faith.

Children’s Bible Clubs are a critical asset to parents living in poverty. “They work such long hours that they can’t be home to help with homework, and they can’t pay for a tutor,” Miller says.

Through Mission India’s new Pathfinder program, you can provide a clear path to Jesus for every child in India.

Typically, $36 supports 18 kids in a year-long Children’s Bible Club, but “Right now, your first 12 months of gifts will be matched, so $36 per month will reach 36 children in India for the first year of your giving,” Miller says.

Become a Pathfinder here.

Header and story images courtesy of Mission India.

“That [would have given] them the ability to completely change the constitution, to rewrite it,” John Pudaite with Bibles For The World says.

“They were going to take action against Christians and other minorities; they talked about removing the clause [that] allows for minority religions to have their institutions of education. All of a sudden, all Christian schools, seminaries, and things like that would be one of their targets.”

Thankfully, Modi’s prediction fell flat. “We all breathed a huge sigh of relief as the election results were announced,” Pudaite says.

“Even in my home state of Manipur, the BJP and its allies lost both seats. That was huge because it meant they [would] lose some of their support from the central government.”

(Photo courtesy of Bibles For The World)

The change in leadership buys minorities some time, but Christians are still in danger. “Right after the election results were announced, there was a new outbreak of violence,” Pudaite says.

“One of our churches was attacked, [another church] was burned, and quite a number of homes [were] set on fire. These were all from the Christian tribal communities.”

Additionally, “one of the first things that the new coalition led by the Congress Party was able to do is to repeal the anti-conversion law,” Pudaite says.

“That was a bright spot, but at the same time, other states have been preparing their anti-conversion laws. We’re now at 11 of the 28 states [in India] with anti-conversion laws.”

Keep praying that God will strengthen believers and improve the situation for Christians in India.

“Lift up those Christians who are every day at risk [and] suffering for their faith. Pray that they will continue to be strong in their faith,” Pudaite requests.

Header image depicts India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. (Wikimedia Commons)

John Pudaite with Bibles For The World says, “The report, coming out in Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s name, said that ‘In India, we see a concerning increase in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, demolitions of homes and places of worship for members of minority faith communities.’”

The State Department uses this report and recommendations from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to designate Countries of Particular Concern later in the year. CPC designations, in turn, can lead to economic sanctions.

However, Pudaite doubts India’s poor religious freedom record will outweigh its economic benefits. “India’s position [is] a kind of counterbalance to China,” he says.

“Things are ramping up on the economic front, and the U.S. wants to maintain relations [with India] so that the economic investments and commerce can continue between the two countries.”

Small villages throughout Manipur receive much-needed supplies donated by Bibles For The World.
(Photo, caption courtesy of Bibles For The World)

Bibles For The World operates a seminary, several primary schools, and a hospital in northern India. More about that here. Since last May, they’ve been responding with help and hope to the Manipur crisis.

Visit Bibles For The World’s website for tangible ways to respond.

Lift up Christians who are suffering for their faith in India. Pray that the U.S. and other governments will continue to take notice of religious freedom issues.

“The attacks on Christians and other religious minorities continue. But we’re hoping that with the BJP losing some power, losing a very clear majority in the parliament, [that] we’ve seen a start of a turning trend here,” Pudaite says.

Header image courtesy of The Voice of the Martyrs Canada.

It began as ethnic clashes over economic benefits between the Meitei and minority Kuki people. But soon, the clashes spiraled into violent attacks targeting tribal Kukis — most of whom are Christian.

In early May 2023, Meitei extremists in Manipur burned 250 churches, and over 160 people died in the conflict.

Today, Manipur still looks like a guerrilla war zone.

Regan Miller with Mission India shares, “We actually had a ministry partner go to Manipur recently to get an update, and he shared with us his quote:

‘My heart is heavy as I heard some stories directly from the victims. Even now, many are on the road with illegal weapons. I saw them walking around. I was asked not to go into some villages, as many bullet sounds were heard. One person said in his village every night there are sounds of bomb blasts.’

(Photo courtesy of Mission India)

“It’s just crazy to think that this was front of mind for a lot of us that were supporting India a year ago. Now, there’s so many other things taking place that it can be easy to forget, and in actuality, our prayers are still needed so much.”

More than 60,000 tribal Christians are displaced and can’t return to their villages for fear of attack.

Even though schools in Manipur eventually re-opened, many parents still won’t send their children back to school.

“There are Christian families that are hesitant to send their kids to school because they don’t know if it’s safe,” says Miller. “So that can really disrupt everyday life and affects kids’ education. It just means there’s a ripple effect over a long period of time.”

As we approach the one-year anniversary, pray for an end to the violence in Manipur and for persecuted Christians to represent Jesus.

Header photo courtesy of Mission India.

The CAA establishes a religious requirement for asylum seekers in India. It fast-tracks the process for some faiths but excludes others, specifically Muslims. More about that here.

John Pudaite with Bibles For The World says advocates were concerned “that it (the law) could be extended beyond the Muslims to anyone who is non-Hindu.”

For example, Muslims aren’t the only ones fleeing persecution from Myanmar’s military junta. “We’re seeing an influx of refugees from Myanmar who are of Christian background,” Pudaite says.

“The fear is in some of those bordering [states], the government will force the implementation of the CAA, and it would be used against Christians.”

Earlier this month, India began deporting refugees who fled Myanmar after the 2021 coup. The CAA isn’t the only threat to Christ-followers in India. Pudaite says human rights watchdogs documented over 600 acts of violence against believers and churches in 2023.

“That’s more than one and a half incidents a day. We have seen the persecution and oppression of Christians just continuously on the rise,” Pudaite says.

Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP are forecast to win India’s upcoming elections, slated to begin on April 19 and lasting six weeks. Ask the Lord to strengthen believers and help them persevere through whatever comes next.

This picture was recently taken at a relief camp in Manipur. Life has not returned to normal for many living there.
(Photo, caption courtesy of Bibles For The World)

“It seems like everywhere we turn, there’s another issue or another law being passed that could be used against the religious minorities. Christians, of course, are facing the brunt of this,” Pudaite says.

Please continue praying for Bibles For The World and Christian communities in Manipur.

“We have seen the radicalized Hindu majority attacking the Christian tribals in our state. This has now been going on for ten and a half months unabated; attacks on the villages continue,” Pudaite says.

“It (violence) is done in collusion with the state government, also from the same BJP party. We don’t see any intervention from the national government.”

Header and story images courtesy of Bibles For The World.

Meanwhile, state police recovered “a large quantity of explosives” on Monday. Since the ethnic war began on May 3, thousands of weapons have been stolen from police stations and academies.

Authorities report that widespread violence has mostly subsided in Manipur, but flare-ups continue.

Small villages in Manipur are receiving much-needed supplies donated by Bibles For The World! You can still help send relief supplies for those who really need them.
(Photo, caption courtesy of Bibles For The World)

“Our hospital has been running from day one. We’ve been treating the victims of the violence and those from the displacement camps,” John Pudaite of Bibles For The World says.

Manipur’s ethnic conflict hasn’t stopped despite international condemnation. More than 70,000 people have been displaced, and over 200 have died. Christians from both ethnic groups are disproportionately targeted, and the conditions in displacement camps are subpar.

“There are 106 camps in the southern part of the state now, with close to 35,000 internally displaced people,” Pudaite says.

“We’ve been providing rice and food and other non-food essentials [like] disinfectant soap, mosquito nets, mattresses, and raincoats for the volunteers. [We are] hoping that no contagious diseases break out.”

Bibles For The World leaned on its long history in Manipur to organize a response when the violence began. Today, they need your help to keep it going.

“The scope of it is overwhelming for a ministry our size, but we’re doing all we can,” Pudaite says.

“God continues to provide. He’s showing up and doing miracles along the way, too.”

For example, Bibles For The World previously received supplies for its hospital, seminary, and schools in “the hills” through a supply chain operating in Manipur’s “valley” region.

“Everything came through the Central Valley and the capitol city,” Pudaite explains.

However, when fighting began between the Meitei, the majority Hindu people group of the valley, and the Kuki, the minority Christian group located in the hills, normal operations came to a screeching halt. Yet God is faithful, and He makes a way for His followers.

Join thousands of Christians in 15 days of prayer using the Hindu World Prayer Guide from Bibles For The World.

“We’ve had to work out completely different supply chains from one state through another state, through treacherous back roads,” Pudaite says.

“One of our schools had to have report cards brought in by helicopter so they could announce results in the statewide exam.”

Header and story images courtesy of Bibles For The World.

On Thursday, the United Christian Forum based in New Delhi reported 525 violent incidents against Indian Christians within the first eight months of 2023 — up from 505 incidents over the entirety of 2022.

Notably, the report doesn’t even include incidents from Manipur as many parts of that state are still inaccessible. Tribal Christians in Manipur are being targeted and killed by the majority Meitei ever since conflict erupted in May this year.

(Photo courtesy of Mission India)

Regan Miller with Mission India says Christian persecution in India takes many forms. “Some people lose their lives in the worst case scenario. Other times, pastors are attacked [and] churches are burned down.

“[There are] some things we don’t think of too. Like if someone becomes a Christian, the locals might cut them off from the village water supplies so that they can’t access water. Or I’ve heard stories where someone becomes a Christian and the village leaders tell everyone not to hire that person for a job or not to allow them in the local shop to buy groceries.”

To help you learn and pray, Mission India is releasing a week-long devotional leading to the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) on November 5.

Mission India works with and encourages Christians in India suffering for the name of Jesus.

Miller shares, “They don’t say that their prayer is for persecution to end. They say that their prayer is for courage and for the ability to keep spreading the Gospel. They’re so confident in their faith and so strong in following Jesus that it’s all worth it for them.

(Photo courtesy of Mission India)

“That’s what you’ll find in this devotional as we highlight the story of one of these families. I won’t give too many spoilers but it’s really amazing to see how they respond.”

Sign-ups for Mission India’s devotional are open now! Click here to sign up.

Churches can also register for Mission India’s free devotional and receive a Church Resource Pack. It includes videos, announcement slides, a bulletin insert, and the study itself.

In the meantime, pray for our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters in India. Ask the Lord to give them the courage and strength they desire to witness His love to their oppressors. Pray for softening hearts to the Gospel across India.

Header photo courtesy of Mission India.

Since unrest began in India’s Manipur state in May, at least 160 people have been killed, hundreds injured, and thousands displaced.

“It’s a very complex situation,” John Pudaite of Bibles For The World says.

“Things are happening on a political level and ethnic level. But there’s also the religious aspect that can’t be denied. Why [else] were over 360 church properties across many denominations attacked, looted, burned, and destroyed?”

India’s central government describes a “peaceful and stable” Manipur while aid workers decry government inaction.

“We’re now over three and a half months into the violence in Manipur, and there’s been no concerted effort to bring this thing to an end,” Pudaite says.

“The central government sent 45,000 more troops into the state, but they’re doing nothing because they haven’t been given orders to intervene in any significant way.”

(Photo courtesy of Bibles For The World)

Citing local media, Pudaite says, “There have been statements by retired Army officers in India [saying,] ‘We are trained to get this under control in 24 to 48 hours. If given a free hand, we would end this violence within a day or two days.’ Obviously, they’re not being given that opportunity.”

Persecution in Manipur is the latest example of a nationwide trend. Pray believers will endure. Help meet believers’ practical needs through Bibles For The World here.

“Since the BJP came to power in 2014, we’ve seen aggression against Christians and other minorities on the [rise,]” Pudaite says.

“There are hundreds of acts of persecution and oppression against Christians every year now; more than one per day.”

In the header image, you can see the smiles of those who received relief items recently distributed by Bibles For The World. Many small villages in Manipur affected by ongoing conflict desperately need supplies that are no longer available. (Photo, caption courtesy of Bibles For The World)

Nearly 200 people have been killed and thousands displaced since clashes began between Manipur’s Meitei and Kuki people groups on May 3. India’s central government refuses to intervene.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said peace had returned to Manipur last week.

“There continue to be daily attacks on the tribal Christian villages,” John Pudaite of Bibles For The World says.

“Declaring peace and normalcy is restored is far from the reality on the ground.”

Over the weekend, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) sent a four-person delegation to assess the situation in Manipur. In ensuing discussions, Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey redirected her responsibility for ending the crisis:

The Governor informed the CPI(M) team that she has personally met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other central leaders and urged them to find ways to bring an end to the conflict at the earliest possible time.

Small villages throughout Manipur receive much-needed supplies donated by Bibles For The World.
(Photo, caption courtesy of Bibles For The World)

“The state government is so complicit in this (violence),” Pudaite says.

“It’s [astonishing] to see a state turn against their residents, launching what amounts to a very planned and well-executed ethnic cleansing.”

Bibles For The World began in Manipur, and its work continues today. More about that here. However, “everything has been disrupted” by the current fighting, Pudaite says.

“Our schools cannot function. Our seminary cannot open.”

Thankfully, the ministry’s 70-bed hospital still offers God’s love through healthcare. “We treated nearly 2,000 patients free of cost in [the past] three months,” Pudaite says.

“We’ve had 17 babies delivered [by moms from] the relief camps that have come to our hospital.”

Pray for an immediate end to the violence in Manipur. Pray believers can endure persecution and hardship.

“God steps in and sometimes confuses and confounds the enemy of His people. We’ve seen that happen and pray that will continue,” Pudaite says.

Partner with Bibles For The World here to help Christians in Manipur.

Header and story images courtesy of Bibles For The World.

Reverend Jason Woolford, President of Mission Cry says, “They’re not asking for money. They’re not asking for food. They’re not asking for water. They’re asking for the Word of God – the only thing that doesn’t return void – because they know that is what’s going to make the difference.”

Ethnic violence between the majority Meitei people in Manipur and tribal Kuki-Zo Christians began on May 3. The vast majority of nearly 200 killed have been tribal Christians.

(Photo courtesy of Mission Cry)

“It’s hard for us to imagine going to church and having it raided, having it burnt down,” says Woolford. “One of our biggest concerns is, ‘Are they going to have cream for the coffee during worship?’ These brothers and sisters are having their churches burnt, their homes burnt, they’re being raped all because they are Christians. Even if they’re not, they are looked at as the lesser of society.”

You can spiritually uplift our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters in Manipur by getting God’s Word to them.

Woolford says, “I would ask for you to please help with this container. It costs us approximately $11,000 to send this container, get it into the country, and get it taken to the areas that it needs to go. When you think about the logistics of that, there’s no greater thing to seed into.”

Get connected and give at MissionCry.com.

Header photo courtesy of Mission India.