There are more than 42,000 children in Gospel for Asia Bridge of Hope centers like this one.
A Good Friday service was marred by gunfire in Manipur, India. The incident occurred near a Gospel for Asia Bridge of Hope center where believers, along with the center staff, had gathered to celebrate the holiday. A gun battle erupted outside the center. No one from the congregation or the center was injured in the incident, and they were able to continue the worship service. Three of the militants who were involved in the incident were arrested.

This same Bridge of Hope center was the site of an attack in October 2006. During that incident, students were held captive in their school building as militant insurgents battled just outside the door. The children lay down on the floor to stay out of the line of fire, which worked well until one of the militants threw a grenade into the building. The grenade landed in the midst of the children, but failed to explode. That battle ended when a group of angry mothers stormed through the militant groups to retrieve their children from the building.

During the ensuing six months, militants have continued to antagonize the staff at the school with demands for money. The staff has remained strong in the midst of these difficulties.

Manipur, a state in northeast India with more than 2 million residents, has been besieged with violence for almost 20 years. Prolonged tension between tribal groups has left hundreds dead.

Students at Bridge of Hope centers enjoy some outdoor play time. This is not always the case in Manipur where violence has twice affected the center’s operation.
Additionally, at least 19 known rebel factions call Manipur home. These rebel groups are each devoted to a separate cause, from secession to autonomy to a self-rule government. The rebel groups usually target one another, while thousands of innocent bystanders who have no stake or interest in the fight bear the brunt of the violence.

The pastor of the GFA-affiliated church and the leader of this Bridge of Hope center ask Christians around the world to pray for the safety and effectiveness of the workers at the center who remain faithful, despite the risks. They also ask for Christians to pray that the militants would come to know Christ.