Harjit is a Bible college student like these young men. His parents were angry he chose to follow Christ and are taking out their frustrations in court. |
A first-year Gospel for Asia-supported Bible college student defended himself and a local missionary in a court case brought on by his own parents. Harjit Yadav chose to receive Christ after hearing the Gospel from Jigar Khan, a Gospel for Asia-supported missionary. Even as a young believer, he felt the Lord’s call to attend Bible college.
When Harjit’s parents found out their son dedicated his life to Jesus, they sent one of his brothers to forcefully bring him home. However, he escaped and went back to school.
The next day, July 18, Harjit’s frustrated parents filed a case against Pastor Jigar, accusing him of bribing their son to become a Christian. Many states in South Asia have what’s known as “freedom of religion” laws. These anti-conversion statutes make it illegal to force someone to change their faith. They also make it illegal to offer a bribe in exchange for a confession of faith. The laws are almost exclusively used against Christian pastors and missionaries.
Since Harjit was the main witness in the legal case against Jigar, he was forced to come back home and appear in court. During the case he clearly stated that he made the choice to become a Christian on his own and that no one had forced him.
As of this report, the local court had not made its ruling in the case.
Harjit and Jigar shared the following prayer requests regarding this situation:
- Pray that Harjit will stand firm in the Lord in the face of this opposition and he will be able to return to his studies.
- Pray for the Lord to work in the heart of the village leader and for the situation to soon be resolved
- Pray Harjit’s family will be drawn to Christ
- Pray for more people to experience Christ’s redemptive love through Jigar’s ministry.