Pastor's Life Threatened When Believers Refuse to Take Part in Village Festival
May 11, 2009
In spite of the difficulties often associated with being a Christian where they live, many Asian believers, like the ones pictured here, are filled with a deep love for Jesus. |
When their church sign was destroyed on February 28 and their pastor's life was verbally threatened, a group of young people in a South Asian village experienced firsthand that taking a stand for Christ can carry a serious price tag.
Some of the local youth had invited these young Christians, who were their friends, to practice dancing and singing for an upcoming festival devoted to the village's traditional religion. When the young believers declined because of their Christian faith, local people got angry with them.
A village mob destroyed the signboard of their church, which is led by GFA-supported pastor Akash Tamang. They also told the pastor to leave the village immediately if he wanted to live.
The people were already furious with Pastor Akash because they saw that many in their village were forsaking their ancestral gods to follow Christ. In spite of this recent threat from the local people, Akash is continuing to serve the Lord faithfully, sharing the Good News.
GFA leaders ask for prayer for the Lord to minister to our pastor during this trying time, and that the Lord's work through him will continue to grow. They also ask for prayer for many more in the village to choose to follow Christ, especially those who have been opposing the work there.