Last month, more than 200 villagers in Haryana, India, had gathered in the courtyard of a believer’s home to watch the Man of Mercy film on the life of Jesus. Villagers watched with great interest. Some had even flocked outside the crowded courtyard’s four-foot wall to view the movie.

William and Eno, the Gospel for Asia missionaries showing Man of Mercy, thanked the Lord for bringing such a gathering. They prayed He would use this outreach opportunity for the salvation of many.

About an hour into the film, a group of young Hindu militants suddenly approached with threats and started beating the two young missionaries. Other believers tried to intervene but were unsuccessful in driving away the violent mob. The beatings and threats continued until finally, about 45 minutes later, police came and took control of the situation. But as soon as they left, another mob of close to 1,000 people surrounded the believer’s house, yelling out anti-Christian slogans and threatening those inside. Miraculously, God intervened and the owner was able to keep them from entering his property.

Hard as it may be to believe, this incident is only one among a growing number of recent reports citing persecution of believers in India.

“If this were an isolated incident,” shares K.P. Yohannan, GFA founder and president, “it would still be extremely serious. But it is worse. All across India, Hindu radicals are openly attacking Christians, and the situation is getting more and more difficult for the believers. It seems as if the radical Hindus have all but declared war on Christians.”

Even as traumatic as this recent attack in Haryana must have been for the missionaries and believers, some good has already come out of it.

The day after the beatings, the district superintendent of police called together a meeting between Christians and local Hindu groups. At first tension filled the air as representatives from Hindu groups criticized the Christians for spreading the Gospel. But as the Lord intervened in their hearts, they began to calm down and seek a peaceable agreement.

The police assured full safety to the Christian community in the future. As well, the district superintendent was touched by the Christians’ prayer at the end. He told them it was the first time in his life that he had heard a prayer like that.

“We thank God for His intervention in bringing peace,” writes a GFA correspondent. “This incident has really inspired our brothers to do more for the Lord in the days to come. We are hoping and praying that this persecution will strengthen the local church and the believers.”

Today, far from being discouraged, William and Eno share that they feel privileged to bear this suffering for the Lord. And they appear to be even stronger and deeper in their love and commitment for the work of the Gospel.

Through your prayers and caring support, you have the privilege to stand with Gospel workers like William and Eno and share in their joys and struggles. Please pray for God’s special protection and encouragement for these young men and those they have led to Christ. And pray that Jesus’ redemptive love will touch and transform not only those who attacked them, but also those throughout India who would seek to persecute Christians.

If you would like the opportunity to personally partner with a GFA missionary who, like William and Eno, is reaching the lost, click here.