Every day, Gospel for Asia native missionaries take up their crosses and follow Christ. They recognize that there is a price to pay for being His witnesses, but they accept that price as part of God’s will for their lives and search for a way to give glory to Him in every circumstance.
Even as persecution increases, these faithful brothers and sisters continue to take the message of Christ to a lost and dying world. Here are just two examples of the almost daily occurrences faced by those who are willing to risk all for the sake of the Gospel.
“You Can Be Free”
GFA missionary Karmjit Kirtan and a pair of third-year Bible college students—Bandhu Taksheel and Sridatta Jayesh—walked door to door in a village in Maharashtra, India, handing out Gospel tracts. After they distributed countless copies of the little pamphlet, “You Can Be Free,” a large rainstorm forced the men to travel back to the home where they were staying.
Later that evening, a group of 11 angry Hindu extremists came pounding on their door. When the missionaries opened the door, the mob sharply questioned them. They abused Karmjit and Bandhu, severely beating, slapping and kicking them. As the group’s anger increased, they took the missionary’s mobile phone, radio and other electronics, then threw his Bible across the room.
The terrible violence continued for half an hour, until finally the owner of the house came and rescued them. However, this did not stop the Hindu extremists from harassing the missionaries. The attackers eventually brought a car and forced the missionaries to immediately leave their village.
Threatened during Prayer
In the Indian state of Orissa, a group of GFA missionary pastors met at a local church for a time of fervent fasting and prayer. As they prayed late into the night, an anti-Christian mob burst into the meeting. The mob intimidated the pastors and interrogated them with coarse language.
The mob threatened the missionaries and told them never to preach the Gospel in their village. In the midst of the abuse, Maulik Sadar, their leader, stood up and tried to calm the irate mob. Through this discussion, the missionaries convinced the gang to leave. However, as they left, the intruders again warned the Gospel workers never to proclaim the message of Christ in their area.
These missionaries, who put their lives on the line daily, deeply value the prayers of Christians around the world. Please pray that they will deal with these trials in a way that is glorifying and honoring to God. Pray also that He will give them grace to endure the difficulties they face, and quick healing from their physical wounds. Also, pray that their persecutors will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
