“Gospel for Asia”, an organisation which
aims to spread the Gospel’s message in Asia and deals with the Christian
situation, has confirmed that in the last ten years the persecution of
various denominations that follow the evangelical message has increased
in a ratio of 10:40.
In India alone there has been a “400% increase” in
the number of assaults against Christians. This result was reached by
taking into account all countries that had at least heard the
announcement of the Gospel.
The President of “Gospel for Asia”, K P Yohannan
said people who had not experienced persecution first hand “cannot fully
understand what it means to receive threats against your life, to have
your house destroyed, your own rights violated and your loved ones taken
away from you and imprisoned; and all this because of your faith in
Jesus Christ. In the fourteen countries in which we are present,
persecution has become the norm, especially for those who are directly
involved in missionary work.”
The Christians which the “Gospel for Asia” report
refers to have had their homes destroyed or have been put behind bars,
with all sorts of accusations being made against them, including “forced
conversions”.
Forced conversions are the main instrument used by Hindu
nationalists to prevent the spread of Christianity. Many have been
killed for believing in Christ and others have been forced to live a
clandestine life.
K P Yohannan added: “The rise in this kind of
persecution should not surprise us when it is witnessed in parts of the
world that are hostile towards the Gospel. “Jesus sent his disciples out
like sheep among the wolves. Historically and from a biblical point of
view, persecution is only part of what it means to serve God.”
On the occasion of the feast of All Saints and
ahead of the International Day of Prayer for the persecuted church,
Asia’s Churches prayed for all faithful who are suffering because of
their faith.
Yohannan said these prayers and the awareness of these,
gave strength and encouragement to those who are experiencing adversity,
particularly those who are living in remote areas and feel isolated in
this battle.
Bhutan, Nepal, Somalia, Yemen and other countries
were at the centre of faithful’s prayers. Christians from 30 Asian
countries joined in the prayers.
In India, about two thousand churches
tolled their bells to mark this day.
Churches in Turkey took the
Barnabas Fund initiative further, calling for a two-week period of
prayer and fasting.