Wed, Dec 21st - 2:49PM
Hindu Extremists Desecrate Church
12/12/2005
 BAIJNATH, Himachal Pradesh, India—
Gospel for Asia President K.P. Yohannan has called for worldwide prayer for an Indian pastor and his family after Hindu radicals took over their home and church building.
"It is the first time in the history of Gospel for Asia that a Christian place of worship has been taken over by radical Hindus and turned into a temple," K.P. said. "This is a very serious matter, and one for which Christians all around the world need to be praying and fasting."
The local authorities appear to be cooperating with the Hindus by forcing Pastor Ramesh Masih Bhatti and his family from their home, which also served as a Believers Church. The authorities claimed the property belonged to the government, but GFA Regional Leader Simon John explained this was not actually the case.
 "In Himachal Pradesh, if a family occupies government property for 20 years, they are not required to vacate it, and the government recognizes it as their own," he said. "In this case, the pastor's family had lived in this house for 25 years, so it was clearly theirs. But the officials were not treating the Christians the same way they treat others under the law."
Although he had asked for more time, Pastor Bhatti was facing increasing pressure to leave his church home, and was taking steps to comply with the officials.
Then, on Saturday, December 3, a group of more than 20 Hindu extremists surrounded Pastor Bhatti's house and began conducting Hindu worship rituals. The group included members of the VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad - World Hindu Council) and its youth wing, Bajrang Dal. The youth group is among the most extreme and violent of the Hindu radical groups.
 K.P. noted that the VHP and Bajrang Dal are extremists who believe that all Indians should be Hindus. "They do not represent the majority of the Hindu people," he said, "most of whom are peaceful." But the radical mob that surrounded Pastor Bhatti's church was far from peaceful. It became increasingly violent, shouting threats against the believers and brandishing large bamboo sticks. This went on all day and continued even the next morning.
On Sunday, at Pastor Bhatti's request, a police team arrived at the church as he and his family spent time in prayer. The pastor had asked that the congregation not come to the church that morning in view of the threats against them.
As the pastor and his family were praying, the radicals shouted and danced outside the church. They also yelled slogans against religious conversion. After the prayers were over, Pastor Bhatti made the decision to leave.
As soon as the Christians were gone, the mob immediately went into the building and declared it a Hindu temple. They wrote phrases praising their gods on the church wall and set up an idol in the courtyard.
Two days later, the Hindus conducted a puja in the village. Present at the Hindu ceremony were at least one state official, the head of several villages, and leaders of various radical Hindu organizations.
K.P. said he was particularly disturbed by the threats made at the puja by Swami Govind Das, the leader of Hindus in Himachal Pradesh. The Hindu leader declared that "religious conversion will by no means be tolerated," adding that a Hindus would go from village to village and force Christians to convert back into their previous religious bondage.
"They have threatened this in the past," K.P. noted, "but this is the first time they have succeeded in taking over a place of worship. Just last year, 15 church buildings in Nepal were forcibly closed, but they were not desecrated. What is also disturbing here is that the officials have not taken any action against the Hindus for taking over what they claimed was 'government property.'" Although this has been a fearful experience for these new believers, Gospel for Asia regional leader Simon John says they are standing firm in their faith.
"This has not stopped them," he said. "They are now meeting in a believer's house for worship." Pastor Bhatti and his family are living with nearby relatives so he can continue to minister in the village. He is disappointed by the loss of his home and church building, but is not discouraged.
"On one side, there is a sad feeling because he had to leave so suddenly," said Simon, "and this was a home they had built themselves. But he understands that it is all for the sake of Jesus, and he is very positive that the Lord will take care of him and his congregation. He is not losing his hope. He wants to continue and minister in that area."
"In the end," K.P. concluded, "let us pray that this incident will only result in even more fruit for God's kingdom in the days to come."
So,beloved one,
Now the leader of the Hindus in Himachal Pradesh is threatening a massive, village-by-village campaign to force Christians to convert back to Hinduism.
As you can see, Satan is not going to give up easily in the fight for these precious souls. And yet the enemy is no match for the power of prayer.
So please, now is the time to pray and fast on behalf of Pastor Bhatti and his family and for all of the believers in their church. Please pray that God's protection will be upon them, and that they will stand strong in the face of this horrible persecution. Pray also that these extremists will be stopped in their efforts to deny the people the right to follow Christ.
You're brother in Christ
uvo
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