Persecution | Beyond

From Curiosity to Faith Amidst Persecution

Sep 29, 2025 | South Asia, Stories

Disciples in India are facing an escalation of persecution. Stories have emerged of believers being expelled from their villages. To date there have been over 30 brothers and sisters who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the gospel.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which governs both nationally and in many states, remains staunchly opposed to Christian activities, including the work of disciple-makers.

In Uttar Pradesh, the anti-converation laws have been frequently enacted, mandating life imprisonment for anyone caught converting others. Yet, despite these formidable challenges, the Kingdom of God continues to grow.

One such story of growth comes from the Listening Movement in India. In a community among the Banjara people—nomadic and of a low caste—women have begun experiencing the transformative power of the gospel. The Banjara, most of whom are illiterate, often find work in labor and transportation. For some time, these women observed Christians from a distance, their curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar way they prayed.

That curiosity deepened when they encountered female disciple-makers who prayed in ways that felt relatable. Seeing women like themselves gathered in prayer encouraged them to draw near. The disciple-makers shared Bible stories, welcoming and accepting them and gently opening the Banjara women’s hearts to the word of God.

Westerners commonly speak up and share their thoughts, but Indians, especially lower-caste women, find this far more difficult.

However, through the patient and persistent efforts of the disciple-makers, these women began to engage in prayer and discussion. Just two months later, they now meet regularly to study God’s word and pray.

Praise God for this group of women who long to know more about Jesus and obey His teachings. We thank God for the brave disciple-makers who faithfully shared their stories and testimonies, bringing the light of the gospel in the midst of persecution.

Please pray for the families of those who have surrendered their lives for the sake of the gospel.

GIVE TO HELP THE PERSECUTED

FAITH UNDER FIRE
Twenty-year-old *Ragbir was deeply passionate about spreading the gospel. He often preached in villages far from his own, despite opposition. read more

POISONED FOR MAKING IMPACT
Nadal’s life-changing impact had drawn opposition. A local drug dealer, angry about the growing number of transformed lives, … read more

WHEN TWO KINGDOMS COLLIDE
Persecution has been a common trial for many, if not most, of the movement churches in north India for the past ten years, but it has significantly …read more

Faith Under Fire

May 28, 2025 | South Asia, Stories

Twenty-year-old *Ragbir was deeply passionate about spreading the gospel. He often preached in villages far from his own, despite opposition. In one such village, the elders warned him never to return. Uncertain of what to do next, Ragbir sought counsel from his coach and mentor.

Encouraged, Ragbir returned to the village and managed to meet with the elder who had most strongly opposed him. Miraculously, they reached an agreement allowing him to continue his ministry there.

For two months, this peace held. But one day, during a Bible study at Ragbir’s home, attended by his family and fellow believers, the same elder from the village arrived with others. They stormed the house, launching a violent attack. Ragbir and his family, along with the other disciples, were brutally beaten. The police, fearing political backlash from Hindu leaders, refused to intervene.

The attackers struck from behind, giving the disciples no chance to defend themselves. Ragbir sustained a severe head injury and lost consciousness. His mother, wife, brother, sister, and even his young children were among the nine injured in the assault.

Several months later, Ragbir succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind a wife and two children under the age of five. His family has since been expelled from the village. Ragbir was a devoted father and a committed member of the movement, sharing stories of faith and walking faithfully alongside his brothers and sisters in Christ.

This loss has shaken the 18 house churches in the area. Please pray for his wife, still recovering from her injuries, and the rest of his family. Movement leaders in India are in touch with them and are providing financial support as needed. The Listening Movement reports a heartbreaking reality: in 2024, 11 disciples have been martyred. This sobering statistic reflects the intense challenges faced by believers in India. May God strengthen His disciples and bring comfort to Ragbir’s family during their time of profound grief.

*pseudonyms

GIVE TO HELP THE PERSECUTED

MISSIONS IN A DANGEROUS WORLD
Jesus tells us in Matthew 24 that life will get worse with all kinds of natural and human disasters. People will be handed over to be persecuted, …. read more

POISONED FOR MAKING IMPACT
Nadal’s life-changing impact had drawn opposition. A local drug dealer, angry about the growing number of transformed lives, … read more

WHEN TWO KINGDOMS COLLIDE
Persecution has been a common trial for many, if not most, of the movement churches in north India for the past ten years, but it has significantly …read more

Poisoned for Making Impact

Apr 24, 2025 | South Asia, Stories

Nadal served in Rishikesh alongside a local leader and comes from the saphera (snake charmer) caste. A few years before, he struggled with addiction to alcohol and drugs, but through Jesus, he found freedom and transformation.

Since then, Nadal had become a remarkable leader. He established over 150 house churches. His ministry led many in his community to Christ, breaking free from addictions and destructive lifestyles.

However, Nadal’s life-changing impact had drawn opposition. A local drug dealer, angry about the growing number of transformed lives, lured Nadal to his home under false pretenses. He pretended to congratulate him for his changed life. Instead, the dealer served Nadal poisoned food, leaving him hospitalized in critical condition for many weeks before Nadal passed away. This brings the number of martyrs in India up to 12 for 2024.

Please pray for strength and peace for Nadal’s family. Pray that they would remain steadfast in their faith. Please also pray for the Timothys and house churches Nadal has mentored, that they would continue to stand bold and unshaken in their mission. Finally, let’s lift up his persecutor in prayer, that just as Saul became Paul, this man too would encounter the living Jesus and be transformed into a powerful witness for the Kingdom.

As Paul once wrote in the face of persecution: “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” — 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

*pseudonyms

MISSIONS IN A DANGEROUS WORLD
Jesus tells us in Matthew 24 that life will get worse with all kinds of natural and human disasters. People will be handed over to be persecuted, …. read more

WHEN PERSECUTION BECOMES CELEBRATION
In the 2001 persecution, one group of believers received threats that they would be forced to reconvert to Hinduism … read more

WHEN TWO KINGDOMS COLLIDE
Persecution has been a common trial for many, if not most, of the movement churches in north India for the past ten years, but it has significantly …read more

Names in Heaven

Apr 9, 2025 | South East Asia, Stories

After hearing a Christian broadcast, Mr. Kim was stirred with curiosity. He listened more and eventually obtained a rare copy of the North Korean Bible. For months, he studied it diligently, and as understanding dawned, so did overwhelming joy. Unable to keep the truth to himself, he quietly began sharing the gospel with family and friends.

One by one, lives were transformed.

Over a hundred people in his town embraced Christ—fully aware of the grave risk they faced. In North Korea, being caught as a believer often means public execution. Yet, their faith grew.

Their underground fellowship, however, was eventually infiltrated by a special security agent. A total of 102 people were arrested and confined in the town’s security compound. They faced relentless interrogation and brutal treatment. But when the noontime siren sounded each day, their voices rose in unison, boldly praying the Lord’s Prayer. No beatings could silence them.

Even their guards stood in astonishment at their unwavering courage.

Around 40 of them were secretly executed. The rest were condemned to a notorious prison camp, vanishing into the darkness of North Korea’s brutal system.

We have no further updates on their fate, but we know that God has not abandoned them. He is with them in their suffering, and He treasures each one.

The world may not know their names, but the Lord does.

How You Can Pray

Pray for the continued spread of gospel broadcasts across North Korea, overcoming every barrier.
Pray that those hungry for truth will be able to find printed or digital copies of the Bible
Pray for the ones who persecute believers—pray that their hearts would be softened and their eyes opened to the truth as they witness the unshakable faith of Christ’s followers.
Wherever you are in the world, commit to joining in prayer at noontime, standing in solidarity with our persecuted brothers and sisters.

*pseudonyms

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*Somchai lived in the bustling city of Bangkok. Life for the 26-year-old seemed to be crumbling around her. read more

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Ami found herself wasting away due to her struggles with alcohol abuse. Her days were consumed by card games, read more

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When 3+2=27+300

Dec 6, 2023 | South Asia, Stories

Three years ago, the caste leaders of a village attacked a visiting disciple of Jesus named Roman. They wanted Roman to stop telling “their” people about Jesus. They beat him up, destroyed his motorcycle, and threatened to do worse if he didn’t leave immediately. Roman was terrified. He fled the village and spent the next few days hiding in the jungle. Disciples of Jesus from other villages brought him food and other essentials. After a few days, Roman stopped hiding. He first went home, then, amazingly, he returned to the village he’d fled.

The caste leaders were unhappy. “We beat you. Now, you’re back!?”

“You must hear me,” Roman said. “I have good words for you.”

Intent on stopping Roman for good, the village leaders “reported” him to local Hindu radicals. They came and threatened Roman. He responded by boldly proclaiming the Good News about Jesus. Eventually, the group left, but later, two returned to speak with Roman privately. Roman asked two other movement leaders to join him in the village. Once all were together, the Hindu men exclaimed, “What kind of strength do you have to endure these things [beatings and threats]!?!” The five men talked for days and visited a local house church.

As soon as the two Hindu men returned to their own community, they started a Discovery Bible Study. Four months later, 27 people in their village, most of whom had also been radical Hindus, were baptized as disciples of Jesus. Of the 27, three pairs of workers emerged who have influenced 300 villages for Jesus so far. Recently, 60 people from those villages gathered to learn how they also can make more followers within the disciple-making movement and see new churches birthed in other unreached villages.

Being a disciple of Jesus does not erase suffering or eliminate trouble. However, when struggles come, we, like Roman, can listen to the Spirit and obediently go where He leads. We serve a God who performs wonders – Sauls become Pauls, Simons turn into Peters, and Sons of Thunder change to loving servants!

WHEN TRADITION CLASHES
When a Christian woman visited another state in India last year, she met some believers from read more …

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