Washington, D.C. – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that the Nepali Christian population is experiencing unprecedented growth despite the political stalemate freezing the rest of the country.

Nepal has been in deadlock, recently undergoing a general strike by the Maoist party which shut down the country for six days. During this time Nepal lost electricity, [...]]]> Washington, D.C. – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that the Nepali Christian population is experiencing unprecedented growth despite the political stalemate freezing the rest of the country.

Nepal has been in deadlock, recently undergoing a general strike by the Maoist party which shut down the country for six days. During this time Nepal lost electricity, water and transportation.

“We have had heavy transition in Nepal, but despite the difficult situation the church continues to thrive,” said Sandy Anderson, President of Build International Ministries. Sandy has spent the last 25 years working with the Christian population of Nepal. “In recent history, Nepal has not been politically stable at any point, but the church has emerged and grown from a handful in the 1950′s to over 100,000 members today.”

“Churches are growing by leaps and bounds everywhere. Yes, there are threats…There is persecution, torture, and intimidation. Any time you become a Christian you face immediate persecution, even from your own family members. The persecution has driven the people in the church to their knees…The position of Christians is it doesnt matter who is in power. Christians are not so much involved in politics, but they are heavily involved in praying for the people in politics.”

Nepal’s long-ruling Hindu monarchy was overthrown in 2006, ending a ten year Maoist insurgency. However, in 2009, the Maoists withdrew from the coalition government over a political dispute. After the recent Maoist strikes Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal agreed to step down in exchange for Maoists concessions. Both sides are claiming the other is failing to meet the terms of the agreement.

Christians have rallied to express their desire for both religious freedom and dialogue between opposing sides. Over 25,000 Christians gathered on the streets of Kathmandu for an unprecedented celebration of Easter Sunday. On May 23, the anniversary of the 2009 church bombing, Christians rallied to express forgiveness toward their attackers.

ICC’s Regional Manager, Logan Maurer, stated, “Nepal has undergone climactic political changes in the past few weeks, leaving many wondering what the situation will look like for religious freedom. Despite uncertainty and persecution, the Nepali church has grown and remains an example to churches worldwide.”

Washington, D.C. – International Christian Concern (ICC) learned has learned that Hindu extremists attacked Christians during a Sunday worship meeting on January 10 in Hyderabad, India.

Alleged members of Bajrang Dal (a Hindu extremist group) broke into the worship meeting of Heaven’s Glory Church and attacked Christians attending the church service. About [...]]]>

Map of Hyderabad, India

Washington, D.C. – International Christian Concern (ICC) learned has learned that Hindu extremists attacked Christians during a Sunday worship meeting on January 10 in Hyderabad, India.

Alleged members of Bajrang Dal (a Hindu extremist group) broke into the worship meeting of Heaven’s Glory Church and attacked Christians attending the church service. About eight Christians sustained bruises but there were no serious injuries.

The extremists also warned the pastor and church members to stop preaching in the area or face dire consequences.

The victims lodged a complaint at L.B Nagar police station and police officers were sent to the church immediately. Both parties were summoned to the police station on Monday, January 11, where Police Inspector Dronacharyulu suggested a meeting with the village head to resolve the tensions between the two groups.

After the meeting, the Christian leaders approached the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Satyanarayan, to express their concern that further attacks would be perpetrated against them. He promised to provide police protection to the church for two months.

The area is known for Hindu extremists who are bent on creating trouble for the Christians, reported a church representative.

ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa and South Asia, Jonathan Racho, said, “We condemn the attack against Heaven’s Glory Church by the suspected members of Bajrang Dal. We urge the officials of India to investigate the attack against the Christians and bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice. We also call upon Indian officials to prevent further attacks from occurring at the church.”

Please call the Indian embassy in your country and politely ask Indian officials to bring the attackers of the Christians to justice.

Indian Embassies:

The Children’s Learning Centre is run under the oversight of Children Compassion Ministry, a Christian group that operates in the area. Pastor [...]]]> Washington, D.C. – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Hindu extremists attacked the Christian Children’s Learning Centre in Ambala, India and forcefully shut it down after beating staff members on July 19, 2009.

The Children’s Learning Centre is run under the oversight of Children Compassion Ministry, a Christian group that operates in the area. Pastor Kamaraj has been running a free education program for poor local children at the school.

The Hindu extremists barged into the center on Sunday, July 19 and accused Pastor Kamaraj and his staff of forcibly converting children to Christianity. After beating them, the extremists forced them to leave the building.

In an interview with ICC, Pastor Kamaraj denied the accusation and said, “We have about 15 students from poor families coming to the school every day for two hours in the afternoon. We are helping these children in their studies with the consent of their parents.”

He reported the attack to the police the next day, but they told him to close the center and vacate the building because he had caused trouble by running the school.

The Children’s Learning Centre has temporarily moved to Pastor Kamaraj’s house as they try to continue ministering to as many poor students as possible in the face of extremist and government opposition.