Shouting religious slogans, a mob estimated at 1,000 people has
destroyed a Christian church under construction in northern India,
according to a report received from church leaders in the region.
The
attack occurred on Sunday, August 25.
An anti-Christian mob destroyed the local congregation's church building, which was in the final stages of construction.
With the building demolished, the mob began to beat the pastor, his
mother and church members, who were able to flee and went into hiding
for the night. The extent of their injuries is not known. No deaths were
reported.
"It is our desire that these who are persecuting will
know the love of God for them," said KP Yohannan, Gospel for Asia (GFA)
founder and president.
The Christian congregation had begun construction more than two years
earlier, but quickly met resistance and had been forced to stop the
work. After much prayer, the climate seemed to improve and construction
resumed.
Building had progressed uneventfully to the point that workers
were ready to install the roof, when the attack came this week.
Earlier that afternoon, a small group from the community confronted
the pastor and demanded that construction cease, saying the building was
not wanted. Recognising the growing tension, the pastor stopped the
work.
Despite the pastor's decision, the group rallied the villagers to a meeting and incited them to attack.
The day after the attack, regional leaders first prayed and then met
with local police, who declined to become involved.
Despite continuing
threats, the leaders returned to the site to survey the damage and take
photos.
Church leaders have requested prayer from believers around the world
that God will protect the pastor, his family and the congregation; heal
the pastor's son, whose medicine cannot be obtained in the current
uneasy climate; and open the eyes of the villagers so they might
experience the love of Jesus in their lives.