Christianity has always been a target of persecution in the largely Hindu nation of India, but incidents of violence directed at Christians have spiked in recent months. The attacks, however, are not stopping Christianity from growing by leaps and bounds.
The movement is being spearheaded by unlikely evangelists an illiterate father of five named Bhagwana Lal.
Lal has become a megachurch pastor in his Rajasthan’s based home, an area of India that mainly houses poor farmers, who fall pretty low on the caste system scale.
Lal’s caste system title is a “tribal” or better known name as “thumb signer” an identification given because most in this socio-economic level are illiterate and vote with their thumb.
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According to Christian Today’s special report released in October, every Sunday in a one-room church 2,000 people mostly like Lal, local farmers, listen intently as he leads them in praising the Lord.
His powerful messages bring the house down and are spoken in a cracked white building with vibrant flags outside of it. He said, the flags symbolize joy, merriment and the happiness that goes with weddings, a sentimental emotion that he wants to create inside the Church. Stating, “The same feelings should be inside the church. People should feel this is God’s place.”
The country of India’s religious order is predominantly made up of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. But, now another story from the field showcases the power Christianity is having in climbing and reaching a new set of people.
The Calvary Temple in Southern India seats 35,000 people and it is referred to as one of the largest churches in India and on a regular Sunday has 7,000 children present to her the word’s of the gospel in their children service.
Lead and founding pastor, Satish Kumar said, “Many Americans think nothing is happening among Christians in India” and “we have to change that opinion.”
The number of Indians identifying themselves as Christians is estimated to be between 25-60 million out of the nation’s population of 1 billion plus people.
However, many still face persecution predominantly by Hindu nationalist.
#PrayerFocus For the few Christians in India persecution is real, but despite this a significant number are turning to Christ #Pray for them
— FEBA Radio SA (@FebaRadiosa) November 17, 2016
To help, SGM Lifewords, a British based Christian organization is asking the global community to help those facing persecution in India by raising monies and awareness.
Will you give to those in India who are facing persecution because of what they stand for? #GivingTuesday #Justice https://t.co/Mxh4bWRgBK pic.twitter.com/x5VhaIj85p
— Lifewords UK (@LifewordsUK) November 29, 2016
The organization is also sharing prayer cards sent in to show solidarity with Christian Indians.
Keep sending your #StoriesfromIndia prayer cards in – they're fantastic! Haven't got any yet? Go right here https://t.co/5DQABvv1JH pic.twitter.com/7xgJTG4DsI
— Lifewords UK (@LifewordsUK) November 22, 2016