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The Cost of Believing
By Andy on 7 May 2007 early morningCategory: Ministry
In America, there aren’t too many costs associated with being a follower of Jesus Christ. In other countries though, there is often a higher price to be paid.
We received an email today from a friend of our ministry. He and his family live in India. He translates Right From The Heart radio broadcasts in Hindi and broadcasts them on the radio throughout India. He writes:
Dear Zach and Kim: (Zach is RFTH’s executive director, and Kim is his wife)
One of our Pastors Walter Masih was attacked in his home in Jaipur, just five minutes from our Institute, by Hindu extremists on Sunday April 29 around 12:30 – 1:00pm after the church service. Around 20 to 25 attackers from Hindu fundamentalist groups stormed into his home seemingly without provocation and beat him in front of his wife and six year old daughter. A television camera crew filmed the attack, and the video was shown on many channels a few hours later.
he attackers were carrying iron rods, sticks and other weapons. After they beat Pastor Masih, they ransacked his home, breaking furniture and destroying property. The TV camera crew told us that they “happened to notice the armed brigade with weapons and followed them as they entered Pastor Masih’s home and beat him up mercilessly.” However, the crew managed to film the attackers while they were getting ready to attack Pastor Masih, and they delivered the video to many channels immediately. A shocked Indian audience watched as the 4 p.m. news showed Pastor Masih bleeding from the beatings and being roughed up by the extremists while his terrified family watched the whole ordeal.
Throughout the beating, Pastor Masih called on the name of Jesus while people slapped him and beat him with sticks and metal chairs. Pastor Walter Masih stepped out of his home and proclaimed the love of Jesus Christ to the curious but unhelpful bystanders. He later spoke to the camera crew about the love of Jesus Christ and how Christians pray for their nation. After this we carried him to the hospital.
The police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) in this case. Most attackers can be plainly identified from the video shown for some hours on television, but the police claim that the attackers are not yet identified.
Pastor Masih is in the hospital where he is on intravenous therapy. He has difficulty in walking and his eye has been hurt badly. He was beaten up with iron rods so most of his injuries are internal, but he is unfazed. His family however is finding it difficult to cope with the situation. His wife saw him beaten and his six-year-old daughter is terrified.
We have been running around, holding meetings and prayers meetings. The pastors, believers, and the Christian community at large are in fear. We are trying to hold several meetings to encourage and build up their faith. Last night we had a large three hours prayer meeting. Pastor Masih’s wife and daughter were also present. We have some people stay with them while Pastor Masih is in the hospital. This case has become a national issue, so we may have to go to Delhi shortly to meet with the President and the Prime Minister. This month I had two meetings in Bangalore and in Orissa, but I have cancelled them. Pinky, Nishant, and Niyash are also terrified.
Please pray that Christian community in Jaipur and in Rajasthan will continue to say like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: “O King, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it and he will rescue us from your hand. But even if he does not we will continue to serve the Lord.”
With love and prayers,
__ (Name withheld)
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That’s terrible. Even if you disagree with someone’s beliefs, the step over that threshold into outright hatred and violence is never justified. I will be praying for him and his family.
— Nathan Smith May 8, 12:41 AM #