Persecution against Christians stabilizes the church in India.

India (MNN) — Next, violence against Christians continues in India. David Shibley with Global Advance says Hindu terrorists attacked a pastor who attended one of their Frontline Shepherd’s Conference.

“Pastor Sukh Deve is a young pastor in Nagpur, India. He serves Christ faithfully in a small, but growing congregation,” says Shibley. He says Sukh Deve traveled back to his home church in Maharashtra State where radical Hindus interrupted their meeting. Shibley says, “Sukh Deve calmly welcomed those who had intruded into the meeting. He said they were welcome to stay, but that they were going to continue to pray in the name of Jesus. He also said that he was committed to protecting his congregation as the shepherd of the flock. Well, that enraged the terrorists and they stormed the platform. They viciously beat him.”

Shibley says this isn’t an unusual story, but is a story that is purifying the church. “I think this simply allows these men to put their literal lives on the line and when they have paid such a dear price for the Gospel their certainly not going to turn back.”

According to Shibley, the spiritual climate in India is unique right now. He says, “With the mass exodus of Dalits out of Hinduism, there are many who are looking for a new faith or a new religion. Many of them are coming to a faith in Jesus Christ.”

Pray that the blood of the martyrs will be the seed that brings many to Christ.