Open Hearted in Closed Countries

In northern India and the Himalayas, Christians are a marginalized group. Some struggle every day with the harsh realities of persecution. If the current Indian prime minister has his way, India will become a Hindu nation. The government is in the process of making lasting changes to Indian society. Religious freedom is on the chopping block: the party leader's stated goal is to soon have no Christians left in the country.

The source of persectuion can come from state sanctions, attacks by one's own family, one's village community, the police, and radical groups. These attacks range from threats, violence, and torture to rape, expulsion, and murder. We see a similarly tense situation in Bhutan and, to some extent, in Nepal. It is difficult for Christians to share their faith and live it openly.

Training for the persecuted

But despite these restrictions, local Christians have a strong desire to grow in their faith and share it with their fellow human beings. That is why we conduct training courses with our local partners. The participants themselves come from remote areas of the Himalayas and from different social classes. ACP helps to cover the travel and accommodation costs of participants with limited financial resources. This fall, 200 believers from India, Nepal, and Bhutan were trained in discipleship and evangelism.

Healing and encouragement

During the training sessions, participants receive biblical teaching, are trained and strengthened in their identity as beloved children of God. This sets them free and brings inner healing. Our local staff member reports: “So much healing took place in the first few days, which focused on fundamental topics such as sonship and hearing God's voice. These Christians no longer live as orphans, but as children of the Father in heaven.”

In addition, the seminar participants also learned how to effectively share the gospel. The Holy Spirit touched the participants and many responded to the call to be witnesses for Jesus. Despite persecution in their own country, they share the Good News with their families, neighbors, and colleagues. In doing so, they experience how the power of God heals the sick, brings people to know Jesus, and leads to the formation of new churches.

Finding a calling

Amar* grew up in a place where Christians are severely persecuted. He saw how his parents, who were pastors, suffered under the situation and therefore kept his distance from Jesus. But then he received an invitation to our training. “Actually, I didn't want to come – but, inexplicably to myself, I went anyway.” Amar felt God's love and presence strongly during the events. -- On the third day, I heard Jesus in my heart asking me to follow him completely. That evening, I gave him everything. -- God freed him from burdens and addictions.

When he told his church at home that Jesus had freed him from his alcohol addiction, they asked him to share this with young people. That same evening, several of them decided to follow Jesus.

Another young man named Ray* also ran away from his calling. At the beginning of the training, he was closed off. But then he encountered Jesus in a whole new way. He developed a heart for his home region, where the few people who know Jesus are subjected to severe persecution. These Christians are reaping a harvest in their own countries. They know the power of Jesus, which is stronger than persecution and suffering.

*Names changed