“My family and I used to live an unbelieving life,” begins Bimal, a former Hindu. But today, this 36-year-old pastor and a Bible League-trained church planter in northern Bangladesh is sharing God’s Word with people in his Santal indigenous community.

It’s not an easy task.

Reaching the Santal

Nestled in India’s crook, about 215,000 Santal people call Bangladesh home. Only about 8% of them follow Jesus. Most people like Bimal follow the gods and goddesses of Hinduism. Bimal’s family worshipped cows, roosters, and the goddess of wealth and purity—Lakshmi.

Many Santal people have little education, little money, and even less hope. In his village not too far from the border of India, Bimal raises cows and takes on daily wage labor when possible to support his wife and two sons.

Shining light in the darkness

Before he came to Christ, Bimal says he lived a “dark life.” He followed the rituals of Hinduism. He did drugs. God’s Word freed him.

When a pastor from a nearby village shared the Gospel with him, Bimal discovered the hope of Jesus. Bimal recalls, “Before I accepted Christ Jesus, I used to perform various religious and social rituals. But there was no real salvation in my life. When I came to the Word of God, I was assured of my salvation.” His family also began following Christ. Today, he pastors the same church that brought Him to the Savior.

But many in his community remain trapped in that same life he once led. They are lost in spiritual darkness. Bimal has seen the light of Jesus in his own life. And he knows God’s Word is the only thing that can guide them out of their darkness.

Bimal explains, “There are many people in my area who are in such a dark life. There is no salvation in their lives. They still do not know the true God. They are still in the dark. But I know and have seen that God’s Word changes people’s lives.”

Before the world began, the Word was there. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was there with God in the beginning. Everything was made through him, and nothing was made without him. In him there was life, and that life was a light for the people of the world. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not defeated it. John 1:1-5 ERV

Finding courage

Eventually, Bimal met a Bible League-trained Christian who helped him grow in faith and told him about Bible League’s Church Planter Training. For a long time, Bimal’s fear and lack of training kept him from sharing the Gospel. His heart desired to spread the Good News in his community. Yet he didn’t feel brave enough to reach out to people. That all changed when he attended Church Planter Training. Through the program, God gave Bimal the courage and confidence to spread the light of Christ to his people. Now, nothing can stand in his way.

“With this Church Planter Training, I can share the Gospel in a very beautiful way with people in my community. The training helped me overcome the obstacles and fears I previously faced. I was afraid to talk about Jesus before. I’m not afraid anymore. I speak about Jesus whenever I get the chance,” he says boldly.

Bimal shares that Church Planter Training gave him a clear understanding of evangelism. He learned how to effectively share the Good News with others. “The various teachings from Church Planter Training have deepened my understanding of God’s Word.”

Now, Bimal is actively working towards planting a new branch of his church in a neighboring Santal community. He uses the training and Bible study materials from friends like you to spread the Gospel to his people. Through his ministry, six families have already started following Jesus. He explains, “Through these Bible study groups, I’ve helped them experience a spiritual awakening in their personal lives.”

He can’t help but smile when he thinks about how you made a difference in his life. He gushes, “This teaching of yours has spiritually uplifted and encouraged everyone in my congregation. It has changed the lives of many people like me in Bangladesh. Thank you very much! May God bless you, more and more, to work for His kingdom.”

Growing God’s Church

Across Bangladesh and around the globe, God is building up leaders like Bimal. In 2024, more than 92,000 people were reached with God’s Word in Bangladesh. That’s a 415% increase since 2019— and the most people reached with the Gospel there through Bible League’s ministry in more than a decade. God is on the move, bringing the light of Jesus to those who crave it most.

Bimal knows there are still so many in his community who are hungering for the same hope he has found. There is still so much work to do. So many who need to know there is light.

“Just as my family’s life has changed through God’s Word, it can change the lives of all the people in my Santal community,” he says. “God’s Word gives light, peace, and joy in people’s lives. So, I will share about Jesus. I will reveal the good news of God’s salvation. May they, like me, change their lives in Jesus.”

 Later, Jesus talked to the people again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never live in darkness. They will have the light that gives life.” John 8:12 ERV

Chandan at the pulpit, where she regularly taught God’s Word to about 20-25 women. Today, the room is empty as the police and village leaders have threatened her with dire warnings if she continues conducting prayer meetings at her residence.

Chandan’s journey into ministry began during a Bible study led by Pastor Mahendra, a leader with Bible League International. It was during this time that she felt the undeniable pull of God’s love and a desire to help others experience the same spiritual fervor. “My focus has always been on awakening those who are lukewarm,” Chandan shares.

However, stepping into a leadership role wasn’t easy for her. “Raising your voice and preaching was not my thing,” she confesses. Despite being highly educated, she felt unprepared to lead or teach the Bible. “I thought maybe it was better for a man to lead, and I could play a supportive role,” she admits.

Seeing her potential, Mahendra encouraged her to join Bible League’s Church Planter Training. The training equipped Chandan with the skills and confidence to lead effectively.

“Without Church Planter Training, I wouldn’t have known how to study the Bible deeply or lead,” she says. With renewed determination, she began leading a small Project Philip Bible study group.

“Mahendra saw my gift and encouraged me,” she says, her voice filled with gratitude. His mentorship and her faith helped her overcome her initial fears and step into the role God called her to.

Chandan initiated an informal prayer and Bible study group, which grew into a house church. With 20-25 women attending, the church was flourishing until religious fanatics, accompanied by police, raided her home and issued dire warnings to cease all religious services.

Overcoming Cultural Barriers

Chandan’s decision to lead a church was met with skepticism and resistance in her deeply patriarchal society. “The cultural norms don’t allow women to be in such roles,” Chandan explains. Since she comes from Jain heritage, she also faces pressure from within her family. Her father was against her newfound faith, and the wider Jain community regarded her as an outcast.

Jainism is an ancient religion, different from Hinduism, which teaches that the way to liberation and bliss is to live a life of ahimsa or non-violence and renunciation. “People saw me as a traitor to my heritage,” she says. “Being a Christian meant I had made a big mistake. I was told I had demoted myself from a higher to a lower rank.”

Despite these obstacles, Chandan pressed forward. The Church Planter Training gave her the tools to overcome societal and internal challenges.

With this foundation, Chandan began to lead a house church of 20-25 women. It was a thriving community where women gathered to worship, pray, and study God’s Word.

Courage in the Face of Persecution

As her fellowship grew, it began to draw unwanted attention. On a February morning in 2024, religious fanatics and local authorities stormed her house church.

“We were scared,” Chandan admits. “They told us to stop all religious meetings, that we were violating the law by converting people. But we weren’t forcing anyone. We were just praying and reading the Bible.”

The threats escalated, with photos of her family plastered across local newspapers branding them as outcasts: “The Black Sheep of the Jain Community,” the headlines shouted. Many members of her congregation stopped attending out of fear.

Despite this, Chandan remained undeterred. “I’m not scared at all,” she declares. “The Bible gives me the boldness to carry on. I pray to God, and He empowers me.”

While fighting legal challenges, Chandan transitioned her church into an online fellowship. She continues to nurture the faith of her congregation, helping them re-engage with the Word.

“I fill their lives with the Word, with Jesus. I lead them in worship, and they experience deliverance,” she says.

A Legacy of Courage

Chandan’s story has created a ripple effect, impacting many individuals in her community. Her commitment to sharing the Gospel and empowering others, particularly women, has created a lasting impact.

“People are eager to follow Jesus despite the persecution” says, Mahendra.

“The hunger for truth and the power of the Bible are evident in the lives being changed every day.”

Chandan’s story is proof of that.

At 56 years young, Robin doesn’t have many working years left to impact the young people of Bario, Malaysia. In four years, he will retire as principal of the local school. But in these next four years, he’s got his eyes set on spreading the Gospel.

“I’ve been teaching for 30-plus years. As a teacher, I have a very big influence on the students,” he says.

“I think in the next five years to come, if I have the opportunity, I will encourage the young teachers to take the job seriously and not just look at it as a job but as a calling.”

He knows this is his calling. Robin was raised in a Christian household, and he considered himself a believer until a friend began questioning the depth of his faith. “From that point, I started to think very seriously about my faith. I believed I was a Christian, but I didn’t have any personal relationship with Jesus,” he says. His friend led him in a prayer of salvation, and Robin dedicated his lives to the Lord.

Today, he understands how important it is to help young people be rooted in the Word of God so their faith can grow and they can stand strong when questioned.

“We need to ground our children with God’s Word,” he says passionately. “That’s the only sure way to help them. They may have knowledge, they may have a lot of things they know or have, but without God in their life, they won’t go very far.”

More than 50 years ago, Bario was a place of spiritual revival. The Holy Spirit moved on thousands of individuals, sparking a movement that changed this community for generations. Today, many of the people who experienced the revival firsthand are gone. But those who remain are desperate for that same type of movement for the younger generations.

They are Craving Another Revival.

“If we seek the kingdom of God, we make it first in our life—all the other things just will be added to you,” Robin says. “I believe that is the most important thing we must impart on the younger generation so they will seek God. They go to school, they study, they get their degree, but they must also seek God earnestly.”

To do that, they need more Bibles and more materials. Most in this area speak Bahasa, and thanks to your faithful giving, Bible League materials are translated and provided in their native language. They have watched these young people grow in their knowledge of the Gospel because it’s available in a language they understand.

“We have limited books. I tried to look for other books, other materials written in Bahasa,” Robin says. “[The Bible League books] are written in Bahasa so it’s easy for them to understand. If we really use these Bible League books, it can help our students grow in the Lord.”

There’s always more need and more work to be done.

“At the moment, we need more materials. We need training—proper training—for the students,” Robin says. “The church is going down because there’s no discipline in studying the Bible. We get asked very hard questions, very tough questions. If you don’t read the Bible, you can’t answer.”

“We need proper training for leaders so they can build the next generation,” he says.

Right now, Robin is hopeful that they will receive more Bibles so each student can have their own copy. A few months from now, he will finish the last of the Bible League materials they have. He’s praying more will come.

“There is no gift that is too small. A Bible given to a student—when they really understand it, that is a very big impact to their life. We don’t have much material in Bahasa, so that’s where we need Bible League to provide us with the proper materials. No amount is too small.”

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10 ESV).

I had always felt that I had a reasonable understanding of what these words meant. After all, they are an important theological concept; God wants His rule and reign to grow on the earth over time. When Jesus finally returns, as Habakkuk puts it so gloriously, “… the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14 ESV).

Over the years, I’ve seen tangible signs here and there of the kingdom coming on the earth—radical life change in an individual or whole family; miracles of physical and emotional healing; a church where there is a deep and pervasive love for Jesus — I tend to call these churches on fire!

Nothing, though, quite prepared me for my experience in Bario in the Malaysian jungle. For the first time, I saw with my own eyes what it means for the kingdom to come on the earth, among a whole community. This was truly a place of miracles! Bario has about 6,500 souls, known as the Kelabit people, one of the smallest indigenous tribes of Malaysia.

The Journey Begins

I’d traveled from Florida for a couple of days, a fairly arduous 10,000-mile journey. The last stage—hopping over the treetops—saw our little team of five almost fill up the tiny Otter plane. It was a bumpy and somewhat noisy flight over the dense jungle, crisscrossed with narrow paths and the occasional human settlement. What was apparent was that this was going to be a very different world from what I was used to.

As we stepped into the warmth and humidity of the tiny airport, the two-man security and immigration team had already heard that we were coming, and waved us straight through with much smiling, barely checking our passports.

After a few local pastors enthusiastically welcomed us, we took a very rough ride to our guest house, owned by Elder Panai and his wife, Bulan, a wonderful couple from one of the local churches.

Their traditional home, like many Kelabit people, was more of a community, where a large number of the wider family group all live in the same ‘longhouse.’

These homes, several hundred feet long and made entirely of wood, have two communal rooms on the front and back—both run full length. Imagine a dining room more than 500 feet long! Sandwiched in between, each family has a section with a simple kitchen and a few bedrooms. This means the married brother or sister or cousin might live in the same longhouse, just a few doors down. There’s a wonderful sense of community.

As soon as we stepped into the house, we were immediately given drinks and snacks made from the garden and family farm. In fact, this happened everywhere we went, whether to a home, a prayer meeting, or a church service. People there never seem to meet without warm hospitality.

Miracles

Our first full day was a time of meeting the local people. As we talked and began to record their stories on film and audio, two things stood out very clearly.

The first was that almost every single adult had a story or testimony of the miraculous.

One man who shared his personal story with me said, “Early one morning, in about 1974, a group of children approached me because they felt God leading them to confront me about my life. They told me ‘You are unsaved and need to stop your heavy drinking.’”

It was a highly unusual interaction in a region where children are deeply respectful and would never normally discuss with an adult an area of sin.

Later that night, the man had a dream from God, where he saw himself dying in an unsaved state and utterly lost. The next morning, he immediately put his faith in Jesus, gave his heart to God, and was instantly and permanently delivered from his alcohol addiction. He has passionately followed Jesus ever since.

Another time, I chatted with one of the local church leaders, Garawat, about a young lady who had been suffering from a huge and bulbous growth on her wrist and arm that was several inches across. He told me how it had completely disappeared through prayer as a group laid hands on her.

Shortly afterward, we saw a woman riding toward us on a small motorcycle, smiling and waving. She stopped to say hello, and it was the very person that we had just been hearing about. She excitedly shared her testimony of dramatic healing and showed us the very slight mark still on her arm. She was overjoyed with what God had done for her and so grateful.

These stories were everywhere! Rarely did we meet anyone without this type of testimony.

Full of Joy

The second thing that stood out was the quite extraordinary joy and happiness of the people. Our team spent approximately a week in Bario, during which we met hundreds of people. Not once did we see a person complain, get frustrated, or be impatient. On the contrary, people constantly expressed their thankfulness to God and their faith in Him. They were in love with Jesus.

Everywhere we looked, people were pervasively joyful full of laughter and love, warm-hearted, and grateful, in a way that I have never seen anywhere in the world. It’s strange driving along the road and having the majority of people smiling and waving to say hello, or sitting in the market for lunch, and 20 or so people stopping to say hello.

The Kingdom of Heaven in Bario

Over the years I’d thought a lot about what heaven will be like, particularly in John’s Revelation of Jesus. How there will be no more tears, or crying, or pain. While heaven will inevitably be far more wonderful than Bario, there is no doubt, the kingdom of heaven has touched the people there in a unique and wonderful way. Jesus is at the center of every aspect of their lives and community.

The First Seeds of Faith in Bario

Until the 1920s, the Kelabit people were animistic, showing deference to birds, eagles, and snakes. They were heavy drinkers and paid great attention to omens, often abandoning farms because of them, and then having nothing to eat. Young and old smoked tobacco rolled in palm leaves, many marriages ended, and infanticide was common.

The Good News of Jesus started to change the people from the 1920s onwards. A particular season of change started in 1939 following the visit of missionaries. One powerful headsman gave his life to Jesus, giving up drinking and spirit worship. In another of the longhouses, a man called Pun Abi said, “Even if no others do, I will follow God.” Slowly but surely, the Gospel took a foothold among the Kelabits, with the majority beginning to follow Jesus Christ.

Revival

Now, you may ask, how does community transformation like this take place?

October 4, 1973, changed everything. One of the teachers and 12 student leaders were meeting to prepare Sunday School lessons. The teacher felt troubled by his sense of inadequacy and unworthiness as a spiritual advisor. Quite out of character, he confessed this to the children. After a few minutes of silence, a wonderful sense of the holiness of God fell on the group. Each of them felt a deep need for God’s help and began to confess their sins to each other.

Over the next few months, the Spirit of God began to move amazingly among the youth, with all of them turning to God and the Lord using them in remarkable ways. As the school vacation commenced, the children started traveling in groups all over the region. They ministered to children and adults alike, calling them to turn from their sin and pursue a radical faith.

What did radical faith look like in Bario? As they engaged with the Bible and fell in love with the God of the Bible, they surrendered everything to Him. They got rid of all their idols, dropped every court case, turned from all addictions, and spent hours and hours in worship and prayer.

Healings became common through their prayers. Often the children would call out secrets in the hearts of adults, hidden sins, and even the locations of hidden pagan religious paraphernalia, leading to repentance.

Over the next several years, almost the entire Kelabit people group turned to Jesus. They became so hungry for this new life of faith that they started attending church at 5:30 am seven days a week before going to work in the fields. It’s something that many of them still do today.

Even today, at the start of most prayer meetings, they look each other in the eyes and say, “Uih mutuh doo’ ui marey doo,” which means, “Forgive me… I forgive you.”

There’s a reason that this place feels like heaven. For the last 50 years, the Good News of Jesus has been at the very center of their lives.

Reaching the Next Generation

One of the wonderful people that we had the privilege of interviewing was Robin, the principal of the main school in Bario. He is a wonderful believer, with a deep passion for the spiritual life of the children in his care.

I first got to know Robin as he translated for me as I preached to a group of several thousand people about revival. It was the first Sunday of our visit. As I shared about the need for each generation to pursue a fresh hunger for God, he broke down in tears, unable to speak. I immediately knew that this was a man of God.

A couple of days later, as we filmed Robin and learned more about his heart and passion, he explained that this current generation is the first—after 50 years of the fruit of revival—where they can no longer take it for granted that the children have all been born again. Many outside influences like materialism and other religions are vying for the attention of these precious young souls, and there is a spiritual battle taking place.

Robin began to share how excited he was by Bible League’s children’s Bible study materials. He sees them as one of the key tools in reaching the next generation and helping them to find Jesus. Over the next year, he is going to introduce them throughout the school.

He shared how there is a deep spiritual need among the children. With tears in his eyes, he spoke of how he is craving more resources from Bible League, and how they need them in a variety of languages to meet the different needs of the children.

Robin said the need was present in many other schools in the area. It was so encouraging to hear how the Word of God is bearing fruit day by day, not only in his school, but many others in the area. Just as it was through children that God first brought revival to Bario, it turns out that once again, the focus is back on the children. But this time, God is using the adults to reach the children.

We also had the privilege of spending time with Bible League’s National Director for Malaysia, Pastor Maurice. He explained how believers are using Bible League’s programs and resources in 16 churches in and around Bario, meeting the desperate need of training up new leaders.

It felt like such a privilege to see how Bible League International is serving God in a place where He has done such great things in the past.

Hope for the Future

On the last evening, one of the pastors invited us to his home. After enjoying a wonderful meal with Pastor Garawat, we got to see why there is so much hope for the future of the youth in Bario.

Sitting at a huge, long table in his living room, a group of kids and young adults took out their Bible League Bible study booklets that donors like you have helped provide. Over the next hour, amid lots of laughter and fun, three older girls led the group in an intensive study of Scripture—everyone was thoroughly engaged all the way through.

Afterward, when they prayed, you could see how seriously they pursue their faith in God. They also talked a lot about how to reach their peers.

In that moment, I saw how God is working among the youth—He is raising passionate young leaders. And Bible League has a small but very important role in what God is doing. There is a partnership going on here—the adult community in Bario is praying and fasting for the youth, all around the world people like you are enabling Bible League to give resources to the Church, and God Himself is giving the increase.

So the one who plants is not important, and the one who waters is not important. Only God is important, because he is the one who makes things grow. 1 Corinthians 3:7 ERV

God’s Work Continues

It was a remarkable privilege to spend time in this little piece of heaven on earth. God has done amazing things there. It made me even more excited about heaven.

But it also reminded me that there is work to do. The leaders in Bario all left us with this simple message: the need is great! Their plea? “Please send us more materials.”

Who knows what other wonderful things God will do in this little piece of heaven on earth?

When the 56-year-old former Buddhist nun became a believer, there wasn’t a church for more than 60 miles. She was on fire for the Lord, so she began studying and worshipping in her home and inviting neighbors to join. For four years, they used YouTube videos for their times of worship.

“Some thought I was crazy because I kept inviting people to the church. I just had to tell them about Jesus,” she says. “I couldn’t keep the Good News to myself!”

God made her home into a church, but Arunwang needed more support to help it grow and help those around her understand the Gospel.

She didn’t know where that support would come from, but she knew she could not stop sharing the Gospel with her struggling community.

Arunwang had lived a life of emptiness and numbness before Christ. Like most in her community, she practiced the traditional Buddhist rituals like offering food and meditating in silence.

She and her husband followed these rituals and taught them to their two daughters in hope of influencing their Karma.

Despite being faithful to Buddhist rituals, Arunwang’s heart still felt empty. “I couldn’t find peace. In the temple, I felt a heaviness that burdened my soul. There was an inner tension inside me, but I saw no other way,” she says.

The heaviness in her heart only grew worse when tragedy struck her family. Her husband fell from a ladder and died. Her mantras and meditations did nothing for her.

Arunwang was so overcome with grief that she was unable even to pray.

Five months after his death, she visited a Christian cousin in a nearby province. Arunwang remembers the warmth and love of the people in her cousin’s church. The pastor, Pastor Brani, preached from Ecclesiastes 6 and discussed how little control there is in life. Following the service, Arunwang met with the pastor and surrendered her life to Jesus.

“I felt a peace that I had never experienced before,” she says.

She received a Bible from Pastor Brani that day, and once she began reading it, she never stopped.

Now, Arunwang is working with Bible League International learning to teach small group Bible studies so those attending the services can dig deeply into the Word of God.

Thanks to your faithful donations, people who attend churches like this are growing in their understanding of the Word and their discipleship.

Another missionary group has helped Arunwang build a church building in her hometown. She now welcomes more than 70 attendees each week, and thanks to you, those 70 will be equipped with Bibles and Bible study materials.

But it’s not stopping there. “Two new church planting projects have already been started!” she shares excitedly. Now that she’s connected to Bible League, Arunwang can continue to get the training she needs to effectively share the Gospel.

God is using your gifts to build up leaders around the globe who are eager to share the Word, but need training and support to build effective ministries, Arunwang says as she gives glory to Jesus.

He’s raised her up as a leader in her community.

She is inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew:  “But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33 NIV).

It was a scorching afternoon in a remote village in central India.

I had come to interview two church leaders and hear firsthand accounts of the persecution they face, stories often overlooked by the mainstream media.

What I found was a disturbing tapestry of fear, intimidation, and violence woven into the backdrop of the faith and resilience of those who have suffered for their belief in Christ.

Mahesh’s Unwavering Faith

Pastor Mahesh stands at the church pulpit where 200 believers gather for worship every Sunday. Recently, religious extremists stormed the church, accusing him of forcibly converting people. The church is now closed, and Pastor Mahesh and his congregation are fighting the charges with legal authorities. In the meantime, he continues to conduct church services online.

My journey began in a distant village, where I met Mahesh, a fearless pastor with a steely resolve. His story was one of quiet faith tested by fire. Mahesh’s conversion to Christ had ostracized him from his family and community. He was cast out of his home, denied his inheritance, and subjected to relentless harassment. Yet, his spirit remained unbroken.

“I was thrown out of the house,” Mahesh said; his only crime was that he followed Jesus. His father threw his Bible and kicked him out of the house, so that he could never return.

“The villagers threatened me, beat me, and even tried to destroy our church. But our faith in Jesus only grew stronger,” he narrated, his eyes filled with pain and defiance.

After attending Bible League’s Church Planter Training, Mahesh was better equipped to share the Gospel and disciple new believers.

He built a church, a modest structure constructed with the sweat and tears of his congregation, that became a sanctuary for those seeking solace and strength in the face of persecution. The training also empowered Mahesh to train others in the church, who had been instrumental in inviting many villagers to the church.

“The training taught me about evangelism and gave me a passion for the lost. It also gave me practical training to share the Gospel with the villages here,” Mahesh says. “I taught our church members from the training, who have led many members to the church.”

But even this 200-member church was not immune to the rising tide of intolerance. Just weeks before my arrival, a mob of Hindu extremists, emboldened by the state’s new anti-conversion law, stormed the church, disrupting services and threatening the worshippers.

“Jai Sri Ram,” they shouted, meaning ‘Hail Ram,’ a phrase invoking the Hindu god and often used to assert dominance over religious minorities. The church members were terrified and scattered as they were beaten with sticks.

Mahesh, however, did not run.

He was used to the intimidation tactics of the religious fanatics. They are members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS, the political youth wing of the Bhartiya Janata Party, the ruling government of India.

“They kept beating us, did not even spare women or children,” said Mahesh, who bravely faced the violent mob.

The pastor was charged with ‘forced conversions’ — forcefully converting the local Hindus to Christianity, a charge that he denied.

“They told us to stop praying, to renounce our faith, or face the consequences,” Mahesh recalled. “But we will not be silenced. We will continue to worship our God, no matter the cost.”

Now, Pastor Mahesh is training his church members using Project Philip Bible studies from Bible League International in online services. He has raised leaders from the church who have pioneered two branch churches in nearby villages.

The hunger for the Gospel continues to grow in the face of violence and persecution. “What I have learned, I teach it to our believers,” says the well-known, respected pastor.

Pastor Mahendra on his motorbike, his only means of commuting across villages on roads and off-roads, often with his wife and two young children. Motorbikes are common in villages, offering a quick and practical solution where public transport is limited.

A Widespread Crisis

Mahesh’s story is not an isolated incident. Across northern India, Christians are targeted under the guise of anti-conversion laws.

These laws are aimed to prevent forced conversions, but they are increasingly used to harass and intimidate religious minorities. These laws, often vaguely worded, have created a climate of fear and suspicion. The mere act of practicing one’s faith can invite violence and persecution. But this is more than well-meaning laws.

The organized assault against Mahesh’s church was propelled by a growing anti-Christian hysteria that is spreading across this vast nation. For example, Uttar Pradesh’s Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 is typical. Section three provides that “no person shall convert or attempt to convert” another individual, directly or otherwise, by “misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means.” Violations of section three are punishable by prison terms between one and five years and a fine of at least 15,000 Indian rupees ($180).

Punishments are enhanced if an individual converts or attempts to convert a minor, woman, or person belonging to a Scheduled Caste or Tribe or if a mass conversion in contravention of section three takes place.

This anti-conversion law has been controversial because it infringes on Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the freedom of conscience and the freedom to profess, practice, and propagate religion to all citizens.

The controversy surrounding this law is further fueled by its potential for misuse. The anti-conversion law criminalizes even the act of sharing or distributing Bibles, which is misinterpreted as ‘allurement’ or ‘undue influence,’ a misinterpretation that could have serious implications for religious freedom.

Anti-Christian vigilantes are sweeping through villages, storming churches, burning Christian literature, attacking schools, and assaulting worshippers. The very act of worship has become perilous in church despite constitutional protections for freedom of religion.

Mahesh shares an incident where the villagers threatened his landlord to evict him because he conducted prayer at home. “Mahesh believes in Jesus Christ. He tells a lot of people about Jesus. You should throw him out of your house, or if you won’t, we will throw you out of our society,” the villagers threatened the landlord, who was also a Christian. The landlord had no option but to politely ask Mahesh to vacate with his wife and two young children.

Today, Pastor Mahesh and the church members cannot gather for worship due to legal restrictions. But that does not stop him.

He hosts online services and, though his local church was closed, his ministry has expanded in nearby villages to two sister churches.

These churches are still active and ministry is growing despite the challenges.

The local newspaper and TV ran stories about the assault on Pastor Mahesh and the church. He boldly tells the police that he only shares Jesus with the people and does not force anybody. “They interviewed our church members, and everyone denied being forced. The police left empty-handed as they could not prove their case,” Mahesh shared.

A Woman Empowered

Chandan initiated an informal fellowship prayer and Bible study group, which grew into a house church. With around 20-25 women attending, the church was flourishing until religious fanatics, accompanied by police, raided her home and issued dire warnings to cease all religious services.

My next stop, a 50-mile drive from Mahesh’s community, is a town heavily overshadowed by the threat of persecution. Here, I met Chandan, a young woman whose journey to Christianity had been fraught with challenges.

Chandan, who came from a Jain family, had faced opposition from her father and community when she embraced her new faith. Jainism is an ancient religion, different from Hinduism, that teaches that the way to liberation and bliss is to live a life of ahimsa or non-violence and renunciation.

Those who practice Jainism will not even kill bugs.

Chandan was drawn to Jesus after her mother’s miraculous healing. “The Word of God touched me,” she recounted, “and after that, I learned that this is the true God.”

Her conversion was not without its challenges.

Her father, a staunch Jain, opposed her new faith, and she faced prejudice from her community. Yet, she persevered, finding strength in her growing relationship with Jesus. “I was very sorrowful and depressed,” she admitted, reflecting on her life before Christ. “But I’m not like that anymore. I have changed a lot.”

“They called me a black sheep, a disgrace to my family,” Chandan shared, her voice touched with sadness. “But I knew in my heart that I had found the truth. I could not deny Jesus, even if it meant losing everything.”

Hope Amidst Persecution

Chandan at the pulpit, where she regularly taught God’s Word to about 20-25 women. Today, the room is empty as the police and village leaders have threatened her with dire warnings if she continues conducting prayer meetings at her residence.

Chandan’s faith had not only transformed her life but also led her to ministry. She focused on nurturing and empowering believers, helping them deepen their understanding of the Bible and experience the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit.

“I fill their lives with the Word, with Jesus,” she shared. “I lead them in worship, and they automatically experience deliverance.”

The small informal gathering grew into a house church, providing a safe space for fellow Christians, primarily women, to worship and fellowship. Her mother and sister are also believers.

They support her even though her father is against her faith. But even this humble gathering attracted the attention of the authorities.

“The police came to our house and warned us to stop our meetings,” Chandan explained. “They said we were violating the law and promoting conversions. But we were just praying and reading the Bible. Is that a crime?”

After this, most in her small congregation stopped attending. But the hunger for Christ doesn’t cease.

Chandan remained steadfast in her commitment to spreading the Gospel. “I’m not scared at all,” she declared, her voice filled with conviction. “I pray to God and believe in the Bible, which I believe gives me the boldness to say. I’m close to God; He empowers me.”

Chandan (right) and her elder sister, a believer, who has been her confidante and constant support during difficult times.

Chandan comes from an affluent, educated family and belongs to the upper caste. She holds a Master’s degree and works in a computer institute.

Despite the cultural norms that often relegate women to the background, Chandan was thrust into leadership. Initially hesitant, she grappled with the idea of a woman preaching and leading a congregation. “Raising your voice and preaching was not my thing,” she confessed. “I had a lot of negative things.”

However, Chandan’s passion for God’s Word and her natural leadership abilities could not be suppressed. With the encouragement of Bible League’s pastor Mahendra, she embraced her calling. “He saw my gift and encouraged me,” Chandan recalled. “He did not differentiate me.”

Bible League’s support was instrumental in Chandan’s growth as a leader.

She gained the confidence and skills to lead her congregation effectively through training programs and mentorship.

She was part of the Church Planter Training, which helped her study the Bible. Without this training, she said studying God’s Word was impossible.  “I have always been good in my studies. I had desired to study the Bible. I have never thought of being a Bible teacher. Thanks to the training by Bible League, I’m now leading a house church,” she reminisced.

Despite the closure, she continues to conduct online church services until the situation improves.

The Rising Tide of Intolerance

Chandan’s story, like Mahesh’s, highlights the precarious situation of Christians in India. Believers are caught in a crossfire between religious extremists and a government that seems increasingly unable—or unwilling—to protect them.

As I traveled through the state, I heard many stories of discrimination, intimidation, and violence.

Pastors were being arrested on trumped-up charges, churches were being vandalized, and Christians were being ostracized from their communities. The situation was dire, and it was only getting worse.

The rise of Hindu nationalism in India has created a hostile environment for religious minorities. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with its roots in Hindu nationalist ideology or Hindutva, has been accused of turning a blind eye to the violence and discrimination against Christians.

The international community has expressed growing concern over the deteriorating situation for Christians in India. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended that India be placed on its red list for “severe violations of religious freedom.” However, the Indian government has vehemently denied these allegations, claiming that it respects the rights of all religious groups.

Despite the challenges, the Christians I met in central India remain steadfast in their faith. They continue to worship, pray, and share the Gospel, even at great personal risk. Their resilience and courage in the face of adversity are a testament to the power of God’s Word.

We need your prayer and generosity to uplift our brothers and sisters who are laboring for Christ in some of the most dangerous places for Christians. The Gospel continues to spread, no matter what comes against it. The Church is growing, and our brothers and sisters need prayer.

Think of the light in the eyes of those learning to read, finding their first words in the Scripture, a promise of liberation from illiteracy and the chains that bind them. Consider the strength it could offer to communities fighting against social evils, armed with the enduring truth of God’s timeless Word.

A Glimmer of Hope

As I left the little town in northern India, I carried with me a profound sense of both sorrow and hope: sorrow for the suffering of those targeted for their faith and hope that their voices will not be silenced. The stories of Mahesh, Chandan, and countless others remind me that even in the darkest times, the light of faith can shine through.

I am reminded of the devastating and unprecedented religious violence in the northeastern state of India, Manipur, where more than 300 churches were burned, several hundred of Christians were brutally killed, and thousands were displaced in 2023.

The persecution of Christians in India is a complex issue with deep historical and social roots. It is a problem that cannot be solved overnight. The journey through central India was a sobering reminder of the cost of following Jesus in a land where faith is often met with hostility. But it also reaffirms the strength and resilience of those who choose to walk this difficult path, holding fast to their faith in the face of overwhelming adversity.

In the face of persecution, Jesus’ words in the book of Matthew ring true: “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

The story of India’s Christians is a testament to this enduring promise.

• Pray for our Indian team, that continues to serve in more than 15 states, many of which are increasingly hostile towards Christians.
• Pray that the ministry of Bible League in India will continue to thrive despite opposition and persecution.
• Pray that there will be open doors to distribute Bibles, train pastors, and share the Gospel with those who have not yet heard the message of salvation.
• Pray that government authorities treat Christians fairly and that religious freedom is upheld in India.

Based on a resource-gathering trip to central India in May 2024, in a state hostile to Christians (specific location withheld for security reasons).