Christian body launches 24/7 Prayer and Persecution Response Center in India

Bangalore – Bangalore–based Christian organization, The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), has announced the launch of a “24/7 Prayer and Persecution Response Center,” amidst increasing news of religious persecution and anti–Christian violence in India.

“The Center will protect, encourage and edify Christian workers facing persecution,” said Sajan K. George, national convenor, GCIC. “Encouraged by the overwhelming response to our initiatives and responses to persecution in India, we have decided to upgrade our facility to 24 hours and seven days of the week.”

“The GCIC Prayer and Persecution Response Center will be unique in India, and may be even in South Asia, as we plan to provide relief, rehabilitation, and awareness among Christians," he said, adding, “We plan to provide immediate prayer support, specialized medical treatment and facilities, and encouragement and support to those who are attacked for the sake of the Gospel.”

The GCIC also assists regional coordinators to visit affected Christians and areas.

According to George, many innocent Christians fall victim to religious persecution and are blamed for “forced conversions” for they are ignorant of their Constitutional rights and protections. “The GCIC, in consultation with affected pastors and other Christian workers, had formulated ‘a workable module’ to respond to anti–Christian attacks,” he said.

The GCIC convenor also expressed his concern over the growing incidents of religious violence in states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat, Hindu strongholds where anti–conversion laws exist and warned the Christian leaders that a “conglomeration of Hindu radicals was using the government machinery and funds earmarked for parliamentarians to force conversion of Christians and thereby take over churches.”