Film team released from jail, evangelises the officials

Four members of a Gospel for Asia (GFA) film team, who were arrested, last month, were released from jail—but not before they were able to share the Gospel with those who arrested them.

According to a report by the Mission Network News (MNN), the four–member team were arrested and falsely charged with forcing people to convert to Christianity on March 28, in Madhya Pradesh.

The Christians were arrested for screening a film on the life of Jesus Christ.

"The police also beat the missionaries after they were in custody," narrated the report adding, "After their first day in jail, the officers asked the team if they could watch the film which explained the life of Christ! The missionaries gladly showed the movie to the audience of police personnel, including the District Superintendent of Police!"

Not only did the Christians show the movie, the report further adds, they even interpreted the movie and conducted prayer services for them.

The officers, who were very much moved by the life of Jesus, became more cordial and treated the missionaries in a kind way for the next three days, noted the report.

While the missionaries were still in jail, a group of 30 Christian pastors and leaders met with high–ranking officers and cabinet members of Madhya Pradesh, to share their concerns over the persecution and escalating violence against the miniscule community.

The cabinet members assured to address the issues in the parliament and help the Christians in every way possible.

Meanwhile, a report by an independent Christian organization says, two GFA Bible college students were arrested last week, for distributing tracts and Christian resources in Orissa.

“The missionary trainees told their attackers that they were not forcing anyone to take the tracts, but were only sharing the joy that they had experienced,” said the report. “The religious radicals refused to listen. They stripped off the men’s clothing, beat them and told them to run away.”

The district where the men were attacked is one of the most un–reached areas in all of Orissa. It is also home to several anti–Christian extremist groups.

The Christian leaders in the state expressed grave concerns over the violence against the Christians.

With a huge presence in Asia, GFA has become one of the most effective missions there today with 54 Bible Colleges and over 8,000 native missionaries in training for church planting.