A small Christian church in northern India is experiencing growth and renewed hope after enduring severe persecution, with support from a Christian charity helping to rebuild both the ministry and the pastor’s livelihood.
Pastor Rakesh, who lives with his wife and four children in a rural village, leads a small congregation of believers in an area where Christians are a minority. Despite daily challenges, he remains committed to sharing the gospel with Hindus in his village and in around ten neighbouring communities.
Trouble began in June 2024 when a Hindu woman from a nearby village attended a worship service at the pastor’s home. She had been unwell and sought prayer. After reportedly experiencing healing, she chose to follow Christ.
Her decision angered her family, some of whom are Hindu priests. On 2 June, a mob gathered outside the pastor’s house during another service, shouting slogans and demanding the worship stop. A group of Hindu leaders then entered the home, brandishing knives, and forced the Christians to leave. Pastor Rakesh was then violently beaten.
The mob also damaged both the church and the pastor’s home. When Christians reported the attack, police responded by warning them to cease their evangelism activities. The assault deeply affected the congregation, and several members stopped attending out of fear.
The attack left the pastor’s family in a vulnerable position, with no steady income and increased pressure to provide for their basic needs.
However, a turning point came when International Christian Concern (ICC), a Christian advocacy organisation, stepped in to assist. ICC provided Pastor Rakesh with the supplies needed to start a small general store, including essentials such as rice, oil, salt, and soap.
In a statement, Pastor Rakesh said, “A few years back, we were really struggling for our daily needs, and today we are living peacefully. ICC set us free from that hardship. We are so thankful.”
The store proved to be a success and was later relocated to a central marketplace, attracting more customers from surrounding villages. The business has since grown, earning a positive reputation in the region.
“Now we have a shop in the main town, and it is a great blessing,” he added. “God has truly helped us through the ministry of ICC.”
The income from the shop has allowed Pastor Rakesh to renovate his home and church, feed and clothe his children, and cover their school fees. The improvement in his family’s living conditions has also given them renewed peace and stability.
Most significantly, the store has become a place of quiet ministry. Through conversations and outreach, Pastor Rakesh has led 10 more people to Christ, all of whom now regularly attend his growing church.
In a region often marked by hostility toward Christians, Pastor Rakesh’s story is one of perseverance, faith, and the impact of practical support in the face of opposition.
This is the rewritten version of the original article published by ICC.
