Church and cars destroyed in India on New Year's

Monday, January 6, 2020

by Jordan Hilger, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) - A church was virtually demolished and three cars destroyed in India's Tamil Nadu state on New Year's eve, leaving a pastor uncertain of his flock's future but determined to continue his ministry.

Three church members sleeping inside Grace Gospel Church in Kongalnagaram village were awakened on Jan. 1 by the sound of car windows being smashed before a mob of 30 Hindu nationalists descended on the church and nearly destroyed it.

“God has called me to minister in this place covering 16 villages,” Pastor Nallamuthu Samuel said. “I will continue to stay here, but I am not sure if we will be able to undo the damage caused by the attackers. However, I am determined to continue my ministry.”

Besides the damage to the cars, $3,500 in damage was done to the church building itself by the mob, which is becoming a commonplace feature of Hindu nationalist India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.