Missionary, Wife and Students Beaten by Radicals

Thursday, October 16, 2008

UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (ANS) -- Gospel for Asia missionary Sursen and his wife, Nirmala--along with two Bible college students, Jolen and Kushal--were beaten by a mob of religious extremists on October 5 in Uttar Pradesh, India. The attacks came as the group was praying before their regular Sunday morning worship service.

A mob of about 300 people descended on the Christians in an orchestrated attack. The extremists beat them up and handed them over to the police for arrest under false accusations of terrorism.

GFA field leaders went to the police office and spoke with authorities on the missionaries’ behalf. By God’s grace, the missionaries and Bible college students were released from jail that evening and the situation calmed down.

GFA leaders request prayer for God's protection and strength for Sursen, his wife and the two Bible college students. They also request prayer for wisdom as they continue sharing the love of Christ in this area.