Third Nazarene pastor killed in Orissa, India, mob violence

Bangalore, India

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

As the violence continues to spread in Orissa, India, many Christians are still in hiding after days of riots left many dead and countless Christian homes and churches burnt or destroyed this past month.

Last week, two Nazarene congregations were mourning the death of their pastors--Purna Digal of the Baliguda Church of the Nazarene and Purendra Digal of the Bataguda Church of the Nazarene. Both pastors were killed by a mob on Friday night, August 29, and their churches burned and homes destroyed while the villagers fled into the jungle.

Both were leaders of the JESUS Film church mission group in Orissa.

In similar incidents, Nazarene churches in at least six villages were burned down and homes of countless Nazarene families were destroyed or burned by the angry mobs.

"Tonight I heard that a total of 15 Nazarene churches were burned and a total of 400 houses of Nazarene families were destroyed," India Field Strategy Coordinator Sunil Dandge reported last week.

This past weekend (September 6-7), Dandge reported to Eurasia Regional Director Gustavo Crocker that another Nazarene pastor had been killed.

Pastor Fidem Nayak of the Purunagarh (Berka) Church of the Nazarene had been reported as missing since August 24. Unfortunately, the district superintendent of the East India District communicated to Dandge that Pastor Nayak was confirmed killed by the mobs in his town.

"We are scared and afraid for our lives and constantly living in fear," Orissa JESUS Film Catalytic Church Planter Bibhu Prasad Nayak said. "Please pray for our safety and of many other members whose whereabouts we are unaware of."

Thousands of people, most of them Christians, are still hiding in the forests or have found refuge in the shelter camps set up by the government.

"Please do continue to uphold the families who have lost their dear ones and who have lost everything," Dandge asks. "Also for the administration that they may be effective in maintaining peace and bringing the situation back to normal. And that relief efforts may be allowed soon."

Urgent prayer is requested for Nazarenes in Orissa and other Christians suffering at this time. Pray also for the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries and JESUS Film staff who are currently preparing to respond and help wherever they can.

A donation account has been established through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries in the General Treasurer's Office. All funds should be forwarded noting the account "India Civil Unrest-AMC1600" to the General Treasurer at the Global Ministry Center, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, KS 66220. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3. Online donating will be available at ncm.org.
--NCM

 

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