GFA pastor receives death threats from mob, police plead helplessness

Bangalore – “Prayers are urgently requested for Pastor Kumar, a Gospel for Asia native missionary in the south Indian state of Karnataka, who is right now facing a life–and–death situation,” said GFA’s Founder and President K.P. Yohannan in a message to ministry supporters.

“After his graduation from a GFA Bible college, he and his wife Sonia moved to an unreached village and began their ministry together, sharing the love of Jesus with those who had never heard His name. Over the past two years the Lord has given them growth: Not only has their baby boy become a happy little toddler, but today more than 40 new believers gather to worship the living God in the church he has established,” Yohannan explained.

But Pastor Kumar's faithful labors and victories have not come without attack from Satan. He has received threats from anti–Christian fundamentalist groups over the past several weeks. Yesterday those threats escalated into a full–scale demonstration, said Yohannan.

"One of our senior leaders notified me just a few hours ago that a mob went to each house in Kumar's village, threatening anyone who went to church this Sunday–they would break their arms and legs, and kill them," he added in a statement.

"Finally they came to Pastor Kumar's home and beat him. Before leaving, they delivered their ultimatum: If he conducted Sunday services this weekend, they would kill him in front of his wife and son."

Pastor Kumar reported these threats to his GFA leader, who brought the incident to the police. However, the police responded that they couldn't help; this mob was too large and the pastor should do whatever he wanted to do.

According to K.P. Yohannan, the chief of police said the threats were serious and the encouraged Pastor Kumar to stay away. “He didn't go to church. Meanwhile, praise God, the elders of the church they called all the believers. (And), They met for worship on Sunday morning in another location.”

Meanwhile, GFA has appealed to the central government in Delhi and asked them to intervene in this situation. Yohannan says local persecution is on the increase, but so are the number of conversions. He says in the midst of persecution many are turning to Christ.

“Please intercede for Pastor Kumar, and earnestly ask the Lord to protect his life and those of the new believers in this village of Karnataka state. Pray God will give our GFA leaders wisdom to know how to handle this situation. In addition, several other native missionaries serving in Karnataka are also facing persecution for preaching the Gospel. These religious fundamentalist groups regularly use such intimidation and violence tactics. Pray that all our brothers and sisters would have abundant grace to stand firm for the sake of Christ," Yohannan said.