National Conference of Persecuted Church Held in Hyderabad

A third National Conference of Persecuted Church in the country was held in Hyderabad where the victims of violence against Christians gave their testimonies starting February 28.

The conference was held under the auspicious of Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC).

On the first day, the testimonies of three victims of terror and persecution from Kashmir were heard.

Throughout the conference testimonies of survivors of persecution and violence from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala,Tamil Nadu ,Maharashtra, Kashmir and Rajasthan, Kashmir(Kashmir to Kanyakumari) were shared to a supportive and receptive audience.

There were many wet eyes among the listeners as the stories of widowed women from remote locations were recounted, and the public disgrace meted out to young women at Kandhamal, Orissa.

165 persons from all over India attended two–day Prayer and Fellowship meeting of Persecuted Christians organised by the Global Council of Indian Christians at the HSSS auditorium in Hyderabad.

Among those present were the families Pastors who were martyred for their lives and Christian witness. A wave of emotion filled in the hall as the 55 victims of persecution from Kandhamal,Orissa shared their testimonies were honoured by the Global council of Indian Christians with bibles symbolizing the determination to follow Christ in the face of severe persecution

But suffering and persecution was not the only common factor. Also common was the firm resolve by every one of the survivors to continue in their faith and work, with full faith in God.

After every round of testimonies, senior Christian leaders prayed for those who testified.

Also speaking on the occasion Professor Kancha Illaya exhorted the Christians to stand by each other in order to face the persecution that is bound to increase in future. Quality leadership is the need of the hour for the Christian community, and he congratulated the role played by Global council of infian Christians (GCIC).

"This is an attempt to recognize and honour the sufferings of Christians who live in remote locations, facing intense and prolonged persecution for their faith. It is also to challenge Christians in the rest of the country with their stories," said Dr. Sajan George, President of the Global Council of Indian Christians.

GCIC organized a meeting at Indira Park, Hyderabad demanding 'Right of worship' by Christians in India, MLA Christian Lazarus and many Christian leaders addressed the meeting. Dr. Arthur Prasad and Rev. Benny Mathews of Alpha ministries lead the prayers

Global Council of Indian Christians, a Christian advocacy group based in Bangalore continues to work for the harmony and peace to prevail in India.