Christians banned from entering Village in Gujarat

In Navsari, a district in Gujarat, India’s westernmost state, is a village that is home to many Christians.

Recently, as the Believers approached the village, they were welcomed by a rather unpleasant sight. At the entrance of the village was a big banner that read- “No Christains are allowed in this village from outside- By Order.”

Every Sunday, for the past 4 years, the local Christians have been gathering at sister Gita’s home for prayer and worship.

On 6/10/19 at 9 am, the worship started as usual and brought to a close at around 10:30am. Within the next half an hour, around 80 people started gathering outside sister Gita’s home and began accusing the believers of religious conversions. They ordered the believers to stop all future meetings within the village saying that the village does not need Christianity and warned that no more Christains should enter their village.

They left threatening the house owner Gita and Pastor Umesh Halpati who has been serving the Lord Jesus Christ with APA ministries for the past 3 years. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Saviour and Lord, 13 years ago after he experienced the mighty power of God in his life! Pastor Umesh’s son, Yash had been unwell for a very long time. He was taken to many Doctors for treatment but all attempts were futile. Yash’s body had begun to get weak and his head had started growing abnormally in size. One day a very dejected Umesh was introduced to Jesus Christ. He was told that Jesus had the power to heal his ailing son. Umesh and his family were prayed upon by a Pastor and to their utter amazement and relief, Yash was miraculously and completely healed!!

Yash is now 13 years old and is studying in the 7th grade. He is keeping well and doing absolutely fine.

Informing Persecution Relief about the above incidents, Pastor Umesh said that this planned attack on the church was headed by the Sarpanch of the neighboring village along with people from more than 3 other villages.

Pastor Prakash who heads the mission told us that the congregation are very anxious and worried about gathering together for the next Sunday prayer and worship.

Church, let us unite and pray that all will be well, and also continue to pray for the Persecutors that they may have a change of heart.