As you go, proclaim this message: “The kingdom of heaven has come near”. Matthew 10:7
Goda Israel, Manzoor Ahmad Chat
Pau Za Khen (2007)
Active Evangelists
These three men, who were all active in evangelism in India, were killed within the space of a few months of each other in 2007.
On 20 February 2007, 29-year-old church minister Goda Israel was found stabbed to death in Andhra Pradesh state. A news report quoted a comment that he had no personal enemies but he had previously been threatened by Hindu extremists due to his involvement in preaching the Gospel in the area.
Islamic extremists were thought to have been responsible for the abduction and beheading of Manzoor Ahmad Chat in Jammu and Kashmir state. His head was left in a plastic bag outside a mosque on 14 April. The convert from Islam, who sometimes hosted a house church gathering, had disappeared the previous day, not arriving for a prayer meeting he was due to lead.
In July a Burmese Lutheran pastor, Pastor Pau Za Khen (62), was kidnapped and later found beheaded in Manipur state. He had previously worked as a pastor in a church in Chin state, Burma.
Almighty God, thank you for the vast and varied land of India. Thank you that the gospel of Christ has been proclaimed there from the days of the Apostle Thomas. Thank you for those that still seek to live for you in that country of many religions. Grant to your people, O Lord, the freedom of religion which India’s constitution guarantees, for peace in their land and for good in their government. May this be accomplished though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.