Coffee and Persecution
We met in an upstairs room above a cafe. A handful of Indian movement leaders. Our topic was persecution: What are you experiencing? What are you learning?
I was there to listen and learn.
These leaders face opposition all the time. It’s the air they breathe. There are peaks of intensity, there are lulls, but it never goes away.
In India, there’s an anti-conversion law that forbids forcing conversions or offering incentives to change your religion. The law isn’t the problem, it’s how it is applied and the severity of sentencing. There are long jail terms if you are found guilty.
When the gospel goes into an unreached village or neighborhood it is often met with faith, discipleship and new churches. It’s also met with organized opposition from Hindu nationalists.
The pushback begins with threats and can escalate into violence. It was sobering to sit in a room with brothers who had been bruised and bloodied for the sake of the gospel. Some of their disciples have had their homes burnt down.
Sometimes police intervene but often the extremists apply pressure on the police to look the other way. They also pressure the police to prosecute under the anti-conversion laws.
The police may open an investigation. They arrest and question anyone identified as a leader. They’re looking for evidence of coercion or inducements to convert. When they don’t find anything they’ll make threats. They want agreements that the prisoner will stop proclaiming the gospel and hand over the names of those who have become disciples. They want to track the growth of the group.
Mostly there’s not enough evidence, but the investigation is the punishment, especially if it happens every time there’s a new allegation.
There are stories like this wherever the gospel is advancing.
I asked these leaders what they’ve learned as they read the Scriptures and reflected on their experiences.
They told me:
When persecution comes it’s time to humble ourselves before God, to fast and pray.
Persecution is an opportunity to bear witness faithfully to Jesus Christ.
Not everyone is against us. People are watching our responses. Often they defend us.
When the storm subsides, the fruit is new disciples and churches.
I felt a deep respect for these leaders. Surprisingly they could joke and laugh about their mistreatment. There was no fear in the room. No retreat from their calling. It was the price they paid for a nation in darkness for thousands of years to finally see the face of Jesus in the light of God’s glory.
