In this series, those involved with CLC foreign missions profile one aspect of our overseas endeavors.
[Editor: The following is a report of events that took place in January in the Church of the Lutheran Confession in India (CLCI). It is written, in his own words, by the indigenous pastor who is our main contact. Names of people and places are being withheld because of ongoing persecution. The report is lightly edited for clarity.]
“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)
One evening in mid-January I had gathered with family and church members to celebrate my birthday with a special prayer meeting. The happy occasion, however, was interrupted by a shocking telephone call from one of our CLCI pastors, reporting that he had been attacked and severely injured by a group of Hindu extremists. We immediately rushed there with a few of our church members.
The pastor had been on his way to attend a CLCI church evening service when a group of Hindu extremists came in a minivan and stopped our pastor and attacked him. They beat his legs with iron rods, breaking his right knee. It was by the grace of God that our pastor escaped death.
We lodged a police complaint. The police registered our complaint and took a few pictures of our injured pastor. Since we don’t have any witnesses for this attack, there have been no arrests to this point. Our pastor is slowly recovering.
Praying for the injured pastor in the hospital
My children were disappointed that a celebratory birthday prayer meeting turned into an occasion of crisis. I told them that doing the Lord’s work in the midst of affliction—whether physical, emotional or persecution-based—is a profoundly Biblical method of ministry. Rather than silencing the Gospel, suffering can act as a megaphone that validates our CLCI Gospel message by showing the hope of the victims. The New Testament clearly indicates that suffering for the sake of Christ is a primary, even necessary, setting for witnessing.
One of the biggest challenges of the church in India in recent years has been the open persecution of the church. Between 2014 and 2025, violence against Christians in India has risen 500%, and there are now restrictive anti-conversion laws in many states. Currently the CLCI has been facing much persecution during our ministry work in many places. Jesus told us, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)
India is a secular democracy in theory, but not in practice. It is very challenging for Christians to do evangelism work here in India. These persecutions remind us that we are in the end times and we should expect tribulation, as our Savior Jesus reminds us in Matthew, “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.“ (Matthew 24:9)
Our Savior Jesus also told us, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) Yes, it is a great challenge to do mission work here in India, but we are moving forward successfully with faith in the Lord.
Please pray that the Lord may use the CLCI to bring many Indians into His kingdom. Your prayer support will build the CLCI greatly here in India to do His mighty work. May the Lord bless you all. Thank you.