From Benjamin Chan, Area Director for East Asia, India, Hong Kong and China

More than twenty Christian churches and organizations in Orissa State, India were attacked by religious opponents on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The situation has been worsening despite the appeal for peace from the church leaders.

Rev. Samaresh Nayak, General Secretary of the Bengal-Orissa-Bihar Baptist Churches' Association told Rev. Ben Chan of International Ministries that, “Pastor Phillip Das, a pastor in the Chandabali Baptist Church, Bhadrak district reported that as the Christmas worship service was about to end, fifty to sixty religious fanatics entered the church and shouted at the worshipers, threatening them and telling them to stop the service. They attacked pastor Das and manhandled him."

The church leaders in Orissa have requested the immediate intervention of the Government. The association is a partner of IM, in the area of East Asia and India, managed by Rev. Chan. Rev. Nayak is asking American Baptist churches to pray for their situation.