Summary:
A mob of about 100 people on March 1 attacked the Sunday gathering of a church in Khammam district. After switching off the lights, they began abusing and beating Pastor Isaac Ravi, his family and his friends. They destroyed whatever came in their way. The pastor lodged an FIR against seven people, but although police assured them of action, after more than 20 days the pastor and his friends await justice while the culprits go free.
Full Story:
Pastor Isaac Ravi is from Nandigama, Vijaywada of Andhra Pradesh. He has been serving in a village called Chinnuru of Khammam district in Andhra Pradesh. He lives there with his wife and two children. When he arrived in1989, he was the only Christian in the village. Soon after his arrival, the Lord started performing miracles. People were healed from diseases and freed from the possession and power of evil spirits. Since then his ministry has been growing. Now, he has six more pastors working under him over six branches-- four in the same district and two in the nearby district of Krishna.
On March 1, 2009, at about 6 p.m. while they were preparing to visit one of their churches, a mob of about 100 people confronted them. They rushed into the pastor’s house and switched off the lights. Then they began abusing and beating the pastor, his family and his friends. They destroyed whatever came in their way. Soon the mob accomplished what it had come for and left. The pastor could identify some people. He and other believers went to the police station, where he lodged an FIR against seven people. Police assured them of action. The pastor was told that the culprits will be punished and that he would be informed when the culprits are caught and put behind the bars.
After a couple of days, a local politician tried to intervene and “settle” the matter. He approached the pastor with an offer of Rs.6000 (about $117), provided that Pastor Isaac takes back his complaint. However, the pastor did not agree and fearlessly demanded that the matter be settled only after they are paid the cost of all the losses, which according to him is about Rs.1,050,000 (over $20,400).
Pastor Isaac and his people are determined to stay and serve the people of their surrounding area, without giving into the pressure created by the opposing groups. However, after more than 20 days, the pastor and his friends await justice while the culprits go free. Such delay in action by the police will only encourage the anti-Christian elements and make Christians more vulnerable to such attacks.
Please pray that appropriate action will be taken against the culprits.
