National
A Convert’s Journey to Church Planting in India
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“Make sure you remain a lover of the world, for ‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son,’” the pastor cautioned the newly ordained, bright-eyed American ministers about to embark on their own domestic ministry work. Her words brought to mind a church planter in India, Pastor Vinod, whose ministry work deeply embodies John 3:16.
Pastor Vinod comes from a strict Hindu family that was highly devoted to idol worship and other related practices. Though his parents were busy with six children, Vinod felt a deep love from his father. While Vinod was still in school, his father died, leaving him completely shattered. “I developed so much negativity towards life and had many questions. I went on knowing life with so many bad habits, realizing I had no peace and there was no one to love me.”
He grew up and life went on. But in 1977, Vinod encountered Christians and listened to their Bible studies. “The teachings of Jesus were very attractive; I was given a New Testament. Curiosity grew when I read John 3:16, and later was led in prayer by a Christian friend. I felt newness in my heart, and my pain slowly started departing.”
Living as a Christian in India has never been easy, but things have become extremely challenging in certain states over the past several years. Vinod lives in the state of Uttar Pradesh, where Christians are the most heavily persecuted. The Chief Minister is an extreme right-wing Hindu nationalist, and under his leadership he has popularized a brand of anti-Christian legislation known as anti-conversion laws. Any Christian practicing their faith openly risks being charged under this law, which is meant to keep Hindus from converting to Christianity.
Pastors doing outreach are particularly at risk, but this does not deter Pastor Vinod. “I face opposition from the radical Hindu nationalists; the frequency has now increased after the new anti-conversion law enacted in the state two years ago.” Vinod has been sharing the gospel since the year 2000, but it was this law which inspired him to do more focused outreach. ICC supplied him with a bike and Bibles so that he could reach more people. He has consequently established 10 fellowships in the last two years, even while being infected with COVID-19 on five different occasions. “I am thankful that God has protected me in the midst of so much fear of virus and sickness.”
Vinod’s pastoral ministry embodies a love for the world as described in John 3:16. His ministry work on the front line serves as a stark reminder that even when the world does everything to discourage loving Christ, Jesus still calls us to love the world.
Sources:persecution
National
New Anti-Conversion Law Takes Effect in Rajasthan
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India — As of this week, a newly enacted anti-conversion law requires people in India’s Rajasthan state to give two months’ notice to the government if they plan to change their religion voluntarily.
Further, the “converter,” or the person performing the conversion ceremony, must also give the government a month’s notice of his intention to perform the ceremony.
The Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2025, has made the procedures for conversions exhaustive and lengthy to stop unlawful conversions. Failure to involve government authorities in voluntary religious conversions could lead to up to three years in jail and a minimum fine of 10,000 rupees ($115).
The new law states that a prescribed declaration form should be submitted to the District Magistrate (DM) or the relevant authority 60 days before the person wants to convert voluntarily.
If the converter violates the law, it could lead to up to five years imprisonment and a minimum fine of 25,000 rupees ($289).
An officer not below the rank of Additional DM will “get an inquiry conducted through police with regard to real intention, purpose, and cause of the proposed religious conversion.”
Then, within 60 days of conversion, the converted person must send a declaration in a prescribed form to the DM. A copy of this declaration must be displayed on the notice board of the DM’s office until the date of confirmation.
Finally, the convert must appear before the DM within 21 days of filing the declaration to establish their identity and confirm the declaration’s contents.
According to lawmakers, unlawful religious conversions through coercion, force, allurement, or fraud, with allurement including cash, material benefits, employment, free education, and even inter-religious marriages, are taking place. This law aims to curb these so-called malpractices.
The anti-conversion law states that the burden of proof lies on the person who has “caused” the conversion. This is a reversal of the principle of assumption of innocence, which normally applies to the accused person in a criminal case.
Rajasthan joins 11 other Indian states that have passed anti-conversion laws. These include Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
Various offenses under the law are cognizable and non-bailable, which could result in harassment of innocent individuals, says Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), which has long acted as a safeguarding organization for the human rights of Indian citizens.
Sources:persecution
National
Chrysalis: Preparing for Marriage Workshop
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Bangalore – All Peoples Church (APC) is excited to announce the Chrysalis: Preparing for Marriage Workshop, scheduled for February 22, 2025. This workshop is designed to help couples build a strong foundation for their future together.
The workshop will cover various aspects of marriage, including communication, conflict resolution, financial planning, and spiritual growth. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from experienced speakers and engage in interactive sessions that provide practical tools and insights for a successful marriage.
Sources:christiansworldnews
National
എപിസി വനിതാ സമ്മേളനം 2025
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ബാംഗ്ലൂർ, ഫെബ്രുവരി 2025 : ഓൾ പീപ്പിൾസ് ചർച്ച് (എപിസി) 2025 മാർച്ച് 29 ന് നടക്കാനിരിക്കുന്ന ഒരു വനിതാ സമ്മേളനം 2025 സംഘടിപ്പിക്കുന്നു. ഓരോ സ്ത്രീയുടെയും പോരാട്ടങ്ങൾ എന്നതാണ് ഈ വർഷത്തെ പ്രമേയം, ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ എല്ലാ തുറകളിൽ നിന്നുമുള്ള സ്ത്രീകളെ പ്രചോദിപ്പിക്കുക, ശാക്തീകരിക്കുക, ഉയർത്തുക എന്നിവയാണ് ഈ സമ്മേളനത്തിന്റെ ലക്ഷ്യം.
ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ എല്ലാ തുറകളിൽ നിന്നുമുള്ള സ്ത്രീകളെ പ്രചോദിപ്പിക്കുക, ശാക്തീകരിക്കുക, ഉയർത്തുക എന്നിവയാണ് ലക്ഷ്യം.
സഭയിൽ ഇന്ന് സ്ത്രീകൾ നേരിടുന്ന അതുല്യമായ വെല്ലുവിളികളെയും അവസരങ്ങളെയും അഭിസംബോധന ചെയ്യുന്നതിനായി രൂപകൽപ്പന ചെയ്തിരിക്കുന്ന സെമിനാറിൽ നിരവധി പ്രഭാഷകർ, ആരാധനാ സെഷനുകൾ, സംവേദനാത്മക വർക്ക്ഷോപ്പുകൾ എന്നിവ സമ്മേളനത്തിൽ ഉണ്ടായിരിക്കും.
സമാന ചിന്താഗതിക്കാരായ വ്യക്തികളുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെടാനും അവരുടെ അനുഭവങ്ങൾ പങ്കിടാനും അവരുടെ ആത്മീയ യാത്രയിൽ വളരാനും പങ്കെടുക്കുന്നവർക്ക് അവസരം ലഭിക്കും.
വ്യക്തിഗത വളർച്ച, ആത്മീയ വികസനം, പ്രായോഗിക ജീവിത നൈപുണ്യം എന്നിവയുൾപ്പെടെ വിവിധ വിഷയങ്ങളെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള സെഷനുകൾ പങ്കെടുക്കുന്നവർക്ക് പ്രതീക്ഷിക്കാം. സമൂഹത്തിനുള്ളിൽ നെറ്റ്വർക്കിംഗിനും ശാശ്വത ബന്ധങ്ങൾ കെട്ടിപ്പടുക്കുന്നതിനുമുള്ള അവസരങ്ങളും സമ്മേളനം നൽകും.
കൂടുതൽ വിവരങ്ങൾക്കും രജിസ്റ്റർ ചെയ്യുന്നതിനും, ദയവായി എപിസി വനിതാ കോൺഫറൻസ് പേജ് സന്ദർശിക്കുക.
ക്രിസ്ത്യൻ സമൂഹത്തിലെ സ്ത്രീകളുടെ ശക്തിയും പ്രതിരോധശേഷിയും ആഘോഷിക്കുന്ന ഒരു പരിവർത്തന പരിപാടിയുടെ ഭാഗമാകാനുള്ള ഈ അവസരം നഷ്ടപ്പെടുത്തരുത്.
Sources:christiansworldnews
All Peoples Church (APC) is excited to announce the upcoming Women’s Conference 2025, scheduled to take place on March 29th, 2025. This year’s theme, “Every Woman’s Battles,” aims to inspire, empower, and uplift women from all walks of life.
The conference will feature a series of dynamic speakers, worship sessions, and interactive workshops designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women today. Participants will have the chance to connect with like-minded individuals, share their experiences, and grow in their spiritual journey.
Attendees can look forward to sessions on various topics, including personal growth, spiritual development, and practical life skills. The conference will also provide opportunities for networking and building lasting relationships within the community.
For more details and to register, please visit the APC Women’s Conference page.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a transformative event that celebrates the strength and resilience of women in the Christian community.
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