MY ACCOUNT
As a young man growing up in India, Vineet* had a knack for getting into trouble. But after accepting Jesus as his savior and getting baptized, his life was completely transformed. Unfortunately, persecution has followed Vineet ever since. Still, as an oppressed Christian in India, Vineet draws his strength from the Lord.
After Vineet came to faith in Christ, his Hindu family members were so pleased with his character transformation that they accepted his newfound faith.
Their neighbors were not so understanding. When the Hindu members of Vineet’s village discovered his new religious beliefs, they sent a grave warning to his family: if they didn’t send Vineet away, they would all be forced to leave.
Vineet decided to leave his village for his family’s sake. However, this excommunication did not destroy his spirit or zeal to share the Gospel. Instead, he became more passionate than ever. Wanting others to share in the transformation he had experienced, Vineet married and joined a ministry organization with his wife. Together, the couple began spreading the Gospel throughout India.
Persecution follows this oppressed Christian in India
But this was only the beginning of the troubles Vineet and his family would face over the coming decades. Vineet has persevered even as his oppressors have forced him to relocate, shut down several fellowships, destroyed his homes and isolated him from his community.
The first time Vineet experienced persecution in his ministry, a group of fanatics entered his house during a time of prayer and started beating Vineet and other believers present. The homeowner was commanded to throw out Vineet and his family or face dire consequences. Vineet started a fellowship in another house, where a few months later, another group of fanatics entered the house in his absence and told his wife they were planning on killing Vineet. Vineet reported the matter to the police and continued the fellowship under police protection.
Vineet and his family moved to another village, where they were forced to relocate every year due to threats on their lives from Hindu nationalists. Eventually, Vineet built a home on unclaimed government land, a common practice in his region. People started coming for prayer and fellowship, but catastrophe struck once again when the neighbors complained. Authorities sent a bulldozer to demolish his house and throw all his belongings on the road.
Vineet and his family picked up the remains of their belongings and started over with nothing. He built a temporary shed for himself and his fellowship. Yet, during their Sunday fellowship, a group of fanatics barged into the shed and started insulting Vineet and the believers who had gathered to pray, disrupting the service. He was warned to stop the fellowship.
Nothing will shake Vineet’s faith in the Lord
As persecution increased, so did the works of the Holy Spirit. More and more people gathered in the shed to hear the word of God. Over time, it could not accommodate the people hungry for God’s word. When Vineet began building a permanent structure, a police force was deployed around his house, under pressure from Hindu fanatics and higher officials. He was ordered to halt construction. For one long year, Vineet and his family lived in total isolation, surrounded by the police force’s constant presence. No one was allowed to come near their house and their movements were strictly monitored. Vineet and his family stood firm in their faith, clinging to each other for strength and peace.
Vineet grew weary and frustrated, feeling like a prisoner in his own home. He prayed for God’s intervention and the Lord answered his prayer when a fellowship was started in a nearby village. Far from village authorities, Vineet and his family travel deep into the jungle each week to meet with other believers. Vineet still longs to have a local church and finish building his home, but he is incredibly thankful for the community he has found.
Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Despite all he’s faced, Vineet still clings to this promise and the calling God has given him to lead a fellowship of local believers.
“I have dedicated my life to serve and be persecuted for the Lord,” Vineet said. “I will do this until my last breath. Nothing can separate me from the love of God.”
*Vineet’s name has been changed for his safety.
About the author
Chandler Peterson is a writer and editor for Global Christian Relief where she shares stories of Christian persecution. Read the latest Christian persecution stories on our website and learn more at GlobalChristianRelief.org.
