A pastor in India who was beaten almost to death by a mob of Hindu extremists has received life-saving treatment from the anti-persecution charity International Christian Concern (ICC).
According to ICC, a major increase in violence, which has coincided with the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) rise to power in India's federal government in 2014, could be reaching unprecedented levels. The group has documented 157 attacks against Christians so far this year.
The group gave the example of Pastor Peter, a 70-year-old Church of Christ pastor from northern Telangana, who endured one of these attacks on November 15, 2015. "He was brutally beaten by members of the RSS and Bajrangdal for allegedly conducting forced conversions," ICC said.
Pastor Peter recalled: "I was badly beaten up by a mob of 20 young people in the village where I went to conduct a worship service. From there, they took me to a deserted place and beat me almost to death. While I was unconscious, they broke my two-wheeler [motor bike], and I thought my life was finished. When I regained consciousness, I found myself laying on the ground in the dark."
The pastor added: "Although there were few minor visible bruises and wounds on my body, it was the internal injuries that were most severe. I could not even crawl to my two-wheeler and I almost gave up on my life as I did not find any hope."
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Pastor Peter was taken to hospital by a stranger.
He has "been struggling with pain all over [his] body, but did not have money to do a proper checkup."
ICC said it "immediately worked with local partners to fund all of Pastor Peter's medical bills". Pastor Peter said that the "ICC's assistance towards the medical checkup and treatment is life-saving."
Pastor Peter has subsequently continued his ministry. "I praise God for ICC and for their financial assistance for my medical check-up," he said. "The Bible says 'Let the weak say I am strong and let the poor say I am rich' and this verse has been my testimony. The way ICC embraced me has brought encouragement to my heart and soul and I feel more courage knowing there are believers who are concerned about God's work and His people."
Another church leader, Pastor Kumar, experienced similar help from ICC after an attack. He said: "Though the attack on me and my church members was terrifying, it introduced me to so many good people, including ICC. I was really touched at the wonderful ministry of ICC to the suffering Church," Pastor Kumar said."I am particularly thankful for the assistance I received towards the medical treatment on my lower back. Thank you for relieving me of my heavy burden of paying for the treatment and medication."
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