Thanks to your support, a recent persecution preparedness training has made a huge difference for these believers.
Mukesh Shah* knows how dangerous sharing his faith could be. He lives and ministers in Nepal, a place where telling other people about Jesus can carry heavy consequences, especially with the passage of a 2018 law making conversion and proselytizing a punishable offense.
“Before, it was open for us to share the gospel and distribute tracts publicly,” he says. “Hindu groups were passive as compared to the present. So many people from my village accepted Christ. However, the situation is not the same at present. It is difficult to share the gospel, and we could be falsely framed for religious conversion. We need to be cautious. Now, we secretly share the gospel.”
The 2018 Anti-Conversion Law has had a chilling effect on religious freedom in Nepal; anyone who is convicted of trying to evangelize or convert people faces five years of prison and a heavy fine. Foreigners who are caught can be deported and banned from returning to Nepal.
Additionally, Hindu extremist groups and organizations are demanding to reinstate Nepal as a Hindu country—which it was until 2015. Extremists have drastically increased their pressure and monitoring of the Christian minority. Hindu extremists have publicly harassed Christians and interrupted church services. Recently, police even arrested four Christians in Madhesh province in southeastern Nepal, as the believers were sharing the gospel. In the same province, extremists burned Bibles that believers were carrying with them.
Because of this ongoing pressure, persecution preparedness training is vital for Nepali Christians. “Madhesh Province shares an open border with India, so it is highly influenced by the Hindus there,” says Mina Rai*, an Open Doors local partner in Nepal. “The recent arrest incident further alarmed the Christian community. They are now reluctant to share the gospel, and they are aware of the consequences. Due to this, we felt the need for [persecution preparedness training] in this province to encourage and nurture Christians.”
And so, earlier this year, Open Doors partners conducted training in two districts in this part of Nepal. Thanks to your gifts and prayers, the fruit of this training has been visible and is carrying the gospel through Nepal!
‘Be strong and courageous’
Mukesh is one of the people who attended the training. As the leader of a church, his congregation had been able to meet in a rented room for about 10 years. But in January this year, the landlady who owned the house was threatened by members of a Hindu group. She told Mukesh to rent another place as soon as possible. Mukesh tried to lease a room for church, but everyone turned him down.
Now, Mukesh runs a church in a temporary tent outside his house. “We don’t know when we will get a proper place for fellowship,” he says. “During the monsoon season, it will be difficult for us to gather in this place. We are praying for it.”
His experience at the persecution preparedness training has helped him understand the reality of persecution, and how he and his church can continue living for Jesus despite the challenges.
“I learned about Satan’s strategy to make us far from God,” he says. “It uses people to persecute us. It brings religious intolerance among people. Amidst this, it is necessary to stand firm in our faith because God wants this. Many times, Christians waver from their faith during difficult situations; however, this seminar has motivated us to stand strong in our beliefs. God will surely bless us and give us strength.”
Mukesh gets encouragement from Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
‘I am not sad because God is with me’
Lalita Chaudhary* is another Nepali believer who participated in the training. She comes from a Hindu background; however, she embraced Christ in 2023. Her husband went to Malaysia 15 years ago. He has been out of contact since then, even though Lalita lives with his parents. Her conversion has led to her mental and physical persecution from her in-laws.
They constantly threatened to kick Lalita out of their home if she didn’t leave her faith in Jesus. Despite the threats, she stood firm in her faith. This January, the conflict came to a head—one of her relatives died and her in-laws tried to force her to take part in Hindu funeral rituals, but she refused. As a result, she was thrown out of the house with her son.
“My father-in-law beat me and dragged me out of the house,” Lalita says. “Angrily, he told me never to return. Also, the villagers despised me and said nothing when my in-laws persecuted me. They say that they will help me if I renounce my faith. Nevertheless, I am not sad because God is with me. I believe He will take care of me and my son. He will provide for our needs.”
The persecution preparedness training has helped her see she’s not alone in her struggles. “I am very thankful to God and Open Doors partners [for the training],” she says. “It was a blessing for me. This program helped me a lot to know about the ongoing persecution situation all over the world. I knew that I was not alone in this persecution journey. The stories of God’s people encouraged me to depend on the Lord. This training became a cornerstone for me to stand in the time of difficult situations. Thank you.”
Thank you for continuing to stand with your brothers and sisters like Lalita and Mukesh. Your gifts and prayers give them the courage to continue to be salt and light in their communities, and shows them they aren’t alone in their pain.
*Names changed for security reasons.
