Manipur, India – At the same time Nazarenes gathered in the streets of their town to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Gospel’s arrival in the state of Manipur, India, five to 10 disgruntled members of the community forced their way into the North East India District center and set fire to the building.

“They came and forced the watchmen to give the keys and poured petrol on all the furniture and literature in the office and set it on fire,” said Rev. Sunil Dandge, the India Field strategy coordinator. “It was a very mindless act.”

No one was reported injured in the January attack, but about $8,500 worth of JESUS Film and other equipment, including a typewriter and a block-making machine, were destroyed.

The group had previously threatened the district leaders so, as a precaution, important documents had been removed earlier and were saved, he added.

According to local custom, the district could not file a police report until it sought redress from the community leaders, who agreed to make the attackers repay the district for its losses and to restrain them from future violence.

Nazarenes across the North East India District have come together in great support of the district and its leadership, Dandge reported. Other denominations have also gathered in support, as well as community leaders, who classified this type of action as shameful.

The attack follows waves of recent persecution against Christians in this region of India during 2009. In spite of each setback, Nazarenes have continued showing Christ’s love to neighbors and the church has grown.

The denomination's North East India District was formed in 2007, and covers seven states, including Manipur which has a population of more than 2 million.

The Gospel first arrived in Manipur in the 19th century with Western missionaries, primarily Baptists, according to information on Wikipedia. The Church of the Nazarene first began work in Manipur in 1995. Today there are more than 30 churches and 2000 members.

Pray:

• for the encouragement of believers in the district,
• for a recovery of its losses,
• that God would work in this situation for His glory,
• redemption for those who meant the attack for evil.