India: believers blocked from building new church

Christians in a village in India have been prevented from building a new church on recently purchased land.

Pastor Sayam Chandran, who is supported by Gospel for Asia, bought the land in order to build a larger church to house his growing congregation.

His current church in the village, both of which cannot be named for security reasons, has room for up to 90 people during service time.

An additional 200 people in the village receive home visits from Pastor Chandran to make up for the fact that there is no room for them in the church.

Gospel for Asia said that anti-Christian residents in the village had stopped the construction of the church from going ahead.

Although he is facing strong opposition at present, Pastor Chandran has earned the respected title of a religious teacher in 10 neighbouring villages because of the many miracles that have reportedly happened through his prayers and dedicated ministry.

Gospel for Asia president, K P Yohannan, is inviting Christians to pray for Pastor Sayam, his flock and many other Christians facing similar obstacles in their ministry.

“We’re so grateful for our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who are praying for pastors like Sayam,” said Mr Yohannan.

“It is through these faithful prayers that God’s work is established.