Gospel Through Persecution

"David Livingstone and I were on a mission trip to Taiwan together with a group from Rolling Hills Covenant Church in 2012. He is a genuine warrior for the gospel, and worthy of support."‐‐ Bill Fleury, Founder and Director of Light at the Lighthouse Festival

Hello

Dear brothers and sisters, Greetings from India. Preaching the Gospel in India, especially during times of opposition and persecution, is both a deeply courageous and spiritually significant calling. India is a diverse and vibrant country with a complex religious and cultural landscape. While there are many regions where Christians live and worship freely, there are also areas where sharing the Gospel can invite hostility, legal challenges, or even violence.

Here’s a thoughtful perspective on preaching the Gospel during such challenging times in India:

1. Understanding the Context

India is officially a secular nation, but in recent years, certain regions have seen rising religious nationalism, particularly influenced by Hindu extremist ideologies. This has resulted in:

Anti-conversion laws in several states, which are often used to intimidate or arrest Christians sharing their faith.
Mob violence and threats against pastors, missionaries, and Christian communities.
Social ostracism for converts to Christianity, especially in rural areas.

Yet, in the midst of this, the Gospel continues to spread—often quietly, personally, and powerfully.

2. The Call to Boldness and Wisdom

In Acts 4:29, the early church prayed,

"Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness."

This verse is a lifeline for believers facing persecution in India today. Boldness does not mean recklessness—it means Spirit-led courage, paired with deep wisdom. Jesus Himself said,

"Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16)

3. Methods of Preaching Amidst Opposition

Relational Evangelism: Building trust and loving people deeply. Many Indian Christians quietly share their faith through relationships, kindness, and service.
Prayer and Intercession: Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons. There’s a growing underground prayer movement in India, interceding for revival and protection.
Digital Evangelism: Especially among youth, the internet is a powerful tool for reaching hearts. Social media, YouTube, and WhatsApp-based ministry are opening new doors.
Discipleship-focused Ministry: Rather than big public events, many focus on making disciples who make disciples.

4. The Cost of Discipleship

Many believers in India have counted the cost. They face:

Family rejection
Economic hardship
Physical violence
Legal accusations

Yet they echo Paul’s words:

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."(Romans 8:18)

Their testimony is powerful—not just because they preach the Gospel, but because they live it under fire.

5. The Role of the Global Church

Prayer support – Constant intercession for protection, boldness, and revival.
Encouragement – Letters, visits (where possible), and partnerships with Indian ministries.
Training – Equipping local leaders with theology, discipleship tools, and digital evangelism strategies.
Advocacy – Raising awareness about persecution and speaking out when injustices occur.

Final Encouragement

The Gospel has always flourished in hard soil. Tertullian once said,

"The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church."

In India, where persecution seeks to silence the message, God is using it to strengthen and refine His Church. His light shines brightest in the darkest places.

Would you like stories of specific individuals or ministries doing this work in India? Or maybe a prayer or sermon encouragement for persecuted believers?

Warm regards,

Pastor David Livingstone India