In a statement monitored by BosNewsLife Tuesday, May 6, Gospel For Asia (GFA) said its missionaries have been banned from the area by local authorities. "The Andhra Pradesh governor issued an ordinance that prohibits propagating any other religions near this temple and in 19 other places throughout the state," the group explained.
Although the state has not introduced anti-conversion law legislation yet, "many political groups are rallying to bring one about,…" the group said. "Already, if anyone violates the governor’s ordinance, they will face three years imprisonment and/or a costly fine."
CHRISTIANITY SPREADING
GFA claimed the measures were in response to the spread of Christianity in the state. "Because GFA missionaries and other Christians are faithfully sharing the Gospel in Andhra Pradesh, many people have chosen to follow Him."
It said the rules comes as a setback for its workers who preached in "dusty village streets, soggy rice fields, bustling village markets and many other areas." Despite the apparent government crackdown, GFA missionaries will continue in the region, "Even if that means imprisonment or death," the group said.
GFA stressed that it had asked supporters to pray "that government officials’ hearts will be softened toward Christians." (BosNewsLife’s MISSION WATCH is a regular look at missionaries working in difficult circumstances, especially in the two-thirds world).
