Nepal The following circular letter from Nepal Baptist Church Council (NBCC) was forwarded to MCGN International HQ by Pu V. Kapenga (now in Europe), and is produced below to MCGN members around the world:

Warm Christian greetings to you in the wonderful name of our resurrected Jesus Christ. We have experienced a mighty move of God's work in Nepal for over a decade, especially since the emergence of democracy in 1990. However, faith in Christ (Christianity) does not always come under this new freedom. Most of the new Christians are threatened and falsely accused. Christians are denied justice most of the time. Despite restrictions, the Gospel of salvation is growing rapidly.

In Raj Biraj (east Nepal) at an October Baptist Church revival meeting, the Chairman of the local Red Cross Society came and demanded Rs 50,000 (US$688) and began falsely accusing the Christians of proselytizing non-Christians by allurement (promising to give money). Shortly a group of people came and beat the believers. Then the policemen came and arrested 13 believers. Nine of them were released that evening, but the other four were kept under police custody for a week before being transferred to the Raj Biraj jail where they remain. The four jailed are Mr. David Bhatarai (pastor, Raj Biraj Baptist Church), Mr. Prem Rai (church elder), Mr. Timothy Rai (director, Great Commission Training Centre, Campus Crusade for Christ, Nepal) and Mr. Trond Berg (Norwegian guest speaker).

There are many pressures from the fanatic Hindus. The media has issued biased reports, creating wrong impressions in the minds of innocent people.

The Court has decided that Pastor Bharai and Mr. Rai can be released with bail set at Rs. 25,000 each (US$344) plus other miscellaneous expenditures that could still be incurred. The other two friends have to stay in jail until bail is set. I have visited Raj Biraj and found the situation is tense.

On behalf of the Nepal Christians and our NBCC, I earnestly request you, your family, church and prayer warriors to intercede for those who are in jail, their family members, the people who falsely accused the Christians, the legal authorities for fair justice, and for us so that we can wisely administer our responsibilities in this costly and complex matter. Our leader Rev. Daniel Subba and his team are negotiating and working hard in this regard.

I remember these words of encouragement, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose…Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" (Romans 8:28ff)

- MCGN Newsletter Dec 2000

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