Jossy Chacko

WOW! – Praise the Lord – I have just been informed that the Indian authorities have given permission for Jenni (my wife) to enter India.  Accordingly she is planning to come back to India on the 23rd morning, please pray with us for a smooth transition through the immigration! They have not given any written documentation but have their “word”.  However, the negative report against her (that she was involved in missionary activities and such don’t allow entry into India) in the computer remains, until this is cleared it is difficult for her to enter India so please pray with us for this report to be cleared. Already efforts have started in this direction but we need God to speak to the right public servants and political leaders, so please continue to stand with us. 

During the past 20 days we have suffered much as a family however God has opened so many new opportunity to share the gospel, new contacts and friendships. Let us continue to believe for good and great things to come out of this situation. The kids can’t wait for tomorrow! Well I can’t either!!
A BIG and special THANK YOU to all who have been standing with us in prayer – thank you for sharing with us in our pains and now join with us in our joy with praise to a Great God.

A Christian newspaper asked me to write an article on this topic. I thought you might be interested :

Why don’t the persecuted Christians in India retaliate?

 

I have been asked this question many times since the recent attacks on Christians in India. And it would be understandable if they retaliated, so why don’t they?

 

It is certainly not because they are pacifists by nature, as a quick look at the volatile history between Hindu and Muslim Indians would confirm! Rather, I believe it arises out of their understanding of what it means to follow Christ.

 

For most Indian Christians the issue of discipleship is very simple – once you become a Christian, you live your life as a follower of Jesus. Just deciding to become a Christian can cost you everything – your family, home, friends, and livelihood. So even as a new Christian you know that your life is no longer about yourself, it is all about Jesus. If the Bible says it, you do it. No questions asked. Just obedience. Simple faith in action.

 

In contrast, in the West we spend an enormous amount of energy defining, discussing and exegeting scripture. “Critical thinking” is esteemed above simple obedience. Doctorates, conferences and books are sometimes used to justify and explain what the Bible really means.

 

This problem is compounded where Christianity has become largely unidentifiable from the individualistic, self centred society it is rooted in. Personal preferences and “me-ism” often drive our understanding of scripture. Our social values have become the premise of our faith, rather than our faith being the premise of our values and behaviour.

 

So, when we read Matthew 5:39 “But I tell you not to resist an evil person…” our interpretation is driven by our social value of me-ism – “the most important person in the world is me.” We assume that the scripture cannot intend that I am not to defend myself, so we set about defining what it really means… what degree of non-resistance (or non-retaliation) did Jesus mean? And the conclusion is made that this passage does not refer to life-threatening situations or bodily crimes but to less serious offenses such as insult or inconvenience.

 

However, to the persecuted Indian Christians that I know, the interpretation of this passage is simple – no complicated exegesis, no preoccupation with me-ism, no spin, no excuses. Jesus said not to resist an evil person, so that means retaliation is not an option.

 

Please understand, it isn’t easy for them to live this out. They are also human beings subject to human emotions and pain. Just last month two Pastors in Orissa, India, were torched in front of their families and the believers. Their persecutors threatened them,  “this same thing is going to happen to you if you do not convert back to Hinduism”.

 

It is natural for these Christians to want to retaliate when they are forced to watch loved ones brutally raped or burned alive. But their commitment to follow and obey Christ is a greater priority than their own emotions.  For these persecuted Christians, non-retaliation is not a form of pacifism – it is an active spiritual engagement! They actively entrust their current situations, as well as their future, to God. 

 

Bullu is one of our Empart Church Planters in Orissa. During the persecution 240 Christian houses were destroyed in his village, including his own. In a conversation with him I asked how he was now handling the loss and grief he has experienced. His response? “It was hard at first, but then I thought…the Bible tells us that ‘we are not our own, we have been brought with a price’. (Ed. 1 Cor 6: 19-20) If we really are not our own, if we really are owned by Christ, then we can’t own anything ourselves – everything we have is owned by Christ. So what they have destroyed is not mine but Christ’s.”

 

Bullu is a great example of why these persecuted Indian Christians do not retaliate against their persecutors. They take the word of God literally. They believe that vengeance is the Lord’s (Rom 12:19); that “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil 1:21). They abide by Romans 12:17 “Do not repay evil with evil…” and follow Jesus’ example to not get even or hit back, instead leaving their situation in the hands of God who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23). To them, following Christ is to be like Him. This means to deny self even to the point of death.  “Not my will but your will be done” (Matthew 26:39). 

 

In the midst of the ongoing persecution one of our Church Planters reported back, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God. We love Him very much so we know that somehow He will bring good out of this; we don’t know when and how – but He said He will and we believe Him.”

 

These brothers and sisters in Christ are my heroes. Many of them are illiterate; all of them are ‘simple’. They will never write books, produce CD’s or run conferences but they are teaching me what it means to truly follow Christ. They are a new brand of Christians who are not concerned about their own pleasure or comfort, they simply want to follow and obey Jesus – at any cost. No wonder the Gospel is spreading so quickly in Asia.

 

Thank you to the many people who continue to pray for our family situation. We value your support more than words can express.

The process to have Jenni’s entry to India resolved is taking a lot longer than we hoped. It is now 2 ½ weeks since we were all separated at the airport in Chennai.

 

I have met with numerous high Government officials from various departments who all agree that what is happening to us is unfair and unconstitutional. But we still need to work through the practicalities of getting each department to sign the appropriate papers. Please pray that the file will move from table to table and from one office to another quickly and that this issue will finally and permanently be resolved.

 

Blessings – JC

 

In particular the private secretary to one cabinet minister Mr. Prekash is suffering from some nerve related illness, which is slowly paralysing his whole body. He requested that I ask all my friends to pray for healing for his body. Another minister’s wife is suffering from health issues and requested prayer. Another member of parliament’s son has been addicted to drugs and it has destroyed his own family and is desperate for deliverance and has asked for prayer. I will be grateful if you will remember these and others in positions of power in the Indian Capital. Over the next six months there are state and national elections, many of them are worried about their future (not sure if they will be re-elected) some are not sure if they will get the nomination of the party. One of them said to me “If you pray to Jesus, He will surely get me nomination and I will get re-elected – you please pray and ask others to pray for me”.  The incredible thing in this country is that people are so much more open to spiritual things. They have such an awareness about the “God factor” that is so absent in the western countries. Let us pray that the Lord will bring to power the people who will enable His Kingdom to grow in this great land of India.  
 
Thank you for praying today for these needs with me. God’s blessings – jc

Through Maurine (Miss India), I was able to meet her doctor Dr. Ravi, who is reported to be the top celebrity doctor in Bollywood and was the medical chief for the Indian cricket team, Suchin and other famous people.  While talking to him I realised that he is a chain smoker. I challenged him about smoking and how it affects his health. At first he was shocked that someone would challenge him, as no one dared to talk to people like him in that way.  But then he opened up and shared how he would like to stop but was unable to. This gave me an opening to share the gospel with him and pray with him. After prayer he was almost in tears saying “no one ever shared nor prayed like you did. Something happened while you prayed and I have never felt like I do now… I will quit smoking if you keep praying for me.” Will you remember to pray for Dr. Ravi that his short encounter with Jesus will have a long-lasting impact.
 

Through a wonderful, God ordained, appointment I had the privilege to meet and pray with Maurine (Miss India) in her home in the Bollywood hills of Bombay. She was a devotee follower of a new age guru, but was ill, lost and was wanting to end her life. Through a number of miraculous God incidents she found healing, peace, joy and above everything else salvation in Christ.  Today her passion for Jesus is inspirational.  
 
During our meeting I was able to encourage and strengthen her faith and challenge her to use her influence to serve the Lord. As we prayed she dedicated herself to serve Him.  During our meeting I was also able to share the plight of our brothers and sisters in Orissa and encourage her to use her profile and influence to help these precious brothers and sisters. She offered to work with Empart and our field leaders to do her best.

Empart Church Planter, Joginder, while praying was attacked by local youths. Joginder and his wife care for the children at the Girls’ Home.
 
He explains, “A group of young men would often gather in front of our Children’s Home. Being a girls’ home I felt this was not appropriate and so spoke to the lads on Saturday afternoon, asking them not to loiter here.”
 
Joginder reports that the youths ran off, only to return after dark as he was preparing for Sunday’s services. The boys entered the Home and viciously attacked Joginder before fleeing back into the night. Hearing the noise and the children’s distress, neighbours responded quickly to offer help and take Joginder to the hospital.
 
In these challenging times in North India, please pray for safety for our Church Planters. These youths likely feel justified in their actions as they observe other elements of society actively and aggressively persecuting Christians. Pray too for physical, spiritual and emotional protection over the vulnerable children in Empart Children’s Homes. Above all, pray that unreached people in Asia will continue to find Jesus!
Blessings – jc

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope that you will find this blog useful and challenges the way you think about church planting and missions. 

Please feel free to drop me a comment or email me.

Blessings,

Jossy

 

 

Throughout this year I have received constant reports about the increasing persecution in India. Jenni and I have been burdened for our leaders and Church Planters and decided that we needed to visit to encourage and support them in their suffering. So, with our four children, we arrived in Chennai on October 5th.

 

After 30 hours on the road with 4 children under the age of 10 we were relieved to reach our final destination and could not wait to clear immigration and get some much needed sleep.  But things did not work as we planned. While waiting for immigration clearance a group of immigration officers and armed police blocked the area and said to my wife, Jenni ( an Australian national), “Sorry, you can’t enter India”.  The allegation made against her was that she had been ‘involved in missionary and conversion activities’.

 

Very shortly Jenni and two of our youngest children’s (2 and 3 year old) passports were confiscated and they were taken away and locked up in a room and kept under guard.  Our two older children and myself were free to go.  After hours of discussion and phone calls and being a public holiday it was clear that nothing else could be done other than her deportation, eventually she and the two children were deported to Bangkok where they are waiting eagerly to be re-united with the family.   

 

Since then attempts to get Jenni back into India have revealed that someone has filed a note in the immigration computer that she is a ‘threat to national security’.  This situation is indicative of the opposition Christians are facing all over India. Even judicial and political leaders are at a loss to explain or do anything to stop the current onslaught against Christians. Several political leaders and lawyers have said to Empart leaders that they believe Jenni’s situation is unfair, unreasonable and unconstitutional. But it seems that the persecution against Christians is not only through beatings but also through bureaucratic processes and other means. The persecution is not only physical but also emotional.  Recently it was reported that one believer was made to watch his sister being raped and a group of church members were made to watch their pastor burn. (Visit www.empart.org to view photos, video and latest reports about Orissa)

 

Most educated Hindus are also appalled by what is happening. Many of them have been educated in Christian schools and are helped by Christian hospitals.  Yesterday one member of parliament commented, “We have a secular constitution and law and order but the ground realities are very different to what is written in a book… even we are unable to do anything and control these people…so you pray to your God and ask others to pray that something significant will happen… either these people will get divine punishment or change their ways.”

 

Would you pray and mobilise others to pray?

• Please pray for me,  Jenni and our children that during this time we will know the peace and joy of the Lord
• Pray that the Lord will open the door for Jenni to re-enter India and join with the natural and spiritual family
• Pray for Empart leaders and Church Planters. They are feeling hurt and frustrated about our situation.
• Pray that out of all this pain and persecution a great move of God would be unleashed in this land.
• Please pray for open doors and favour at the highest levels in Delhi, resulting in a speedy resolution.
• Please ensure you also keep praying for our suffering brothers and sisters in Orissa and other parts of India. It is all part of the same battle being fought spiritually over this nation.

Thanks for caring and praying – jc

 “We are not only teaching our believers to believe in Jesus but also to suffer for Him.” Prekash – Empart Church Planter – Orissa

When I shared with the Orissa leaders that there are lots of people all over the world praying for them – they were so amazed and full of gratitude. They also asked for ongoing prayers.  The persecution that started on Christmas eve was coming to an end before a new outbreak started when a Hindu priest was murdered by the Maoists in August.  The Hindu militants used this against Christians and have been burning Churches, homes, businesses - anything that belongs to Christians.  Every day more reports are made about murder, rape, beatings and burnings. 

Now the persecution has begun to spread to other regions also. Many churches, Bible schools and pastors have been issued with warnings and threats to stop preaching the gospel.  In Uttarakand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and other places, Christians have been killed and threatened. In August a young Empart Church Planter, Rajeev, was murdered. I have never before known this level of persecution against Christians in India. 

Unbelievable crimes have been committed against Christians. One pastor reported how one of his church members was forced to watch his sister being raped. Another believer reported how they were forced to watch their pastor being beaten up and then put into a fire.  Anyone known to be a Christian – or anything belonging to a Christian - is destined for destruction.  A police officer said to one of our Church Planters who is running a Children’s Home, “Please send the kids away and leave here. You Christians are causing so much trouble for us – if you are not here we can have peace and quiet again.”  In many places it has been the Christians rather than their attackers who have been arrested and questioned for creating trouble!

A senior BJP leader, Venkaiah Naidu, termed conversion as the root cause of violence and social disturbances, saying a strong federal law to prevent religious conversion across the country would be brought if BJP regained power in the general elections expected to be held early next year. The BJP leader also asked the Orissa state government to strictly implement the existing anti-conversion law in the state.

Prekash said, “I am teaching our people not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for Him. Will you ask people in the west to pray for us, that we will be strong and that our people will be strong and not give up Christ as the militants want them to.”

Johnson (Empart coordinator in Orissa) says, “All of a sudden Christians have become bad news. Many of our leaders are reporting that the landlords are demanding that they leave the rented homes. We had hotels booked for conferences but now the hotels have cancelled the bookings and refuse to give us a place to meet.” People in India are afraid that if their facilities are used by Christians their properties will end up destroyed by those persecuting the Christians. These people are suffering so much because they choose to believe in Christ. Could I ask you to remember these precious saints in your prayers?

Special thanks to all who have given financially to help these desperate brothers and sisters. You can give at www.empart.org/donate/projects/13300022 If we call God “Father” then these believers truly are our brothers and sisters. So let us continue to pray earnestly and give generously to make life a bit better for them. In eternity you will be so glad you did.

Blessings, JC