India Bans Proselytism

The nationalist movement in India takes hold in Gujarat; the state’s government passed a new legislation banning religious conversion. Dave DeGreet with Mission Inda of Grand Rapids said, "We're watching the elections very carefully. There is a very strong nationalist Hindu movement that could possibility be moving from one state to another. However, each state has its own complexion; each state is an entity to itself. We have to just take it on a state-to-state basis." However, despite increased risk for evangelistic work, DeGroot said people are accepting the gospel message. "One group in Tamil Nadu just had 33 people step forward for baptism and we're very happy to hear that. These are all people that stepped forward since the new anti-conversion law came into effect. They are going to go across the border into a neighboring state, into a rather remote jungle area, and they're going to hold the baptism service in a river there."

By Paulina C.