Underground churches a necessity in India

Christians are under a microscope by Hindus in much of India. They must be careful about religious gatherings.

CENTRAL INDIA―Walking into a dimly lit, tent-like structure next to the main house, I didn’t know quite what to expect.

I had never been to an underground church service. About 20 of us crowded into the small space in rural India. Most were the host’s family members. Some of the women sang a beautiful hymn of self-composed music from words they had found. They had never attended a church service before they began meeting. The Luke Society ministry director reads scripture in the national language, as most of the others present could not read.

After about 20 minutes, we quickly left. We were told neighbors were becoming suspicious. We did not want to draw undesired attention to this gathering, considered unlawful in India.

I had read about our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ before, but I had never personally met any. This house church was started by a woman who had a mysterious man show up twice and tell her about Jesus. She was involved in folk religion and would perform paid religious ceremonies, but it was not putting sufficient food on the table, and her crops were failing.

She never found out who that man was, and has never seen him since. Our director also has no idea who this man could be as he has found no other known believers in the area. After she turned to Jesus, her crops improved and her life was transformed. She shared her faith with her family members, many of whom have turned to Jesus.

It’s in this region where our director shows up day after day, providing medical care, teaching preventative health strategies, starting community programs and exemplifying Christ’s love. Meanwhile, this house church is being supported. Children not attending school have a place to learn, women are learning to sew and the health of the community is improving. By the power of God, help has come through this Luke Society ministry which started with a simple invitation to come and help. And with it, has come the hope and healing of Jesus!

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