Ajay* grew up knowing what persecution looked like.
His brother was the first in their Hindu family to follow Jesus. When his father—a Hindu priest—discovered his son’s new faith, he persecuted him relentlessly. Eventually, the oppression grew so severe that Ajay’s brother was forced out of the family home.
But as his brother left the house, he gave his father what would prove to be four crucial parting words: “Jesus still loves you.”
The words pierced the heart of Ajay’s father. Over the next few years, his father’s heart was transformed, and in the end he and his entire family came to know Jesus as their Saviour.
Now the persecution wasn’t just against Ajay’s brother; it was against the entire family. The family experienced a social boycott—a common practice for converts in India, where new believers are not permitted to share in community resources or participate in celebrations. Eventually, they were kicked out of their village and forced to settle in a nearby town. That’s when they started a church.
But the family hadn’t left persecution behind. Their new village is in India’s Manipur State, and in May 2023, Ajay saw just how violent persecution can be.
‘We watched helplessly’
On the night of May 3, violent clashes broke out in Manipur State. The conflict grew out of disagreements over special treatment given to traditionally disadvantaged tribal groups in the State—the majority group in the region sought to gain the same types of advantages. During protests, the violence began.
Though the international media has portrayed the clashes as primarily ethnic, there is also a religious element. Many of the tribes are Christians, and the majority group in Manipur State are mostly Hindu. But even among the majority group, which Ajay and his family belong to, Christians like them were targeted in the violence and told to reconvert to Hinduism.
Extremist groups attacked their home and the homes of other Christians in the area. Ajay remembers them shouting: “You, tribal people and followers of the tribal God, come out!”
“The extremist groups then vandalized church buildings, breaking the glass windows and the doors,” Ajay says. “They gathered all the furniture, electronic instruments, and sound equipment and set everything ablaze.”
But the violence wasn’t over yet, and soon the mobs turned their attention to Christian homes.
Ajay’s Church in Manipur was burned to the ground.
“After setting the church on fire, they began to attack the houses, throwing bricks and stones and smashing the doors with axes,” Ajay says. “All the vehicles belonging to Christian families were burned.”
Ajay’s parents also were attacked. They hid under their beds in fear while extremists destroyed their house and burned their vehicles. The Christian families hid themselves inside their houses, hoping they’d be safe; the attackers left only after the fire engines arrived at their location.
“My family and I were very scared during the attack,” Ajay says, sighing. “It was terrifying to hear the loud noises. We watched helplessly, as things that took years to be built were burned down to ashes within a few hours. It was heartbreaking.”
Naturally, the family feared for their lives but clung to the promises of God. “During the attack we felt this would be our last day [on earth],” Ajay says. “However, we knew that even if we died, we would be in heaven.”
The next day at sunrise, the extremists came to the community again. This time, the families knew they had to run for their lives. “[That morning], I received information that many more church properties had been burned down and looted,” Ajay says, solemnly. “Thousands of Christians had been attacked and had to flee. Pastors’ lives were at extreme risk.
“I also found out that some pastors were being forced to sign an agreement stating they would return to their previous faith; they would not rebuild their churches or hold new worship services; and they would not convert people to Christianity. If they refused sign this agreement, they were threatened with dire consequences.”
‘Blessed are those who are persecuted’
As the situation worsened, Ajay began to tell all the pastors in the area about the threats and helped church leaders get to safety. Even though he had his own family to care for, he also felt an additional responsibility to the pastors and other believers.
During the violence, Ajay clung to his faith. “The Word of God gave me strength,” he says. “Matthew 5:10-11 inspires me: ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.’”
Though the worst of the conflict has passed, regular violence in Manipur State is ongoing. Ajay still lives in in the same area, continuing his ministry and helping pastors conduct their ministries safely. He’s committed to helping believers in Manipur State be salt and light, no matter the situation.
"We are assured that we are not alone in the battle of faith and that the Body of Christ is present with us in every step, whether pain or joy.”
Ajay Tweet
“God has been protecting us,” he says. “These people might destroy our buildings, but they can never destroy God’s people.”
‘The Body of Christ is with us in every step’
Other Open Doors partners in the region were able to help Ajay and other believers immediately, thanks to your gifts and prayers. In the aftermath of the violence, our partners helped Ajay with safe housing and also provided groceries to his family.
“When the violence broke out, we found ourselves in a helpless situation; we were deeply concerned for our safety,” Ajay says. “Houses were destroyed and there was chaos all over; everything had come to a standstill. We were uncertain about our survival and had no food to eat and no secure place to take shelter. The government had provided help, but it was limited, and the facilities were very poor. We were unsafe even in the relief camps, as mixed communities took shelter.
“When Open Doors partners approached us and provided grocery items and safe housing for us, our hearts were filled with joy,” he continues. “The quality and quantity of the material in the relief packets were very good. It was also an assurance to see the partners come, meet us and pray with us. We are assured that we are not alone in the battle of faith and that the Body of Christ is present with us in every step, whether pain or joy.”
The aid Ajay and his family received has helped him continue his work with Open Doors, conducting persecution preparedness trainings and providing practical aid to other persecuted believers. Ajay is grateful for believers like you, who helped in this time of crisis—and who continue to walk with Christians in Manipur State.
“I am so thankful not only for the help that you provided to me and my family, but also for the prayer support and teachings through the persecution preparedness trainings,” Ajay says. “I have the strength now to encourage my fellow believers, because I have been encouraged through you.”
Ajay continues to minister to the Christian community in Manipur following the violent ethnoreligious conflict.
- Please pray for Christians in Manipur who are still persecuted. Though the world’s eyes have turned away, the violence continues.
- There are many believers who were displaced when their houses were vandalized and burned. Pray for God’s provision for the reconstruction of their houses and places of worship.
- Pray for affected children in Mainpur State who have been heavily traumatized by the violence. Their education also has been severely affected.
- Pray that Christian young people would not be influenced by the surrounding hatred and the violence and that they would be able to stand firm in their faith.
- Pray that God will keep Ajay and his family safe and supply all their needs.
- Pray for the safety and protection of Open Doors local partners as they minister and serve victims of the violence.
- Pray that the violence in Manipur State will end and peace would prevail.