06/20/2025 India (International Christian Concern) – When Sanjay, his wife, and their two sons put their trust in Christ five years ago in India, they knew they were making a decision that would change their lives — and anger their Hindu relatives and neighbors.

Throughout the years, villagers and Sanjay’s four siblings have caused the family trouble because of their faith in Jesus. One time, Sanjay’s siblings even attempted to steal property from him. Sanjay and his family, however, have always responded with love. They want to be like Jesus and lead their relatives and villagers into a relationship with him.

In January, the family nearly died because of their Christan faith. Sanjay’s family had started seven days of fasting and prayer. Each day, they prayed from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. As the only Christians in their village, they sought God’s guidance in their lives.

While the family prayed at home for the fourth day, villagers set their house on fire. Although the family escaped the flames, their home and their belongings were destroyed. The fire also consumed the 40,000 Indian rupees ($500) that Sanjay had received as a loan just a few days earlier. He had planned to use the funds for his family’s farm.

After hearing what happened to Sanjay’s family, International Christan Concern (ICC) provided his family with food, kitchen necessities, clothes, blankets, school supplies, and other items.

“This support gave relief to his family,” an ICC staffer said. “They were so thankful to ICC for the special care and concern shown to them during these difficult days. The family really needed this support. They were waiting on the Lord for help since they lost everything in the fire.”

Sanjay told ICC he and his family are deeply grateful for the many gifts they received.

“We lost everything in the fire, and we were feeling very sad,” he recalled. “In these dark moments of our life, ICC came forward and blessed us with the things we needed. Thank you so much.”

“The Lord has provided all the needed things in this tough moment of our lives through ICC. It was difficult to survive without food. These groceries fed us and removed our hunger. This support has been a great blessing to us in many ways, giving us great hope to move forward in life.”

Despite the attack and the family’s devastating loss, they remain committed to Christ and his kingdom. They regularly gather with believers in another village and share the gospel with Hindus in their own village and surrounding areas.

Sanjay said the fire will not deter him and his family from sharing Christ’s love with Hindus. He’s also determined to help other believers facing persecution.

“We will walk with the Lord and help the persecuted people to be strong in their minds and stand for God in whatever situation they are facing,” he said. “We will encourage other believers to be strong in their faith in God.”

Sanjay asked people to pray for his family’s health and for God to protect them as they continue their ministry. He also asked people to pray for members of his family who aren’t yet Christians and for those who tried to kill his family.

“Kindly pray for the people who burnt my home,” he said, “that God would touch them, and they may receive the salvation of God in their life.”

Although Sanjay fled a police report, authorities have not taken action. His family is currently living with Hindu relatives who have witnessed how the global church takes care of its own.

“While ICC provided the food and clothing, and other emergency items, the fact that God’s people come around and are standing with us during this time of crises has helped us to be stronger in the Lord,” he said. “The project affected me so much and helped me to stay in faith in the midst of intense persecution. This would be a testimony of God’s faithfulness.”

As his family continues to recover from the fire and grow in their faith, Sanja is confident that God will be with them if they endure persecution again.

“I am sure that God will not leave us and forsake us,” he said. “We will continually worship the Lord almighty always and we will stay in him and live according to His word in our life.”

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