On Jan. 21, 2025, Hindu nationalists attacked Pastor Ishan Prasad and his family during a prayer meeting in their village in India, severely injuring each family member.

Following the attack, authorities soon detained Pastor Prasad, charging him with forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity. The pastor then spent nearly two months in jail. Upon his release in late March 2025, he found his family struggling financially.

“There was hardly any food in our family, we almost wanted to leave this place and leave the ministry, so that we can live,” Prasad said, “but then that was when brothers from ICC contacted us and told us that they are praying and will be coming over to my place with food, clothes, and other things.”

After spending time with Pastor Prasad’s family, praying with them and encouraging them, an ICC staffer provided them with enough food, clothing, and other necessities to help them get through their recovery and to know the global Body of Christ loves them.

“You are my true brothers, sisters, and my family,” Pastor Prasad told ICC staffers after receiving the gifts. “I am able to continue the ministry in this place because someone sacrificially provided for our needs. I am grateful to those who demonstrated their faith in a practical way and inspired me.”

Christians in India are often increasingly attacked by Hindu nationalists who wish to see India as a purely Hindu nation. Many states in India have implemented anti-conversion laws, which are often weaponized against Christians.

The gifts for Pastor Prasad’s family came at the perfect time, he said. Because the Hindu nationalists in his village were watching his every move, Pastor Prasad couldn’t get help from other Christian families or even work as a day laborer to earn income. Then, he said, God followed through.

“I have reminded my family that God is faithful,” he said. “When we were almost drifting away and wanted to leave the mission field, the assistance from ICC was delivered.”

Pastor Prasad asked for prayer for the safety of his family and the entire Christian community in central India, that they would be strong in their faith.

Pastor Prasad added that ICC’s help reassures him of Jesus’ presence with his family.

“At times I feel a deep pain and anxiety in my heart when I go for ministry,” he said. “I take extra measures so that I won’t be accused of conversions and preaching about Jesus. I can’t afford to take things lightly. ICC, through their council and encouragement, I am able to sustain and discipling number of new believers. Thank you, ICC and people of God, for sharing my pain and sharing the work I do to make Jesus known. If it were not for ICC, I wouldn’t be continuing the ministry that God has called me to.”

*Names have been changed for security reasons

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