Wife of murdered Indian pastor vows to continue ministry

The wife of slain pastor Yohan Maraiah has relocated but she is determined to continue her husband's ministry. Maraiah, a pastor from the east Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh, was found dead near his home last July. 

Maraiah's wife requested for Bibles for her church and asked people to pray for her family and the ministry. Voice of the Martyrs promised to provide her church with Bibles in their language. 

Two dozen or more armed men abducted Maraiah from his home on the evening of July 29. The pastor was reportedly beaten, stabbed and shot. Maraiah was found dead with his hands tied behind his back. A note was left near his body.

The note threatened Maraiah's older brother and accused him of being friendly with police authorities. Maraiah's brother, also a pastor, was accused of "cheating people with his tricky talks and words [that] changes their heart and mind and converts them." Both brothers were accused of deceiving the people and enriching themselves through "criminal activities."

Maraiah's family denied the claim that the brothers were involved in crime. They said the brothers had been ministering to the poor and living a simple life in the area for over 15 years.

Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, condemned the murders and told Asia News that this was not the first time Maraiah was attacked.

"He suffered several attacks and had his church torched more than once. However, he remained strong in his unswerving faith in Jesus Christ," George said. "He did not engage in any illegal activity. The poor and marginalized came to his church to receive peace, comfort and dignity that only Jesus can give," George added.

Maoist rebels are heavily against the conversion of the animist tribes in parts of India. The rebels, known as Naxalites, reportedly attacked and expelled Christians and Hindus from their villages.

Christians have also been killed by the police because of mistaken identity. Last July, five Pentecostal Christians were mistaken for Maoist rebels and killed by the police in Kandhamal district.