Dear Saints,

 

Greetings in the sweetest name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We are grateful for your prayers. Pst. Samuel has been arrested and taken into custody for questioning again this evening. He is in police detention tonight.

 

Do continue to uphold him in your prayers. We have received word that he is physically very weak. We are very much grateful for your prayers and support.

 

We'll be updating you with the latest regularly.

 

 

 

 

April 30, 2009: Update :

Pst. Samuel is still in police detention. The opponents have made a strategic play, whereby, if nothing is done by tomorrow (last working day of the week), Pst. Samuel would have to spend the weekend in custody. Please continue to pray for his peace and the necessary grace required in this moment of trial.

 

May 1, 2009: Update :

We have received word that some elements have tried to falsify the information given in this website, changing words and phrases for their own designs. We wish to state, for the record, that we have never used the phrase "Christian militant", as our readers worldwide know for a fact. Backups from different parts of the globe, many of which we have no control over, can vouch for the veracity of the content. However, in the light of this new development, we have added an article in the messages section defining the phrase mentioned. Thank you all for your prayers.

 

May 4, 2009: Update :

Bail for the release of Pst. Samuel was applied for and approved today. After the completion of the paper work, when the pastor was about to be released, the ASI of the police station where the pastor was in remand told our people there that the ASI of the other police station wanted to meet pastor. They took the pastor in their jeep to the other police station where they again arrested him on other charges.

 

When our people asked the ASI of that police station about the charges, he said that this time the case was that Pastor Samuel had abused their deities, calling them wicked spirits. The ASI told our people that no matter how many times they would apply for bail, they would again arrest him and they would not let him, i.e. Pastor Samuel go. While our brothers were there in the police station, the DSP there told them to leave quickly from the police station as the members of a religious group had called up the police station and had threatened to beat up the people who were involved in this matter.

 

May 8, 2009: Update :

Pst. Samuel is still in police custody today. His health is deteriorating. He has fever because of which he has pain all over his body.

 

May 9, 2009: Update :

After talking with the Deputy Superintendent of Police of the station, we came to know that even if we try for bail - they have another case ready to re-arrest him. We are not trying for bail. Today, the remand period expired and they took the pastor for medical check up and then, went to the magistrate and had his remand extended for another 5 days. We have escalated the issue to the District Commissioner, the Deputy Inspector General and also the Inspector General. According to the police, the DC was the one who had filed the case against the pastor. But, upon talking with him, he said that he had no idea about the case and that he was not informed about it. We're arranging a worship meeting in the police station itself tomorrow. Physically, the pastor appears to be doing better than before. Mentally also, he seems quite composed.

 

May 10, 2009: Update :

God gave grace to Pst. Samuel to hold a worship meeting and preach the Word even in the police station. An advocate has been arranged to help with the paperwork.

 

May 11, 2009: Update :

The case for which the pastor was taken into custody in the Pacca Danga, Jammu police station has it's hearing in court today. The remand which they had put on him was due to expire on Saturday. They extended the remand for another 5 days. We had received a temporary bail for the pastor in this case - one in which he would have to appear in the police station everyday and sign there. But, today we received a permanent bail for that case but we could not do anything for the second case. Tomorrow, we are going to apply for bail for the second case. The second case seems to have originated from the higher up officials. The advocate says that because the case was put up by the DC, the court would not grant bail until the person spends 15 days in police custody. Yet, we will try for the bail. In the evening, we went to see the Inspector General at his office. It seems that he has been following this case with interest. He is concerned primarily with the "conversion" issue, and while we were there, he called and told the Superintendent of Police of the station to send the pastor to jail, rather than keeping him at the station. Tomorrow we are going to apply for bail for the second case. The situation here in Jammu is getting more and more tense due to misunderstanding by the people and the police officials. Pastor's health is deteriorating. He has fever and cold. He needs our prayers. The Churches are being informed and a lot of them are in fasting and prayer for the situation here.

 

May 12, 2009: Update :

After taking the Pastor to court for the hearing of the case, the police applied for a judicial remand according to which they would be able to send the pastor to jail. Pastor was taken to court today and from there itself he was taken to the central jail of Jammu. It seems that the IG is the one behind these actions. This morning we had an opportunity to give breakfast to him, but he wasn't able to have his lunch with us. When we arrived to give him his lunch at the police station, we were informed that they had already taken him to the central jail. We will still be trying for bail. Today, the court time has ended and therefore we will prepare our papers and submit them tomorrow. These matters have also come out in the newspapers. We will try to put their scans in our site. We need your prayers. The situation is getting more and more tense.

 

This news update is to inform the believers everywhere to uphold us in your prayers as the situation is getting more and more tense day by day. We again request the believers to pray that the will of God be done. We also request them to pray for the believers here in Jammu India that they may stand firm in their faith in this time of persecution. We need your prayers.

Pastor Samuel is physically well. Please uphold him in your prayers that God may grant him the sufficient grace while in police custody. God bless you all.