HYDERABAD, India — A pastor in northern India’s Punjab state was shot dead in front of his church two months after Hindu extremists took offense at a gospel event, sources said.
Pastor Sultan Masih, 50, of Temple of God was talking on the phone outside the church when assailants on a motorbike shot and killed him July 15. Family members believe it was a premeditated attack, that the assailants called him and told him to go outside.
Pastor Vishnu Dev, a close friend of Masih, said that until recently there was no major opposition to the slain pastor but that in May he “took a bold step” and led gospel meetings commemorating the 25th anniversary of his church’s founding. Representatives of Hindu extremist umbrella group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh reportedly objected to the event and accused Masih of forced conversions.
“He and his family are serving Christ for decades and they are at peace with everyone,” Dev said. “But four days before he was shot, I met him, and he told me, ‘Please pray for us as we continue standing for Christ; many enemies are standing up against us. Please pray for us.’” (MS)
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