4th December, 2004

Churches are being closed and some pastors are now in hiding following the take-over of the Khotang region of eastern Nepal by Maoist rebels, according to the Baptist World Alliance.

Urging people to pray for the situation, in a statement issued this week, the alliance says that pastors in the Khotang area have been told that their hands will be cut off if they do not stop worshipping and close all churches.

Already, says the alliance, the moves have prompted church closures and caused some ‘black-listed’ pastors to go into hiding.

“Pastors who venture out to travel must give detailed reports to either the Maoists or the army,” says the statement. “Because of this, Baptist leaders are unable to visit the churches or pastors.”

The statement says that pastors from the area plan to meet with the local Maoist commander to request that they be permitted to meet together.

It adds that some reports coming out of Nepal suggest the latest wave of persecution comes just as “many people in the countryside are coming to know the Lord”.

- DAVID ADAMS