In the heartland of Kanauj district, Uttar Pradesh, nestled far from the noise and chaos of the city, lived a man whose life would soon bear the scars of a faith unshaken. Pastor Sunil Kumar, a quiet servant of Christ, lived with his aged mother, devoted wife, two young children, and a younger brother. His life seemed ordinary—until the Word of God set his soul ablaze.
It began with a gift from an old woman: a small New Testament Bible. What seemed like a simple act sparked a revolution in Sunil’s heart. Though not a believer at the time, he devoured the words with hunger. The Scriptures came alive in his hands. By the time his family came to faith later, the Spirit of God had already gripped him. Through ceaseless prayer and the illumination of the Holy Spirit, Sunil surrendered his life to Jesus and was baptized.
His zeal didn’t go unnoticed. After completing his graduation, Sunil obeyed the Lord’s call to ministry and pursued his Master of Divinity in Kerala. With his family’s encouragement and spiritual fire guiding him, he returned to his hometown and planted an independent church—bold, vibrant, and Spirit-filled.
But fire draws enemies.
One day, a mob stormed his home, eyes filled with hatred and fists filled with fury. They beat him brutally—dragging him through the streets like a criminal, bloody and battered. The very hands that had held the Bible were now tied and twisted. He was mocked, threatened, and humiliated. They tried to break him—his resolve, his spirit—but couldn’t find a single fault that would stand in court. His only “crime” was preaching Christ.
His wife, unaware of the horror, was visiting her maternal home. Fear rippled through the church, but instead of scattering, a group of faith-filled women stood strong. They marched to the police station and stood in solidarity. Their presence was a witness. By God’s grace, local leaders intervened, and he was released. But the warning was loud and clear: Do not reopen the church.
His bike—his tool for ministry—was shattered. His body was covered in bruises. His household belongings and ministry vehicle—stolen. His voice silenced. But his spirit was still burning.
At his lowest, Pastor Sunil found refuge in the Persecution Relief Family. When his income vanished and the world seemed to turn its back, urgent funds for treatment, food, and daily needs were provided. Encouragement flowed. He wasn’t alone.
Though the church had to shut its doors, the fellowship didn’t die. Believers continued to gather in their own homes across the village, lifting up the pastor who had once lifted them. Faith didn’t flee—it flourished.
Today, Pastor Sunil is recovering. The anti-conversion case is still ongoing. The chargesheet has yet to be filed. He remains under strict restriction from leading the church, and his health is still weak. He manages small agricultural work with his family to survive. Their children’s education—a pressing burden—was only made possible by the help of people of God.
Despite all this, Pastor Sunil rejoices in suffering, waiting for the day when his voice will again echo across the fields where he once preached.

The call to follow Jesus Christ is tough, but the eternal reward is well worth the temporary pain. Bro Shibu Thomas, Founder, Persecution Relief.