{"id":49093,"date":"2024-02-20T14:00:37","date_gmt":"2024-02-20T05:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/?p=49093"},"modified":"2024-02-20T11:26:46","modified_gmt":"2024-02-20T02:26:46","slug":"vomk-report-291","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/2024\/02\/20\/vomk-report-291\/","title":{"rendered":"INDIA: FATHER\u2019S DEATH BRINGS SON CLOSER TO GOD, PERSECUTORS"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”49096″ img_size=”full”][vc_custom_heading text=”Pastor Shankar Yalam was the Number 2 target on the \u201cMost Wanted\u201d list of India\u2019s communist Naxalite guerrillas. When he was brutally murdered on March 17, 2022, his enemies believed they had eliminated one of their strongest Christian opponents.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:1.2em|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” el_class=”headline”][vc_column_text]But according to Voice of the Martyrs Korea Representative Dr<\/span>.<\/span> Hyun Sook Foley, the communist Naxalite guerrillas only succeeded in <\/span>rais<\/span>ing<\/span> up <\/span>and emboldening <\/span>his replacement.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Pastor Shankar\u2019s eldest son, <\/span>Gopal, sensed God\u2019s call to take up his father\u2019s work and continue proclaiming the gospel and growing the church<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter the death of my father,\u201d Gopal <\/span>told Voice of the Martyrs<\/span>, \u201cmy relationship with God has become even more intimate.\u201d Gopal considered moving to a safer area, but the example of his father persuaded him to stay. \u201cIf I remain in such a challenging place,\u201d he said, \u201cI will be able to bring many more into the kingdom and I will continue the legacy of my father.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”49098″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]According to Representative Foley, <\/span>no one who knew Shankar when he was young would have imagined that he would become <\/span>a <\/span>bold <\/span>martyr <\/span>who died in faithful witness to Christ<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201cShankar grew up as a Hindu,\u201d says Representative Foley. \u201cHe split his time between working his own fields and traveled from place to place as a seasonal field worker. He ended up spending all his money on alcohol and gambling.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]According to Representative Foley, i<\/span>n 2002 <\/span>Shankar <\/span>began to experience stomach pain and unsuccessfully sought relief through visits to many doctors. Through the advice of a neighbor,<\/span> she says,<\/span> he and his wife Kamla found a Christian pastor in another town.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>The pastor prayed with the couple, and Shankar\u2019s pain was completely gone<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Shankar and Kamla placed their faith in Christ.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom that moment,\u201d Kamla <\/span>told Voice of the Martyrs<\/span>, \u201cwe both decided to serve Jesus.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”49102″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”Pastor Shankar\u2019s wife (second from the right) and children continue to follow in his footsteps. His son Gopal (in a blue shirt) leads the local church, while Pawan (standing) pursues a law degree. Pastor Shankar\u2019s portrait is visible on the wall behind the family.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230f0f0f|line_height:1.45em” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]According to Representative Foley, t<\/span>he pastor reminded <\/span>Shankar <\/span>that with being a faithful follower of Christ comes persecution. Accepting the risk, Shankar decided to seek training to become an ordained pastor.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Pastor Shankar rode a bicycle \u2014 often over 20 miles \u2014 to preach and teach, establishing and nurturing a large network of house churches<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley. \u201cThrough his travels he <\/span>learned the cost of following Christ, <\/span>and he <\/span>diligently taught the members of these churches <\/span>what he himself was learning<\/span>. He urged them to stand firm and remain faithful witnesses for Christ.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Pastor <\/span>Shankar<\/span>\u2019s wife, Kamla, told Voice of the Martyrs that Shankar<\/span> also had a reputation for defending Christians facing persecution. \u201cHe was outspoken for the rights of the Christian community,\u201d Kamla explained. \u201cHe would educate other pastors and encourage them to continue ministry without fear.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]In November 2021, this advocacy work led to a series of meetings <\/span>with <\/span>the local village council. <\/span>According to Representative Foley, in those meetings <\/span>Hindu nationalists and tribal leaders demanded that local Christians return to their first religion. <\/span>Pastor <\/span>Shankar defended the Christians\u2019 right to choose their own faith.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Pastor <\/span>Shankar\u2019s son, Gopal<\/span>,<\/span> believes those who lost the dispute were the ones who later plotted his father\u2019s murder. \u201cThese Hindu leaders falsely accused my father of being a police informant,\u201d he <\/span>told Voice of the Martyrs<\/span>. \u201cThey also claimed he was spying on the Naxalite group and turning villagers against them.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”49107″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”Kamla remembers her husband Pastor Shankar not only as a devoted husband and father but also as a man committed to God\u2019s Word and the growth of the church. Pastor Shankar\u2019s portrait is on the wall behind Kamla.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230f0f0f|line_height:1.45em” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Representative Foley says that t<\/span>he Naxalites, who have a strong presence in the state where Shankar planted churches, terrorize <\/span>communities<\/span> and suppress opposition with violence<\/span>. \u201cThey <\/span>especially target pastors<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Even Hindu nationalist groups, who are opposed to the Naxalite cause, encourage the Naxalites\u2019 persecution of Christians to serve their own goal of creating a purely Hindu culture in India.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]According to Representative Foley, i<\/span>n early 2022 a leaflet appeared in the village, naming 22 Christians who were on the <\/span>Naxalites\u2019 \u201cMost Wanted\u201d list<\/span>. \u201c<\/span>Pastor Shankar was N<\/span>umber <\/span>2<\/span> on their list,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>. <\/span>\u201cBut <\/span>being one of the Naxalites\u2019 <\/span>most wanted<\/span> didn\u2019t<\/span> keep Shankar from his work. He told his family and his congregation that he expected to be attacked. He also told them about the hope he had in Christ.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201cHe always said that we are Christ\u2019s witnesses, and the day we are persecuted we will become even a stronger witness,\u201d <\/span>Pastor Shankar\u2019s wife <\/span>Kamla said. \u201cAnd our faithfulness may cause people around us to search for Jesus.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]On March 17, 2022, <\/span>Pastor <\/span>Shankar heard someone calling him from the courtyard of his house. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>As he walked outside, six masked men started shouting insults against his Christian faith<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley. \u201c<\/span>They struck Shankar in the face, bound his arms behind his back and forced him to kneel. After one attacker slashed him across the back of the neck with a knife and another fired two shots into his chest with a handgun, the masked men began to run away. But one of them returned and stabbed the pastor in the heart.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Kamla <\/span>told Voice of the Martyrs that she <\/span>rushed out of the house and held her husband\u2019s head on her lap as he whispered a final prayer.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”49100″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”\u201cFor to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21),\u201d is written on Pastor Shankar\u2019s grave.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230f0f0f|line_height:1.45em” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Witnesses say that m<\/span>ore than a thousand people attended Pastor Shankar\u2019s <\/span>funeral. Speaking at the burial service, Pastor Shankar\u2019s wife<\/span> Kamla gave testimony about the power of staying committed to Christ in the face of suffering. \u201cAs believers, we have to carry our cross,\u201d she said, \u201cand because of doing so we will see that many people will come to know Jesus and worship him.\u201d She <\/span>told Voice of the Martyrs <\/span>that Hebrews 10:39 <\/span>(<\/span>\u201cBut we are not of those that shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls\u201d<\/span>)<\/span> sustained <\/span>her <\/span>in the period following her husband\u2019s martyrdom.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Shankar\u2019s younger son, Pawan, had decided to pursue law studies because of his father\u2019s commitment to justice<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley. \u201cPawan says <\/span>his father\u2019s teaching about forgiveness is giving him the strength to forgive <\/span>his father\u2019s <\/span>murderers.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Representative Foley says t<\/span>he congregations planted by Pastor Shankar <\/span>now have a new shepherd: Pastor Shankar\u2019s eldest son, Gopal. \u201cThe churches <\/span>have remained united and have grown since his murder<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Pastor Shankar\u2019s widow <\/span>Kamla<\/span> told Voice of the Martyrs that she<\/span> longs for all <\/span>the <\/span>villagers <\/span>in those communities <\/span>to hear the gospel and experience its transforming power. She asks for prayer that the churches her husband planted and nurtured will continue to grow and will not respond in fear if they suffer severe persecution. \u201cDo not turn back when you must face persecution,\u201d she said. \u201cDuring this time, you will grow very close to God!\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Individuals interested in learning more about Christian persecution in India and Voice of the Martyrs Korea\u2019s support of churches and families of martyrs there can visit <\/span><\/span>https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/country-profile\/india\/<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”49096″ img_size=”full”][vc_custom_heading text=”Pastor Shankar Yalam was the Number 2 target on the \u201cMost Wanted\u201d list of India\u2019s communist Naxalite guerrillas. When he was brutally murdered on March 17, 2022, …","protected":false},"author":659,"featured_media":49094,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[235,869,140],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49093","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-special-column","category-china-special","category-vomk-report"],"translation":{"provider":"WPGlobus","version":"3.0.2","language":"en","enabled_languages":["ko","en","zh","ru"],"languages":{"ko":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"en":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"zh":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"ru":{"title":false,"content":false,"excerpt":false}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49093","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/659"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49093"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49093\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49111,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49093\/revisions\/49111"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49094"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49093"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49093"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49093"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}