OPINION (Charisma) – It has been over two months since ISIS suicide bombers in Sri Lanka devastated three churches and three hotels on Easter Sunday, killing over 250 people and injuring around 500. Since then, national leaders have responded with investigations and arrests. But the Christian community is responding to extremist hate with something even more radical: love and forgiveness. Raj is a Sri Lankan pastor and ministry facilitator with Global Disciples. The Easter service at Raj’s church started as a joyous occasion.
His church had just gone through a season of growth, doubling in size after weeks of repentance, fasting and prayer. But as Raj’s church worshipped the risen Christ, just two and a half hours away their fellow Christian brothers and sisters were martyred for their faith. Wendy Nagle with Global Disciples says, “While [Raj] was preaching, they were receiving notices, and the police started to enter their building. He said, ‘I don’t quite know how we finished the service that day. But somehow we did, and realized at the end of the service that our building was surrounded by the police who had arrived to protect us.’ READ MORE
