Bearing Fruit in Season

Pastor Shankar Yalam’s attackers intended to cause fear among local Christians in central India’s Chhattisgarh state. But after the pastor’s murder outside his home on March 17, 2022, the opposite occurred. The very next day, more than 1,000 people attended his funeral to celebrate his life; they prayed, shared testimonies and lifted their voices in worship. Though grief-stricken at the loss of her husband, Kamla Yalam spoke at his funeral about the hope that she and Shankar shared — the hope of eternal life in Christ.

Shankar’s sons are carrying on his two passions, shepherding the local churches and standing up for the needs of persecuted Christians. His oldest son, Gopal, considered moving the family to a safer area, but then he considered the care his father had taken in planting the churches there and felt they should stay.

“I could go anywhere and live a good and safe life, but by doing so no one will remember us like they will remember my father. If I remain here in such a challenging place, I will be able to bring many more into the kingdom, and when I am gone from this world, I will have a legacy like that of my father.”

―Gopal, Pastor Shankar’s oldest son

The care Shankar took is bearing fruit in growth and spiritual strength among the house churches he pastored.

“As believers, we all have to carry a cross, but after some time we will see because of carrying this cross, that many people will come to know Jesus and worship him.”

―Kamla

The outpouring of love from the local and global body of Christ — including relocating the family to a new home so they wouldn’t have to relive the trauma of the murder every time they came home — has been an encouragement to the family as well as a testimony to the community around them. The Lord’s continued provision gives the family fresh hope, Kamla said.