A Banjara's Path from Idol Worship to Faith in Christ // October 24, 2024

Pastor Srinivas and Sujatha Naik are from the nomadic tribe of nearly 70 million called the Banjara of India. The religious practice of this people group centers around idol worship, including the offering of animal sacrifice to their idols. Srinivas was the first convert to Christianity among the Banjara of his village. He was pronounced dead by his father and later accused of his brother’s death caused by a heart attack for following Christ. Srinivas and his wife Sujatha are engaged in the work of evangelism, planting churches, and operating a school to educate children. With the increased pressure of persecution, Srinivas and Sujatha felt it necessary to send their three children to the United States. Through a partnership with a church in Tennessee, the children left India for a safer living environment at French Camp Academy, a type of boarding school in Mississippi, offering a Christ-centered home and school. It was during the winter break in 2018 when the children stayed with a family from their sponsoring church that a tragic fire broke out during the night, resulting in the death of the children along with the host mom. Pastor Srinivas and Sujatha have peace of their children’s presence with Christ and continue sharing the Gospel among the Banjara.