I have always written about persecuted believers in India—how they have been imprisoned, chased out of their homes, beaten by mobs, or even denied burial grounds. So, a few weeks ago, when I sat down to interview a young couple—Rishu, who is 24, and her husband Chandan, who is 30—I initially went in with the mindset of documenting yet another story of persecution. They had just been released from jail without any evidence against them, and I wanted to write about the injustice they suffered.
But the Lord is powerful. Instead of focusing on what the enemy was doing, He opened the curtain for me to see what He was doing. What happened during that interview changed my heart.
My first question was, “Can I change your names for your safety? Is it okay to use your pictures?” And they immediately said, “Please use our real names. Take as many pictures as you want. We are not afraid of jail. They can arrest us, but they can never arrest God’s Word.” I was stunned and eager to hear their testimony. Here is a glimpse of what God has done in their lives.
Chandan’s Story
Chandan was orphaned at the age of 12. He fell into drugs, alcohol, and burglary. He eventually joined a Hindu extremist group where he participated in persecuting Christians and joining mobs that beat believers.
In 2011, he was arrested for theft and put in prison. Inside the jail, he and his gang were planning their next crimes—buying guns and continuing their activities once released. At the same time, a pastor had been arrested simply for preaching the gospel. Inside the prison, this pastor met Chandan and started sharing the gospel with him. He spoke Scripture over him, sowing seeds in his heart.
Chandan didn’t surrender immediately. Instead he prayed, “If Your Jesus gets me out of jail, I will try to follow Him.” Within a short time he was released, and within a week, the pastor was released as well. The pastor pursued Chandan, connected him to a church, and the new pastor there gave Chandan a Bible. Chandan could barely read (he only knew the Hindi alphabet), but the pastor asked him, “Do you know God speaks?” Chandan didn’t believe him.
At the same time, his old gangster friends welcomed him back. He was torn between two paths—his old life or Christ. He fell into deep depression and even decided to commit suicide. But one night, someone woke him in a dream and told him to read Isaiah 43. When he read it, God spoke clearly to him: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you.” And he knew it was God.
He gave his life to Jesus. He wanted to join Bible college, but he was uneducated and the college didn’t know how to handle someone who couldn’t read or write. He begged them for a chance. He said when his roommates were eating or relaxing, he would go up to the terrace and cry out to Jesus, “Teach me to read and write so I can preach Your gospel.” Within two months, God miraculously taught him to read, write, and submit papers. He completed his diploma and later his bachelor’s degree.
Meanwhile, he began ministry. He led many to the Lord. Prostitutes came to Christ. HIV patients were healed. Families were restored.
Rishu’s Story
While conducting a Bible seminar in Varanasi, a young woman walked into the room—this woman would later become his wife.
Rishu had her own powerful testimony. As a child she had leukemia and her mother was dying. She had lost her eyesight and doctors said her mother had only one week to live. A Christian woman gave them a Bible, but her mother said she couldn’t read, so the woman showed them the Jesus Film. As Rishu’s mom watched it, her eyesight returned, her kidneys were healed, her family’s financial crisis ended, and all the sickness in the family disappeared. She became a follower of Jesus.
She later attended Chandan’s seminar, and eventually they got married. The biggest opposition was not only their Christianity, but also caste. Chandan comes from a lower caste and Rishu from a very high caste. Her community was furious.
Their Ministry and Imprisonment
They married in 2024, started their ministry, and in a place like Varanasi, many began turning to Christ. Their church grew to 150 people. Jealousy and complaints began, and eventually false charges were filed. Within their first year of marriage, they were both imprisoned. Rishu was sent to the women’s wing, Chandan to the men’s. They could only meet on Sundays for 30 minutes. “We would just cry and wipe each other’s tears,” they said.
But inside their cells, they preached the gospel. Chandan said at least one person heard the gospel every single day and miracles were happening. On the women’s side, Rishu told inmates, “I know a prayer that can release you.” Women gathered around her and listened. She prayed, shared the gospel, and the women began getting released—one after another. Even the guards and officers became curious.
When they were finally released, they told me they were not afraid of persecution, because they could preach the gospel freely inside the jail. Now, outside the jail, they continue preaching with joy. They want to start a small spice business to support their ministry and help other believers. They were beaming with love for Jesus as they shared this.
