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Craig Phillips Beaten in India

Monday, June 20, 2005 8:59 AM

A few years ago I met a couple on their way to India to share the gospel in that hostile enviroment. I have kept up with their progress through their email updates and photos. Today they sent out a sad report on a recent situation in India.

"We just found out that one of the long- term Church of Christ American missionaries in Mumbai (Bombay), Craig Philips, who has been here in India for 12 years was deported on Monday. What led up to his deportation is that he and a couple of American visitors were badly beaten up by unidentified roughens on Saturday night after finishing a successful VBS in one of the Catholic neighborhoods of Mumbai. Though they tried to hide the incident from the police and reporters it became known and after finding out that Craig was in the country doing mission work, they gave him a few minutes to grab whatever belongings he could and then put him on the next plane to the States. We were really shocked by this news and saddened. However, it was reported to us that the whole time Craig was being kicked and beaten he was praying. That's truly a great example and inspiration to us! The reason I share this with you all is to entreat your continued prayers for God to protect and guide us as we reach out in this Hindu nation. Also, please pray that the Indian government will change and there might be more freedom for the gospel to run rapidly and be glorified." -Rebecca Thomas

I tried to Google Craig Phillips to see if I coluld find an address or email address to send an encouraging word to. Although I found neither, I did find an old post on a mission update that explains alot about this man who sat there and took this beating for Christ.

Early in Bob Davidson's ministry in NEW YORK CITY, he and the visiting preacher handed out tracts and invitations for their coming gospel meeting. Bob intercepted a drunk approaching the older preacher for a handout. Bob rushed him away, and, on impulse, put an invitation into his pocket. On Wednesday night of the meeting Bob saw this drunk come in the door. Bob asked: "Why did you come?" "It's a miracle," was his reply, "I woke up this morning and God had put an invitation on my dresser. I don't know how it got there." He came again Thurs. and Fri. nights, and on Sat. night he was baptized into Christ! 20 years later, at a speaking appointment, a young man ran to Bob and asked: "Are you Bob Davidson?" When Bob said yes, the stranger hugged him and said: "I'm a Christian because of you. I want to be a missionary because you invited my Dad to a gospel meeting when he was an alcoholic on the streets of N.Y.C. Thank you for inviting my father." Two years later Bob told this story at an Asian Mission Interest Dinner. When he finished, a missionary from INDIA, named Craig Phillips, stood and said: "I would like to thank Bob again for inviting my Dad to a gospel meeting." [Yes, God cares for the drunks, and He used Bob to give Craig's father a chance at salvation.] - World Missions Review 1997

May God protect Mr. Phillips here at home as he did during his time in India.

UPDATE 1: I found a Sponsor Congregation and Email Address in A World Radio Report from about a year ago.
Sponoring Church: Wilkesboro Church of Christ

Email Address: mumbai_heat@nospam@hotmail.com

UPDATE 2: I think I may have found the church that had sent the group of students Mr. Phillips was doing the VBS with. The Highland Street Church of Christ in Memphis, TN accoring to their June 2 bulletin had just sent a group of students to work with Mr. Phillips

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