Persecution in India

A quiet breakfast turns into a sobering wake-up call as a husband and wife discuss news reports of Christian persecution in India. Their conversation reveals the shocking story of missionary Graham Staines and his two young sons, burned alive for their faith, and the growing hostility toward Christians across the region. Drawing from real events and statistics, this 7-minute drama challenges audiences to face the reality of modern-day persecution—and to respond with prayer, compassion, and renewed commitment to the gospel.

Cast: 2

Bible Reference: Matthew 26:19

Set: standard

Sound: wireless mics if available

Song: none

Lighting: standard

SFX: none

Props: none

Costumes: standard

Special Instructions: none

Time: 7

Sample of Script

Husband and wife are sitting at a kitchen table, reading the newspaper. The husband becomes more and more agitated.

Husband: You know, really makes you wonder what this old world is coming to!

Wife (absentmindedly): What is it, dear?

Husband: All over the world! Tension! War! Murder!

Wife: Welcome to the twenty-first century, dear!

Husband: You know, that’s exactly what is most troubling.

Wife: The fact that it’s the twenty-first century? Can’t turn back the hands of time, now can we?

Husband: Not that at all. It’s our reaction to these atrocities! Seems like we just yawn and go on—while someone becomes a widow… a grieving mother.

(Wife puts down the paper and looks at Husband.)

Wife: My, Jason, you are upset. What are you reading about?

Husband (crumples the newspaper, then opens it again): It’s full of it! Here, see this—
a missionary and his two sons were burned to death while sleeping in their car in India.

Wife: Wait, I remember that—was a year or so ago, right? Straines, right?

Husband (referring to newspaper): Staines. Graham Staines. Says— (reads from paper)—he and sons, Philip, 10, and Timothy, 8, were burned to death January 23, 1999, as they slept in a jeep. The vehicle was reportedly parked outside a small makeshift church in the village of Manoharpur, about 600 miles southeast of New Delhi. His wife, Gladys, and daughter, Esther, were not with them at the time.

Husband: Sick! “A thirteen-year-old boy has been sentenced to a juvenile detention centre for 14 years for his role in the killing of Australian missionary Graham Staines in eastern India last year. Sudarshan Hansda was one of 15 people arrested for their part in the murder of Mr. Staines and his two sons in the state of Orissa.” Think of it—a thirteen-year-old boy!

Wife: Yes, but what we were told was that there was a crowd of people involved. And some guy they suspect was the leader was just captured.

Husband (reads): Here it is here—“The man alleged to be the ringleader of the group, Dara Singh, was arrested earlier this year after a lengthy police search. Dara Singh had been linked to hardline Hindu groups, although an official commission of enquiry decided that he worked alone rather than on behalf of any Hindu group.”

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