[Anglican Diocese of Sydney] It’s been revealed hundreds of Christians died or were injured as the Nepal earthquake hit their churches, including an Anglican minister and 17 of his parishioners.

In Nepal, Sunday is a work day so Christians normally attend church on their day off, which is Saturday. So many were in church when the quake hit on April25.

The Rev. Lewis Lew, the dean of Nepal which is under the oversight of the Diocese of Singapore, Church of the Province of South East Asia, has issued a confirmation of a tragic scene in the village of Choke.

The village was recently visited by a mission team from Singapore.

“It is my deep regret to inform you that we have received confirmation that one of ours, Pastor Laxman Tamang and 17 of his members from Choke Church were called home to be with the Lord on 25 April, Saturday when the quake struck the village of Choke in Dhading district,” Lew said in a prayer letter.

“Pastor Laxman pastors a 340-member church. He loved the Lord, and had spent more than half his life in the ministry. Under his leadership Choke Church became part of Anglican Church of Nepal 15 years ago. Part of the reason why the Singapore team went to his village was because his heart was for the salvation of his fellow 11,000 villagers who have not given their lives to Christ.”

“(We would) Cherish your prayers for his family, as they cope with their lost. Cherish your prayers also for the village of Choke, it has been completely destroyed and the people are displaced without medical aid, food, supply and temporary shelter.” the dean said.

The quake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck the mountain kingdom between the city of Pokhara and the capital Kathmandu.

The death toll has risen above 5,200.

International Nepal Fellowship Nepal Director Prem Subedi reports “Our team is back from Ghurka and we now have more information about the situation in both Ghurka and Dhading. The need for food and other non-food items is enormous. So here in Pokhara INF is preparing food and non food packages to send out. And our medical team is in standby mode. At the same time we are considering how we might be able to contribute in the long run, using our skills as a health and development organization to respond to the more long term situation. Please be praying for our immediate and longer term response, for good information and wisdom in decision making. Pray also that food can reach those who need it most.”

The team has also reported on a swine flu outbreak in the area of Jajakot.

For more details on Anglican Communion response to the disaster, please consult the Anglican Alliance website.

Share prayers for Nepal and the region on the Prayer Wall of the Anglican Communion website.