Nepal is the world’s only Hindu state, with 86% of its 26.5 million people practising Hinduism. According to John Pudaite, President of Bibles For The World (BFTW), the sudden recent spiritual growth spurt in Nepal has been possible following a change in the political situation. “For centuries, Nepal was under a very restrictive monarchy and as the country opened up to democracy and developed its own constitution, all of a sudden people realised they did have a choice when it came to what they believed. Christ’s message of mercy and truth is appealing to many, causing the Church to grow at an unprecedented rate.”
Over the past five years, BFTW has supplied two million copies of the Gospel of John and 100,000 full New Testaments in the country. “We’ve been working through a network of about 1,800 frontline workers and they’ve been using our Scriptures in their evangelism as they share the Gospel with people in their villages and towns,” Pudaite says. One of BFTW’s newest partners seeks to reach the so called ‘unengaged, unreached people groups’ in areas that are physically, culturally, and spiritually challenging to reach.
Following the lifting of restrictions, the Church in Nepal has grown steadily, and by some estimates evangelical Christians now represent almost 2% of the population. Press reports indicate 170 Christian churches operate in Kathmandu alone. However, it is very young and still finding its feet. The congregations in some churches are small, with just a handful of believers meeting together. There is a great need for growth to spiritual maturity
and for good quality training for pastors and leaders.
In small congregations in remote places, the leader may simply be the only person in the church who can read. Further growth is taking place among the Tibetan expatriates’ descendants who fled Tibet to Nepal following the Chinese Communist takeover. Some are being trained to reach their own people for Christ. Indigenous ministries are now conducting missionary training programs for scores of Tibetan Christians each year, according to Christian Aid Mission.
Source: John Pudaite in Missions Catalyst; accross.co.nz
Bible Study: Ephesians 3:17-19
DECEMBER PRAISE God that Nepal has changed its Constitution and allows more diversity of belief.
PRAISE God for rapid growth, as churches and supporting agencies have taken advantage of this. PRAY for wise leaders.
