1. Envisioning the early church
2. The burgeoning church in Nepal
3. The ministry of Pastor Deb
4. A little obedience goes a long way . . .
Envisioning the early church
We can probably envision the great joy the disciples felt as the gospel began to take hold throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Acts 16:5 reports, “The churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.” It must have been wonderful to see all those people coming to faith in the Lord Jesus and following Him in obedience.
Yet, there is one very important thing about the early church that we should not forget. Along with the blessing of many being saved came persecution. Though the disciples had the immediate enjoyment of reward for their faithful work, they often faced great pressure as they ministered to believers and planted churches.
The burgeoning church in Nepal
The same is true of places today like Nepal. Although Charisma Magazine named Nepal one of 2009s Spiritual Hot Spots, this small Himalayan nation did not even have a Christian presence until 50 years ago. Attempts to introduce the Word of God there began in 1821, when William Carey started translating the Bible into the native Nepali language. This work was completed in 1914, and yet the gospel did not take root until several decades later.
As the world’s only Hindu kingdom until 2006 when democracy took hold, many missionaries travelled to and perished in Nepal. However, since religious freedom was granted to all, the harvest has been beyond imagination—the number of believers has increased exponentially.
Even so, the Body of Christ continues to experience terrible maltreatment. Radical Hindu military groups blame Christians for their loss of power in the nation and often attack. In 2007, the president of the National Christian Council of Nepal, Purushotam Lal Manandhar, told Christianity Today, “Most of our members are first-generation Christians and have faced opposition and even harassment for their conversion from their dear ones.”
The fledgling church in Nepal is just like the early church we read about in the book of Acts. And now, Nations for Jesus (NFJ) has been given the wonderful opportunity to join in this very fruitful work and bless the believers of Nepal through the ministry of Debendra Kumar Sambahamphe—also known as Pastor Deb.
The ministry of Pastor Deb
Pastor Deb is the founding pastor of Himalayan Gospel Church, and he has successfully planted 5 churches throughout Nepal, and has even made some important inroads into the restricted nations of Tibet, Bhutan, and Myanmar.
He reports, “There are two churches under construction in Ramantar and Ghattekhola. The Lord is allowing us to reach the unreached people and plant the churches among them rapidly. The building itself is not the Body of Christ, however we know the importance of the church house. So we are praying that we can build four more churches in Kunjagali, Bagai, Kohalpur, and Dhulabari, as soon as possible—and many more in His will and His right time.”
It is a difficult time in Nepal, but an exciting one in which the Lord is working powerfully. It reminds me of what the Lord Jesus told the disciples as He sat upon the Mount of Olives: “Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matt. 24:12–14).
The world is in chaos and so many throughout the earth are facing terrible adversity. But God is still in control, and He is spreading the gospel in places like Nepal—nations where no one imagined the gospel could take hold just 100 years ago. I hope you will join NFJ in praying for these saints—rejoicing with them in their victories and interceding for them in their trials. I also pray that you will see the wonderful fruit of your obedience to God, and that you will persevere like the believers in Nepal, even when the trials come.
A little obedience goes a long way . . .
Thank you so much for your prayers and support for NFJ. It is amazing how comparatively little it takes to support our partners in Nepal and the incredible increase the Lord is bringing from our obedience. We can support a pastor for only $50/month and each Nepali language Bible is just $3.00. Certainly a worthy investment! We are so excited about what God is going to do in that region in the days and weeks to come, and I hope that you are encouraged as well. May He bless you greatly as you serve Him!
Yours for the unreached nations,
Dr. Ratna Kumar Sajja
www.nationsforjesus.org
info@nationsforjesus.org
