17/06/2009
The Church in Nepal is reported to be one of the fastest growing churches in the world. Recently, BMS mission worker Alan Barker was invited to the opening ceremony of a newly planted church in the remote village of Pagma, in mid-western Nepal.
Having made his way from the town of Surkhet by means of foot, motorbike and boat Alan joined with throngs of fellow believers. "Many people crammed into the new church building made of bamboo and mud, covered with a straw roof. Inside, we heard testimonies of lives changed, some from people who were initially resistant to this 'foreign religion'."
"There are great things happening in the church in Nepal," says Alan. Christians make up less than one per cent of the population of the country but numbers are certainly increasing. Press reports indicate that close to 200 churches operate in the capital Kathmandu alone.
Alan explains that the construction of the church was a true community effort with major contributions to construct the church building. Someone donated the land; others gave bamboo or wood; some cut grass to form the roof. "It was a real community effort in practical as well as spiritual terms."
Prayer points: