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Nepalgunj Street Meeting
Children's Outreach
Packed House
Happy Kids
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We now have 121 churches in Nepal and 50 new workers that we are developing for the future. Northwest Nepal has been a church planter’s dream, and until recently was one of the few areas in the world with no church history and no significant evidence of Christianity. That’s changing fast! The model church in Nepalgunj, which is near the India border, is exploding. The Gospel has been in Nepalgunj for over 30 years but it is only now beginning to make a significant impact. It is extremely difficult to have a bold public witness when you are a persecuted minority, but I’ve noticed a dramatic shift. As our congregation has grown in numbers, their confidence has increased. Until 1990, a Nepali could be imprisoned for preaching the Gospel. Even in the past year we have had instances violence. Radical Hindus still attempt to disrupt the work, but as our numbers increase we become less susceptible to intimidation. I remember three years ago teaching an entire morning to our top leaders about this very subject. I remember telling them that we must be patient, humble and persistent in our work. And I remember speaking to them of a time when the numbers would be in our favor and we would not be so vulnerable to threats. It seems that we are beginning to see those days fulfilled. Pastor KB and his son, Vikas, have been holding street meetings in the community, targeting young people. It is a bold and courageous step, but the response has been very encouraging. There has been some opposition, but in the past this kind of activity would have incited a riot! And there has been genuine interest in the message. We have a three acre section of land walled off behind our compound in Nepalgunj where we hold our annual conference. I had planned to build on this property two years ago but the political climate at that time hindered us. I had $50,000 saved toward that building but chose rather to spend it on two pieces of property where we have significant churches. That decision has paid off since property values have quadrupled since then. We have reached a stage now however, where we cannot postpone the expansion of our model church. We have simplified our design which will allow us to build a metal structure to seat 1,000. It will not have walls, which will expose it to the elements somewhat, but it will allow us to easily expand. We will also be able to use it with adjoining tents during our annual conventions where we have over 5,000 believers gathering. This building will cost us about $32,000 and KB has been able to raise about $7,000 in pledges from his church members. Bev and I are trusting the Lord for $25,000 to add to their funds and get this building up. Pastor Randy Bezet and his youth pastor, Charles Young, from Bayside Community Church in Bradenton, Florida, visited Pastor KB last month. Following are some of their observations of the work. We were able to share the gospel with more than 500 people. People came from all over and sat outside in the sun not getting to see the speaker, just hear the words. They were so hungry for the gospel. Twelve people received Christ for the first time. The school is amazing and raising up young people to know Christ! – Pastor Charles Young Many Thanks – Rick, Bev & Shane
rick@rickzachary.com - bev.zachary@gmail.com - shane.zachary@gmail.comChurchAsia - P.O. Box 82080 - Baton Rouge, LA 70884changing the world...one congregation at a time |
