A Church of Grace

Nepal has been described as a “yam between two boulders.” The boulders are India and China, both of whom have vested interests in the political, economic, and religious affairs of Nepal. Many in India would like to see a Hindu government revived in Nepal, while China is quite happy that the dominant political group in Nepal is the communist party. 

However, in spite of this tense political situation, the church in Nepal continues to grow at an astonishing rate, with the number of Christians doubling and even tripling every ten years. In response to the growing church, harsh anti-conversion laws have been passed to discourage proselytizing. Yet, the church flourishes. 

We recently had tea with Pastor D, the national leader of a Nepali Christian organization. “The Nepali church is in a time of grace,” he said. “Right now, every church is a charismatic church - Baptist, Methodist - it does not matter. Miracles are happening all the time.” 

This bold statement is in line with our experience. Just 18 months ago we visited a church in central Nepal that had no pastor but was led by two elders. One of the elders had three months of Biblical education. Their church was five years old and had grown to 100 people, most of whom were recent converts despite the social and economic hardship that often results from becoming a Christian. We asked these two elders about their church growth. 

What was their evangelism strategy?

What programs were drawing people to the church? 

They listened to our questions and answered in unison: “healing.” They explained, “People go to the Hindu temple and pray, but nothing happens. They come here and pray, and they are healed! So they stay.” 

Despite these amazing stories of church growth, Pastor D is worried about what happens next. He pointed out the challenges that the Nepali church will face when this remarkable time of special grace comes to an end. He estimates that 80% of Nepali pastors have had no Biblical training at all and that 50% do not have a high school equivalent education. What happens to a church of brand-new believers who know nothing of God, other than that He heals, and that Jesus saves? What is the result of congregations of new believers led by pastors who have never been discipled, and even struggle to read their own Bibles? The answer is a church of grace! 

This church of grace is dynamic, worship is heartfelt and God’s power is on display. Divisions often arise quickly as leaders struggle to fill power vacuums. A Hindu background makes new believers especially adept at syncretism. It is easy for Jesus to simply become another one of the 33 million Hindu gods. 

If the knowledge of God does not penetrate into the identity of the church so that it affects marriages, businesses, and homes, then it will not have staying power. 

The next generation will not grasp it and what has taken so long to build will disappear as easily as the knowledge of God disappeared from the lives of the children of Israel during the time of the Judges. 

Praise God for the church in Nepal! It is clear that He has established it and that He will be the one to help it grow to maturity. In the meantime, we do our best to step into the right opportunities to ground this brand-new church in God’s Word so that it will penetrate deeply. May God use this little country, smashed between two giant boulders, to spread His grace to the world!