Population:
30.3 million
Evangelical population:
less than 1.4%
People groups:
285
Unreached people groups:
275
Nepal
Slightly larger than the state of New York, the small, landlocked country of Nepal is just 500 miles long and 120 miles wide. The rugged Himalayas act as a natural northern border and provide Nepal with one of its claims to fame: Mount Everest, the highest point on earth. The country is also home to eight of the world’s 10 highest peaks.
Wedged between the giants of China and India, Nepal is home to a wide variety of peoples – multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, and multi-cultural. Many people live in villages tucked away on the mountain slopes that cover three-quarters of the country and are accustomed to traveling long distances on foot. Most Nepalese are farmers living in bamboo, mud, and thatched homes. Over one third of homes do not have toilets, and less than one half have running tap water.
Nepal’s population consists of three castes, though their practices are patterned after the higher Hindu castes of India. Hindus comprise over 80% of the population. Christianity is mainly viewed as a foreign religion and new believers are considered part of the “untouchable” caste.
While persecution has steadily increased in Nepal over the past few years, the population is becoming more open to the gospel. It is estimated that there are at least 1 million Christians in Nepal today, up from zero in 1950.
The indigenous believers we assist request assistance to continue supporting and sending followers of Christ to remote villages to share the gospel with unreached people. Also needed are funds for Bibles, training, transportation such as motorcycles (as there is no public transportation in remote areas), and income-generating projects to fund outreach work and help poor believers provide for their families.
As in other places throughout South Asia, children in Nepal suffer the consequences of extreme poverty. Many are vulnerable to abuse or exploitation and have no access to education. Assistance is needed to help shelter, feed, care for, disciple, and educate orphaned, abandoned, and needy children throughout Nepal, giving them a hope and future in Christ. Support is also needed to help provide relief aid to victims of natural disasters and rescue trafficked women.
Sources: Joshua Project, Wikipedia, CIA Factbook, Morning Star News
How to Pray for Nepal
- Pray for the Lord’s provision and protection for indigenous believers working to share the gospel in Nepal.
- Pray the Holy Spirit would draw people to Christ and open their eyes to His saving sacrifice and grace.
- Pray the Holy Spirit would grant wisdom and courage to local believers.
More stories from Nepal
Support Evangelistic Outreach in Nepal
A pastor with a native ministry joyfully carried on work in spite of suffering from a tumor and illnesses in his family. “Despite all this, God remained faithful, especially in saving the lost,” he said. ”God has blessed us in the church with four new members.” The ministry trained 15 young men for local church work and provided basic discipleship training to more than 230 new Christians. Workers also provided vocational and Bible training to five young men so they could support themselves in ministry. Native missionaries need donations to carry out such evangelistic outreach and discipleship. They request prayer for health and safety for their workers and their families.
Help Plant and Grow Faith in Christ in Nepal
Recently 239 new Christians were solidly grounded in their faith through a three-day training that local Christian workers provided. A high school girl said she thanked God for the training, adding, “I learned many things about God and the Bible.”
Help Enable Gospel Break-Throughs in Nepal
A missionary effort by native workers brought break-through instances of repentance, with many youths growing closer to Christ after sensing His presence in worship.
Help Make and Grow New Christians in Nepal
In spite of the pandemic, people heard the gospel by visiting with Christian neighbors as they attended online worship services. Workers at another ministry met with every member of their congregations in their homes during lockdowns, encouraging them and praying for them.
Equip Gospel Workers in Nepal
In discipleship training with local missionaries, two young men learned to bless and do good to those who curse and hate them. When a co-worker found out they were Christians and began reviling them in foul language, their refusal to retaliate and instead respond with kindness piqued his curiosity.
Help Form and Grow Disciples in Nepal
In spite of pandemic restrictions, local missionaries were able to share the gospel through informal networks over a period of six months, with 99 people putting their trust in Christ. Many of them were among new Christians who participated in two discipleship trainings of in-depth Bible study and prayer.
