The Joy of Gospel Partnership – Nepal!

One of my deepest joys in ministry life is the opportunity to see God at work through the local church in the nations of the world. Being part of an international family of churches that is planting and growing churches around the globe is such an honour.

In 2003 I was first invited to visit North East India and Nepal – not knowing at the time that it would be the first visit of many over the years since. It won’t surprise you to hear me say that I love the local church – and to see it so beautifully radiant in cultures very different to our own convinces me again and again of the power of the gospel to transform lives.

I rarely travel alone, as I love to see others growing in their faith and being stretched by the challenges that short term cross cultural mission can bring. I love to see people falling in love with the people and places we get to encounter.

This is me in Nepal with John Pradhan, who planted Himalayan Grace Church in Pokhara, Nepal.

Some of you may have met him when he came with his wife Esther to the UK and joined us at Westpoint a few years ago. As part of our vision to be a ‘resource church’ Life Church have been supporting John and Esther by contributing towards his salary for many years. We also take a team every year to serve the church in other ways.

We are also at the early stages of building a relationship with a church in the nation’s capital of Kathmandu. We first began working with this church to house families who lost everything in the huge earthquake in 2015.

From 20th October to 1st November this year (2020) we shall be taking a short term team and will be spending time in both Pokhara and Kathmandu.

This is the team who travelled with me in 2018

I wonder if this might be something that you feel called to play a part in? If so, then get the dates in your diary, register your interest, and get saving and praying! (The total cost for all travel, accommodation and food will be in the region of £1200.)

Whilst we are going to serve and teach, we primarily go to learn and grow. Our attitude is one of humility. We have much to learn from the churches in Nepal. They are zealous and joyful in the midst of many challenges, and are a great example to us as they count the very real cost of being disciples of Jesus.

The deadline for registering to be on the team will be Easter Sunday in order for us to be able to block book flights. There will be a couple of orientation evenings over the late summer to help develop a sense of team, and to highlight all the things we need to be aware of as we travel to a very different nation.

Or maybe you know that you can’t go, but would like to provide a bursary for someone else to go. Even if neither of these things apply, we will all have an opportunity to give towards the work in Nepal, and I am constantly thankful to those of you who give regularly to Life Church, which enables us to support John and Esther in their ministry.

Well done Life Church!