''Border'' Missions Prove Effective in Bhutan

While some indigenous ministries operate secretly within Bhutan, others simply ''set up shop'' along its borders

By Kenneth Chan, Thursday, December 30, 2004

"Border ministries," many operated by Indian and Nepali missions, have proven very effective in evangelizing the people of Bhutan according to a Virginia-based missionary agency.

"The word of the Lord is spreading in this closed country through the faithful work of native missionaries," wrote Christian Aid, generally considered to be the first missionary agency to support and promote indigenous mission groups.

Bhutan, a landlocked country between India, Bangladesh and Nepal, is one of the world's least-evangelized places. Less than one-tenth of one percent of a population of nearly three million profess to be Christian. Beliefs other than Buddhism and Hinduism are seen as foreign intrusions, and attempting to convert a Buddhist or Hindu in Bhutan is strictly prohibited.

"With a history of foreign intrusion by imperialistic powers, Bhutan is extremely wary of outsiders and their influence," Christian Aid reported. "Any entry of foreigners, including tourists, is limited."

The agency said that while some indigenous ministries do operate secretly within Bhutan, others simply "set up shop" along its borders--making the way for "border ministries".

"One such ministry recently held an evangelistic convention in a border town attended by 600 people, many of whom were Bhutanese," the agency reported. "A number of attendees who had never received the gospel before gave their lives to the Lord for the first time."

Meanwhile, Christian ministries that operate within Bhutan carry out their ministry cautiously but steadily.

According to Christian Aid, new believers come to the Lord every month and are baptized in remote rivers where those opposed to the gospel cannot find them. Some have been also been led to the Lord through secret showings of the "Passion of the Christ" video.

And while these men and women are often ostracized by families and communities for following Christ, Christian Aid says more and more people in the isolated kingdom are receiving the light of Christ.

"Please remember native missionaries of Bhutan in your prayers, as well as those missions along the borders," the agency wrote.