Hostile
Nepal
The government of Nepal is taking an increasingly strong stand against religious conversion. Despite the 2015 constitution that guaranteed religious freedom, Nepal’s parliament criminalized converting someone to another religion. Christian communities are small, but they boldly witness for Christ despite harassment and risk.
Major Religion
81.3 percent of Nepalis are Hindus. Hinduism is more prominent in the south, along the Indian border, and Buddhism is more prominent in the north. There are small Muslim and Christian minorities as well as a growing Marxist (atheistic communist) movement.
Persecutor
Nepal is a collectivist culture in which significant decisions are made by the head of the family or the community leader; decisions by other individuals are unacceptable and opposed. Families, communities, Marxist groups and Hindu groups pressure Christians, who also experience some government interference. Muslims and Buddhists also persecute Christians, especially in response to evangelism and conversions in rural areas.
WHAT IT MEANS TO FOLLOW CHRIST IN NEPAL
There is a small, visible Christian community in Nepal, but believers experience opposition from extremists among the Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist and Marxist groups. Christians face false accusations, harassment and beatings from family and communities. They also face opposition from local Hindu nationalists who envision Nepal returning to its former status as a Hindu kingdom. Christians are considered to be untouchables and are ostracized by society. They are seen as people who “destroy culture” and promote foreign religions.
Access to Bibles
Bibles are legal, but many people cannot afford them. There is no access to Bibles in remote areas and villages. Distribution is difficult in Nepal’s mountainous areas. Give Bibles
VOM Work
VOM responds to persecution, distributes Bibles, trains pastors and provides Christian literature and tools for evangelism. Give to VOM’s Global Ministry
Pray for Nepal
- Pray for pastors like Mahesh and Raj who serve their churches and reach out in their communities even when threatened.
- Praise the Lord for years of faithful work that have made the Bible now available to several unreached people groups.
- Pray for Goma, Rupa, Roshani and other Christian women who remain faithful even at the cost of opposition and rejection.
- Pray for Christians like Jampa and Dronma who serve those in need by showing them hospitality in the name of Christ.
- Pray for successful gospel outreach to heads of households who have strong influence in Nepal's collectivist culture.
