Nepal: From the Field

The government of Nepal is taking an increasingly strong stand against religious conversion. Despite the 2015 constitution that guaranteed religious freedom, Parliament criminalised converting someone to another religion. Christian communities are small, but they boldly witness for Christ despite harassment and risk.

In November 2024, two representatives from VOM Australia made a trip to Nepal for the first time, as part of our mission to further reach our persecuted brothers and sisters. God was gracious during the trip and it was a wonderful introduction for these team members to the mission field in Nepal.

Over the course of the Nepalese trip, 100 backpacks were given to local children. Despite the VOM Australia team not arriving at the village until 1:30pm, the children had been patiently and expectantly waiting from as early as 6am.

A local pastor reports: “We are grateful that you have given our children things that they needed. Thank you that you did not come just to take photos of us and give us stuff that we don’t need. Thank you that you cared for us.”

Contrary to the popular belief that Nepal is only Hindu, the nation is a mixture of different religions. While Christianity is steadily growing, at the moment only 1% of the total population holds a Christian faith. However, according to Nepalese believers we spoke to, the number of Christians should actually be between seven and eight percent. This is not including the so-called ‘Christian Churches’ which our contacts say is false Christianity.

With all this in mind, there is a great deal of work that needs to be done in Nepal. There is not only the need of responding to family and village-based persecution, but also the need of helping Christians be equipped with the true gospel. We need to encourage pastors and leaders to be able to stand for what is right and true.