Gary Fallesen / Tuesday, November 24, 2009 / Categories: Pray for the Persecuted Church Bhutan Paro Taktsang (“Tiger's lair”) is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan, hanging from a cliff at 10,200 feet (3120 meters) about 2,300 feet (700 meters) above the Paro valley floor. “This is considered one of the world’s least evangelized nations, where mission agencies have been ‘welcomed to operate leprosy hospitals and be involved in health, agricultural and educational programs, but only on the condition they do not proselytize.’” This is an excerpt from the original Climbing For Christ “Mission Vision,” written in June 2004. In March 2008, the country's first parliament was completed. The king ratified the country's first constitution in July 2008. Among the rights supposedly guaranteed was more religious freedom. But Christianity still does not officially exist. There are fewer than 5,000 Christians in this mountainous Southern Asia country, according to the Joshua Project. “Persecution comes mainly from the family, the community, and Buddhist monks, who have significant influence,” Open Doors USA reports, which ranks Bhutan among the 50 most persecuted countries on the planet. “Believers meet in secret. They face discrimination in education and employment. Building churches is banned.” Additionally, religious workers are banned from entering the country for the purpose of sharing Jesus. Bhutan is considered a trekker's paradise. But it is a living hell for Christians. Fast facts Location: Southern Asia. Leader: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (Dec. 14, 2006). The government is a constitutional monarchy. Population: 691,141. Only 0.6 percent of the population is Christian. Primary Religion: Mahayana Buddhism. Where in the world? Bhutan is located in Southern Asia, between China and India. (The World Factbook) Malaysia Kyrgyzstan Print 4234 Gary FallesenGary Fallesen Other posts by Gary Fallesen Contact author