Mission Moments: Nepal

The church at Korchabang. (Photo by Gary Fallesen)

Putting value on the church in Nepal

By Gary Fallesen, founding president, Climbing For Christ

Christians in the West probably take their houses of worship for granted. A church building is synonymous with going to church. But in Asia, the value of a roof over believers’ heads cannot be overemphasized. It is seen as a sign of respect to God.

“Biblically, we can do the worship under the trees and in any common place or any open space,” said Megh Gurung, a long-time Climbing For Christ member and ministry partner in Nepal. “But all Christians will not feel like it (worshiping outdoors). Non-Christian people will bring trouble for the believer. They’ll hide behind rocks or anything (to intimidate) the believer at the service time.”

Christians may be forbidden to meet in public places. Even if they can meet outdoors, they’ll need to deal with the rainy season and winter cold. Climbing For Christ was asked to help the church at Korchabang construct a building for worship in the Mid-West district of Rolpa in 2012 because rain and cold kept believers from meeting for several months of the year.

The church at Korchabang. (Photo by Jordan Rowley)

Korchabang is one of four churches built by C4C in Nepal, where we also helped rebuild numerous churches after the 2015 earthquake. Land has been purchased to build another church in Rolpa. The cost for this house of worship is estimated at US$12,600. A gift of US$2,250 was received this week, meaning we need $10,350.

Megh worshiping outdoors with the church at Dharmashala, where Climbing For Christ hopes to build a new house of worship in 2017. (Photo by Gary Fallesen)

Having a “holy place” to meet is important to growing the body of Christ. Hindus and Buddhists have large, elaborate temples to worship their gods.

“Non-Christians are thinking a church building is a holy place, too,” Megh said. “At the church building, everybody can concentrate on God. They cannot see outside.

“It we build the church building nobody can complain when we do the fellowship. Hindus and Buddhists will not (view Christians) as being irreverent to God.”

Our Mission: Nepal 2017 team will visit the churches at Korchabang and Dharmashala, as well as house churches in Rolpa, during our April-May evangelic expedition.

“…and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” – Matthew 16:18 (ESV)

Please support the building of the church in Nepal with a financial gift to Climbing For Christ. Send your donation to Climbing For Christ c/o “Nepal church” at P.O. Box 16290, Rochester, NY 14616-0290 USA. Or CLICK HERE to give via PayPal and email info@ClimbingForChrist.org to alert us to your donation.

In Canada, please make cheques payable to The Great Commission Foundation, and on the memo line add Climbing For Christ CANADA c/o “Nepal church.” Mail your support to: The Great Commission Foundation, #3 – 1335 Trans Canada Way SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1B 1J1. Or CLICK HERE to give online. Write Nepal church in the “Comments” box on the page.