Welcome to the Harvest Bridge podcast. A part of our work here at Harvest Bridge is connecting local leaders in South Asia with people like you, here in the United States. Through our podcast we want to provide a place where you can hear their voices and listen to their stories in their own words. There is a transcription available for those who prefer to read these stories.
This month we would like to share more about a specific program happening through Harvest Bridge in the mountainous Kingdom of Bhutan. In Bhutan, missionaries and pastors share the hope of the gospel in their own villages and cities, as well as traveling to more remote areas of the country. In addition to evangelism, their ministry includes counseling, conducting sports ministry with young people, providing emergency food relief, and providing drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Despite harsh pressure by the authorities aimed at limiting the growth of Christianity, our Bhutanese partners have seen many come to faith in recent years.
In a country where 84% of the population is Buddhist, understanding how to share their faith in this specific context is critical. Out of this need, a Bible school at the border of India and Bhutan was born. It is dedicated to preparing young people for ministry particularly within Buddhist contexts.
Their comprehensive training program focuses on equipping students with a deep understanding of the Gospel and effective methods to communicate its message within Buddhist cultures with a sensitive and informed approach. The Bible school students learn comparative religion, intercultural communication, and contextual theology, which ensures that they are well-prepared to engage with their Buddhist communities respectfully and effectively.
The students come not only from Bhutan but also Nepal and India. After graduation, many return to their home communities to serve as church leaders, community organizers, and educators.
Today you will hear from students in the program. The first, who we will call Maya*, is 23 years old and from Nepal.
“Why I chose this college because I was willing to join Bible College. After that I want to know more scripture, knowledge also. And my family and my friends, they are very proud of me, because I choose this college. And after that, [when] my training finished, after graduation, I want to serve my church. I want to help my pastor. And after that, if God give me chance, then I want to do further study. So I learned so many things, but I want to share a few things. I learned ministry is not only preaching, but ministry is serving also. And I learned new language also, and new culture also. If someone want, they want to come here, then I encourage them, because I also learn here so many things. If they came here, so they get so many things. And they learn biblically also. And they learn as out of knowledge also. So I encourage them.”
Maya came to the Bible school to be able to better serve her church. She shares here that she learned ministry is much more than just preaching, but also serving her community. She has developed her language and cultural skills, better equipping her to share the hope of the gospel. Next we will hear from Priti* who grew up in India. She is 18 years old and came to the college after her uncle encouraged her to attend:
“I chose this college, because my uncle suggested [for] me to come here, and he already studied here. And when I came here, I realized it was a good choice for me. And my friends and family, they are happy because I came here to learn God’s word. And in this college, I learned so many things, but I want to share three things. First thing is how to access in a different place, in a different culture, and also how to become humble and also patient. And after graduation, I want to [be] involved in a youth ministry and help my pastor. And after that, if it is God’s will still for me, I want to go for further study. And also I want to encourage those who want to come here, in this place, this place is a different culture, and different people are here, but also they treat us like their own family, and they guide us spiritually, also physically.”
Priti came to the Bible school to learn more about the Bible. As she has continued in her studies, she has not only grown in her Biblical knowledge, but in her understanding of the culture where she serves. Priti has seen how ministry takes patience and humility, and hopes to take these skills into her ministry with young adults. The next student we will hear from is Shu*, a 25 year old who came to the Bible school from India.
“I choose this college, because I saw there are many practical advantages that I get here. There are a lot more things I have learned here. I learned patience in between hardship, but still, then I keep on moving. God has a better plan for my life, and at the same time, when I am with other backgrounds, I understand them and their beliefs. I get to know them. It is my privilege that I get this opportunity to do a ministerial service work in the midst of them. It is God’s grace alone that He has selected me, elected me, and appointed me to do works. After getting out of this college my friends and family must be proud of me, because I am doing a work that others are trying to do. There are many people out there who are trying to serve the Lord, but they can’t. For them I want to suggest, if you want to do something for the Lord, then do God’s business. Come to college and equip your life from the scriptures and train others and do the service of the Lord for the sake of Christ.”
These young leaders are just a few of the many students who are being prepared to serve God in South Asia. Through your support, the Bible school program in Bhutan can continue to grow. You can learn more about this ministry and the other ways God is at work in Bhutan and South Asia by visiting our website, www.HarvestBridge.org or by following us on Facebook, Instagram or BlueSky.
Thank you for listening to the Harvest Bridge podcast. To hear more stories from leaders across South Asia, follow Harvest Bridge on social media and subscribe to our email updates. Thank you for your support as they faithfully do much with little.