Will you pray over our bold vision for Bhutan?
Our vision for Bhutan is much the same as our vision for every other nation in Asia; that every city, town and village would have within it a community of people who love and follow the Lord Jesus. Of course, many nations in Asia present significant barriers to the realisation of that goal, and Bhutan is no different.
Three thousand metres above the Paro Valley, clinging precariously to side of a cliff, can be found the ‘Tiger’s Nest’ monastery. It looks like something from a fairytale or fantasy novel, perched on the side of a mountain with breathtaking surroundings, the monastery is a stunning example of the wonder, beauty and understated majesty of the Bhutanese landscape.
The building’s stunning backdrop is emblematic of the nation’s fierce commitment to environmental care. It’s location, reachable only by a gruelling hike, reflects the reclusive nature of Bhutan. But most relevant is the fact that this famous building is a monastery. For all Bhutan’s quirks, nothing is more central to the national identity and culture than the practice of Buddhism.
This magazine delves deeper into this quiet and oft–forgotten nation. The Kingdom is home to just 780,000 people, and few outsiders venture here. This is partly by design, with the nation actively seeking to minimise foreign influence and thus preserve its culture. As a result, Bhutan is a land in desperate need of the gospel. Among its small population, zeal for the Buddhist faith and the worship of spirits is formidable and Christian outreach is very difficult. With few workers serving here, growth has been slow but the Lord is still at work.
Our vision for this nation – a church in every city, town and village – may seem naïve. But over the past 10 years we have seen churches planted, gospel workers raised up and new life received right through from the capital in the west to the rural areas near the eastern border with India’s Arunachal Pradesh. With new workers being supported and new areas targeted, now is the time to pray for God’s Kingdom to come in Bhutan.