This Is Why We Need
Bible-based Youth Ministries in Nepal

"Having been reminded of the sincere faith that is in you; which lived first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and, I am persuaded, in you also," 1 Tim 1:6.

"Parents do not tell about Jesus to their adult kids. So children do not come to church neither they believe in the Lord," pastor Atan Chhiring from Lamachaur Church, Pokhara (West Nepal) complained me about his church situation while I was talking to another pastor in 24th August of 2010. Pastor Atan has a long history of pastoral ministries in Nepal as well as a proof of his gray hair. His complain is not only a complain, but a growing bitter reality of Nepali Churches where many people believe the Lord when their kids are grown up and they cannot bring their kids to church.

"Some of our boys used so many dirty words in inter-church football tournament. What shall we do?" One of my friends said me in phone in the same day evening.

"My 14 year's boy made me problems watching porn sites. Who can help me?" A desperate father had asked me with his sad face.

"I prefer to keep watching television than to read the Bible! If I get spare time, I want to spend my time teasing girls," A 16 year's Christian youth had written in a paper while I did a research about teens' interest in a youth camp.

"I spend most of my free time with listening my favorite songs from Black Sabbath," One boy shared about his leisure time with me in last October while I was in west Nepal. Black Sabbath is a satanic band which asks people to accept satan in their concerts.

These examples are the samples from Nepali churches that represent both urban and rural Nepali churches. Nepal has made the history and world record of one of the fastest church growing countries in the world. Jesus multiplied His people and we saw this growth. His name shall be exalted in everything!

But, the bitter reality is that Nepali church is ignoring its main part. It seems that we are happy to see big 'hallelujah' on Saturday, and after that we forget about our faith and people. Because of freedom, church is investing its main efforts to increase the number and buildings. But investing in people and building them, we see rarely!

Youths of Nepali churches are being misled by so many things. We can see some God-fearing part in Nepali Christian youths, but its main part has started to be diverted from the Word of God. These examples are live and true. These shows what will happen in Nepali church after some years. Church is happy to see big numbers, more Christian activities, outward actions, but those things, if not come from saved heart, are only religion which deceives people. And, youths want to do it because for many youths Christian is a new life-style, actually came from west as modern way of life. That is why we do not see committed Christians in church and people care less about the Word of God.

We have started to see many divorces in church done openly; abortion is also growing in church. Satan is happy to put these sins in church so he can fulfill his will. Other sad part is this that the Bible is not preached well. Youth are looking for father figure in church but they hardly find it. If they do not see any of father figure in church like David was seeking while he called Saul 'My father, my father', it is very big possibilities for them to go out and find other people. It may be non-Christian star or anything.

Youths do not want to make the Bible basis of their life. Second generation Christianity is also making people fool preventing them from real salvation. Youths are desperately seeking for a role model in church and they are following the temptation of the world without any role model. Some youth have taken leadership role without being called and being prepared.

If someone doesn't stand in the gap, these things will grow and one day it will spoil Nepali church. I truly believe that the Lord of the universe has the alternative to protect His people. But our eyes see that way.

We can do and have many other kinds of ministries, but what will happen, if Nepali church will have shallow faith and even all church without the real Bible-teaching? What will happen if we do not have godly leader in church? That is why we need a Bible-based youth ministries in Nepal.

God called me to stand in the gap. I know, I cannot do anything myself, but I press on as He gives me courage in my inner hear at least to facilitate some to be saved.

"I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth." 3 John 4.

Local Evangelism Opportunities

Conversation & Cuisine
Occasional dinner party to invite non-Christians to enjoy a unique meal followed by a meaningful discussion of some selected topic. Exquisite food and enjoyable, stimulating discussion describes the evening in a nutshell.

Chronological Bible Study
Consider having an evangelistic study series on a chronological overview of the entire Bible (from creation to the cross). This is good for believers too. Chronological Bible study is a very effective tool for evangelism in a biblically illiterate culture like ours. A highly recommended resource is The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus by John R. Cross. + There is a book and companion study guide that takes about 15 hours to go through. The book is excellent with many visuals. + For more information and to order online visit www.goodseed.com or by phone at (888) 654-7333.

Take prayer requests in the neighborhood.
Go door-to-door and ask people if they have any needs you can pray for when your group meets. Take along some literature like Gospel of John booklets to offer if they seem open.

Literature Evangelism
Offering non-believers Bibles and Christian literature is a very effective tool for evangelism. Consider having a supply of Bibles, tracts, and evangelistic books on hand for regular distribution by your church members to their friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers, etc. You can also give away sermon tapes and CDs by the pastor or others.

For very inexpensive Bibles and New Testaments, contact International Bible Society at (800) 524-1588 or online at www.ibsdirect.com.

For the absolute lowest price on the 30-page booklet Ultimate Questions (the best, concise presentation of the gospel in print) contact Cumberland Valley Bible Book Service at 1-800-656-0231 or online at www.cvbbs.com. They have it for a mere $0.75 a copy (retail is $2.99).

For a variety of attractive gospel tracts contact American Tract Society at 1-800-54-TRACT or online at www.atstracts.org.

Other Ideas to Consider

• Evangelistic Bible study. 5-Week study for non-Christians or new believers on the Bible, God, Man, Jesus, and Salvation. The curriculum is available for free on the web at http://www.solidrock.net/evangelism.php. It includes a leader’s guide and student’s guide.
• Occasional seeker-services. Saturday evening service designed to evangelize the non-Christian using music, skits, and message.
• Outreach CD. Create an audio CD presentation of the Gospel message with narration, music, and message to give away to non-Christians who can then listen at home, office, or in the car. You could even include some articles on the CD and/or the Gospel of John that can be accessed on computer.
• Have a booth at the flea market. You can distribute literature and talk with people. Maybe give out free bottled water.
• Begin a campus ministry at a local community college or university. Start a Christian club to host a weekly Bible study on campus.
• Encourage small group evangelism. Maybe make a form for all the leaders to report on what they are doing for evangelism. Encourage a target date to hold an evangelism night or see if they are planning any other ways to encourage evangelism in their small groups. A sample plan for a small group evangelism night is online here: www.frontlinemin.org/cellgroup.asp.
• Provide a new-believers’ class. Maybe use Fundamentals of the Faith to ground new believers in the faith. Interestingly, the FOF class is considered the most effective evangelistic ministry of Grace Community Church (John MacArthur's church), where the book originates. This workbook is available from Grace Books at www.gbibooks.com or (800) 472-2315.
• Q & A meetings. Offer to provide meetings where people can come and ask questions they have about the Bible or the Christian faith. This has been very effective with some churches.
• Personal evangelism. Research has shown that the most effective means of evangelism is still one person telling another person about the gospel. Encourage people to talk to others about the Lord in their daily lives. Back this up with prayer and trust God to work. Continue to offer training in personal evangelism and evangelizing people from various religions and worldviews. You may consider using the Witnessing Without Fear curriculum developed by Massimo Lorenzini available at www.frontlinemin.org/wwf.asp.
• Show evangelistic films at church or in homes.
• Have special seminars on various topics such as creationism, marriage and parenting, the uniqueness of the Bible, etc. Having a regular schedule of events that church members can invite non-believers to is a great evangelistic strategy.
• Christian worldview training. Provide in-depth training in various aspects of the Christian worldview so our members can understand, explain, and defend Christianity intelligently.
• Follow-up counselors. Train those who can counsel people who are interested in becoming a Christian. By providing such a staff, the church can begin inviting people on Sunday morning and at other church events to talk with someone after the service.
• Begin an after-school or released-time Good News Club for children. This is an evangelistic ministry to unchurched kids in a local public school. Contact Child Evangelism Fellowship to learn more at www.cefonline.com.

Adapted from Evangelism Opportunities Guide,Casas por Cristo