Keith McWhorter,

Project Coordinator

The Nepal mission was conducted from March 10-22, 2015. 16 Americans from Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Ohio, New Jersey and Kentucky participated.

Six were on their first overseas mission. This was a LIfeWay sponsored project primarily staffed by LifeWay employees and retirees.

We also had three missionaries from Nepal that joined us to share the gospel in the capital city of Kathmandu and out in the countryside in Hetauda and Simara near the Indian border.

We partnered with 32 churches. There were 279 individuals who indicated they prayed to accept Jesus as Savior. Four rededicated their lives to Christ. We counted 2,621 souls who heard the gospel. We had the privilege of distributing 1,500 full Bibles provided by LifeWay.

One of our goals was to mentor evangelism and we trained several Nepalese to use the EvangeCube and left about 35 for them to continue the mission of witnessing upon our departure.

The area of ministry was described as “hard ground.” We found that to be so. We were asked not to come into one of the villages because the Hindu priest had asked villagers not to receive us. In other areas, people would listen very attentively but then not respond to the invitation to accept Jesus.

Fear of being ostracized from the family and/or the village was a major stumbling block. In spite of these barriers, God opened doors and we were able to share in village centers, homes and schools.

We shared with farmers, laborers, students, political leaders, teachers and religious leaders in spite of a government mandate not to do so.

The Baptist leaders in all three geographic areas did a good job of preparing for our coming. They had visits/meetings scheduled for us each day so as to make our time quite productive.

LifeWay staff conducted a Bible Seminar for pastors with over 50 in attendance. Topics covered were: Structure of the Bible, Content of the Bible, Life of Jesus, Bible Study Hints and 12 Essential Beliefs for Christians.

Ross M. of Tennessee stopped at a Hindu shrine. Pastor Rupesh brought the Hindu priest to Ross. Ross witnessed to him, asked him if he would confess Jesus as Lord. He said yes and prayed and made a profession of faith. Perhaps this man will be like the Ethiopian eunuch in the book of Acts and spread the good news among his people.

Anna D. of Ohio was waiting for the other team members when a “divine appointment” became available. Anna shared with a man standing nearby. The taxi driver came to listen, then two girls, then another man. All heard the good news and all prayed to accept Christ including the taxi driver. God provides many such “divine appointments” on the mission field!

Brandon T. of Tennessee shared the gospel with a store owner in Kathmandu. The pastor had been sharing the good news with this man for 10 years without response. After sharing, the man placed his faith in Christ. “I was able to witness this man go from death to life, truly was a joy I can hardly express with words.”

As we go on mission in various countries we have the experience Brandon had many times. Local pastors and church members may have witnessed for many years, but God uses our presence, having traveled great distances to be on the mission field, to show the love of Christ allowing us to participate in the harvest!

Nathan McWhorter, Albany, KY, currently stationed in Germany, was amazed at how God moved in spite of barking dogs, crying babies, buses unloading passengers and other distractions. His team saw over 150 indicate they prayed to accept Christ in the midst of all the noise and confusion. God is greater than all the obstacles the world presents.

Please continue to be in prayer for the people of Nepal. This is a beautiful country but very impoverished. Tourism is a huge part of their economy. With the earthquakes that have devastated large areas of the country, tourism has declined significantly. God gave us a window of opportunity to share the good news before the great earthquakes. Our group left the country five weeks before the first quake.

Please pray about joining us in Lithuania, October 8-19, 2015. God has great plans for that mission!