“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2
When we returned to Nepal in late January, we had some new ministry plans set in place. Instead, God changed those plans and has given us a clear new vision and excitement for the ministries He has entrusted us with.
Now, within the past three months of being back in Nepal, we have already been able to do and see so many exciting things!
Please continue to keep our family and everyone involved in the ministries in your prayers.
Children’s Outreach
We had a visitor from the Ukraine stay with us for the month of March and help with various things at the bible college and church. One of the major events that she helped run was a four day children’s gospel outreach event.
It was so neat to see the children in our community as well as some of our partnering ministries come to sing, dance, make crafts, and – most importantly – have a chance to hear the gospel.
On the last day of the outreach, we handed out invitations to all of the children to invite their family to share a meal with us after church.
We praise God that there is already some fruit that has come from this outreach. One of the ladies in our area sent her daughter to the event and later she and her two daughters started coming to church and has made a personal confession of faith.
Calvary Chapel Kathmandu
Our two church services are going great. We recently switched from evening services to morning services on Saturdays (Nepali church days). At first, we weren’t sure how switching church times would affect the attendance but we are delighted to see a steady flow of regular and new people coming every week.
Pankaj has been going through the book of Acts on Saturdays and we recently started Philippians for our midweek service.
We are also excited to share about the very first wedding that took place at Calvary Chapel Kathmandu on April 15! Not only was it exciting that it was the first wedding ceremony, it was even more exciting because it was for Pankaj’s brother, Samir, and his beautiful bride, Pabitra!! We had a great time celebrating with them and are thrilled to welcome Pabitra into our family!
Discipleship Classes
Due to the increase in new believers in our church, Pankaj felt it was important to have a time to go through the CCWG discipleship books. He asked our friend and ministry partner, Rajiv, to lead a class every Saturday, one hour before morning service begins, for whoever wants to come and learn. We currently have around 10 people attending these classes and we can see their growth already. Please keep this class and all of the new believers in your prayers.
Calvary Chapel School of Worship Nepal
It is hard to believe the School of Worship is almost ready to begin (finally)!! We are in full gear of planning and starting to spread the word and take applications for the upcoming semester (starting September 2018).
There are many people from outside the Kathmandu Valley that are interested in attending, but we are trying to figure out how and where to house them. As of right now, Pankaj has decided to only allow up to 5 people from outside the Valley to attend and then the rest will have to commute to and from their homes every day.
There are many financial needs that come with starting a new work and housing students. Please keep the upcoming semester and all of the needs in your prayers.
Salvation Worship Ministries / Music Center
Our worship team recently took part in a large gospel concert where almost 5000 people attended. We played all of our new songs from our CD and the crowd loved singing and dancing along with us. It was a blessing to be able to share the stage with several different bands.
The Saturday afternoon bible study is a blessing for all of the Salvation team members. We are going through 1 Corinthians, right now. Pankaj has already seen the growth of each team member from their studying and sharing with each other. This bible study gives them the opportunity to teach from the pulpit and practice with each other. We have seen the guys taking the same form of verse-by-verse bible study to their churches. Some of their pastors have also seen their gift of teaching and have been using them in their churches as well. We praise God for His Word which is living and life changing.
The music school attendance is high right now. Local schools are on break right now which gives the students a chance to come and learn music at our school.
Work Projects and Improvements on Campus
The staff and students of CCBC and CC Kathmandu have been very busy with different work projects! We are slowly but surely making some much needed improvements to the campus.
In the past month (with the help of professional contractors), we have already expanded the main gate by an additional 3 feet. This makes it easier to get our ministry vehicles in and out of the campus. We have also been able to build a rain and sun cover outside our sanctuary. Then last week, we were able to clear out some old sheet metal, wood, etc from storage and also painted the gates and some other things around campus.
Please Pray:
- We are still having problems with renewing Tonielle’s long-term visa.
- Pankaj’s back and neck problems.
- Levi to enjoy and behave in his preschool classes (half days for only 3 days a week).
- The new believers and their families attending CC Kathmandu.
- Safety for our staff, students, and congregation while the laws are getting more strict toward christianity and religious conversion.
- For wisdom and guidance for Pankaj while he oversees the ministries
- For unity between each of the ministry team members
- For spiritual and physical protection over their marriage, family, and ministries
- For ministry and personal financial provision