Dear Brother & Sisters,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am very excited to write about the work of the Lord among us. His work is really amazing. On January 20, 2020, the local church appointed brother Doug as an elder. I praise God for brother Doug, and his call to serve as my co-elder in the local church. On the one hand, it is a great joy to come into the pastoral ministry, but on another hand, this is a very serious calling. The Bible tells us in James 3:1, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” In the same way, the book of Hebrew 13:17 says leaders will have to give an account. I consider it a high and serious call, with a great opportunity. To whom much is given, much is required.
Let me back up and tell this amazing story. After finishing my seminary study in 2010, God gave me the opportunity to meet a young man named Doug up in the mountains. He was around 16 years old. Slowly, I started discipling this brother in the Lord as I was living in the mountains and working in the local church alongside my father. It was the very beginning of his spiritual journey. After finishing his 12th class, he came down to Butwal for his college study. Ten months later, I too moved to Butwal to help a local church there. I was able to resume the privilege of discipling brother Doug once again.
During that time, I had the privilege to meet a missionary in China. He became very close to me, and one of the greatest mentors in my life. I still remember when he told me, “the best way to disciple someone is to eat together, read together, pray together, play together, work together which means giving your heart to someone. That is what Jesus Christ did for His discipleship.” That changed me. I started investing my life in brother Doug. Helping when he had a need, encouraging him when he was in pain, correcting him when he was in the wrong, admonishing, praying, caring, and loving as best I could. Brother Doug started learning from my life, my teaching, my preaching, my example, my family, my struggle, my leadership, and my weakness.
During the end of his college study, he was thinking about trying to get a government job, but the more he understood the deeper truths of the gospel and the work of the Lord, the more he lost his desire for a secular job. He began feeling his call to serve the Lord with his life. In June of 2015, God gave him an opportunity to join a Bible college in Goa India. Praise God for this opportunity and praise God for HeartCry’s support for him. During his seminary study, he learned how to handle God’s Word better. After finishing his Master of Divinity, he returned back to Nepal in 2018 and started working under the local church as an intern. During his internship, he worked hard and faithfully served the local church. He truly has a heart for the people, to teach them and see them grow in the Lord.
For the last two years, we as a local church examined his life and doctrine. We examined his life according to the qualifications of elder found in 1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1: 5-9; and 1 Peter 5:1-4. It was clear that he was qualified. We as a church did not take this lightly. As Paul says in 1 Timothy 5:22, “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands nor take part in the sins of others keep yourself pure.” This is a serious and fearful task.
The greatest need in Nepal is qualified pastors. It is better to have one qualified man than hundreds of unqualified men. One biblical man is enough for the advancement of His kingdom. There is no doubt in my mind, brother Doug, while not a perfect man, is a qualified man. We rejoice in the Lord’s provision. Nepal needs faithful laborers in His field. We rejoice that He has raised up another one.
Praise God for His faithfulness in the life of brother Doug. Now the local church has a plurality of elders. I praise God for His amazing work in our midst. Now, I am able to invest my life in brother Gautam’s life. I want to see God raise Him up as a faithful laborer. I know it takes time, but I trust in the Lord. We want to see faithful laborers like Doug in the future. We desire God’s kingdom to advance and more biblical churches planted. Please continue to pray for us. Thank you for your partnership in the gospel work. In all this, ultimately God is the One who is advancing His work. Ultimately, God is the One worthy of all praise and honor. Amen!
