MISSIONS

Another milestone - first two Elders Ordained in Nepal

By David Khew,  Asst. Director, MMS Church Relations & Mobilisation.

After 12 years of journeying in Nepal, a new milestone has been reached – Rev Gopal Khanal and Rev Sabashtain Lepcha were ordained the first two Elders of the Methodist Mission in Nepal at its Second Annual meeting in October this year. Two deacons, Rev Chandra Kumar Bomjan and Rev Khogen Basumatary were also ordained, while Pushpa Chaudhary and Kharka Bahadur Limbu were licensed to preach.

Leading up to the meeting were a number of important achievements:  

1)      The organisation of four churches and five preaching points with a total congregation of 248 baptised members and 160 believers.

2)       The formation of Committees for Finance, Christian Education and Worship & Liturgy.

3)      The introduction of a “Wesley Mighty” Club in several churches as part of the children’s ministry.

4)      The compilation of church membership and baptism records.

5)      The development of Discipleship training.

6)      The consolidation of the Student Sponsorship Scheme.

7)      The publication of a Methodist Hymnal in Nepali.

8)      The translation of the Provisional Book of Discipline into Nepali

9)      The creation of the Church Conference Fund towards self-support.

The Annual Meeting and the Ordination Service on October 5^th 2010 was presided over by the Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore, Dr Robert Solomon, with representatives from Methodist Missions Society in attendance.

Conducted at the Patan Koinonia Kristiya Church, with 150 invited guests representing families and members of the Methodist churches and preaching points and observers from Nepali Methodist Churches connected with the United Methodist Church, Korean Methodist Church, other foreign mission agencies and Bible schools.

In his exhortation, Bishop Solomon urged the Elders, Deacons and Preachers to expand their ministries in Nepal in spite of challenges and difficulties and to meet them with a Godly perspective. He encouraged them to guard their heart because Jesus is in us. (2 Cor. 4:16-18).

During the afternoon session, Bishop called on all to humble themselves as Jesus did in the washing of His disciples’ feet (Jn. 13:1-17). More so for the newly appointed leaders – not the lofty identity being conferred upon them but a continual reminder of their roles as servants of Jesus, to care for their flock and the lost sheep.

Noting the leadership and passion of these ministers, he looked forward to the organisation of a Mission Conference in the next few years.

Rev Gopal Khanal, coordinator of the Caleb Bible Institute and PIC of the Mahmit Methodist Church, Mandali, felt honoured being appointed District Superintendent of the East Nepal region. He was excited and challenged to the higher calling to serve the community. Rev Sabashtain Lepcha, PIC of Wesley Methodist Church, Mandali, also appointed District Superintendent for the Central Nepal region, felt called to be a channel of blessings as God’s beacon to the nationals of two great nations flanking Nepal.