SEND! magazine First Quarter 2004: Reaching Tibetan Buddhists

Reaching Tibetan Buddhists

In 2003, Gospel for Asia opened a new Bible school in North India, specifically designed to train native missionaries to reach India's Tibetan Buddhist population. Of the eleven men who heard God's call and enrolled, one is Tibetan.

Palden's Story
Palden was born in Tibet and attended a Chinese university. There he met a Chinese Christian named Wang who introduced him to Jesus. In the beginning, Palden listened but did not believe. That didn't stop Wang, however, and he continued teaching Palden from the Bible. Eventually Palden realized Jesus was the one true God and the only path to salvation.

Palden's new life in Christ brought two things: an intense burden to share this message with his fellow Tibetans, and severe opposition from his family. They disowned him and threatened his life if he continued to believe in Jesus. And so he was forced to leave everything behind and move to India, praying for someone to teach him how to reach his people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In his exodus, Palden met a Christian who directed him to GFA's Bible school in North India. Palden is there today, preparing to fulfill his call.

Continue to Pray
Pray God will send more laborers into the harvest field. May our Bible school overflow with those called to reach Tibetan Buddhists. Pray with us that the light of the Gospel will touch those who are desperately searching for truth.

What Tibetan Buddhists Believe...
*Reincarnation—endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth
*Karma—law of cause and effect, and basis for earning merit toward a better rebirth
*Nirvana —non-existence and freedom from reincarnation
*Bon—ancient practice of spirit worship and witchcraft

Gospel for Asia's Work Among Tibetan Buddhists
*One Bible school in North India
*Radio broadcasts in Lhasa and Amdo
*One Christian music album in traditional Tibetan style
*Evangelistic literature: In partnership with other ministries, GFA Nepal last year published The Story of Jesus, a colorful 16-page booklet that carefully explains the Gospel. GFA missionaries distribute the booklet among exiled Tibetans; it is also sent with follow-up correspondence to radio listeners and widely distributed by other mission agencies. To date GFA Nepal has published three Gospel booklets for Tibetan Buddhists.