Bhutan Archives - Stories https://www.persecution.com/stories/tag/bhutan/ VOM Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:45:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://www.persecution.com/stories/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/favicon-32x32-1.png Bhutan Archives - Stories https://www.persecution.com/stories/tag/bhutan/ 32 32 BHUTAN: Prayers Answered On College Campuses https://www.persecution.com/stories/bhutan-prayers-answered-on-college-campuses/ Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:45:45 +0000 https://www.persecution.com/stories/bhutan-prayers-answered-on-college-campuses/ With almost 90% of people in Bhutan identifying as Buddhists, those who follow Christ are a tiny minority. Pastor Rajiv, a church planter and leadership trainer in South Asia, works to reach Bhutanese people for Christ and knows what happens when someone follows Jesus in this restricted nation.

In Bhutan, the king is seen as both a political and religious leader. One of his duties is defending Buddhism in the nation. Becoming a Christian is seen as being a traitor to the country and the king. It’s also against the law, so Christians who gather together must do so in secret.

Yet being in fellowship with other believers is crucial to spiritual growth and perseverance. Pastor Rajiv reveals his heart for young people and shares how vital it is for them to meet together to study the Bible and pray with one another. Over the last ten years, God has made Pastor Rajiv’s prayers reality: there are now Christian groups that meet on all the college campuses in Bhutan.

Rajiv will share his own story of coming to Christ and how he was called into missions. He will also share stories of Bhutanese who have come to faith along with the pressure and Christian persecution they face from the government if they do not renounce Christ.

“When you want to live a radical life for Christ, you’ll be willing to pay the cost,” Rajiv says.

As you learn how to specifically pray for Bhutan and for Pastor Rajiv, pray with Christians all over the world for the persecuted church this month as part of the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians. Also, be inspired by this year’s IDOP video, which features the Martinez family in Colombia.

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]]> Commitment to Prayer Counters Fear of Persecution https://www.persecution.com/stories/commitment-to-prayer-counters-fear-of-persecution/ Thu, 11 Dec 2025 08:07:05 +0000 https://www.persecution.com/stories/commitment-to-prayer-counters-fear-of-persecution/ For Christians in Buddhist-dominated Bhutan, fear of the government and the reaction of neighbors to Christian witness runs deep. Anti-conversion laws can bring punishments up to life imprisonment for carrying out the activities of the Christian faith. However, many faithful brothers and sisters in Christ remain committed to him despite the risk. A front-line worker shared the example of one Christian woman dedicated to praying continuously. Seven days each week, she comes to the church to pray, returning home only to sleep. “Her trust and passion for the Lord was humbling,” the worker said. Pray for Bhutanese Christians to have strength and courage to persevere in the face of fears and pressure. Pray also for protection and encouragement for those who are facing opposition, imprisonment or family rejection.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Bhutan and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Bhutanese Christians on iCommitToPray.com

]]> Student Retreat Relieves Buddhist Pressure https://www.persecution.com/stories/student-retreat-relieves-buddhist-pressure/ Thu, 27 Nov 2025 08:07:06 +0000 https://www.persecution.com/stories/student-retreat-relieves-buddhist-pressure/ As Christian students are forced to participate in Buddhist practices in school, an upcoming retreat will encourage and strengthen their faith. In Bhutan, the king regards himself as a divinely appointed defender of Buddhism, and stringent laws are in place to restrict Christianity, forcing students to join Buddhist practices at school even when doing so is contrary to their faith in Christ. Pray that the upcoming retreat will give persecuted Christian students a reprieve from this pressure and encouragement to remain strong in their faith and witness. Pray that they will be equipped to stand firm in Christ despite forced practices and that, through these students, the Lord will raise up a new generation of leaders for his church.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Bhutan and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for students on iCommitToPray.com

]]> Christian Mother Endures Unsafe Conditions https://www.persecution.com/stories/christian-mother-endures-unsafe-conditions/ Thu, 11 Sep 2025 07:07:03 +0000 https://www.persecution.com/stories/christian-mother-endures-unsafe-conditions/ Jampa is a Christian who has experienced persecution and deprivation since coming to faith in Jesus Christ. She was beaten for praying, had to trek through the jungle to attend a distant church, and kept her Bible hidden in the woods so it would not be found and destroyed. When police disrupted a worship service she was attending, she was detained and questioned, and now her in-laws have kicked her out of their home because of her faith, leaving her to live in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. Jampa’s children have expressed a desire to live with her so that they, too, can openly follow Jesus. Despite the opposition, Jampa said, “I will not leave God, because God has done a great work in my life.” Front-line workers are assisting in meeting her physical needs. Pray for Jampa to keep her eyes fixed on the Lord and for her children and entire family to turn to him.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Bhutan and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Jampa on iCommitToPray.com

]]> Front-Line Couple Faithful in Trials https://www.persecution.com/stories/front-line-couple-faithful-in-trials/ Thu, 24 Jul 2025 07:07:04 +0000 https://www.persecution.com/stories/front-line-couple-faithful-in-trials/ A pastor and his wife remain firm in their faith despite persecution and family troubles. Because the government of Bhutan holds strict policies regarding non-Buddhist religions, Pastor Tshewang lost his government job and retirement benefits when he was arrested and refused to recant his faith in Christ. Since then, with the help of the global body of Christ, Tshewang and his wife, Umzey, have built a business that provides them with opportunities to share the gospel in their community. They have continued to disciple and baptize new believers, including five recent converts. However, Tshewang and Umzey have also experienced heartbreak as their son has fallen into drug use. Pray for this couple’s ministry and for healing and restoration for their son.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Bhutan and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Tshewang and Umzey on iCommitToPray.com

]]> Authorities Raid Christian Youth Conference https://www.persecution.com/stories/authorities-raid-christian-youth-conference/ Thu, 09 Jan 2025 08:07:07 +0000 https://www.persecution.com/stories/authorities-raid-christian-youth-conference/ A Christian youth conference scheduled in Bhutan was disrupted when authorities raided the location and demanded that organizers show permits, which did not exist because Christian events are not allowed by the Buddhist government. Authorities then summoned the organizers for interrogation. The raid caused organizers of other youth events to change their plans as they wait to see the consequences. Pray for Christians in Bhutan who are reaching and discipling young people to have wisdom and courage as they plan and lead their ministries so that many will come to know and follow Jesus Christ in Bhutan.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Bhutan and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Christians in Bhutan on iCommitToPray.com

]]> Family Separated Due to Government Restrictions https://www.persecution.com/stories/family-separated-due-to-government-restrictions/ Thu, 19 Sep 2024 07:07:02 +0000 https://www.persecution.com/stories/family-separated-due-to-government-restrictions/ A family involved in gospel outreach in the isolated and restricted nation of Bhutan has been separated as the government has refused them proper documentation because of their faith. In addition, the government has not allowed any of the family members to leave lockdown since the coronavirus pandemic began in 2019. They request prayer that the Lord would intercede in their difficult situation.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Bhutan and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Christians in Bhutan on iCommitToPray.com

]]> Gospel Workers Persevere Despite Pressures https://www.persecution.com/stories/gospel-workers-persevere-despite-pressures/ Thu, 13 Jun 2024 07:07:03 +0000 https://www.persecution.com/stories/gospel-workers-persevere-despite-pressures/ Because of geographical isolation and the hostility of the government toward Christianity, Christians in Bhutan face pressure from many directions. However, front-line workers in Bhutan continue to live out their faith in Christ and reach out with the gospel. One gospel worker asked for prayer that their youth and women’s programs and training programs for Sunday school teachers will be adequately resourced. A church in central Bhutan is looking for a way to move from their cramped meeting space in a private home into a larger facility for worship. Another worker requested prayer for leaders engaged in evangelism in remote border areas.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Bhutan and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Christians in Bhutan on iCommitToPray.com

]]> Pastor’s Children Left Stateless https://www.persecution.com/stories/pastors-children-left-stateless/ Thu, 02 May 2024 07:07:09 +0000 https://www.persecution.com/stories/pastors-children-left-stateless/ Christians in Bhutan often risk losing their citizenship or other rights because of their faith in Christ. Pastor Abhaya and his wife have been denied a marriage certificate by the government, which jeopardizes their whole family, especially their children, who have been denied citizenship. The family may have to relocate to another country for the sake of their children. Pray for this family as they make decisions related to their future and the church Pastor Abhaya leads. Pray that Christian families in Bhutan will be able to meet the needs of their families despite this kind of pressure.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Bhutan and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Pastor Abhaya and family on iCommitToPray.com

]]> Young Evangelist Undaunted by Barriers https://www.persecution.com/stories/young-evangelist-undaunted-by-barriers/ Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:07:03 +0000 https://www.persecution.com/stories/young-evangelist-undaunted-by-barriers/ Narmith, a new Christian in a discipleship program in Bhutan, has been growing in her faith and has had many opportunities to practice sharing her testimony and the gospel with others. Recently, she met two women with severe hearing impairments. She spent the entire afternoon with them, explaining through improvised hand signs how much Jesus loves them before praying for them. One woman was moved to tears after the prayer and conversation. Narmith and other front-line workers request prayer for these women’s salvation. Pray that new believers like Narmith will embrace the call to lovingly share their faith in Jesus Christ despite the ever-present threat that they could be rejected and persecuted.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Bhutan and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Narmith on iCommitToPray.com

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