The Church of God in Kathmandu, Nepal
The Church of God in Kathmandu, Nepal
| |
| Category | Church |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Worship, Preaching the Gospel, Community Service |
| Location | Kathmandu, Nepal |
| Belong to | World Mission Society Church of God |
| Website | Church of God Official Website |
The Church of God in Kathmandu, Nepal, was founded in October 1999, and moved to a larger temple in January 2003. Its official name is the World Mission Society Church of God in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Overview
- Construction: January 1, 2003
- Scale: Two floors above ground, a total floor area of 807㎡
- Facilities: Main worship hall, fellowship hall, study rooms, multi-purpose room, cafeteria, and other activity rooms
- Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Features
In 1999, two years after the Church of God began its overseas mission work, this church was established in Nepal, a country known for Hinduism. For over 20 years, it has steadfastly practiced God’s love, making a positive impact. The members, firmly rooted in the truth through the Bible, faithfully observe the festivals of the new covenant. With pure faith and passionate devotion, they have preached the truth throughout Nepal, including Kathmandu, the second-largest city, Pokhara, and the remote Himalayan village of Sertung, fostering rapid church growth.[1] Over 99% of the members in Nepal’s local churches are native residents. Guided by the teachings of Christ, they engage in multifaceted volunteer efforts to promote national development and unity, setting an exemplary model for their neighbors and society.[2]
Emergency Relief
On April 25, 2015, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 struck, damaging 75% of buildings in Kathmandu and claiming over 9,000 lives. While the unexpected disaster left everyone in despair, members of the Church of God immediately stepped into the relief efforts. They provided aid supplies and donations, helped in recovery efforts, and consistently carried out environmental clean-up to prevent the spread of diseases. In July, after signing a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Education, they rebuilt two collapsed schools, enabling students to study in a safe environment.[2][3][4]
The Headquarters of the Church of God in the Republic of Korea urgently provided relief supplies worth KRW 100 million (USD 90,000). The supplies were delivered by helicopter in 14 trips to Kathmandu and remote Himalayan villages such as Sertung, which were cut off by the earthquake, helping approximately 1,000 households.[5] The Church of God in Denver, CO, U.S., donated USD 5,000 raised through a charity concert,[6] and members from around the world united to support Nepal’s recovery.
In gratitude, the Ambassador of Nepal to the U.S.[7] and the Director of the Nandi Student Welfare Fund[8] presented certificates of appreciation to the church. Meanwhile, the former Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Hisila Yami, along with the former Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Khadga Bahadur Bishwarkarma, expressed their thanks to the members.[2]
When flooding occurred in Gairi village, Itahari, in 2017, members of the Church of God also promptly went to the site to assist with recovery efforts.
Environmental Protection
Currently, due to severe climate change, the glaciers of the Himalayas surrounding Kathmandu are melting rapidly.[9] Moreover, the air pollution in Kathmandu has worsened to the point where school closures have been mandated.[10]
Members of the Church of God in Kathmandu, Nepal, sought various solutions to address environmental pollution. They conducted regular cleanup activities in parks, bus depots, and school vicinities, raising environmental awareness among citizens.[11][12] In July 2016, ASEZ, the Church of God University Student Volunteer Group, signed an MOU with the Kathmandu City Office as part of the Environmental Cleanup Campaign. They designated a 1 km (0.6 mi) stretch in front of City Hall as the first “Mother’s Street” and carried out environmental protection activities. At the time, Kathmandu Mayor Rudra Singh Tamang praised the efforts, calling it “the beginning of a Green Kathmandu.” In December 2017, ASEZ members held environmental education sessions at Minar High School, followed by a street cleanup near the school. They have since continued to raise awareness among students and citizens, designating and maintaining Mother’s Streets to promote a cleaner Nepal.[13]
In July 2015, an agreement for implementing environmental protection activities was signed with Tribhuvan University, establishing a framework for ongoing initiatives. Based on this, ASEZ conducted activities on campus, such as hosting environmental seminars, to present students with solutions to environmental issues.[13][14]
Neighborly Love
The Church of God in the Kathmandu region of Nepal regularly holds blood drives to help patients in need of blood transfusion. Former Health Minister Gagan Kumar Thapa expressed deep respect for the members’ dedicated participation, noting that such efforts would inspire many others to join the cause.[15] The Nepal Red Cross presented a certificate of appreciation to the Church of God for its significant contribution to saving lives.
Additionally, in 2020, the Church of God in the Kathmandu region supported the dreams of children, the future generation, by providing school uniforms to all students of Shree Janata Primary School situated in Aathrai, Terhathum district, in Eastern Nepal.[16] In 2017, ASEZ in the Kathmandu region, understanding the hardships caused by noise pollution, organized a 3 km (1.86 mi) march near Kathmandu City Hall as part of a no-horn campaign. The event, supported by Kathmandu City Mayor Eshor Raj Poudel and local traffic police, received enthusiastic responses from citizens and concluded successfully.[17]
Not only in Kathmandu but also across Nepal, members of the Church of God continue to show love for their neighbors through timely service throughout the country. In Bhaktapur, they provided bags, clothing, and school supplies to the students of Shree Ashapuri Primary School, hoping that children could attend school and study freely. In Itahari, they supported the cost of school buses to ensure students could commute safely and comfortably. In 2016, in Tarakeshwar, when a bridge collapsed due to flooding, church members raised funds to help rebuild the bridge, contributing to the improvement of the residents’ lives.
Related videos
- Mother's School
- Mother's Street
- Setting up Street Lights in Sertung
External links
References
- ↑ The Secret of the Four Colored Cushions, WATV News, March 1, 2006
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 World Mission Society Church of God - 'Yellow Hope' Blooms Over Ruins, Economist, May 11, 2015
- ↑ Nepal Shree Bawani Primary and Secondary School Building Completion Ceremony, WATV News, November 28, 2016
- ↑ Nepal Shree Primary School Teacher Building Completion Ceremony, WATV News, March 28, 2016
- ↑ Church of God Receives South Korean Presidential Citation, Gyeonggi Weekly Newspaper, June 13, 2015
- ↑ Charity Concert for Nepal Earthquake Victims, WATV MEDIA CAST, August 22, 2020
- ↑ Certificate of Appreciation from Nepalese Ambassador to the United States, WATV Awards, June 28, 2015
- ↑ Certificate of Appreciation from President of Nandi Student Welfare Fund, WATV Awards, August 31, 2017
- ↑ As its glaciers melt, Nepal is forced into an adaptation not of its choosing, MONGABAY, December 27, 2021
- ↑ Nepal's schools close as air pollution hits alarming levels, Reuters, March 30, 2021
- ↑ Worldwide Volunteer Activities Commemorating the Day of New Jerusalem – Overseas, WATV MEDIA CAST, April 9, 2013
- ↑ The Church of God in Kathmandu, Nepal, WATV News, April 2, 2007
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Mother’s Street in Nepal, WATV MEDIA CAST, April 29, 2022
- ↑ Signing an Implmenting Agreement on Coping with environmental issues [Tribhuvan University, Nepal], ASEZ.org
- ↑ Heavenly Mother’s Love to the World, Overseas Volunteer Service 2017, WATV MEDIA CAST, May 31, 2019
- ↑ Certificate of Appreciation from Principal of Shree Janta Primary School, WATV Awards, February 27, 2020
- ↑ ASEZ Nepal Kathmandu Branch Holds “No Horn” Campaign, ASEZ.org, April 27, 2017