NCS Newsletter

19 May 06

Dear Friends,

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your prayers for our nation of Nepal over these past numbers of weeks. We have truly seen the intervening hand of our Almighty God at work in a most wonderful and amazing way. In our last Prayer Circular we asked you to uphold our nation of Nepal , its People and Government and so we send our heartfelt thanks to you all for your faithfulness in intercession and encouragement in this way. For all those who approached their Country's Governments and presented our plight to them, we send a very special word of Thanks to you also. We serve a Faithful God who continuously reminds us in Scripture that He hears the cry of the poor and oppressed. He has heard our prayers and answered them in a most spectacular way.

Yesterday, Thursday 18th May 2006, we witnessed a historical and momentous decision taken by the House of Representatives that has seen the birth of Nepal into a new era from a Hindu Kingdom into a Secular State . This has a significant impact on the Monarchy of two hundred and thirty seven years of history of Shaha dynasty in Nepal, in that, the Kings powers and privileges have been massively reduced, the army has been brought under the control of the Government instead of the King and the Government will also reserve the right to declare the heir to the throne.

This proclamation made by the House of Representatives, called the Magna Carta by some, has also renamed His Majesty's Government as ''Nepal Government'' and The Royal Nepalese Army as ''Nepal Army''. The King has also been stripped of the title of Supreme Commander of the Army. The King will now be held accountable for his actions before a court of law and in the House. The House of Representatives also proclaimed itself the sovereign and supreme body of the country and said it would determine the process for the election of a Constituent Assembly that will draft a new constitution.

Nepal 's King has traditionally been viewed by the Hindus as a reincarnation of a Hindu God Bishnu. The above decisions strike a blow to the very heart of Hinduism in Nepal at this time.

What are the implications for the Church of Nepal in this new era?

1. The Church will no longer be seen as an underground Church.
2. The voice of the Church can be openly presented to the State.
3. The restrictions placed upon the Church and Para Church Organizations should be removed.
4. Social and legal recognition of all Christians and the Church.

A respected brother from the Nepal Christian Society (NCS) recently made some insightful comments and interpretations regarding the history of the Church in Nepal . He spoke of three stars. The first star was when the Gospel really penetrated Nepal in 1950 with the fall of the Rana Dynasty and the introduction of Democracy. This was followed by the birth of the Church and the subsequent persecution of the Believers in the form of imprisonments and beatings. The second star arose in 1990 with Democracy again and unlike the 1950's there was a resultant freedom and openness within the Church for the Believers to share their faith. The Church has experienced growth as never before and a passion for integral mission has arisen not only in the Church but within many Para Church Organizations. The third star would be the declaration of a Secular State and the future hope of a Republican State . This last star has started to rise and we would value your continued prayers for the Church and our Nation. That we might be protected as we forge ahead making the most of the opportunities that the Lord has placed before us.

You may remember that whenever Nepal Christian Society (NCS) met in March a special petition was prepared and subsequently presented to the Government with requests that the voice of the Christian Church be heard. Earlier this week a discussion took place in Parliament about the Christian Church and our previous request for a Secular State was also taken into consideration.

Prayer for Nepal
• For the Church Leaders to be united in purpose and vision as they seek to further God's Kingdom.
• For the Church and Christian Organizations as they continue to serve and bring relief to the people of Nepal through the mediums of Health, Education and other Development Initiatives.
 • For the forming of the full Cabinet within Parliament.
• The interim Government to be formed will be inclusive.
• The election of the Constituent Assembly and the General Election of the Parliament.

Thanking you all again for your continued prayer support, Yours in His Gracious Service,

Tirtha Thapa
President
Nepal Christian Society