Integral Development in Remote Areas

Pastor Abraham has served at Milap Church in Nawalparasi District, Lumbini Province, Nepal, for the past ten years. He later had the opportunity to participate in missionary work related to Integral Mission organised by UMN, a gender equality and counsellor training. The church secretary and treasurer also attended counsellor training in financial management and leadership. The training has significantly impacted Pastor Abraham’s perceptions and actions, both personally and at the church level.

‘I used to be unaffiliated with non-Christian community members. I thought people from the church should not be involved in community or social work. I also didn’t know about gender violence. After attending the training, I realised that discrimination and inequality occur not only in society but also in families, churches, communities, and the lives of individuals.’

He discovered that the Church should build relationships with non-believers in their communities and began to engage in advocacy work against gender-based violence, challenging traditional practices of sexism.

‘I need to speak out against gender-based violence and build relationships with my community. Otherwise, I will be bound by the same culture. According to Genesis chapters 1 and 2, women and men are equal in God’s creation.’ shared Pastor Abraham. He explained that women were considered second-class citizens in most Nepali cultures and traditions. As a result, he began to teach equality in his family, church and community and entrust essential roles and responsibilities in the church to women.

He also held Bible studies in his church to discuss the everyday needs of the church, community and local resources. The church members came to understand the roles and responsibilities of the church and the practice of the gospel in the areas of governance, health, home visiting and pastoral counselling, becoming a model church in the local community.