Nepal is a mountainous country situated in central Asia between the large two countries India and China. It is a country of outstanding natural beauty, famous for its dramatic Himalayas mountain region, which includes Mt. Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Nepal has total area of 147,181 sq.km. Nepal is a country of many different castes and over 100 tribes and ethnic groups with more than 90 different languages. Presently it has a population of about 30 million. Nepal has been known as the only Hindu Kingdom in the world for many years until 2006 when significant changes have taken place in the country as a result of the “peoples’ movement”. The movement was successful to overthrow the 240 years old monarchy system and declare Nepal as democratic republic country. The new government also declared Nepal as a secular state, which has given us religious freedom in a greater extent.
The Formation of Nepal Christian Fellowship (NCF)
In 1960, group of 30 believers formed the Nepal Christian Fellowship, which is now called NCF Nepal. Despite great legal and social restriction, the Church has grown rapidly from a handful of believers in the 1950’s to the current 700000 to 1000000 believers. NCF Nepal has consistently worked to strengthen and unify the Christian Church in Nepal. It is the largest coalition of indigenous churches in Nepal and currently represents approximately 1000 Churches.
In 1960, a people’s movement brought about a second political revolution, which led to the introduction of a multiparty democracy and a new constitution, which allowed greater degree of religious tolerance and freedom. NCFN has been operating as a registered organization, registered in 1998.
Nepal is known to have one of the fastest growing churches in the world. As this growth continues, so the work of NCF Nepal expands as it seeks to support, encourage and unify churches across Nepal
There was a growing need of forming a Fellowship to the isolated Christians living in different places. Some leaders initiated to form such fellowship. The leaders include MR. Earnest Oliver, the first Executive Secretary of UMN. Thus a meeting was organized on 7th January 1960 in an old house of Bhaktapur, where about 30 people met together. The meeting decided to form a Fellowship called Nepal Christian Fellowship (NCF) with a working committee of seven members under the chairmanship of Pastor David Mukhiya. The formation of Nepal Christian Fellowship was most significant event on that day.
A new chapter was opened in the history of the Church in Nepal. As the member of Christians grew and establishment of local churches took place in various part of the country, NCF played a leadership role over the indigenous churches of Nepal as an umbrella fellowship.
As the number of the Christian began to grow, an anti-conversion law was introduced in 1962. As a result, persecution against the Christians and the Churches began to take place in several places and a number of Christians were imprisoned. In spite of persecution, the work of evangelism continued to grow in various ways and planting new churches began to expand. The role of NCF in those days primarily was to provide fellowship and leadership of those newly established Churches and take care of the Christian affected by persecution.
The Concept of National Churches Fellowship of Nepal
The General body meeting of NCF in 1992 has changed the name of Nepal Christian Fellowship (NCF) to National Churches Fellowship of Nepal (NCFN). The reason why the name was changed was that NCF was the fellowship of individual Christians, but it was felt the need of the Fellowship among the Churches. Another reason was that the NCF has been playing a role of National body of Christian Churches in Nepal. Therefore the change of name was appropriate. Also, the National Churches Fellowship of Nepal (NCFN) gives the concept of indigenous Church which is self supporting, self-governing and self propagating. NCFN has been playing a vital role in maintaining spiritual unity providing common fellowship to all Churches, representing the Churches of Nepal as National body both nationally and internationally.
Declaration of Secular state
The “peoples’ movement” of 2006 was successful to overthrow the monarchy system of Nepal, which ruled Nepal for more than 240 years and declare Nepal as a Federal Democratic Republic system. This is historical declaration for Nepal. Along with this, the new government declared Nepal as a secular State. Nepal being a Secular state is a historical event for the Churches in Nepal. Since then we have experienced a tremendous freedom in expanding God`s kingdom in this nation. We are still waiting how it will be stated in the constitution, which is yet to come. In the present context, when a number of foreign denominations are being established in the country, Nepal has various challenges to face such as:
– To maintain the unity among diversity.
-To strengthen its members with sound Theological teaching.
-To Building the leadership for the growing Churches in Nepal.
-To help its members developed Indigenous Churches.
Inspite of the challenges NCFN has to face, there are many opportunities for the expansion of God`s kingdom in this land. Rapid growth of the Churches of Nepal NCFN is holding parental care to sustain Churches of Nepal. So NCFN has run theological studies such as Bible Schools and Training Centers, seminars, Social services and Church building construction project. NCFN has around 3000 member Churches. In this way, NCFN has been able to establish various ministries, which need to be developed and used to strengthen its member churches.
We, NCFN family, wish to express our sincere thanks to all of our dear friends, Prayer partners for their continued prayers and partnership for the works of God that we are involving with. We hope and pray that the partnership will continue to grow in the years to come.