Praying for a Breakthrough in Tibet

The vast, remote mountain region of Tibet is one of the hardest to reach for the gospel and missionaries are pleading with us to pray for a breakthrough.

The Tibetans are several people groups with a related culture and language and a shared religion, Tibetan Buddhism. Nearly half of them live in Tibet, the other three million or so live in neighbouring provinces of China, such as Qinghai, Sichuan and Gansu, and small populations in Bhutan, Nepal and India. Most of them are either farmers or nomads, living in the vast, remote mountains of their homelands.

Recently, a foreign missionary to the Tibetans shared stories that are both uplifting and discouraging. Foreign missionaries get some unlikely opportunities to share the gospel, which they try to make the most of while they last. They rejoice in a new, complete and high-quality Bible translation which can be used by all main language groups. They see Tibetan people following Jesus despite great opposition. But others return to Buddhism, sometimes after years of being Christians, because the loneliness and pressure become too much.

Foreign missionaries have worked in these regions ever since the 6^th century, and many lost their lives while doing so. And still today there are those from abroad serving in Tibetan regions. But most foreign missionaries know that the future of mission in Tibet lies not with them, but with the Chinese. As Chinese Christians move into these areas, some foreign missionaries are taking on the role of introducing them to local believers, encouraging them and sharing their experience and knowledge of the culture and religion. Meanwhile they continue to serve in those areas who are uniquely open to foreigners, for as long as they are allowed to.

Chinese missionaries face their own challenges. They are considered agents of a colonial power which suppresses Tibetan identity and culture, and struggle to overcome the prejudices both in themselves and in the Tibetans. They face intense spiritual opposition from a religion that is violently anti-Christian, as well as persecution from the communist government. They must learn a language that is very different from Chinese if they want to really reach the hearts of the people. They must adapt to different foods and living in a context of isolation and poverty. They struggle to find jobs that will help them support their families and their sending churches often have high expectations of speedy missionary success, which are not realistic in Tibet.

Despite this, we are also getting encouraging reports from Tibet from these Chinese missionaries. Especially from those who have been there for some years now and are deeply committed to stay. Here and there, small churches are taking root, but both Chinese and foreign missionaries report a need for breakthrough.

Yes, people come to Christ, but they are often the only one in their family or tribe. Fellowship and grounding in the Scriptures are difficult to achieve. Also, finding a believing spouse is nearly impossible. There is a need for communities, connection, and for Tibetan believers to receive in-depth teaching on the Scriptures in their own language, so they can take leadership and teach others. There is a need for examples of Tibetan Christian families and indigenous church communities, so new believers can see what following Jesus looks like in these contexts. And there are still areas and tribes in Tibet without any Christian witness at all, completely unreached. Often foreigners are not allowed to settle in those areas. Only Chinese missionaries and local Tibetan believers can reach them.

Please join these missionaries in praying for the long-expected breakthrough in Tibet. If you want to be more informed in your prayers, consider reading ‘Leaving Buddha’ by Eugene Bach and Tenzin Lahpka, the testimony of a Tibetan Buddhist monk finding Jesus. For a good overview of Tibetan mission history, you can read ‘Tibet, the roof of the world’, by Paul Hattaway.

Leaving Buddha: A Tibetan Monk’s Encounter with the Living God