Presenting The Gospel Message In Thailand

Abstract

Problem There are over 62,000,000 Buddhists in Thailand. Current Christian approaches to presenting the gospel message to Buddhist people in Thailand have not yielded satisfactory results. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has had negative growth during the past ten years. In addition to approaches currently utilized by Christians there is a need to develop more effective approaches to present the gospel in Thailand. Method Buddhist students at Mission College were chosen as a case study. A survey of Buddhist attitudes and a cultural analysis of Thailand form the basis for this strategy. Library research, questionnaires, interviews, and observations were all used to help develop a new approach. This strategy is being field-tested and results have been produced. Results A strategy was developed to field-test a new “relational-contextual” approach. Partial implementation has been made and early results were promising, with the number of baptisms increasing. If proven to be effective, this approach will help the Adventist Church in Thailand to improve their results in reaching Buddhist people. Conclusion A relational-contextual approach to presenting the gospel to Buddhist people in Thailand will increase the effectiveness of the ministries of the Adventist Church. More Buddhists will find the Savior and enjoy personal relationships with Him. Buddhists will no longer find the Christian message too difficult to understand and their attitudes towards Christianity will be positive. Those who have become Adventists will have meaningful worship experiences.