The Thai Church’s Growing Presence in Global Ministry
Bryce and Diana served with SIM Thailand, mobilizing the Thai church for global ministry and welcoming new workers to Southeast Asia. According to Joshua Project, only 1.83% of the Thai population identifies as Christian, while over 61 million people are classified as “unreached” with the gospel. However, the church is growing, with thousands of Thai people coming to know Jesus in the last decade. As the local church grows, more Thai believers follow the Lord into cross-cultural ministry.
“The Thai Church is not big, but we have the conviction that the Great Commission was given to the whole church, not just one part of the church,” Bryce said. “So, we’ve been involved with seeing Thai people come to SIM and join the organization.”
SIM works with other Christian organizations to host global ministry seminars and conferences for Thai believers. A recent gathering brought together 500 church leaders, Christians, and pastors who convened to learn about God’s heart for the nations. Thai missionaries also came to the gathering and shared their experiences in global ministry with attendees.
“Often, Thai Christians feel like missions are something far away from them. A lot of Thai people would say they receive missionaries but don’t send them,” Bryce said. “So, if a Thai believer is thinking about missions, they might be wondering if it’s even a possibility. When they actually get to hear Thai missionaries talk about their experiences, they realize it can be done.”
At the end of this gathering, there was a special opportunity for attendees who believed God was leading them to global ministry. These individuals were invited to come forward and discern God’s leadership with their local church leaders.
Fifteen Thai Christians stepped forward in faith! They believed God was directing them to cross-cultural ministry and were willing to follow His leadership.
“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here I am! Send me.’” Isaiah 6:8
Sunan’s Journey to Global Ministry
One of these believers was Sunan, a young Thai woman who previously interned with SIM. Sunan believed God was leading her to long-term global ministry, and she was ready to take the next steps. Bryce and Diana walked alongside Sunan, praying and helping her discern God’s will for her future.
As God continued pointing Sunan toward global ministry, she faced a significant challenge—telling her parents. Although her parents are Christians, they struggled to understand cross-cultural ministry.
“Would you be willing to talk to my parents about missions?” Sunan asked Bryce. “I don’t think they’re quite getting this missions thing.”
Bryce and other ministry leaders traveled to Sunan’s village to meet with her parents. To their amazement, the entire village, consisting of 30 families, all identified as Christians! What’s more, Sunan’s dad was the village pastor.
The ministry leaders met Sunan’s parents and learned about the village’s history. They discovered that 67 years earlier, global workers came and shared the gospel there for the first time.
“This village learned about Christ because those missionaries came here,” Bryce pointed out to Sunan’s parents. “Wouldn’t it be great to go and bless somebody else with that gospel message?”
This thought deeply resonated with Sunan’s parents, who wanted to share it with the rest of their community.
“Will you share this message with our church?” Sunan’s father asked Bryce. He agreed, and soon after, Bryce shared about global ministry to Sunan’s tiny village church.
Sunan’s father listened to the information with an open heart, contemplating his daughter’s desire to work in cross-cultural ministry. That evening, he had a beautiful conversation with her.
“Whatever you think God wants you to do… that is what I want you to do,” her father said. He shared his concerns with her but ultimately, believed following God’s leadership was more important than potential hardships.
“Their concerns were very similar to the concerns of people all over the world. Her parents were concerned that if she became a missionary, she may have to move far away or raise her own support, and that might be hard,” Bryce said. “These things are true. But if God calls us, we respond.”
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24
Join Us! Global Ministry with SIM USA
Sunan’s story is just one example of how God is raising up Thai believers to take the gospel to the nations. As the Thai church grows, more people like Sunan are stepping forward, ready to follow the Lord into cross-cultural ministry. Please pray with us for these Thai Christians as they follow God’s leadership for their lives.
Perhaps God is stirring your heart for global ministry, too. As you discern His guidance, SIM USA is here to walk alongside you. Whether you’re exploring missions for the first time, are preparing to serve, or want to support global workers from home, there is a place for you with SIM USA.
Discover opportunities with SIM USA here! It is our privilege to partner with the Church to recruit, prepare, and journey with global workers as they serve God throughout the world.
Names have been changed for the privacy and safety of our workers, ministry partners, and those we serve.
Maggie Watts
Content Creator
I am a Content Creator with SIM USA. It is a joy to use writing and multimedia to glorify God and tell stories about how He is working around the world.