[Editor: The following is a report about current activities in the Himalayan Church of the Lutheran Confession in Nepal (HCLCN). It is written, in his own words, by the indigenous pastor who is our main contact in Nepal. Names of people and places are being withheld because of the risk of persecution. The report is lightly edited for clarity.]
In this series, those involved with CLC foreign missions profile one aspect of our overseas endeavors.
It is a great pleasure and opportunity to share information about the training of pastors and leaders that is happening in Nepal. As you know, Nepal is a predominantly Hindu country: over 95% non-Christians. This country is full of temples and idols, and the people are living in spiritual darkness. They need the truth so that they can be free from all the rituals and bondages. The truth they need is about the Redeemer, the Christ.
Himalayan Bible Institute
People are perishing without knowing about their God and Savior. Romans 10:14-15 says, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'”
HBI graduates, October 2025
Continuing education–a pastoral training seminar at the Himalayan Bible Institute
This is why the HBI is working to prepare more workers, pastors, teachers, and evangelists for the work of the ministry, for spreading the good news in rural and urban areas of Nepal.
Worship service at the HBI, Missionary Todd Ohlmann, center
The Lord has blessed the HCLC Nepal with the training center Himalayan Bible Institute. It is training pastors and leaders for the work of the Kingdom. During Missionary Todd Ohlmann’s visit to Nepal in October of 2025, we had a fifth graduation ceremony for the fourteen students who completed their studies at the HBI. They had been studying for over one and a half years. Missionary Ohlmann encouraged the men with the Word of God as they are on their way to the work in their villages and towns. They appreciated his presence and the words of encouragement. They were dedicated to the ministry and are already in the ministry working in the rural communities.
The Board of Missions of the Church of Lutheran Confession is supporting the training program. There have been several classes of candidates who have graduated since we started informal training in 2009. This year we graduated fourteen men for the public ministry. The total number of men trained through the HBI has now reached forty-two.
Over these years we went through ups and downs. We had difficulties and blessings. We were humbled as well, as the Lord helped us through the challenging periods. Now the work is going on.
The HBI plans to enroll a new class of sixteen students in January 2026. Prayers are requested and much appreciated as we continue to train more men for the work of the ministry. We pray that the Lord uses us to train more workers for His kingdom, so that they may carry the message of salvation to the millions of unreached people of Nepal.
