Protestantism in Thailand

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Protestants in Thailand by some estimations constitute about 0,5% of the population[1]. Protestantism was introduced to Thailand in 1816.

Contents

Protestant organizations [edit]

The largest Protestant association is the Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT) founded in 1934 by a merger of several Protestant groups, including Presbyterians, Lutherans from the German Marburger Mission and others. It is considered to be the largest Protestant church in Thailand, consists of Thai, Chinese, Karen, and English-speaking congregations. It is a member of the World Council of Churches and has about 60,000 members.

Among the other Protestant groups represented in Thailand are Lutherans,[2] Baptists,[3] Adventists,[4] Methodists,[5] Pentecostals and charismatics,[6] and Anglicans.[7] Anglican Churches in Thailand belong to the Anglican Church in Thailand, a deanery of the Diocese of Singapore of the Church of the Province of South East Asia.

Evangelistic ministries [edit]

There are many evangelical Christian ministries operating throughout the country, with some being newly-founded small churches. Foreign missionaries and residents are establishing churches and prayer groups throughout Thailand. One of the largest is Youth with a Mission, which has over 200 full-time foreign staff and over 100 Thai staff, ministering in 20 locations. Another evangelistic missionary organization, OMF International, has an outreach to place Christian teachers in the Kingdom's schools.[8] In the large cities like Bangkok, Pattaya, and Chiang Mai, numerous ministries are operating in hotel conference rooms, storefronts, and other rented facilities as an outreach to the local residents.

Protestant hospitals [edit]

Bangkok Adventist Mission Hospital and Bangkok Christian Hospital are among the best medical facilities in Bangkok.

Bible ministry [edit]

United Bible Society began to work in Thailand in 1828. In 1966, Thailand Bible Society was officially established, though its organised work began in 1828. Part of the Bible in Thai was first published in 1834. The New Testament in Thai was printed for the first time in 1843. The first full collection of Bible texts in Thai came out in 1883.[9] In 2005, Thailand Bible Society distributed 43,740 copies of the Bible and 9,629 copies of New Testament in the Thai language.

Gideons International's "Scripture Blitz" was held in Thailand in November 2005, where 227,295 Bibles were placed by a team of 30 men from around the world.[10]

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ US State Department International Religious Freedom Report 2009
  2. ^ Bishop Upama Urges Congregations to Build Strong Lutheran Communion in Thailand
  3. ^ Independent Baptist Missionaries to Thailand
  4. ^ Mission Statement, Thailand Adventist Mission site
  5. ^ Thailand Mission Initiative, United Methodist Church, Global Ministries
  6. ^ Charismatic and Pentecostal Directory, Thailand section
  7. ^ Christ Church in Bangkok
  8. ^ http://www.omf.org/omf/us/get_involved__1/go/ministries_and_opportunities/current_needs/teachers_for_thailand
  9. ^ Reading the Scriptures in Thai, World Scriptures site
  10. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dPupSfCi18

External links [edit]

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