Our Story: God’s Faithfulness to the Sherpa People
For decades, God has been faithfully at work among the Sherpa people of Nepal. What began as a burden to translate the Bible into the Sherpa language has grown into a movement of believers, churches, and ministries serving across the Himalayan region.
Through the dedication of missionaries, pastors, and local believers, the Gospel has slowly taken root among the Sherpa people. Today we look back with gratitude for God’s faithfulness and look forward with hope to what He will continue to do.
The Foundation: Bible Translation and Early Workers (1967–1990s)
The evangelistic work among the Sherpa people created a deep need for the Bible to be available in the Sherpa language. God called many faithful servants from around the world to take part in this important mission. Their dedication laid the spiritual foundation for the growth of the Sherpa Christian community.
We gratefully honor some of the early workers who served in this ministry:
• Luke Zylstra (Australia) – 1967
• Ken Gordon (USA) – 1969
• Burkhardt Schottelndryer (Germany) – 1971–1977
• Dag & Asa Wendel (Norway) – 1978–1980
Their commitment to Bible translation and evangelism opened the door for the Gospel to reach the Sherpa people in their own language.
The First Sherpa Fellowship (1993)
During the Bible translation work, the first Sherpa fellowship began in 1993 at a Korean church in Kathmandu. The fellowship started with only five to seven Sherpa believers gathering together for prayer and worship.
Missionaries such as Sang Young Lee and Helen Lee (Korea), David Smith (USA), and John Beynon encouraged and supported this early fellowship.
In 1994, Pastor Timothy Dorji Sherpa came from India and faithfully served the fellowship for five years. Through his teaching of God’s Word, regular prayer, and weekly gatherings, the fellowship grew stronger in faith.
Growth and a New Name: RTN Church
As the Sherpa fellowship grew, believers from many different ethnic groups joined the congregation. Reflecting God’s love for all nations and tribes, the fellowship eventually transitioned into a Nepali congregation under new pastoral leadership.
Today this church is known as RTN Church, which has grown to more than 1,200 members. We thank God that several Sherpa leaders who were part of the early fellowship continue to serve faithfully there.
Mission to the Homeland: Solukhumbu (1995)
In 1995, the first mission trip was organized to Solukhumbu, the homeland of the Sherpa people, with a vision to bring the Gospel to Sherpa communities in the Himalayan region.
Soon afterward, Sherpa missionaries were sent to serve in the area. Through their ministry, many Sherpa people came to know Christ, and believers from other Nepali ethnic groups also joined the growing Christian community.
Today, by God’s grace, there are two churches and several fellowships continuing ministry in the Solukhumbu region.
The Birth of Sherpa Church (2007)
In 2001, Sherpa believers in Kathmandu felt a renewed calling to gather together for fellowship in their own language and cultural context. They began meeting twice each month near Mahangkal, Kathmandu.
Over time the group grew spiritually and numerically. After years of earnest prayer, Sherpa Church Nepal was officially established in January 2007 in Chabahil, Kathmandu.
First Pastor:
Chhiring Sherpa (served until 2011)
Current Pastor:
Pemba Sherpa (appointed by the church committee and leaders)
Through faithful prayer, leadership, and service, the church has continued to grow. Today Sherpa Church has around 90 members, with 40–50 believers regularly gathering for worship in the Sherpa language.
Although this number may seem small among the approximately 800,000 Sherpa people worldwide, every believer is a powerful testimony of God’s grace. Today there are believed to be more than 5,000 Sherpa believers across Nepal.
Expanding Ministry: Church Planting and Mission Work
By God’s grace, the ministry of Sherpa Church Nepal continues to expand. What began as a small fellowship in Kathmandu has grown into a wider ministry reaching different parts of the Himalayan region.
As the church has grown, branch fellowships and churches have been established, and Sherpa believers have been sent out as missionaries to serve in remote Himalayan areas where many people have not yet heard the Gospel.
These missionaries serve faithfully through evangelism, discipleship, prayer, and community ministry. Many of these areas are geographically remote and spiritually unreached, yet God continues to open doors for the Gospel.
Through training new leaders, supporting local fellowships, and sending missionaries, Sherpa Church Nepal continues to see God’s kingdom expanding among the Sherpa people and neighboring communities.
National Networking: Sherpa Christian Association of Nepal (2011)
In 2011, Sherpa Church organized the first National Sherpa Christian Conference, bringing together Sherpa believers from across Nepal. This gathering strengthened unity, fellowship, and shared vision among Sherpa Christians.
During the same year, a national network was established and officially registered as an NGO called the Sherpa Christian Association of Nepal (SCAN).
SCAN connects Sherpa believers across the country and works to encourage cooperation in ministry under the shared vision:
“Jesus for Sherpa.”
Since then, additional conferences and gatherings have continued to strengthen the Sherpa Christian community.
Our Vision
We envision the day when the Himalayan highlands—just as the mountains are covered with snow—will be filled with believers, churches, and communities worshiping the Triune God.
Our Mission
Our mission is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the unreached Sherpa people and with all nations.
We pursue this mission through:
Proclaiming the Gospel
Sharing the message of Jesus Christ in Sherpa communities and beyond.
Empowering Believers
Training and discipling leaders to build strong and healthy churches.
Sending Missionaries
Raising and sending missionaries to Sherpa communities and remote Himalayan regions.
Creating Holistic Impact
Encouraging healthy communities through education, development, unity, and transformation by replacing harmful superstitions with the truth of God’s Word.
Global Networking
Connecting Sherpa Christians worldwide to strengthen fellowship, mission, and spiritual growth.
Partner with Us
We cannot accomplish this mission alone. We invite believers, churches, and partners around the world to join us in prayer and support as we work to bring the Gospel to every Sherpa village and beyond.
Please pray for:
• Continued spiritual growth among Sherpa believers
• Open doors for the Gospel in remote Himalayan villages
• Wisdom and strength for pastors, leaders, and missionaries
• Resources to train leaders and send missionaries
Contact Us
Email: sherpachurch2021@gmail.com
