Thailand has one of the smallest percentages of Christians of any country in the world. With a population of about 65 million people, less than one half of 1% claim to be Christian! It is important to understand that the majority of people here in Thailand have almost NO understanding of or exposure to the Bible or Christian teaching. Things that seem basic to us are totally foreign concepts to the Thai people.
In western cultures we often begin gospel presentations with something like; “You must realize that you are a sinner...". Or something like "God has a wonderful plan for your life". While these points are valid, there are some basic truths that people need to understand BEFORE they can understand these things. For instance, "why are people sinners?" "Who is this God who has a wonderful plan for my life?" So before you can understand what it means to be a sinner or God's wonderful plan, you must have at least some understanding of who God is. And that is where the problems comes in.
In western cultures we often begin gospel presentations with something like; “You must realize that you are a sinner...". Or something like "God has a wonderful plan for your life". While these points are valid, there are some basic truths that people need to understand BEFORE they can understand these things. For instance, "why are people sinners?" "Who is this God who has a wonderful plan for my life?" So before you can understand what it means to be a sinner or God's wonderful plan, you must have at least some understanding of who God is. And that is where the problems comes in.
Most Thai people have no idea who you are talking about when you refer to "God". Most Thai people do not even consider the possibility that there might be a God who created everything. They would think, "Even if there were a God like that, He is so far away that He has nothing to do with my life." And no self respecting Thai person would ever admit that they are a sinner. These concepts are totally foreign to them.
So, basic gospel presentations have to start with concepts like: "There is a creator God. He is all powerful. He made and owns everything. He is totally without sin and he made us to have a relationship with Him.... and so on." Praise the Lord, there are some Thai people coming to Christ and churches being planted, but Thailand is one of the most resistant places in the world to the gospel. Not because the Thai people are antagonistic toward the gospel. They just haven't got a clue what Christians are talking about when we say things like, "you need to realize you are a sinner".
With that in mind, let me just give you one example that will illustrate how "different" Thailand is from many other places. Several years ago we had a group of young people come to visit us for about one month. We traveled all over Thailand from Bangkok, to the far south and to the far north of the country. The team would put on a "mime" presentation of the gospel. They performed in schools, in public parks, on the street and in some churches. In my opinion, it was one of the most effective gospel presentations I have ever seen given by a short-term group in Thailand. In fact, this group has sent teams to countries all over the world. They have gone to Europe, Africa, South-America and other places in Asia. According to their reports, EVERY country that they give the presentation, they see MANY decisions for Christ. Sometimes after one presentation they will have dozens come to Christ. In most cases, after being in a country for one month, they will have counted several hundred people who have come to Christ as a result of the gospel presentation. BUT, during their time of almost one month here in Thailand we saw NO ONE make a decision to trust in Christ. (Later we found out about one old man who saw the presentation and then went to visit a church where he did trust Christ.)
Like I said before, this team gave a very clear, fantastic gospel presentation. The lack of response was not their fault. That is just the situation here in THAILAND. According to the International Mission Board it takes an average of seven years of consistent exposure to the gospel before a Thai person will make the decision to trust Christ. I realize that many people would feel very discouraged to work in a place like this. I have been here for more than 25 years and I am still thrilled to have the opportunity to share the gospel with people here in Thailand. Presenting the gospel to folks who have never heard is exciting no matter how they might respond!
So, basic gospel presentations have to start with concepts like: "There is a creator God. He is all powerful. He made and owns everything. He is totally without sin and he made us to have a relationship with Him.... and so on." Praise the Lord, there are some Thai people coming to Christ and churches being planted, but Thailand is one of the most resistant places in the world to the gospel. Not because the Thai people are antagonistic toward the gospel. They just haven't got a clue what Christians are talking about when we say things like, "you need to realize you are a sinner".
With that in mind, let me just give you one example that will illustrate how "different" Thailand is from many other places. Several years ago we had a group of young people come to visit us for about one month. We traveled all over Thailand from Bangkok, to the far south and to the far north of the country. The team would put on a "mime" presentation of the gospel. They performed in schools, in public parks, on the street and in some churches. In my opinion, it was one of the most effective gospel presentations I have ever seen given by a short-term group in Thailand. In fact, this group has sent teams to countries all over the world. They have gone to Europe, Africa, South-America and other places in Asia. According to their reports, EVERY country that they give the presentation, they see MANY decisions for Christ. Sometimes after one presentation they will have dozens come to Christ. In most cases, after being in a country for one month, they will have counted several hundred people who have come to Christ as a result of the gospel presentation. BUT, during their time of almost one month here in Thailand we saw NO ONE make a decision to trust in Christ. (Later we found out about one old man who saw the presentation and then went to visit a church where he did trust Christ.)
Like I said before, this team gave a very clear, fantastic gospel presentation. The lack of response was not their fault. That is just the situation here in THAILAND. According to the International Mission Board it takes an average of seven years of consistent exposure to the gospel before a Thai person will make the decision to trust Christ. I realize that many people would feel very discouraged to work in a place like this. I have been here for more than 25 years and I am still thrilled to have the opportunity to share the gospel with people here in Thailand. Presenting the gospel to folks who have never heard is exciting no matter how they might respond!