Two decades of faithful ministry in Thailand

THAILAND – Thailand Concordia Lutheran Church (TCLC) recently celebrated its 20^th anniversary with a special conference spread over three locations: from October 8-9 in Bangkok, from October 10-11 in Phang-Gha, and from October 12-13 in Chiangmai.

The celebrations brought together members from various sister churches across Asia, as well as representatives from partner churches and organizations that were instrumental in founding the church body. Thanks to the devoted mission work that started many decades earlier in different parts of the country, TCLC has become a spiritual home for first-generation Christians, many of whom converted to Christianity from Buddhism.

The origins of TCLC are rooted in the mission work of three church bodies: Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) in the northern region of the country; The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) in the central region; and Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) in the south. Prior to LCC’s involvement in Thailand, home churches were established by a devoted Lutheran layman, Dr. Herb Gernand, who moved to the south of Thailand for work and desired to bring confessional Lutheranism to the country. Recognizing the need to train men for the ministry, Dr. Gernand reached out to Lutheran Church–Canada for assistance. A formal relationship with LCC was established in 1989, and soon after Rev. Dr. Leonard Harms, Director of International Missions, developed a curriculum and LCC began training pastors and evangelists in this new mission field. 

The organizers of TCLC’s anniversary convention. Photo: David Friesen.

As LCC was assisting with the mission work in the south, WELS started doing mission work in the northern region, training church workers and planting congregations. Although Lutheran Hour Ministries and other organizations were active in the country years earlier, the LCMS itself formally began work in Thailand in 1986, sending missionaries to Bangkok and establishing social-service programs. One of the missionaries sent was the adopted son of Dr. Herb Gernand: Rev. Dr. Pornprom (Ted) NaThalang, who studied at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.

TCLC Bishop Ted NaThalang speaks during the convention. Photo: David Friesen.

As a convert from the southern region, Rev. NaThalang was able to build upon the work that his father started in that area, and was instrumental in helping to bring the central and south region churches together in one body. As this was happening, WELS began to wind down their mission activity among the Thai in the north, shifting their focus to the various Hill Tribes near the Laos boarder. This led the established mission congregations in the north to reach out to Rev. NaThaland and begin dialogue with the newly united Lutheran congregations in the central and south regions. In 2004, the mission congregations in all three regions united to form Thailand Concordia Lutheran Church, electing Rev. Ted NaThalang to serve as their bishop.

“When I look back at my life, I see how the Lord has worked in planting a Confessional Lutheran church in Thailand,” Bishop NaThalang stated at the anniversary celebration. “In my stepfather, God sent a messenger to bring the Gospel to me and my family and then to our neighbours. And then I along with so many other converts were able to bring the same Gospel message to other people across Thailand, establishing congregations along the way.” 

LCC’s Director of International Missions, Rev. M.L. Smith, and TCLC Bishop Ted NaThalang. Photo: David Friesen.

The anniversary celebrations featured many similar reflections from pastors, evangelists, former missionaries, and other members of TCLC, as they visited all three regions during the week-long event. Lutheran Church–Canada was represented by two members of Concordia Lutheran Mission Society (a devoted supporter of the mission work in Thailand), Marilyn Witte and Anita Dagge, as well as LCC’s Director of Advancement, David Friesen and LCC’s Director of International Missions, Rev. M.L. Smith.

The celebrations highlighted the special relationship between TCLC and LCC. This relationship was solidified in 2011 when the two church bodies signed an Agreement of Relationship. This relationship calls for LCC to continue its participation in assisting TCLC in training church workers and to support them in mission work and church planting. It also calls for TCLC to assist LCC with its outreach to new Canadians from Southeast Asia.

Bishop NaThalang also expressed his appreciation to LCC for supporting the ministry of Rev. Suchat Chujit, a missionary pastor in the south region; for training four deacons in the south of Thailand; and for expanding their mission support to the Hill Tribes in the north of the country.  He also gave thanks to God for all the seminary professors and pastors that LCC has sent to Thailand to teach over the years, and prayed that the Lord will continue to bless the work that the two churches do together in the country.

Plaque of appreciation to LCC from TCLC. Photo: David Friesen.

The anniversary celebrations were filled with worship services, fellowship gatherings and outreach activities, giving thanks to God for all the blessings He has lovingly bestowed upon His Church in Thailand. These events not only celebrated the church’s history but also reaffirmed TCLC’s commitment to the mission of Christ: spreading the Gospel, nurturing the faith of its members, and serving their communities with works of mercy.

As TCLC and her partners in the Gospel look forward to the future, their focus will be the same as it was when the mission work started in the country: to be a beacon of faith and love, shining the Light of Christ in a region where Christianity remains a minority religion. We pray that the next 20 years will be as fruitful as the first, as TCLC continues to live out its mission in harmony with God’s will.

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Learn more about LCC Missions in Thailand Here.

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