Everyone in Bhutan is assumed to be Buddhist. Anyone who converts to Christianity is watched with suspicion, and usually there are efforts to bring them back to Buddhism.

Since there are no registered churches in Bhutan, Christians instead resort to gathering in homes. No churches are officially recognised by the state, which means that Christians who gather in these small fellowships are acting illegally, leaving them vulnerable to criminal penalties. In addition, local authorities often refuse to issue Christians with the right paperwork to file loan applications, property registration, job applications and ID card renewal.

Meet Deki

“Villagers taunted my parents. They mentally harassed them. They called Christian faith a foreign religion and began to create chaos for our family.”

Deki (name changed), a young Christian from Bhutan.

What does Open Doors do to help?

Open Doors local partners provide immediate aid to Bhutanese believers when their faith in Christ leads to various kinds of persecution. We strengthen the persecuted Church in Bhutan primarily through prayer support and other practical emergency support.

Please pray

• Pray for believers in Bhutan who can only attend churches that exist in a legal grey area.

• Ask that God will protect and preserve believers who have converted from Buddhism.

• Pray that God will help Christians who can be denied citizenship and other civic rights to find their worth and citizenship in Him.