Central Thai

  • Pre-Entry
  • Pre-Evangelism
  • Evangelism
  • Discipleship
  • Phase-Out
  • Completed

About the People

The Royal Kingdom of Thailand (which means Land of the Free) was founded in 1238 in a declaration of independence from Khmer overlords. Bordered by Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Malaysia, the country also boasts coastlines on the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Thailand exports large quantities of Jasmin rice, silk cloth, silver and silver jewelry, wicker weaving, cabbage, herbs and naturally dyed cotton. Open-air markets carry plenty of fresh produce at reasonable prices, and vegetarian restaurants abound. Temperatures range between 60 and 100 degrees year-round, and the political climate is peaceful.

Thailand is a deeply Buddhist nation, with over 92 percent of its population espousing the Buddhist faith. Missionaries have had very little success at penetrating this massive “spiritual wall.” Only about 1.6 percent of the Thai population is Christian. There are 37 Seventh-day Adventist churches in Thailand, most of which are in the north. Khon Kaen—the focus of the Central Thai Project—has no Seventh-day Adventist presence.

About the Project

The primary goal of the AFM missionaries on the Central Thai Project is to establish an indigenous church-planting movement among Thai Buddhists in Central Thailand. To reach this goal, they live closely among the people, learn the Thai language, study local culture and religion, and build deep friendships. Using what they learn, they will craft evangelistic materials in the Thai Buddhist context. They aim to share Christianity in a way that leads to conversions that are deeply meaningful and lasting. Local converts will be discipled to become leaders in the first church plant, and they will be trained to plant new churches. In this way, the result will be a locally-led, newly-born Adventist Christian movement that continues expanding God’s kingdom in Thailand.

In 2014, the Northern Khmer Project merged with the Central Thai project to begin a multifaceted ministry to Thai Buddhists in Khon Kaen. The newly enlarged team runs a music school and focuses on creating worship music and outreach materials carefully crafted to reach Thai Buddhist hearts.

People-Group Facts

  • Population: 67 million
  • Language: Thai
  • Religion: Buddhism

Frontier Stories

Are They Not Ashamed?

“Does your family respect you? They are not ashamed?”

By: Uedila Patrocinio
March 01 2024, 9:07 am | Comments 0

Khun Sun’s Fire

Please continue to pray for this village. We know that God is doing a mighty work in people’s hearts for the honor and glory of His name.

By: Claudette Aleman
March 01 2024, 9:02 am | Comments 0

Spirit Strings

Every interaction is an opportunity to form ties of love and truth that can help untangle someone from the things holding them back from God.

By: Celeste Diaz-Vazquez
February 01 2024, 2:39 pm | Comments 0

The Uncomfortable Challenge of Growth

In 2024, we will have an evangelistic series that will not require any guest speakers. Our local pastor and elders are up to the challenge, and we will be the main speakers and participants. We are expecting several baptisms. I am excited by this personal and organizational church growth.

By: Christopher Sorensen
February 01 2024, 2:31 pm | Comments 0

Not a Roaring Lion, but a Roaring Dog

I tried to say, “Hey!” but since I had been sick, it was more like a whisper, which did not intimidate the little dog at all.

By: Claudette Aleman
January 01 2024, 9:59 am | Comments 0

Stranger in a Familiar Land

I greatly look forward to our return homecoming as soon as possible. This time not to Thailand, but to our promised land where we will be able to worship our so-loved King.

By: Uedila Patrocinio
December 01 2023, 9:43 am | Comments 0

Person of Peace

We believe in our hearts that this is the person we have been praying for and that our family can train her to reach those in her community through the power of the Holy Spirit.

By: Claudette Aleman
December 01 2023, 9:13 am | Comments 0

Why Am I Here?

God has never overlooked one of my talents or experiences. I have more life lessons to learn and so many ways to grow in service to God.

By: Celeste Diaz-Vazquez
November 01 2023, 10:57 am | Comments 0

Back to Basics

God has mercifully reminded me yet again just how much more can be accomplished for His Kingdom if we simply remember to keep calling Him through prayer into our daily, moment-by-moment decisions.

By: Christopher Sorensen
November 01 2023, 10:49 am | Comments 0

Angels in Overdrive

God saved our lives that day while Satan tried to stop the gospel from spreading to the people who are the focus of the Central Thai Project.

By: Henrique & Uédila Patrocinio
October 01 2023, 10:40 am | Comments 0

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