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

Paradise, Peace and a Pick-up Truck

“…my life’s road may lead through some difficult situations, yet God is near me.”

By: Christopher Sorensen
September 01 2021, 9:37 am | Comments 0

Coming Home Again

“Why has Jesus delayed his coming,” she asked. Before I had the chance to articulate a response to her penetrating question, she quickly hit me with another, “Is it because of COVID-19?”

By: Kyle Tumberg
August 01 2021, 9:52 am | Comments 0

Dealing With a Papilionoidea-n Panic Attack

That papilio-no-idea-n creature had NO idea what my intentions were.

By: Christopher Sorensen
August 01 2021, 9:38 am | Comments 0

The Garden

Our head elder has grown in His walk with the Lord, become very active in ministry, and now wants to study online to become a pastor. Last year, we did not have any new baptisms, but nine people now want to prepare for baptism!

By: Kyle Tumberg
July 01 2021, 8:24 am | Comments 0

God’s Work Inspires

Because of your prayers and support, they have come to know hope after years of knowing despair.

By: Claudette Aleman
July 01 2021, 7:49 am | Comments 0

The Love of a Child

Khun Yay has begun coming to church with us on Sabbath. She has a growing faith in God and is studying His word daily. Please place Khun Yay on your prayer list today.

By: Kyle Tumberg
June 01 2021, 9:00 am | Comments 0

Baby Dolls

Please pray for our new little friends whom I consider more like our family. May God bless you for your prayers and support.

By: Claudette Aleman
June 01 2021, 8:51 am | Comments 0

The Impossible Mission

We plan to use our new facility to provide missionary training for church members, hold seminars, organize youth and Bible camps, and, of course, teach music and hold church services.

By: Kyle Tumberg
May 01 2021, 1:26 pm | Comments 0

Our Student-Missionary Family

I encourage every young person and college student to take a year off and serve as a student missionary. This will be a life-changing experience for everyone involved.

By: Claudette Aleman
April 01 2021, 4:16 pm | Comments 0

God’s Perfect Provision

Through both Rachel and Vanessa (not to mention all our former teammates and SMs over the years), God has faithfully provided people with the perfect skillsets and experience we have needed at every step.

By: Christopher Sorensen
April 01 2021, 8:37 am | Comments 0

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