About Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya is a province in central Thailand about 70 kms (44 miles) north of Bangkok. It is home to 834,000 people with a diverse range of backgrounds, including factory workers, public servants and small business owners. The capital of the province, Ayutthaya City, is the historic capital of Thailand and a Buddhist stronghold. As the city has developed, the number of middle income and well-to-do families has increased significantly. Bringing the good news of Jesus to this city is symbolically significant. It is home to the most important historic ruins of Thai Buddhism.
The province of Ayutthaya is home to only about 830 Christians (0.1 per cent of the population). While it is not against the law to follow Jesus in Ayutthaya, it is a cultural and social challenge. There is a saying that “to be Thai is to be Buddhist.” This connection between Thai national identity and Buddhism is a real barrier to the spread of the gospel. Family is everything to Thai people, for many, the shame of turning away from Buddhist family tradition keeps them from turning toward Jesus.
About The Team
Called To Share the Hope of the Gospel With Those Who Have Not Heard
The team in Ayutthaya is made up of workers from nine countries, all convinced that bringing the hope of the gospel to people of Ayutthaya is their calling. Several of the workers are Thai believers who see the importance of bringing the name of Jesus to this least-reached community.
Ministry in Ayutthaya is done through building relationships and establishing programmes that meet the needs of the community. The presence of Thai Christians on the team is strategic because they understand intuitively the nuances of the local culture, and what will be well-received by the community. This multi-ethnic, multi-skilled team is an expression of the good news that Jesus’s grace is for everyone.
The ministry focus of the team is simply to make Jesus known in Ayutthaya City. Each worker brings a unique skillset and passion to this goal. Workers are teaching in local Thai schools and sharing the gospel with disadvantaged children through reading, writing and creative arts. Sports ministry has also been gaining traction to build relationships within the community. A small team of workers is planting a church in the industrial area of Ayutthaya. Others have started a tuition centre teaching English and Chinese to local children.
This ministry activity has one focus: the whole team is working to build relationships with people in hope that those relationships will lead to gospel conversations and transformed lives.
The Vision for Ayutthaya
By prayer, we see the least reached of Ayutthaya responding to the gospel and being discipled into local churches that transform communities for God’s glory
Our Team Members
Learn about the team members serving in Thailand.
Thailand blog
Learn about how God is working in Thailand
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