I was born in a small village called “Tserang Salami” in Bhutan, a place hostile to Christianity, where the government severely restricted religious freedom in the 1980s and before. My family faced persecution for faith during that time, and I received Christ at the age of 5 through my mother, Sarah Tamang. Despite the challenges, God called me at a young age, and I began serving in our local fellowship by helping in various ways—cleaning, gardening, and organizing the church.

As I grew older, I became more involved in church leadership, serving in various roles such as Sunday school teacher, church secretary, worship leader, and outreach coordinator. I officially answered God's call to ministry in 2015 at 32 years old, though the journey had begun long before.

In 1992, the government targeted my family during Christmas, arresting my father along with other church leaders. They were given a choice: abandon Christ, leave Bhutan, or face life imprisonment. My family chose to flee for our safety, and we became refugees in Eastern Nepal. Life in the refugee camp was tough, filled with hunger, poor living conditions, and the uncertainty of our future. But through it all, we trusted in God.

Despite our suffering, we shared God’s love with other refugees, leading to the growth of small churches within the camp. Persecution followed us even there, but our faith remained strong.

After 17 years in the refugee camp, my family was granted resettlement in the United States in 2010 through UNHCR. We moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where I initially struggled with isolation and uncertainty about my calling. However, I found new opportunities to serve through connections with other believers. I eventually moved to Columbus, Ohio, where I planted two churches serving Nepali-speaking refugee and immigrant communities from all South Asian countries.

Today, I am a licensed pastor with the Evangelical Friends Church—Eastern Region. I live in Dillsburg, PA, and travel to seven cities in the greater Harrisburg area and beyond, sharing the gospel and supporting church planting efforts. My journey has been marked by suffering, but God's faithfulness has never wavered. I continue to serve Him with a heart for those displaced and seeking hope. God Bless you.

Romans 15:13 (NRSV): "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Sincerely
Bhakta Tamang