See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland. - Isaiah 43:19
A Brief Overview (1997-Present):
With unwavering faith in the Lord, Pastor Jigmee Sonam Bhutia embarked on a journey that would not only change his life but also touch the lives of many others. As the great Christian missionary, Hudson Taylor once said, "Unless there is a missionary purpose, there is no justification for this work," and Pastor Sonam embodies this purpose in his life.
After graduating from Bible school, Pastor Sonam felt a call in his heart to move to the city of Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya province of India. Despite the challenges he faced due to the language barrier, he was determined to spread the gospel and started preaching in Hindi. As the great missionary William Carey once said, "Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God," and Pastor Sonam exemplifies this spirit in his mission work.
In 2005, he was called to Siliguri, India, where he started a church with only a few people under the shade of a tree. Through his dedication and unwavering faith, the church grew and spread across India and even to neighboring countries like Nepal. As the famous missionary David Livingstone once said, "I will go anywhere, provided it is forward," and Pastor Sonam's forward-looking vision for his mission work is truly inspiring.
Speaking about his ministry among the Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal, Pastor Sonam recalled, "God opened up a unique ministry opportunity among the Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal. And God moved mightily among them as thousands of the refugee Hindus and Buddhists responded to the call of God in their lives." As the missionary pioneer, Adoniram Judson once said, "The motto of every missionary, whether preacher, printer, or schoolmaster, ought to be 'Devoted for life'," and Pastor Sonam's devotion to his mission work is evident in every aspect of his life.
These very refugee brothers and sisters have since resettled in countries like the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Denmark, etc. and have started churches among themselves in those countries. As the missionary statesman, William Carey once said, "Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God," and the Bhutanese refugees have embodied this spirit in their mission work, starting churches and spreading the love of Jesus Christ in their new communities.
Today, the Apostolic Outreach Ministry has been transformed into Ray of Hope International (ROHI), with its U.S. headquarters in Richmond, VA, and its mission arm in Harrisburg, PA. The mission of ROHI is to bring the love of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth, and Pastor Sonam and his team continue to work tirelessly towards that goal. As the missionary martyr, Jim Elliot once said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose," and Pastor Sonam and his team's selfless dedication to their mission work is a true testament to their faith and love for the Lord.
Sunday School program, Siliguri Church
Bicycles for Missionaries
The very first bicycle purchased for ministry purposes. Ps. Rajesh now serves as the general secretary of Ray of Hope India.
Pastor Kailash Chettri was also provided with a bicycle for ministry purposes. He stayed in Siliguri Church for two years and was later sent to a Bhutanese refugee camp, Timai, as a missionary.
Timai Refugee Camp
The inauguration of the Timai Bhutanese Refugee camp church was on 24th February 2007. Ps. Kailash was sent as a missionary from Siliguri here. Later, he went to Bible college for the B.Th program. Then Ps. Peter was converted and took full responsibility for leading the church. Thousands of people were converted and baptized in this church. Surely, God was starting a mighty movement from this small refugee camp.
Ps. Kailash, Timai Church
How did it all begin?
There was a brother [Stephen] who came to northeast India in search of work in the coal mine. But he fell sick and could not work there in the coal mine. That is why he came to Shillong city, where I [ps. Sonam] was ministering among Hindi-speaking people. Later, Stephen started living with us. And as time progressed, we learned of his educational background. So we encouraged him to complete high school and later sent him to bible college for the Bachelor of Theology Program.
He never disclosed his identity as a refugee. When I moved to Siliguri in 2005 from Shillong, he was still studying. However, one winter break, he opened up about his family in the refugee camp and took me there to visit them. That’s how I learned about the camp. During my week stay, I shared the gospel with the refugees, and people started converting like a wildfire.
After my short visit, I returned home and sent Kailash, who was living with me at the time. Kailash was sent as a missionary to look after the newly formed church, and I started visiting the place frequently. Pretty soon, this location was already expanding into the neighboring villages.
Shreejana Basti
When our missionaries first went to this basti (village), the locals would run away from them. However, after building a bamboo church for just USD 300, a small group of people started coming to the church. By 2015, the church had grown to 150 members.
Timai Camp Visit
“We talk of the Second Coming; half the world has never heard of the first.”
Siliguri Church
Leadership meeting in Siliguri with emerging leaders from India and Nepal.
Timai Church Training
Thousands came to know the Lord through these short-term training in Nepal.
Bengali Couple
“So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Training in Siliguri
This training was held in Siliguri, India, in 2010 when ROH Ministry was still Apostolic Outreach Ministry. We were holding classes for active brothers and sisters. Most of them are now serving Lord full time.
1st Annual Convention @2010
2nd Annual Convention
From 3rd to 5th December, we had a Second Annual Convention of Apostolic Outreach Ministry Churches on December 3rd-5th. We thank our God for this wonderful opportunity!
God is faithful.
God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9
Dairy Farm Project
We took on this project to support the mission work in India.
Shreejana Basti
The bamboo building is Shreejana Busty Ray of Hope Church. Before we had established our church there, the village had two names: one was Kami Gau, and the another was Devi Basti. Later, when people started receiving Christ, we changed the village's name to Shreejana Basti, which means Creation Village.
Leadership Meeting in Siliguri
We had a four-day leadership meeting in Siliguri on the 8-12th of April.
Beldagi, Nepal
Thank you for your generous support and prayers for our 21-day discipleship training in Beldangi, Nepal. God showed up powerfully in the midst. As a result, many lives were transformed, lots of inner healing and deliverance took place, and many were empowered by the baptism of the Holy Spirit and could catch the vision of the Great Commission. Special thanks to Ps. Pralad, Ps. Peter and others who had this happen. Always grateful to Ps. Kailash and Ps. Kumar and all facilitators for their sacrificial effort in making this event possible. May God continue to bless all of you richly.
21 Days Discipleship Training in Beldangi, Nepal
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. - Psalm 34:8
Farm & Fisheries in Naxalbari
Baptism in Beldangi, Nepal
36 people were baptized this day.
Immanuel English Mission School
Annual Function in Damak, Nepal
Preparing for the Future
Leadership Meeting in Siliguri
Ray of Hope, Calcutta
Ray of Hope, Damak
Due to God’s grace, we were able to start the church construction after having fellowship in a rented house for a long time.
Kolkata and Jharkhand
Pastor L. K. Sangma and Ps. Rajesh Kalikotey visited the mission field this month. The special classes were given to the new and old believers in the field.
Women’s fellowship
23rd -25th August: Mrs. Bhanu Bhutia and Ms. Bhumika Dewan were invited to Delhi for the All Delhi Nepali Women’s fellowship. And the delegates were encouraged after hearing the word of God delivered to them.
Kathmandu, Nepal
Loyla Pastoral Center
Ray of Hope Charitable Trust India conducted a Leadership training program. This Training Program was held at Loyola Pastoral Center, Siliguri, West Bengal, from 7th Oct to 9th Oct 2013.
Charitable Project
We thank God for granting us this opportunity to help the needy during their time of need. Please continue to uphold us in your prayers.
Damak, Nepal
Naxalbari, India
For the past few years, we have been carrying out charity work (free distribution of clothes, shoes, school accessories, candies, etc.) among the poor and needy children at Naxalbari.
Emmanuel Mission School
Our school stood first in the dance competition and second in the quiz competition. It was a great privilege for us to host this program despite us being one of the smallest and the least known schools in the whole Eastern Zone of Nepal.
Emmanuel Mission School
Our school stood first in the dance competition and second in the quiz competition. It was a great privilege for us to host this program despite us being one of the smallest and the least known schools in the whole Eastern Zone of Nepal.