Rev. Ted NaThalang distributes
communion to Lutherans in Thailand.
| Coordinator for LHF Projects in Southeast Asia Pornprom NaThalang was born in Bangkok, Thailand, into a Buddhist family. When he was still a boy, his stepfather and mother moved to Fort Wayne, Ind., where he was instructed and baptized into the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.
The Word took root in the heart of the young boy. He attended Lutheran elementary and high schools and graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in 1991.
The Holy Spirit brought Rev. NaThalang full circle when his first call was to serve as LCMS evangelistic missionary to Thailand. During his 11 years as a missionary there, Rev. NaThalang started a Thai Lutheran Church and trained Thai church leaders.
“When I look back at my life, I see how the Lord has worked in planting Lutheran churches in Thailand,” Rev. NaThalang reflects. “In my stepfather, God sent a messenger to bring the Gospel to me and my family. Now I have returned to bring this same message to the Thai people.”
Since 2002, Rev. NaThalang has served as Southeast Asia Coordinator and translator for the Lutheran Heritgage Foundation.
With its deep-rooted tradition in the Buddhist faith, Southeast Asia would seem the least fertile ground on which to sow the seeds of the Christian faith. But due in part to the efforts of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation, new life in Christ is springing forth in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and Burma.
Since joining LHF, Rev. NaThalang has translated Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation and an accompanying workbook into Thai. He has
overseen the catechism’s translation into Cambodian, Lao, Vietnamese, Bahasa (Indonesian), and Burmese. He also directs projects in Japan, Taiwan and Korea.
The catechism has been instrumental in spreading the Christian faith in Southeast Asia. “If you give a Bible to the new Christian, it can be overwhelming,” said Rev. NaThalang. “Unless you’re trained to read the Bible correctly, you’d be confused. The catechism is the tool to open Scripture.”
Would your congregation like to hear more?
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Rev. Ted NaThalang share inspiring stories of people coming to the faith, and of new Christians standing firm in the face of incredible persecution. Contact the Lutheran Heritage Foundation to schedule Rev. NaThalang as a special speaker at your congregation's mission event. E-mail the LHF office, or call the LHF World Mission Center at (800)554-0723.
| Download Rev. Ted NaThalang's biographical information formatted as a church bulletin insert. PDF: Rev. NaThalang bulletin insert
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