Kathmandu (AsiaNews/ANS) – Nepal, until recently held to be a Hindu kingdom, is one place where Christian radio transmissions are enjoying considerable success. Recent political developments – the launch of secularism, more freedom for the media, and so on – go hand in hand with an increased interest in Christianity among the Nepalese people. "What has occurred in recent times is more than our imagination could have ever thought," said Narayan Sharma, talking about developments in his country and the radio that he is director of, which transmits religious programmes through 15 Nepalese radio stations.

Narayan comes from a family of Brahmans, the highest caste. He spent his early years in India, and throughout his adolescence, he read many books on Jesus and heard many radio broadcasts on the gospel.

For 15 years, he has belonged to an Evangelical community, where his faith matured. He decided to serve the Gospel through radio, thanks to the global organization "Gospel for Asia (GFA)".

Narayan said "too narrow boundaries" were not enough for him.

At that time, in Nepal, "Christians were very much persecuted and were put in the prison".

"Initially, we were just helping pastors, encouraging them to carry on God's work. In those days it was a very difficult for them, so whatever help and resources we provided was a great encouragement for them to go ahead with their work."

Now the GFA radio broadcasts in six languages to Nepal and in 83 to the Indian sub-continent. He said: "I never thought I would ever get the privilege to broadcast and spread God's love through radio in Nepal; a country which was closed to the Gospel, a country which persecuted the Christian faith."

Nowadays, "50% of the Nepalese population can be reached by radio; a media which was closed to us for so many years". He added that his community has three bible schools to prepare ordinary people, youth, and women, to travel across the country as preachers.

In a country that has suffered years of bloody conflict between the government and Maoist rebels, there is an increasing number of Christians as well as Protestant churches (a few thousand at least).

Narayan concluded with an appeal: "It has been so amazing to read the letters from people who listen to our broadcasts. There are still thousands of villages who have not heard the name of Jesus. I ask you to pray so that all may know His name."