GFA World’s Bishop Daniel Yohannan Urges Christians Not to Forget Nepal: ‘Our Prayers Really Do Matter’
Though many in the media seem to have forgotten about the flood disaster in Nepal, the people living there still face challenges that few in the developed world have experienced or can understand. President of Gospel for Asia World (GFA), Bishop Daniel Yohannan, has been in constant communication with GFA World missionaries and graciously agreed to provide another update regarding how the relief efforts are progressing.
Community’s Intense Devastation and Heartbreak
When Bishop Daniel asked one of the mission leaders to compare this disaster with the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in 2015 and the recent flooding, the missionary said the flooding seemed much worse because the devastation is so concentrated. Of the 5,000 that are missing, approximately 1,200 – 1,500 are believed to be dead. While there were many who lost their lives in the earthquake, it was more widespread.
Bishop Daniel said the devastation and heartbreak are intense.
“People can be walking across muddy fields where nothing is left, everything is gone, either washed away or completely covered in mud, and [they can] smell the rotting bodies, which means that some of these individuals that lost their lives will never be found. They’ll never be identified.”
He went on to note the heartbreak of some families that won’t ever be able to have closure because there will be some who just won’t ever be found, but they’ll be assumed dead.
Christians Embracing Opportunity to Show the Love of Christ
Bishop Daniel said that most people in Nepal are Hindus or Buddhists. Christians are in the minority. The country is also part of the 10/40 window, which refers to the rectangular region with the highest number of unreached people for Christ.
However, the crisis has brought about a sense among people that the focus of the community needs to be on helping one another and meeting one another’s needs. Christians are especially aware of the opportunity to show Christ's love.
Bishop Daniel notes that when a crisis like this happens, “all of us are brought down to the level of humanity, struggling and suffering together,” adding that, “the difference is we [Christians] have hope in Christ because we have our hope in the resurrection and the promise that God has given to us, and others lack that hope. So they see only devastation, sadness and despair. So this is the time, even though Christians are suffering, we can bring hope and healing in the midst of our suffering and difficulty to others.”
Bishop Daniel said it warms his heart that “our people can just show Christ’s love in just a practical way right now.”
The Prayers of God’s People are Still Critical
Even though mainstream media isn’t really talking about this anymore, Bishop Daniel said that the prayers of God’s people remain critical. He would especially like for pastors to take the lead in praying and talking about the suffering that’s happening in Nepal during church services, impressing upon their congregations that the prayers of God’s people really do matter.
“We need to pray that God would fill our hearts with compassion and break our hearts with things that break His heart. We must come to grips with the reality that those who go without Christ into eternity, that’s a very severe thing. That’s a very real thing.”
In addition, Bishop Daniel is requesting prayer for the missionaries, for people who have lost loved ones, and for God to comfort them and help them find hope.
While he said he’s grateful for everyone who has been reaching out and supporting GFA, the relief work is going to be ongoing. So if there are others who want to come alongside GFA with donations, they can visit GFAworld.org.
Also, when people visit the website, they’re welcome to get a copy of the book his father wrote, Revolution in World Missions, which is free at the website.
Photo Credit: ©Abdul Goni/Anadolu via Getty Images
Originally published September 16, 2026.
