The Southeast Asia Field is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. As part of the celebration of God’s goodness and faithfulness on the field, Siripawn Malakul shared how she became the first Thai member of the Church of the Nazarene in Bangkok.

Malakul was a new Christian who came to Bangkok to work in a Christian organization. She began to look for a place to worship God and visited many churches. The churches had different forms of worship but were not able to teach her about God, living in His love and peace, or how she could help others know God too.

One day, her friend told her that a new Nazarene church was opening near her house. Malakul decided to try this new church. In 1989, she met Michael and Rachel McCarty and the Knox family, who were missionaries and pioneers of the Church of the Nazarene in Thailand. The McCartys and Knoxes taught her how to follow Jesus, and because of these teachings, she decided to join the new church and became the first Thai member of the Church of the Nazarene in Bangkok, Thailand.

Malakul had the chance to study at South East Asia Nazarene Bible College (now Chapman International College), and be part of the leadership in the Thailand church.

“I thank God for the opportunity to learn to live God’s love and experience the peace of God in my life,” Malakul said. “Because of the Church of the Nazarene, I have had many opportunities to serve the Lord and share God’s love and peace with others.”

Malakul is an ordained minister and is now the pastor of Chiang Mai Church of the Nazarene. She is also involved in other ministries, including leading the youth group in Maetang Tribal Children’s Home and translating literature and other resources into the Thai language.

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific