Thailand: Building trust and respect in interfaith relations

Boonmee Jarupong, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thailand

(LWI) – Bishop Boonmee Jarupong of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thailand grew up in the Buddhist faith. His journey is one of discovery and youthful rebellion, leading eventually to healing. In this interview, he talks about how he and his wife dedicated their lives to serving a small Lutheran congregation, growing it through community engagement, social justice initiatives, and a deep respect for traditional values. His journey highlights the challenges of interfaith relationships and the transformative impact of grace on individuals and communities.

Tell us about your faith journey?

My parents and grandparents were Buddhists, and my father worked at the temple, studying in the Bali language. Through him, I learned about religion and the concept of life after death. He was also a traditional healer. When I was 16, I became very sick. Despite seeing many doctors, my condition did not improve. Eventually, I visited a Norwegian mission where a missionary introduced me to a healthier lifestyle and ways to care for myself. Gradually, in this environment and within the church, I recovered. This experience led me to want to become a Christian, and I was baptized.

In 1994, I began studying at a Christian seminary. At the time, I wasn’t planning to become a pastor—I had my own business—but I wanted to deepen my understanding of the Christian faith. During my studies, I met my wife, and we got married in 1998. Both of us completed our studies at the seminary, and the church asked us to serve in a congregation. It was in a large city, but the Lutheran church there was very small, with only 20 members. We decided to settle down, raise our family, and dedicate ourselves fully to the ministry, leaving my business behind. Since then, we’ve been serving the church, and I’ve never been bored!

How does your congregation finance itself? Twenty people seem too few to support a pastor's salary.

Today, the congregation has grown to about 100 members, with 40 attending Sunday worship regularly. We also have a vibrant children’s program with 140 participants.

What was your family’s reaction when you became a Christian and later started working for the church?

At first, my father was very angry. He told me I was no longer his son because our family had been Buddhist for generations. I was the first Christian in our village, and being young, it was challenging to hold different beliefs and opinions. The temple leader eventually suggested that I leave the village.

Now, my relationship with my family has improved. When I was younger, I was a bit of a rebel—I drank, played loud music, and got into trouble. Over time, my family noticed the change in me. Many of them, including my aunt and younger sister, have since become Christians as well.

What draws people in your community to the Lutheran faith?

Buddhism has many good teachings, such as being a good person. In my community, people respect someone who changes from a rebel into a responsible individual. My relatives observed how happy and united my family is, and this piqued their interest.

In Buddhism, achieving a better afterlife requires many good deeds. It’s often hard for people to grasp the concept of grace as a gift. But when they see the transformation in my life and the joy in our family, they become curious about the gospel.

How would you describe your church?

Our church has 28 congregations across five districts, with 23 church workers—16 of whom are pastors, including two women. We have 3,700 baptized members.

Our goal is to bring justice, hope, and happiness to people through God’s grace. We focus on social justice, which we see as rooted in biblical principles and practical actions. The Bible teaches us to love and protect the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized. We advocate for human rights and social equality through projects like educational support, medical aid, and housing assistance. Additionally, we fight gender inequality, campaign against violence, and strive for inclusivity.

We also engage in diaconal work, operate a Bible school, and are expanding programs for women and youth.

Do you have many ecumenical relationships, or is your church isolated?

We maintain strong relationships with other Christian communities, including the Catholic Church, Pentecostal, and Methodist churches in Thailand. We worship together occasionally, discuss theological issues, and collaborate on shared goals like justice, human rights, and climate change.

Your congregation grew from 20 members to 100. How did you achieve this growth?

A key factor has been our children’s program, which attracts kids from the neighborhood and, in turn, their families. We also prioritize community engagement, treating everyone with respect and forming close, familial bonds with those around us.

In Thai culture, it is important to respect people who are older than you. The proper way is to address them as grandparents or aunts and uncles, even if they are not your relatives. This makes people feel like you are part of one family. We, and other Christian churches, still behave like that, and show a good example as a congregation. Therefore, Christians are seen as people who are still respectful towards traditional values.

Building these trusting relationships is essential before sharing faith. Respect must come first—it’s a long journey, but it’s worth it.

Final question: What does it mean for your church, your work, you to be a part of the communion of churches?

It feels like being part of a family. The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) isn’t just an office; it’s a community of churches worldwide. Initially, my mission was to bring justice, hope, and happiness to Thai society. Now I realize it’s about the global community. When I return home, I want to share this broader perspective with my church members.