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

Siripawn came to Bangkok to work in a Christian organization. She was a new Christian then. She began to look for a church to worship God and visited many churches. The churches that she visited have different forms of worship. But she did not understand much about God. She wanted peace. She also wanted to live in the love of God and help others to know God too. But the churches that she was visiting did not help her to learn any of these things.

Seek, and ye shall find.

One day, her friend told her that a new Nazarene church will be opening near her house. Siripawn decided to try this new church. And in 1989 she met Dr. Michael and Rachel McCarty and the Knox family. They are missionaries and pioneers of the Church of the Nazarene in Thailand. The McCartys and Knox’s 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.

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

Siripawn Malakul

Siripawn had the chance to study at South East Asia Nazarene Bible College (now Chapman International College). And later on, had the opportunity to serve and be part of the leadership in Thailand Church.

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