No Christians had ever lived in the little village outside Nan City in Northern Thailand. Then in October 1997 a Christian family moved into the village. On May 29, 1999, four people in the village chose to follow Jesus from this family's witness. Beginning the next day the believers began to meet for worship every Sunday. Since then, twenty-three more people have followed Christ. New believers are leading their friends to Christ. Two weeks ago, the church members went go to another village to lead worship service there for the first time. God is displaying His glory among the Northern Thai!

The economy of the Northern Thai people is based on agriculture crops such as rice, maize, vegetables, and fruits. Slash-and-burn farming practices cause deforestation problems throughout the region. Educational and work opportunities attract many Northern Thai to Chiang Mai, the largest city in the region, but poverty and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases from the large prostitution industry make city life extremely difficult.

Buddhism mixed with animism is the prominent religion among the Northern Thai. Spirit altars beside statues of the Buddha are common in many homes. Christians comprise less than one percent of the eight million Northern Thai. Christians radio broadcasts are available in the more prominent dialects spoken in this region, but very few Northern Thai have a Bible in their own language.

The IMB Northern Thai missionary team now has five career couples, one Journeyman, and a Masters couple. Two more couples will join the team this year. God has also provided two home missionary couples supported by Thai Baptist churches.