Bangladesh evangelical lutheran church (belc)

Swapon Sarker is the Founding Chairman of BELC, and his father, Rev. Sanjeet Sarkar, is one of the pastors. Bangladesh has a population of over 172 million, with the number of Christians less than .3%, or about 700,000. The country is 90% Islam. There are 289 different people groups.

Once part of India during the British colonial times, Bangladesh was called East Pakistan starting in 1947. Bangladesh gained independence in 1971, and changed its name to Bangladesh in January 1972.

There are now thirteen churches, with three new churches planted since 2024! Most are small and some large, and about 400+ members in BELC. There are many new converts, so amazing recent growth! In 2017 ALWM led 4 days of pastor and leader training, with more than 100 in attendance from the three small Lutheran groups planted by European mission agencies a few generations ago. Pastor Moberly visited 7 of the congregations and also led a two-day leadership training seminar in Nov. 2023. He returned again in January 2026 with leaders of the International Orality Institute for more leadership training!