ABOUT US
The People and Vision Behind Jivan for Nepali
In the remote villages of Nepal, pastors quietly suffer for the gospel.
They walk miles to visit believers, preach in homes, and share Christ with the unreached—all while facing persecution, poverty, and isolation. Most receive little to no financial support, yet they persevere so their people can know Jesus.
Joshua Pun knows this life—because he lived it. Twenty years ago, he was a young missionary in a desolate corner of Northern India, planting churches among struggling Nepalis with almost no resources. He watched his people endure both spiritual darkness and poverty, and he devoted himself completely to serving them.
Today, God has changed Joshua’s story. No longer a frontier church planter, he now speaks on behalf of these unseen pastors from his home in America, giving a voice to those who have none. Alongside his wife, Amy, he leads Jivan for Nepali—a ministry that recruits, equips, and sustains pastors through biblical training, mentorship, and micro-businesses that make ministry self-supporting. From goat farms to metal stove production, these efforts keep pastors in their villages so the gospel can spread to the ends of Nepal.
Joshua’s Story
“It’s so refreshing working with Nepali church planters that are willing to move to places where the gospel hasn’t gone, to embrace the spiritual warfare, to risk persecution, and who are willing to count that cost!”
— Bill Johnson, Board Member
Kaleidoscopic Call, Ethnic Church Strategist
Picture: JFN Annual Retreat
Our Staff
Joshua - Executive Director
Serving in Clarkston, GA and Nepal
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I was born in a mountainous village in Nepal. When I was 12, my parents separated and my mother left. In my hopelessness, I left home looking for my older brother who had fled to India, spending nights on the streets searching for him and working tough jobs. One night, amidst my desperation, I cried out to a God I didn’t know — and He revealed Himself to me.
When I encountered Jesus, my life changed completely. I went on to Bible school and began ministry work among Buddhist, Muslim, and Hindu communities in Northern India, planting two churches and growing a deep burden for my own Nepali people. After years in India, I returned to Nepal, met my wife on a short term trip. Together we share a vision to take the Gospel to every Nepali, wherever they live.
Now, living in America, my position in life has changed. Today, I am no longer a village church planter or evangelist; now I equip, send, and support friends, family, and teammates who labor in the harvest. It’s far more effective and sustainable to empower local leaders than to send foreign missionaries. It’s my greatest joy to see Nepalis rise up to share Christ and transform whole communities. As William Carey famously stated, “I will go down into the pit if you will hold the ropes.” Through our donors’ gracious donations, we are able to send Nepali men and women who carry the Gospel to distant villages.
Amy - Administrative and Development Coordinator
Serving in Clarkston, GA and Nepal
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I was raised in Georgia in a Christian family but had never experienced cross-cultural ministry until I went to Africa and India with YWAM in 2009. When I returned to Atlanta, I moved to the refugee resettlement community of Clarkston, famously known as “the most diverse square mile in America.” I thrived living among refugees from around the world, including Bhutanese-Nepali families, and serving every Sunday at a multi-ethnic church.
My training in education and working with English language learners came alive when I began teaching at a refugee girls’ school. The nations had come to my classroom, and I loved teaching my teenage girls all subjects — and how to navigate life in America.
I met Joshua, my now husband, on a short-term trip to Nepal, and now we serve together to equip village pastors and churches for their work. I enjoy using the creativity and communication skills I once used in the classroom to help advance the Kingdom among my husband’s people. It’s also a great joy to raise our three kids, who have the unique opportunity to call two countries, cultures, and peoples “home.” What a gift it is to raise a family who values missions and sharing the gospel among their Papa’s people.
Tripta - Community Engagement Coordinator
Serving in Nepal
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Born in Northern India to Nepali parents, I grew up in Himachal Pradesh and went on to earn my Bachelor of Theology from Grace Bible College in 2016. After that, I received further ministry training including YWAM’s Discipleship Training School.
My faith journey began 15 years ago when my family and I were snowed in and came across a radio program that led us to accept Jesus — a moment that remains the greatest testimony of my life.
For the past three years, I’ve served as a missionary in Nepal, bringing encouragement to those in need. I love cooking and sharing God’s Word in remote areas, and today I’m blessed to serve as the Community Engagement Coordinator at Jivan For Nepali. In ministry, I find deep joy in showing love and compassion to the downtrodden and sick, and sharing the message of Jesus wherever I go.
Roka - Financial and Operations Coordinator
Serving in Nepal
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Born in 1994 near the Indian Uttar Pradesh border, I grew up in a small farming family. After finishing school and college, I went on to earn a master’s degree in Rural Development and study Biblical theology in India. Since the age of 18, I’ve been involved in Christian leadership and today I serve Jivan For Nepali by managing the bookkeeping for our micro-businesses.
I was raised in a Hindu family but came to faith in Christ at age 14. Though I faced rejection, I found true peace and hope, and in 2006 my family and I became the first believers in our village. Despite many challenges, God’s grace brought healing and growth, and in 2023 we celebrated the planting of a new church in my village— a milestone marking 18 years of my faith journey.
Whizzy - Business Supervisor
Serving in Nepal
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Born and raised in a Christian family in Nepalgunj, I grew up attending church but did not truly know Christ until later in life. After years of struggling with addiction, I sought help and entered a YWAM Discipleship Training School in India, where I encountered the love of Jesus in a personal way and surrendered my life to Him. I went on to earn a Bachelor of Theology in Bangalore and began serving in youth and gospel outreach, helping plant fellowships and encouraging young believers to walk with Christ. Today I serve with Jivan for Nepali as a Business Supervisor, traveling to encourage local pastors and helping strengthen sustainable ministry efforts across western Nepal. I am passionate about seeing village pastors equipped to care for their families and plant healthy churches, and I look forward to helping build a strong and faithful team in Nepal for the sake of the Gospel.
Philip - Ministry Advisor
Serving in Nepal
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Born and raised in Nepal, Janak first encountered the love of Christ through his local church, but it wasn’t until later—through intentional discipleship and theological training—that he sensed God’s deeper call on his life to shepherd others. He joined Veritas College International and now serves as the Country Coordinator for Nepal, helping to equip church leaders with accessible biblical training rooted in everyday discipleship.
As he served among pastors in rural regions, he began to see a deeper need—not only for more churches to be planted, but for the pastors themselves to be spiritually healthy, supported, and strengthened as they lead. Today, Janak serves Jivan for Nepali by mentoring and counseling our pastors, helping to supervise and support staff, and offering spiritual guidance to strengthen leaders from the inside out. He is passionate about building a culture of care, integrity, and accountability among Nepali church planters so that their work can flourish for the long term. His heart is to see pastors deeply rooted in Christ, equipped for endurance, and leading churches that multiply disciples across Nepal.
Open Position - Communications Coordinator
Are you our next team member? Reach out here to learn more!
Our Board
Bill Johnson
David Bentley
Randy Berry
Amy Pun
Krishna (Joshua) Pun
Thanks to our Partners and Large Donors
Stories from Nepal
“I stayed with these villagers for two months, sharing God’s love among them and discipling the new believers. During this time, God led me into fasting and prayer for many who were physically sick or this woman who was possessed by spirits. I saw God’s compassion touch these villagers and witnessed Him become accepted by many.
—Tripta in M****(JFN staff member), pictured right
