Kharel, Bhawana
Bhawana Kharel is an international Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, engaged in a two-year term of service.
The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world.
Bhawana is a lay member of Parasi Grace Church, a Protestant congregation in Kasia, Nepal. She has preached, led house ministries, and helped the pastor with home visits and Sabbath Fellowship. She earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in sociology from Patan Multiple Campus and Bachelors in Theology at Nepal Theological College in Kathmandu.
When Bhawana’s father died accidentally 15 years ago, she said, “I found God’s unconditional love as God’s people molded me with grace. It helped me learn of compassion and empathy to understand pain and with daily prayers for humanity.”
Fascinated by the apostle Paul’s missionary journeys, Bhawana has longed to share the good news of God’s love. She interned at the faith-based United Mission Nepal, an international NGO, for 11 months. Then she heard of Global Mission Fellows, which seemed to match her dream.
“I feel Global Mission Fellows to be great platform to learn from an experienced team and mentors on dealing with daily issues, both spiritual and secular, while witnessing spiritual transformation, inspiration and encouragement,” she said. “Beyond my heart for God’s kingdom work, I feel being a fellow will help me to have an international, faith-based network for upcoming days, too.”
Bhawana wants to immerse herself in diverse cultures; challenge herself outside of her comfort zone; develop valuable life skills like adaptability, resilience and cultural sensitivity; and enhance her leadership and communication abilities.
“Global Mission Fellows resonates deeply with my desire to live a life of purpose and compassion” she said. Bhawana looks forward to learning about communities around the world, understanding their challenges and broadening her perspective on resolving long-lived oppression. She hopes to enrich her knowledge of issues related to migration/immigration, education, public health and poverty and to revisualize the world in new ways.
“I see great opportunities to immerse myself in diverse cultures, learn from others and contribute to meaningful social change,” Bhawana said. “The hands-on experience and mentorship provided by the program will build me with practical skills and a global perspective, preparing me for a fulfilling career in international development, humanitarian aid or entrepreneurship.” Through GMF, she hopes to grow personally and professionally, allowing her to develop into a more compassionate, informed and impactful global citizen.
“Moreover, there is a platform to explore your spiritual journey through service and reflection,” Bhawana said, “and have a global perspective to view challenges and opportunities. The experience will shape my future in a different way than I could have imagined.”
She added, “As a Global Mission Fellow, I aim to use my skills, interests and education to serve God’s people in tangible ways. My theological background will provide a solid foundation for understanding the biblical worldview and its application to contemporary issues. Additionally, my sociological training will equip me with the tools to analyze societal structures, identify needs and develop effective strategies for social change.”
With a heart for community transformation, Bhawana is especially interested in rural ministry and cross-cultural outreach. “I believe that by combining my faith, knowledge and skills,” she said, “I can make a significant impact.”
She expressed willingness to adapt to diverse cultural contexts and learn from the experiences of others. “My ability to learn quickly and adjust to new situations will enable me to navigate challenges and seize opportunities,” Bhawana said. “I am also committed to building relationships with people from all walks of life, fostering understanding and compassion.
“I hope to use my time as a Global Mission Fellow to deepen my faith, grow as a leader, and serve others with humility and compassion. I am excited about the possibilities and eager to embark on this journey of faith and service, and the platform generated is a great way to reach those unreached and prosper God’s kingdom through transformative change.”