The 1334 Podcast

Planting Faith in Thailand: Building a Church in a Predominantly Buddhist Nation

Episode Summary

What does it actually cost to follow a calling—especially when that calling leads you halfway around the world? In this episode, we tell the story of Enoch Kenway and his family, who answered a call to plant a Christian church in Thailand, a country where Buddhism is deeply woven into culture, identity, and daily life. This isn’t a highlight reel of overnight success—it’s an honest look at obedience, risk, cultural tension, and the slow, unseen work of building trust and community. We explore the realities of church planting in a foreign context, the emotional and spiritual weight carried by a family on mission, and what it means to pursue faith when comfort, clarity, and certainty are stripped away. Along the way, this conversation challenges listeners to examine their own definition of calling, success, and faithfulness. This episode isn’t just about missions or church growth—it’s about the pursuit of obedience, even when the outcome is unknown.

Episode Notes

Episode Focus:
Planting a Christian church in Thailand, obedience to calling, and the unseen cost of faith-led pursuit.

Key Themes & Topics

Answering a calling that leads far outside comfort and familiarity

The cultural reality of sharing Christianity in a predominantly Buddhist nation

The difference between obedience and outcomes

Church planting as slow, relational work—not instant growth

Raising a family while living on mission

Redefining success when metrics don’t tell the full story

Faithfulness in seasons where fruit isn’t immediately visible

Key Takeaways

Calling often requires movement before clarity

Cultural sensitivity and patience matter more than strategy alone

True impact is usually invisible before it’s visible

Obedience is costly—but compromise costs more

The pursuit of faith is rarely comfortable, but it is deeply formative

Notable Moments

The moment the Kenway family knew Thailand was the place

Early challenges and cultural misunderstandings

Learning to build trust before building a church

Navigating doubt, pressure, and responsibility as a family on mission

Signs of growth that didn’t show up in numbers

Who This Episode Is For

Church leaders and ministry teams

Missionaries and faith-based entrepreneurs

Creatives, founders, and anyone wrestling with a calling

Listeners interested in global faith, culture, and purpose-driven work

Suggested Listener Reflection

Where in your life are you waiting for certainty before obedience?

What would faithfulness look like if success wasn’t measurable?

What pursuit is costing you comfort—but shaping you most?