A Bible-centred school

n A boy at Bangkok Christian College settles down with a drink to read his new Scriptures

BANGKOK, Thailand — “The purpose of Bangkok Christian College (BCC) is firstly to present Jesus Christ to everyone and, secondly, to present the best knowledge to the pupils,” says teacher Acharn Surin Anuchirasheewa.

Although only five per cent of the pupils at this famous boys-only school are Christians (90 per cent are Buddhists and the other five per cent are Hindus, Muslims and other religions), the school enjoys such a good academic reputation that parents of all religions are eager for their sons to attend. The school was founded in 1852 by American Presbyterian missionaries and is considered to be the oldest school in Thailand.

Mr Surin, who leads a team of eight religious studies teachers, is proud of the school’s emphasis on Christian teaching and ensures that each pupil is exposed to the Gospel message. The 5,000 pupils attend an hour-long session of Bible teaching and worship in the school auditorium each week, and daily prayer meetings and regular cell group meetings and Bible studies are held.

“We present the message and encourage those who are interested in it, but we respect people’s choices,” says Mr Surin.