Thailand Calvary Chapel Teaches Life in the Womb in School Outreaches
A little girl (right) in a Thailand government school thoughtfully touches a realistic model of an unborn baby during an outreach sponsored by Calvary Chapel Refuge Fellowship Chiang Mai, Thailand. The outreach includes sharing the Gospel, offering English language instruction, and emphasizing that the students are fearfully and wonderfully made by God.
Children in Thailand face many challenges—a lack of emotional foundation at home and a trusted father figure, the unwillingness of their families to discuss topics like sexuality, and limited educational opportunities affecting their futures.
To address these needs, our ministry, Calvary Chapel Refuge Fellowship Chiang Mai, partners directly with the ELM Pregnancy Center. Together, we run a multi-station program at government schools where we share the Gospel alongside a curriculum teaching life in the womb.
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. Psalm139:13-14a
Thailand’s Public Schools
Thai girls are mesmerized by a model of a baby in the womb. The tangible, touchable model reminds them that they are not accidents and are loved by God. The church partners directly with the ELM Pregnancy Center and social worker Noii.
The contrast is striking. In Thailand, public schools are entirely intertwined with the local religion—every single Thai government school sits either directly right next to a Buddhist temple or literally on the exact same property. In fact, most of these schools are named after the temple itself or the head monk who originally founded it.
Yet when our Calvary Chapel team arrives for an outreach day on these very grounds, the kids are happy and joyful. Part of the reason is simply that they get a break from their normal studies, but they are genuinely excited for the chance to study English and hear the stories we bring them about Jesus. Even if they don't know what the outreach is about at first, they want to learn.
Children’s Realities
Along with learning English, the students love to learn about Jesus. During craft time, children create and color joined hearts bearing the Scripture, John 3:16; another craft option is making Gospel bracelets.
To understand the importance of this ministry, it helps to understand the specific demographic of these schools. We visit local government schools that teach children from grades one through six, and sometimes up to grade nine.
Our sweet friend and ministry partner, Noii, is a local Thai social worker who serves right alongside us. She helps us understand the heavy realities these kids face. In Chiang Mai public schools, an astonishing 80% to 90% of the students are not ethnically Thai. Instead, they belong to minority hill tribes—such as the Lahu—or are immigrants from Burma, like the Shan people. A local school director shared a sobering reality with Noii: Only about 1% of these children continue their education past the ninth grade.
Because financial status is low and family culture often dictates that finishing grade nine is enough, these children face limited choices. For the young girls in certain minority tribes, cultural values normalize having babies at a very young age. Without further education, their future options vanish, leaving them with limited job choices rather than long-term careers.
The boys face different kinds of pressure rooted in the family dynamic. Noii explains that in many immigrant and minority groups, fathers are rarely positive role models. In Asian culture, emotional suppression is common; families do not talk about emotions, and they do not discuss topics like sex. Because the boys lack an emotional foundation or a trusted figure to turn to at home, they carry heavy pressure as they grow older.
Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16
Teaching "Life in the Womb"
A little girl lovingly cradles a much-larger baby model in her arms. Acknowledging that a 20-minute station during a three-hour program may not be enough to guarantee better life choices, Noii explains that it highlights a deep need for more time and future follow-up programs with the students.
Because Thailand is rooted in Buddhism, children are taught from a young age that abortion is a sin. However, Noii points out that the cultural narrative is changing. Today, people often justify abortion by saying it is a bigger sin to let babies be born if the parents cannot afford to take care of them, viewing neglect as the worse outcome.
Thai people generally know that a baby in the womb is a living human being—they do not use terms like "fetus" or call it a clump of cells. However, because they rarely see concrete pictures, that knowledge doesn't always impact their hearts.
To bridge this gap, we bring realistic baby models from ELM for the students to touch and hold. At this station, we always emphasize the Bible verse that they are fearfully and wonderfully made by God, reminding them that they are not an accident. Noii shares that having something concrete to hold makes the truth tangible for them, mirroring how the Israelites built physical altars in the desert because they wanted to see something real.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! Psalm 139:16-17
Craving Connection
When reflecting on whether a 20-minute station during a three-hour program is enough to guarantee better life choices, Noii is beautifully honest. She notes that while there isn't concrete evidence of long-term impact yet, it highlights a deep need for more time and future follow-up programs with the students.
Yet, the immediate impact of human connection is undeniable. In Thai and tribal family structures, words of affirmation and physical affection—like hugs or high-fives—are incredibly rare. Parents seldom tell their children that they are loved or valuable. Because of this, the children crave affirmation.
Our team gets to step into that gap, providing high-fives, interactions, and words of value. Watching these children receive that affirmation is incredibly moving to Noii and the rest of our team. The impact goes both ways; during a recent outreach, an older girl in grade eight or nine came up to one of our team members who had been teaching the English section. She made a little heart shape with her hands and said, "Jesus loves you."
A Necessary Partnership
More than 230 students in a Thailand government school gather for an outreach. By stepping in to serve, the outreach team forms a vital partnership with the school systems—combining practical community support with the truth of the Gospel to reach children on the very grounds where they spend their days.
Noii beautifully summarizes the heart of why Refuge Fellowship Chiang Mai, ELM, and the public schools must cooperate:
"To raise one child, you need a whole community. As a church, we share the Gospel, for sure. But just as Jesus did, He did community work, too. You cannot truly share the Gospel without doing community work, and you cannot just do community work without sharing the Gospel. They go together."
Government schools in Thailand operate with severely limited resources. Because of this, these temple-adjacent schools often must rely on the local temples and monks just to secure basic scholarships for impoverished students. By stepping in to serve, our church outreach forms a vital partnership with the school systems—combining practical community support with the truth of the Gospel to reach children on the very grounds where they spend their days.
Julianna Moon (center) teaches English to the Thai children. She is a daughter of Refuge Fellowship Senior Pastor Arron Moon and his wife, Vicky.
Vicky is the wife of Arron Moon, the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Refuge Fellowship Chiang Mai
Thank you for reading! If this story inspired you, we invite you to partner with us in continuing the ministry God started over 27 years ago. We appreciate your prayerful consideration in joining us to reach more souls for Jesus.
SPONSOR MESSAGE: Calvary Chapel Education Association (CCEA) is dedicated to the Calvary Chapel Distinctives and exists to foster Christ-based education by providing support for Calvary Chapel Schools. To register for, or learn more about, CCEA’s Fall Education Conference (October 21-23, 2026), visit: cceaonline.org
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