December 18–30, 2025 Mission Trip: Northern Sri Lanka
Host Information
Rev. Shanmugam and Mrs . Dino Partheepan, Reformed Protestant Mission
Through its Home & Foreign Missions Committee, the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) supports the work of the Reformed Protestant Mission in Sri Lanka. Rev. Shanmugam Partheepan, a native of Sri Lanka, studied at the Free Church Seminary from 2007 to 2011 and was ordained to the pastoral ministry in 2011 for missionary service in Sri Lanka. The Mission began in 2012 and is based in Vavuniya, a large town in the Northern Province. Services are also held in Mullaitheevu, approximately 50 miles north-east of Vavuniya located on the western coast, where a new place of worship was opened in 2017. A third location with services began in 2024 in Kilinochi, approximately 50 miles north of Vavuniya. (source: Sri Lanka - FCC)
About Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is an island nation in South Asia known for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and ethnic diversity. Located in the northern part of the country, the town of Vavuniya serves as a gateway between the Tamil-majority north and the Sinhalese-majority south. It was significantly affected by the Sri Lankan Civil War, and though peace has returned, the region still carries the scars of conflict. The predominant ethnic group in Vavuniya is Tamil, and the most commonly spoken language is Tamil, although Sinhala and English are also used. The area is primarily agricultural, with many residents engaged in farming and manual labor. Infrastructure is developing, but access to quality healthcare, education, and sustainable employment remains limited.
Sri Lanka is religiously diverse: the majority of the population practices Buddhism (about 70%), followed by Hinduism, Islam, and Roman Catholicism. In the north, particularly in Vavuniya and surrounding areas, Hinduism is most prevalent due to the high Tamil population. Evangelical Christians are a small minority in Sri Lanka, making up less than 2% of the national population with even fewer in the northern regions. Despite this, there is a growing Christian presence through local churches and mission efforts, often met with social and governmental challenges. The spiritual needs are great, and many communities are open to the Gospel, especially where hope and healing are deeply needed in the aftermath of war and poverty.
Service Opportunity
The opportunities for service this December include ministering within the Reformed Protestant Mission at a youth conference, as well as laboring in and around the various church buildings and congregants’ homes as needed. Lord willing there will also be many spiritual opportunities of sowing good seed amongst our Sri Lankan brothers and sisters as we seek to build one another up in our most holy faith and labor for that which perishes not (Jude 1:20, John 6:27).
To those going on the trip:
This December we have the opportunity to edify and build up the young people in Sri Lanka with a youth conference, as well as be of tangible service to the members of the three FCC congregations there in various ways. With the Lord’s help, may we speak a word in season that our Sri Lankan brethren might be refreshed and strengthened by our communion with them. May our time with them be that which glorifies the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:31), keeps Christ preeminent (Colossians 1:18), and goes forth to minister unto others, not expecting anything in return (Mark 10:45; Acts 20:35 ).