Sherpa in United States


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Sherpas of Nepal are famous worldwide for their abilities in leading mountain climbing expeditions in the Himalayan Mountains, the highest mountain chain in the world. In Nepal they earn a good living from their wealthy, adventurous clients. However, the job is very dangerous. Most Sherpa live in the small Himalayan nation of Nepal. Others live in India, Bhutan and China. Some Sherpas have migrated to the USA. When the Sherpas come to the USA, they face huge changes from their mountainous Asian homeland.

There are few if any Sherpas in the USA who have become followers of Jesus Christ. In India many Sherpas have become believers. The New Testament and the JESUS Film are available in the Sherpa language.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Some Sherpa men have married female clients and moved to the United States where they are no longer in their element. About a fourth of the Sherpa men in the US are married to American women. With limited English skills, Sherpa men often face unemployment. They easily become dependent on their American wives. Many live in New York City where they drive cabs or work in restaurants or retail.

All Sherpas who come to the USA must learn or improve their English. They must find a place to live, enroll their children in schools and obtain some type of employment. Children learn English quickly and adapt to their new American home. For adults, the changes are more difficult.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The large majority of Sherpas are Buddhists. They also think of the spirit world as something to be used in order to gain what they need. There is no concept of a loving, Father-God to guide them through life's challenges. Instead of embracing some form of Christianity like many other Buddhist peoples, most Sherpas in the US have remained Buddhist. Their brand of Buddhism is heavily influenced by folk religion and animism. Some Sherpas in the USA become secular while others visit Buddhist temples on a regular basis.


What Are Their Needs?

Marriages between Buddhist Sherpa men and secular or New Age-oriented American women are sometimes strained. Many Sherpas find adapting to modern urban life difficult. Counselors who believe that Christ has the answers can help Sherpas and their spouses to see that Jesus offers them the guidance they need. Believers can help the Sherpas improve their English and find jobs.

There are no Sherpa or very few followers of Christ in the USA. However, there are Nepalis in the US who have embraced their Savior.


Prayer Points

Pray that Nepalis believers in the USA will reach out and share the gospel with the Sherpas.

Pray for the Buddhist Sherpas to have a hunger and thirst for spirituality that will lead them to the loving, living heavenly Father.

Pray for a people movement to Christ among Sherpas and Nepalis in the US that will spread to the Sherpa community in other parts of the world.

Pray that American churches would reach out and sponsor Sherpa families in the USA.


Scripture Prayers for the Sherpa in United States.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Sherpa
People Name in Country Sherpa
Pronunciation Sher-pah
Alternate Names Bhotia; Drukpa; Khambuwan; Manang; Serwa; Sharpa; Sharpa Bhotia; Sherdukpen; Solu; Solu-Khambuwan; Toto; Xiaerba; Xiarba; Yelmo; शेरपा
Population this Country 5,100
Population all Countries 190,000
Total Countries 5
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 14906
ROP3 Code 108938
ROP25 Code 307461
ROP25 Name Sherpa
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country New York   Source:  Ethnologue 2010
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country New York.   Source:  Ethnologue 2010
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
100.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Sherpa (5,100 speakers)
Language Code xsr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Sherpa (5,100 speakers)
Language Code xsr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Sherpa
Photo Source COMIBAM / Sepal 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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