The Scottish Bible Society has launched a new appeal to help its partners in Nepal bring God's Word to more and more people within the country's blossoming Christian community.

One year after the predominantly Hindu Nepal became a secular state in May 2006, the Nepal Bible Society's third attempt in 11 years to be registered 'official' finally proved successful. The new Society joins nearly 150 others working in more than 200 countries worldwide.

The Scottish Bible Society acknowledged that working in the country had not always been easy but said there were positive signs of change to be seen.

"With the recent death of Sir Edmund Hillary who with the Nepalese man Tenzing Norgay climbed Everest, the highest mountain in the world, fresh focus has been brought onto Nepal," said Elaine Duncan, chief executive of the Scottish Bible Society.

"The huge team effort that it took to get the top of that particular mountain might inspire us to join with our fellow workers to achieve another important feat.

"Out of a population of 26 million, there are around 700,000 Christians in Nepal. The formerly unregistered Bible Society had worked in the country for 30 years but always faced the risk of reprisals and prosecution."

Christianity continues to spread in Nepal, however, and churches are turning increasingly to the Nepal Bible Society for Scriptures to help the ever-growing numbers of Nepali Christians grow stronger in their faith and more mature in their Christian journey.

In 2008, the local Bible Society is hoping to radically change the faith journey of 400,000 Christians by giving them their own copy of God's Word.

Ms Duncan added, "Plans are in action, production estimates agreed, and now - with the help of Christians in Scotland - the presses can be rolling by the end of March. We're in exciting times."

To contribute to the appeal visit www.scottishbiblesociety.org