The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod began work in Thailand in 1986 under the name Concordia Gospel Ministry (CGM), which supports the efforts of the local, independent Thai Lutheran church.
An urban ministry strategy was initiated in Bangkok, and social-service programs — like a child-care center and work among child and young teen prostitutes — were started. The urban ministry at the CGM center includes teaching English for the purpose of building relationships with Thai students and professionals, through which the Gospel of Christ can be shared. The church also opened a preaching station at the CGM center.
Current LCMS work in Thailand focuses on training and supporting the local Thai Lutheran church, the Thailand Concordia Lutheran Church (TCLC), in cooperation with the Lutheran Church—Canada. This support includes theological education, Bible study groups, one-on-one appointments, camps, seminars, special evangelistic events and Bible classes.
In 1988, the LCMS provided mercy project support for tuition and supplies for school children. In the following years, additional mercy projects included buying computer and solar equipment, providing food for refugees, rebuilding homes damaged in an explosion, infant and mother care, providing a day-care center, rehabilitation for prostitutes, slum community ministry, disaster relief (tsunami, flood, cyclone), livelihood development and student scholarships.