Southeast Asia
The 10/40 Window
The EMC is now ministering within the 10/40 window as a Missions Conference. Nearly 4 billion people live here, including 87 percent of the world’s poorest of the poor. The estimation is that 1.6 billion of these people have never had the chance to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ - not even once! The seat of every major non-Christian religion - Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Animism, Atheism, and Sikhism - is headquartered in the 10/40 Window. In many of the 65 countries represented in the 10/40 Window, witnessing the Christian Gospel means death. The 10/40 Window remains the darkest and most inhospitable territory to the cause of Christ and represents the greatest remaining stronghold of Satan.
Read More…
- Vacation Bible School offerings designated for ministry in Southeast Asia.
- Short-term missionaries needed for Southeast Asia.
- Applications available from Headquarters
- Funds are now being received for Southeast Asia. The Conference Training Center project will be our focus for a denomination wide offering for the 2008 annual district USA conferences.
- Missions Trip to Southeast Asia being planned every February for the India-Myanmar Annual Confernce.
For more information on Southeast Asian, contact: Rev. Kenneth Swearingen, emcgbwm@msn.com
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Pastors and Lay People
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CONFERENCE CENTER PROJECT 2008 IN KALEYMO
EMC Congregation in a Village outside Kaleymo
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| EMC Congregation in a Village outside Kaleymo | The Southeast Asian Mission Conference has churches in India among the Mizo people with churches extending into Myanmar among the Chin people. |
REPORT OF THE GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT, EVANGELICAL METHODIST CHURCH, MISSION CONFERENCE MYANMARRev. Dar Ro ThangaGeneral SuperintendentOn behalf of the Evangelical Methodist Church members of Myanmar, from my faithful General Secretary Rev. Lal Duh Awma and his wife Siami, from my wife Kimi and myself, sincere and cordial greeting to Dr. Ed, Rev. Ken, Rev. Coulston and all delegates who attend this special occasion in the Lord’s precious name. It has been four years that we first met at Tahan ward, Kalaymyo in Myanmar with a future expectation to participate at this meeting. Sometimes it is peaceful, and some time wild and rough. We praise God
and thank you so much for your loving concern and arrangements prescheduled before hand. I would like to submit my feeble report divided into four sections. If this report does
not meet the formats you have done before, your kind and mutual understanding is expected.A. ADMINISTRATION SECTION:1. A SHORT HISTORY OF MYANMAR EMC:The area where EMC members are more advanced especially Falam and Rihkhawdar Districts in Northern Chin State of Myanmar was formerly tended by the America Baptist Mission, who first touched this area on March 15, 1899. The area is very much closed to North East India, now called Mizoram (formerly Lushai Hills in Assam State). We are from the same stock, speak the same tongue and have same culture. There in Mizoram of India, London Baptist Missionaries and Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Missionaries touched the land about 1894.
This means we have two different sources of Gospel truth. Though we were brought to Christ through the America Baptist mission, spiritual revival and nurturing mostly came from India side under the continuation of Welsh revival. The revival seemed foreign to the America Baptist Mission that, in 1949 we were expelled from Baptist Church, because many people practised unknown tongue and palyed two traditional drums at public meetings.In about 1889 Lodon Methodist Missionary Society came to the central part of Myanmar, and made their Headquarters in Mandalay, the second largest city of Myanmar. Their mission field an closed Kalaymyo where we laid our Mission Conference Headquarters now. In 1924 London Methodist Missionaries came to Kalaymyo and found Christians who were newly emigrated from Chin State in Myanmar and Mizoram in India. Then they laid their mission center in Tahan, Kalaymyo about the same year. As our fore fathers in Chin State were excommunicated by the America Baptist Mission, they eventually joined London Methodist Mission in March 6, 1953. Their Headquarters was in Mandalay, and was called upper Myanmar Methodist Church because Episcopal Methodist Mission outreach from America was also existed in the Lower Myanmar, their Headquarters being Yangon, the capital city of Myanmar. The church growth in our area was so rapid that in 1969 it stood as a separate district called Methodist Church, Falam District.(a) PROBLEMS IN THE CHURCH :
Three Methodist Districts members namely : Tahan, Tamu and Falam are from the same stock by birth. While the church was moving forward in faith and ministry, there came a kind of revival about 1986 where the leaders were mostly uneducated lay people. Their teaching was a combination of Calvinistic and partly Wesleyan with the end conclusion of Watchman Nee’s teaching. This brought strong theological differences especially in the Methodist Church of Tahan District. Verification was demanded to the London Methodist Conference whether the new teaching was inline with Wesley’s tradition? But no satisfactory answer was made. Infact, the London Methodist missionaries lived here only for a shot period of time that no actual Methodism was introduced as yet. The last missionary left for England in early 1966 where Myanmar government was coupdeetat by the Revolutionary Army regime. In November 1996, at their annual conference meeting in Mandalay, unhealthy partly division aroused. As a result ten pastors plus five thousand lay members in one accord left the Upper Myanmar Methodist Church and newly planted The Wesleyan Methodist Church at Tahan District. Consequently they made a joint ministry with North America Wesleyan Methodist Church, Indianapolis in States.(b) WHY FALAM DISTRICT BECAME EMC?Our former Upper Myanmar Methodist Church has been biasly prone to liberal teaching, and emphasized social rather than spiritual. They neglected Christian sanctification while ethnic group disorimination was increasing. Contrary to this, we firmly held and confessed Wesleyan tradition in faith and living. This made strong barriers in mood and deeds. As future hope became discourazing, on August 29. 1997 the Falam District Methodist Church left the Upper Myanmar Methodist Church, and stood as a separate Falam Methodist Conference for five years. Formerly we relied on evangelistic grant that came from London Conference. As we are at the outer fringe of Myanmar on the north-western hillside in deep rural jungles, to walk by oneself is not much appropriated. However we had a strong desire not to loose Wesleyan faith we had been holding for a good number of years. After thorough study on EMC’s articles of religion, polity and discipline we had public rally on August 8, 2002 with a result that we all unanimously agreed to join EMC in States. Accordingly, an agreement was signed on January 14, 2003 led by Rev. Dr. Edward Williamson, General Superintendent, Rev. Kenneth Swearingen, Director of World Mission with
Rev. Dar Ro Thanga,
General Superintendent and Rev. Lal Duh Awma, General Secretary at Tahan Ward, Kalaymyo, Myanmar.
B. CHURCH GOVERNMENT ;
Myanmar Mission Conference is supported by five pillars namely: (i) Administrative Boards and Committees. (ii) Evangelism and Mission Board. (iii) Christian Education Board. (iv) EM Women Board and (v) EM Youth Board. Its structure has four conferences: (i) Local (ii) Circuit (iii) District and (iv) Mission Conference.
(a) Church Administration:
We apply democracy in ruling and Robert’s Rule in electing leaders. We also practise centralization system in financial, allocation, new appointment andstationing issues. This is done to be best inline with the country’s situation and condition.
(b) Church income:
The sole financial source is the local church. Base on the would be possible tithing from their chief crops, budget estimations for District and Mission Conference needs are drawn. Assessment is made from Mission Conference to District to Circuit to Local Churches. This is made not to reach the point we all need, but from what the members could afford the highest from their yearly income. As 98% of the member live in the poor hilly rejoins, they earn their living by cultivation (jhoom) moving every year from one place to another not permanent farm as yet. Working months cover almost the whole year. At good harvests people only have their own year need of rice. From their 1/10 rice dedicated to the church, the need for the church normal function is maintained. Mostly 60% of the people are half-starve all the time. Because of fall-shorts of gifts, the normal function expected are disturb every now and then. Mix farming rather than stock farming is still prevailing.
(c) Communication :
Only a small number of villages are touched by motor roads. Many people passed away without seeing motor cars in their lives. Travelling from one place to another is by means of foot, carrying one’s own travelling needs including food to avoid a burden for the host. Some people walk two-three days on foot to reach the nearest motor road. Foot paths are pretty steepy. To walk twenty miles a day needs a good determine resistance.
(d) Church polity:
We apply democratic polity. Mission Conference Annual Meeting has sole authority to prove or make decision submitted from local, passing through Circuit and District meetings. As the country has many unhealthy workers seeking for heir own benefits, no individual is allowed making any correspondence to church or other organizations inside or outside Myanmar. The General Superintendent has sole responsibility for this, not others. Any suggestion must first come to Mission Headquarters. Church integrity and unity be kept alive through this method.
2. CHURCH MINISTRY:
Each and every administrative Boards and Committees as well as Departments has their own representative from local through mission conference level. Formal functions are:
(i) Feed back ministry among well established churches.
(ii) New church planting at Kalaymyo and its neighbouring areas. Five new churches have been planted within this three-year ministry.
(iii) Mission outreach to new mission field who are still white with the Gospel. Details will come in Evangelism and Mission section.
3. HOW WE MANAGE CHURCH GIFT:
As it has been state above, our sole financial source comes from local churches. We adopt centralization system in financial matters. 2005 income and expense is as follows:
District Income Expense
1. Falam 53, 82, 860/- 49, 27,835/-
2. Rihkhawdar 87, 55,800/- 73, 72,626/-
3. Mission Conference 89, 71,150/- 89, 25,933/-
4. Paletwa Mission 74, 99,350/- 61, 06,460/-
Budget Estimation for 2006
1. Falam District Kyats 39, 54,000/-
2. Rihkhawdar Kyats 78, 70,000/-
3. Tahan District Kyats 18, 63,000/-
4. Paletwa Mission Field Kyats 79, 26,890/-
5. Mission Conference Kyats 82, 58,200/-
Total Kyats 298, 72, 090/- ca $ 29,870/-
US$=ca. 1000 Myanmar Currency (in Kyats)
4. CHURCH BUILDING AND PARSONAGE:
(i) Falam District:
It has 11 local churches with five parsonage and serviceable church buildings.
(II) Rihkhawdar District:
It has 17 local churches with six parsonage and fifteen serviceable church buildings. Three do not have any church building as yet. District Headquarters at Rihkhawdar
is underway. Fall-shorts money has made the construction stunted.
(iii) Tahan District:
Newly opened in June 4, 2006 where the Mission Conference is located. This district is center of Church Planting among believers. It has five local churches including Yangon,
where only one has church building, while another one is under construction. No parsonage as yet.
(iv) Mission Conference Headquarters:
Located at Tahan ward, Kalaymyo in Tahan District offices, staff quarters, church, and parsonage are on lease. Mission Conference Headquarters and church building, in
separate or under the same roof is our prayer highlight for three years. It is very much compelling and demanding in hope that many more members be drawn in the near future.
(v) Paletwa Mission Field:
Three full-time Missionaries and ten helpers (local evangelist) on one-year term basis are fully engaged. 587 newly converted members are scattered at 20 small villages in the
deep jungle. Field Superintendent’s living quarter is now onway of construction. Missionaries are now in small huts and concoct church meetings wherever convenient.
5. MONTHLY PAY ALLOCATION:
What we can afford for each pastors is kyats 20000-30000, about US$ 20-30 per month. Cost of living is jumping in doubles and tripple. In response to government servant’s pay
recently increased, inflation arises to the peak. What we can afford only covers half the month at the lowest condition. Tropical diseases and others attack all the time. Because of this,
children’s education status is heart-breading.
C. EVANGELSIM AND MISSION SECTION:
While we were under the umbrella of Upper Myanmar Methodist Church, domestic mission outreach was one of our compelling movements. In 1974 we began this work in Kanpetlet
sub-division in Southern Chin State, half-nacked community with a firm concept and practice of ‘tit for tat’ is a fair play. They were animistic in background. In 1993 we had more than
1700 new converts, and has now stood as a separate district under the supervision of Upper Myanmar Methodist Church. Then, we moved to another mission field, adjacent to Kanpetlet area, called Khumi ethnic group in Paletwa sub-division. Among Khumi people only three of them have completed secular matriculation class. Since 1977 through 2006, 587 pure animist background have been led to Christ. As it has been stated above three full-time missionaries and ten domestic helpers (local evangelists) at one-year term basis are now fully engaged.
The Khumi people perhaps be one of the most backward group of all in Myanmar.99% are still white with the Gospel. Superstition is strongly prevailing. Most of men wear loin-cloth that could hardly covers their private part. The house is built with no wood nor nails. Bamboo post, floor, bamboo wall and bamboo leave roof, long but narrow and dark house is the way they are living . No or little government service is available. No missionaries had touched this area before. Communication at summer is possible. Up to the hill tops and down to the brooks on foot carrying one’s traveling needs is the nature of traveling. The field is the most thickest malarial infestation area in Myanmar. Medication care is exceedingly insufficient. Other tropical diseases are also prevailing beyond our imagination. One Evangelism and Mission Board Director , is set apart to lead this work since. 2004.
(i) Financial Support:
In 2005 the total expense is Kyats 74,99,350. This year (2006) our expect is Kyats 82,58,200. Our main source is from EMW ministry collected by way of: a handful of rice dedicated
every meal; mission fire wood; one day labour charge; collection of used cloths etc. Each and every household makes faith promise too. Individual and other interested organizations
are also helpful.
(ii) Methods of Ministry:
(a) Reaching the unreached by using any possible means.
(b) Follow-up ministry to newly converts.
(c) House to house preaching and praying.
(d) Open-air ministry as time and opportunity opens.
(e) Camp meeting, intensive crusades during summer.
(f) Secular teaching to young people as no government run schools are available.
(g) Production of Bible stories and secular lessons in Khumi dialedct.
(h) Teaching living developments in words and action.
D. CHRISTIIAN EDUCATION BOARD SECTION:
One full- time minister is set apart to lead this board since 2003 . Main purposes are:
i. Adult Sunday School lesson, one year per book is produced.
ii. Lesson for children Sunday School department, divided into five classed are produced.
iii. Lessons for probationer ministers and lay preachers are also produced.
iv. EMW and EMY worship service lesson are produced too.
v. Translations to promote Christian knowledge and life are one of the main purposes.
vi. A monthly issued magazine called ” EMC Emissary”, introducing Methodist tradition in faith, moral and deeds as well as information purpose.
vii. Conducting short course as much as time and opportunity permits.
Future prospect:
(i). Secular government owned schools are only in name. Education corruption is exceedingly high. As many able churches are now doing, if we could have
church owned boarding school, it will be helpful for young learners.
(ii). Though we have many priesthood training schools, theological schools here and there, many inclined to liberal thought and living where some are
biasly pentecostal. For the advancement of Methodist tradition EMC owned theological school is one of our prayer high-lights. Proper missiology,
which many Bible schools have neglected be introduced too. Some are run by individuals which are in name to gain help from outside.
CONCLUSION:
1. THE COUNTRY’S CONDITION:
Since 1962 until this day, everything has its own limits. Though the country is rich in natural resources, production rate is increasingly low day after day
unable to provide the peoples need. This makes cost of living extremely high. inflation has reached to its peak while individual’s income grows lower and lower.
The country’s economic corruption affects church members’ economic live one way or another. This makes our assessments in danger. This in turn makes our
condition unable to dream for new constructions by our own. Church buildings seen among us are done through overseas aids.
2. ENVIRONMENT:
We me surrounded by Buddhist monks and nuns, which is the national religion. 95% of the total (45 million) are still untouched the Gospel. The demand is high
while Christians inMyanmar are naturally come from tribal groups, the neither ones. Although violence restriction in sot iminently introduced, non-violence instrument
is introduced skillfully. no favour is expected in religious issues, rather hindrances are met every now and then. “The survival the fittess” is practically prevailing. Many
Christians especially in Chin State have turned to Buddhist faith because of bad-to-worst daily living status. Almost, all of us are half-starve, a hand-to-mouth evistence
all the time. Many occasions the pastors look only on flames of fire, notheing to cook. What you have visited ar ein place area, still quite different from Chin State in the
hilly regions where most of our members now live.
3. FUTURE HOPE:
Without deterring the present mission outreach in Paletwa sub-division, we have a new vision to extend our eyes close to China boarders in Northern Shan State.
We have some close and intimate friends who have the same feather.
4. PRAYER REQUEST:
( i ). Mission Conference Headquarters at Tahan Ward, Kalaymyo.
(ii). To offer partial assistance to those who do not have church buildings and parsonage.
(iii). To able to support more full-time missionaries in our domestic mission field ( Paletwa).
(iv). One church owned secular boarding school for young learners.
(v). A theology – missiology training school to train Methodist-tradition .
(vi). To reproduce already translated Methodist books, ( altogether 5) to help ministers, preachers and lay members to prevent people from theological side-tracts.
“Come over to Myanmar and help us. God is willing to do new things in Myanmar.”
PROPOSED CONFERENCE CENTER
