Myanmar’s Spiritual Revival
Spiritual revival started in Tedim back in the late 1970s. Because of the revival, people who believed that we are saved by grace through faith were cast out from the American Baptist church which had become very liberal. Those who were cast out were called “born again” people. To be called “born again” at that time was a bad name people didn’t like. So, these “born again people” took upon themselves the name “Evangelicals.” Thus, the Evangelical Baptist Conference of churches (EBC) was formed.
From a one church beginning, there are now 103 Evangelical Baptist Churches spread across the land of Myanmar. Of course, instrumental in this growth is God. It is His Spirit, the Holy Spirit that convicts persons of their need to be brought into the family of God. It is confirmed in them that they must trust God’s provision for their reconciliation to Him, and that reconciliation is Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
Nang Mung (Kim’s father) was also instrumental in the early growth of the Evangelical Baptist Conference. Since his conversion in the mid 1970’s, he dedicated himself to serving God. He visited various families three times a week to encourage them and pray for them. During the years since his own “born again experience” he traveled the land as an evangelist, without pay, visiting and revisiting about 150 villages testifying about Jesus Christ and man’s need of God’s mercy and grace. He also dedicated his 5 children to the Lord and has worked tirelessly in maturing them in the faith. The oldest is a pastor of an EBC church and the principal at a Christian school. This oldest son, Nangh Dongh, and his wife Mangnu, have an orphanage (Home of Hope) where they lovingly support and nourish, at present count, 12 orphans. They think of these young persons as being their sons and daughters, providing physically and spiritually for them. They have limited space, but are trusting that God will supply a building where they can house at least 48 persons.
Nang Mung’s 2nd oldest son teaches at a mission school. His daughter is married to a pastor. His youngest son is teaching at Kim’s seminary. Of course, there is Kim. The whole family is faithfully serving the Lord.
Brother Lian Kim, Nang Mung’s middle son, has spent years in the United States preparing himself to serve God “whole-heartedly.” Since his return to Myanmar, he has opened a seminary from which he finalizes the education of persons who are called of God to be pastors along with others studying other kinds of ministry. He also visits many remote villages bringing them the word of God. He is associated with Bibles International of Myanmar where he once a week looks over the translating work of those who are translating the Bible into various languages of the peoples of Myanmar. He is also writing books. Evangelical pastors of Myanmar are crying for these books.
God has also raised up Sia Nangh Lyan Kap, present pastor of the Evangelical Baptist Church in Tedim and president of an Evangelical Theological School, also located in Tedim. A wonderfully and spiritually gifted man and a true brother in Christ; one that I am pleased to call friend.
There are many others that God has raised up in the saving of souls and the building of His church. Pastors that serve the Lord with much difficulty having little money on which to live; having little money to supply study materials to their congregations; and having little money to rent space from which to hold services. Besides these, there are young men and women who are serving the Lord without much money and without needed supplies. Yet, the Lord is blessing, and building His church. His Kingdom is expanding in Myanmar.
I am thankful to our Heavenly Father beyond measure that He has called me to be part of this work. Perhaps He is calling you. Do you hear His voice?
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man