Eastern Shan State Shan Baptist Convention (ESSSBC)
We had tried to unite all Shan Churches from all over the Shan States to form the “Shan Baptist Convention” since 1978, but were unsuccessful. The main reasons for our failure were: the refusal of the Burma Baptist Convention (BBC) to permit us to form the Shan Baptist Convention, and also a lack of unity among the Shan Churches’ leaders. Rev. Sai Nyunt Tha had tried to convince the executive members of the BBC three times since 1979 but failed.
In the beginning of our endeavor, when Sai Nyunt Tha was the General Secretary of ShweLi Valley Shan Baptist Mission, ShweLi Valley Shan Baptist Mission supported the effort in forming SBC. However when Rev. Shwe Htun became General Secretary of ShweLi Valley Shan Baptist Mission they withdrew their support. Formation of SBC is not successful till today.
In Eastern Shan State, there are Baptist Church Associations such as Lahu Baptist Association, Ahka Baptist Association, Wa Baptist Association, and Shan Baptist Association, together forming Eastern Shan State Baptist Convention (ESSBC) as a Multiracial-Regional-Convention. When Lahu withdrew from ESSBC in 1987 and formed its own “Eastern Shan State Lahu Baptist Convention.” Sai Stephen and other leaders of Shan Churches in the Eastern Shan State began to try to form their own “Eastern Shan State Shan Baptist Convention” (ESSSBC), which is a racial convention. At the meeting held on April 1, 1991, at WanMon Shan Baptist Church, all Shan Churches in Eastern Shan State unanimously agreed to form ESSSBC.
Preparation for the Formation of ESSSBC
As the leadership of the Myanmar Baptist Convention (formally known as BBC) has changed, their attitude towards Shan Churches has also changed. The meeting with Rev. Saw Marge Gyi, General Secretary of MBC, and Rev. A. Ko Lay, Treasurer of MBC, in 1993 had paved the way for the formation of ESSSBC. Leaders from Eastern Shan Churches drafted a constitution of ESSSBC in WanTaZan Baptist Church on April 8, 1994. At the same time, three Shan Baptist Conferences were formed to meet the constitutional requirement to form a convention. The three conferences were: MuongYawng Shan Baptist Conference, MoungPyat Shan Baptist Conference, and KengTung Shan Baptist Conference. A meeting was held again from March 1 to 2, 1995, at ThanLwin Shan Church for ESSSBC formation. In 1995 Wa Baptist Conference joined the Shan Conferences and increased to four Conferences. In September 1995, the formation of ESSSBC was approved at the EC meeting of MBC.
Recognition of Convention
The official announcement of the formation of “Eastern Shan State Shan Baptist Convention” was made at the 116th MBC Annual General Meeting held in Haka, Chin State, on January 18, 1997. ESSSBC is the 15th Convention in MBC. Because of Wa conference is included in this ESSSBC, the convention becomes another regional convention. It doesn’t represent Shan Churches alone. WA Churches are now trying to form their convention.
The first executive board members
Chairman Rev. Seng Tip
Vice-chairman 1 Rev. Sai Nyunt Tha
Vice-chairman 2 Rev. Sai Choik
Secretary Rev. Sai Stephen
Vice-secretary Rev. Sai Philip
Treasurer Sai La La
Auditors Saw Mu Di
Saya David Hsam
Women Min. Sayama Htwe Yu Hein
Youth Min. Saya Saw Htoo Wah (1997-1999) Sayama May San Oo (1999-2000)
Christian Education Sayama Catherine
Evangelism Dept. Rev. Sai Stephen
Pastoral Min. Rev. Sai Philip
Men Min. Rev. Marku Crane
Rural Dev. Sai La La (97-98) Saya Sai Paw Lu (98-2000)
Shan Churches in Eastern Shan State in 1988 and their pastors
(1) KanNaLone Baptist Church (Rev. Sai Seng Tip).
(2) Calvary Baptist Church (Burmese-speaking Church) (Rev. Sai Stephen)
(3) Bethany Baptist Church (Chinese-speaking Church)
(4) Emmanuel Baptist Church (Rev. Seng Daw).
(5) MuongKat Baptist Church (Nang Kham Yone).
(6) WanPa Muong Baptist Church (Rev. Ai Zein).
(7) WanKum Kham Baptist Church (Sai Stephen).
(8) WanMon Baptist Church (Sai Kyuet).
(9) WanYuet Baptist Church (Rev. Ah Yai).
(10) WanHui San Baptist Church (Ai Yee).
(11) TaJant Baptist Church (Rev. Jacob).
(12) MaeHut Baptist Church (Ah Nyi)
(13) Tachileik Baptist Church (Rev. Win Maung) (Burmese-speaking)
Report in the year 2000
A month’s evangelist training was held from August to October 1999 in Kengtung.
Special Development Training was held in September 1999 in MuongYang. 40 people from seven Churches attended.
Sent out 20 evangelists to 20 new mission fields. 94 people baptized.
Three new Shan Fellowships were formed. Total fellowship 8.
Showing the Jesus film to villages.
17 students in Bible Seminaries.
Four graduated from B. Th. Program.
The evangelists were supported by Asian Outreach in 1999.
Evangelist Village Christian Family
Nang Thu Za Mon Nong Pha
(Director of Mission)
Sai Kup Jordan 30
Sai Hsam MoutLow 15
Ai Wan NamYang 15
Nang Easter Hmoon WanLoo 5
Nang San Yin HayKaMoan 20
Rev. Ai Kyi WanSaw 56
Sai Htay Myint WanPai 60
Sai Kong MuongHow 12
Sai Seng Kham WanYwet 8
Sai Saw WanYan 12
Sai Yaw Ba WanKyaw 13
Dan Ye Hla WanHwe 29
Sai Phut WanMai 16
Sai Lee WanTom 18
Sai Yaw Han KarMonMai 20
Daw Nang Doi Bethel 8
U Hla Rang WanKuat 30
Daw Tin Seng MaiYang 5
Rev. Nyi Thai NamLin Mai 20
Rev. Yohan Khun NamLinMai 8
Sera Ai Shie PanPhex 7
Sara Sam Khim Mai Naw Phatex 15
Sara Lok Rony MengHan 13
There were 193 new believers in the year 1999.
Five new mission fields are;
KengPhone, 15 families
WanKung, 30 families
WanNamMoi, 50 families
MingWat, 25 families
MingPart, 30 families
Future Planning
- To have three-years-program Shan Bible School in KengTung.
- To plant Churches, open nurseries, orphanage homes, and old age homes, and do more evangelism.
KanNaLone Shan Baptist Church
Many believers in Eastern Shan were formerly accused of being evil spirits and had been driven out of their homes, communities, and villages. They got healed after receiving Jesus Christ and living in a Christian village. They were poor and uneducated. People seldom turned to a pastor or Church or Christian community for a genuine interest in Christianity, but whenever they needed physical help or faced evil spirit problems.
The first church building in NaungPha was built in the mission compound in 1922. It was destroyed during World War II. Another new NaungPha church building was built in 1936 under the leadership of Rev. Ray Buker. It was a multiracial Church. Sometimes four languages had to be used during the Sunday worship service, which lasted for about four hours. Shan believers moved out from NongPha Church to KanNa (meaning the middle of the rice field) and started a new Shan Church in 1951, which is now called “KanNaLone Shan Baptist Church.” The Shan language is used in their worship service. San Lu was the first leader and pioneer of the church building. He also led worship services when there was no pastor.
Church growth
The Church grew tremendously under dedicated leadership. It was reported in 1963 that KanNa Shan Baptist Church had about 800 members and a strong women’s organization, men’s group, the youth C.E., and children’s Sunday school. It was the central main Church of the Eastern Shan State Baptist Convention. Under the able leadership of Saw Khin, the Shan women’s groups were organized down to the outlying Churches. A kindergarten was started in KanNaLone Church in 1981 with 60 children and 3 teachers. It increased to 85 children and 4 teachers in 1985. It was reported in 1985 that it had 352 members, an ordained pastor, Rev. Yaw Shu (son of Rev. Po Hla), who was an ex-medical worker of Louise Hastings Memorial Hospital, had taken care of the Church. His knowledge of medicines is an asset. He was an ardent worker and worked his best. The assistant was Saya Ho Sam. He was theologically untrained but always gave his best. Kham La (younger brother of Rev. Yaw Shu), a magistrate, was a lay worker. He looked after the affairs of the Church and community and was the clerk and treasurer of the Church as well. Saw Khin (daughter of San Lu), another lay worker, was a capable woman worker and very ardent. She was a nurse and helped the community in that capacity. Naomi, a 1957 graduate of the Burmese Women’s Bible School, worked as a Kindergarten teacher in the Baptist School besides her other Church activities.
Those who served as pastors
Ai Noi (first pastor)
Po Hla
Aung Din
Yaw Shu
Ho Hsam
Seng Tip (1967-)
Sayama Nang Kham Yong (Assistant Pastor 1990-)
Sayama Nang San Leng (Assistant Pastor 1999-)
Phak Ka Sai Memorial Hall was built in 2001 in the KanNaLone Shan Baptist Church compound.
Activities
KanNaLone Shan Baptist Church is a very active Church. Since all the Christian families are living together in one village, KanNaLone village, they are more united and easily organized under the leadership of Rev. Seng Tip. It is a Christian village. Thieves, robbers, drunkards, or drug addicts are seldom seen in the village. Rev. Seng Tip told me, “One evening, I saw a young man get drunk in our village on the street. I punished him to do hard work in the village for one day. Afterwards, young people dare not get drunk in our village anymore.”
A strong group of prayer warriors who pray every morning at 8 AM. They also have a group of widows who prayed every morning. I was so encouraged when I met them and heard that they were praying for me every morning.
Health, education, and social activities among the community.
Youth ministry and music ministry by the youth in different places.
Men’s and women’s associations are active in different ministries.
Training and producing future leadership of the Churches.
Three months of evangelistic training for future evangelists.
A children’s hostel for poor village children to stay and continue their basic education. Some of the hostel students have graduated from training and Bible School and are now in full-time ministry. More and more young people are graduating from Bible Seminary.
The Evangelism Department used to organize evangelistic trips to different places in the vicinity. Usually it is organized during the summer time when Bible schools and secular schools are closed. Men’s and women’s groups are active in different ministries.
Short course training programs are organized either by themselves or in co-operation with Asian Outreach G.C.I or S.S.M.C to train and produce leadership and evangelists for Churches.
Six months on campus, six months off campus, and an evangelistic training program for three years for future evangelists. All graduates of this training program dedicate themselves full-time as evangelists. They are sent to new designated villages to begin Church planting work. Many people came to the Lord, and new Churches were planted. Late Rev. Sai Stephen said, “We send our evangelists to the villages where there is no monastery and monks. It is not easy to get converted where there are monks and well well-established monastery.” Monks have a great influence in the village.
One Sunday at KanNaLone Shan Baptist Church
Sunday morning, Church bell rang at 6 AM. Men gathered in the Church to have men’s fellowship. It lasted about one hour. About fifty men attended.
At 8 AM, the bell rang again. Children from five to fifteen years old got together for Sunday-schools. There were different classes for different ages. Once a month all classes grouped together for combine program. Altogether about 300 children.
At 9 AM, the bell rang again for main Worship Service for all ages. About five hundred people attended the service. It lasted about two hours.
At 2 PM, the bell rang again for women’s worship service. About 150 women attended the service.
At 4 PM, the bell rang again for Youth Worship Service. About 150 young people attended the service. Children as young as 10 year-old were asked to lead the service. They recited scripture verses by heart, prayed and sang. They were trained at young age.
At 5 PM, after youth Service, young people gathered at one of the pastors’ homes for a special Worship Service to offer prayer and encouragement to the pastor. They believed that the servants of the Lord also needed prayer and encouragement.
At 5 PM, I was taken to a village on a motorbike and sometimes on foot. It took about 45 minutes to get there. Another Worship Service with the village people. It lasted about one hour. I got back to the pastor’s home at 7 PM. It was really “The Lord’s day.” The whole day was for the Lord. I preached four times on that Sunday. Do we feel tired in worshiping God?
All the baptized members give a “monthly offering” in front of the main door, with the names recorded by the assistant pastor of the Church every Sunday morning before the Church service begins. During worship service, other offerings called the “tithe” and normal “normal Sunday collection” are collected. If there is a communion, communion is offered once a month on the first week of the month, and a “communion special offering” is also collected. “Special offerings for church building fund” or “Church celebration or special programs” are also collected. There are many offerings collected by the Church on Sunday. The names of the donors and the amount of the money given are also read out in the Church by the Church assistant pastor as an announcement. Sometimes this announcement lasted for thirty minutes. When asked why they read out all the names of the donors and the amount of the money given, the reply was, “To let the people know that we are not putting their donation into our pocket. We are telling all the people the amount we have received from them.” However, there are some embarrassments for those who can only give a little amount of money, but there is pride for those who give more money.
Statistics in 2001
Families: 270
Baptized members: 447 (M) 544 (F) Total 991
Non-baptized members: 1,000
Report from HIV/AIDS Project
There are five full-time workers: Mayse Hein, Han Nu, Nang Seng Arm, Mary, and Able La.
Health education was given to 16 Churches, and a total of 690 people attended.
30 AIDS sufferers were visited, and 38 orphans whose parents died of AIDS are under support. 10 AIDS sufferers are also under support.
KanNaLone Shan Baptist Church in KengTung is the first Shan Church in Eastern Shan State, the largest and strongest Shan Church in all Shan States under leadership of senior pastor Rev. Seng Tip.
WanMon Shan Baptist Church, MuongYawng
WanMon Church, MuongYawng, was said to be started by Rev. W.M. Young in 1903, as reported by the WanMon Church history committee. However, we do not see in the record of Rev. Young. MuongYawng is 99 miles away from KengTung, but it might take at least a seven-day journey for a missionary to travel from KengTung to MuongYawng. The KengTung mission field was opened in 1901. It is doubtful that Rev. Young could start a new mission field in MuongYawng within two years. It was reported that a small school for Shan children was opened in MuongYawng in 1916.
Dr. Buker opened a clinic in MuongYawng in 1935. There were three pieces of paddy land at WanMon, MuongYawng. The fields were rented, and about 150 baskets of paddy were received as rent payment yearly. The mission compound was in WanMon, on the outskirts of the town of MuongYawng.
Church
On the arrival of Khin Maung Htun (Burmese Divinity School graduate), Naw Shee May and Saw Seng Daw (Burmese Theological Seminary graduate) all the three helped Ai Chit teaching in MuongYawng school.
In 1958, WanMon Church had 151 members, inclusive of the 27 new members baptized. It was reported in 1963 that in the course of six years (1957-1963), a total of 150 were baptized, with 45 new converts. There were no regular pastors in other places except for the Churches of WanMon and WanYawt. They were looked after by local leaders who could read and write and whose ancestors had taken active part in Church work. The association could in no way provide them with qualified pastors. Recruitment of workers from Burma proper was not easy. So the teachers of MuongYawng Baptist Middle School had to look after the Churches as well. Each teacher was held responsible for the spiritual and economic development of each area allotted to him. The new WanMon church building was dedicated in April 1985. There were 700 members in this Church in the year 2000.
The first pastor of WanMon Church, MuongYawng, was Mr. Mae (A Burman from Mandalay). He took a second wife, left MuongYawng Church, and went to live in NamPong village. He continued his work as a pastor in NamPong. When his second wife died in 1924, he returned to MuongYawng and reunited with his first wife, Nang Hong (Shan from HsiPaw), and again served as pastor of WanMon Church. He passed away in 1947. Later, Mr. Mae’s son, Ai Lone, a layman, took care of the Church for one year as lay pastor.
Ai Chit from PanWai became the pastor of WanMon Church on May 15, 1957. He was not only pastoring the Church but also teaching at the mission school. Saya Ai Chit left her teaching job in 1967 and concentrated more on Church work. The new WanMon church building was built on January 2, 1969. 15 families, led by Ai De, established a new village, Siliwon village, in 1969. Sai Choik graduated from Insein MICT and became the pastor of WanMon Church in 1971. He served for only half a year and left. Saya Ai Chit again served the Church as pastor. Sai Choik later came back and served as pastor of WanMon Church in 1975. Ai Chit then continued serving as an evangelist.
WanMon Church choir is the best choir among Shan Churches in all Shan States of Myanmar. They have produced twelve pieces of Choir to be used in my Shan radio program. By the hard work of Ai Chit in MuongYawng, many Shan came to believe in the Lord. 75% of new converts were from other faiths. There were also many new converts in the hands of Rev. Ya Kuk.
The resettlement project
In 1960, there was a project to resettle 40 landless families on the 400 acres of land granted to Rev. John Po by the former SaoPha of KengTung, Sao Sai Long. Saya Tin Myint, a Mon convert who had agricultural training at Pyinmana, gave advice and did general supervision of the agricultural work of the area. The villagers had vegetable gardening sales of vegetables.
Middle School
In 1960, there was a Primary School with about 30 children under a teacher capable of teaching up to the 2nd grade. There were about 40 to 50 children of the school-going-age. Saw Din Gyi, a graduate of the Burma Divinity School, had served from 1960 to 1963. Saw Tin Gyi was acting as the Headmaster of the Post Primary School and also as the advisor to the Churches in the sector. Khin Maung Htun supervised Baptist Middle School.
It was reported that the school, which started as a kindergarten school for children, had become a full-fledged middle school in 1963. It was staffed by Shan and Karen teachers and a Mon convert. Great emphasis was laid on self-effort and support. The proper school building, estimated to cost about Kyat 20,000, had been completed by the end of 1964. Trees were felled and sawn for timber required for the school building and furniture by the villagers themselves. Men, women, and children of the village provided manual labor, semiskilled or unskilled, without charge. It was a touching sight to see children from the age of 8 upwards carrying whatever bricks they could up the hill where the school was built. They called it their school. All local contributions received were expended on building materials and work charges, which were beyond the means and skill of the villagers. Rev. Katanni, an Italian priest of the Roman Catholic Mission, who had nearly 40 years of service in KengTung, provided for the construction work with a skilled bricklayer with a batch of 6 laborers from the village. As for the woodwork of the school building, the village had a leader, Kham La, an ex-MyoOk and a magistrate who was teaching in the school. He had some knowledge of buildings and structural work. He, with the semi-skilled carpenters of the village, contributed labor, skill, and effort to get the woodwork of the school building done.
Notable Achievement
One electricity generator was bought in 1976.
One kindergarten was opened in 1984.
Twenty coconut trees were planted.
A bell tower was erected at the church building.
Teaching Shan literature.
Established the Shan-Lahu new Church.
Report from MuongYawng Shan Baptist Conference 2001
Creation of Eden Garden Project at WanYuet.
Building New Children’s Hostel.
New mission fields in WanHor (Shan & Palong), KyawLa (Lahu & Ahka), MuongWa (Ahka), ChiangYan (Chinese), MuongKan (Shan).
To celebrate the MuongYawng Centenary in 2006.
Forming committees to encourage Churches and fellowships in Spiritual, Educational, Health, and Social works. Three students from MuongYawng are now studying at the Bible Seminary. Members of MuongYawng Shan Baptist Conference are: 15 Churches, 525 families, 1,571 Baptized members, 4 ordained ministers, 11 non-ordained ministers.
Member Churches in MuongYawng Conference
Church; Baptized M / Baptized F / Non-Baptized / Total / Pastor
- WanMon 150 M / 458 F / 193 / 801 / 5
- WanYuet 64 / 197 / 76 / 315 / 4
- HuiTam 61 / 167 / 84 / 312 / 1
- Union 20 / 42 / 23 / 85 / 0
- PaRaTiSu 10 / 26 / 10 / 46 / 0
- MineHor 10 / 22 / 17 / 49 / 0
- WanPai 59 / 120 / 178 / 357 / 1
- WanSor 19 / 38 / 45 / 102 / 0
- NongPawk 21 / 48 / 52 / 121 / 0
- WanSiLa 18 / 34 / 33 / 85 / 0
Total 432 / 1152 / 783 / 2273 / 11
Out of ten Churches six Churches do not have pastor.
MuongYang Shan Baptist Church
MuongYang is about 16 miles from China border, 100 miles from KengTung. It was recorded that there was already a Church in MuongYang in 1911. In 1958 Rev. John Po baptized 36 people. The Church had about 40 Christian families with 120 members. There had been an influx of refugees from China into Burma in the year 1958. The refugees were mostly Lahu from the SipSongPanNa. The total figure came about four or five thousands and most of them were Christians. They were uncared for and neglected and quite a number of them were going back to their old form of worship Animism.
School
Two new primary schools had been started at MuongYang in 1959 taken care of by Saya Chein and at WanYawt it was taken care of by Saya Baw Lu on self-supporting basis.
Church
In January 1961 Rev. John Po baptized 28 Shan in the village of MuongYang. At MuongYang there use to be a dispensary or a health center. The mission compound on which the dispensary building stands has now become Christian village. Financially the Church was not very strong but able to support itself. Between 1957 and 1963 total baptism was 110.
The 80-year-old pastor Ai Chein was still very strong, healthy, and faithfully serving the Lord in 2001. He is the longest-serving and oldest minister in Eastern Shan State. He has served in ministry since 1961 to the present. I first met him and heard him preach at the funeral service of the late Rev. Sai Stephen. He has a very strong and clear voice. He knows the Bible well and interprets the words. I can say that he is the “best preacher” in Eastern Shan State at the age of 80. I have the opportunity to interview him on July 15, 2000. He said, “I have no chance of going to Bible school. I only finished two standard levels of education (primary two). I only know how to read and write. When I was young, I was very poor. At one point, I had to beg on the street to feed my stomach. I came to know the Lord 50 years ago. I am self-studying and self-learning. I only got the opportunity to attend a short-course training program. I serve the Lord by faith and rely on the Holy Spirit only.” (He attended our first Shan GCI training in Maesai in 1994) Rev. Ai Chein planted many Churches. At the time of the interview, three new Churches were awaiting full-time pastors under his missions.
Seven services on Sunday
6 AM Combine Service
7 AM Children’s Service
9 AM Combine Service
Noon Women’s Service
2 PM Youth Service
3 PM Combine Service
6 PM Men’s Service
There are one senior pastor and one assistant pastor serving at MuongYang Church with 900 baptized believers in 144 families. Baptism is only conducted once a year at Christmas season. Usually about 20-30 people baptized. Special prayer meeting is held on every Monday at 7 AM.
The Church Committee prayer meeting is held every month.
A Two-days Bible training is held every year. About 60 people attended.
Seven fellowship teams are going to have fellowship with other Churches.
There is an evangelistic program every year.
The Church owns two fish bonds and two rice fields.
The Church can support 3 seminary students and 6 evangelists.
Rev. & Mrs. J.N. Cushing first visited Kengtung, Eastern Shan State, on January 21, 1870. They preached the gospel and distributed gospel tracts to the Shan people. Rev. W.M. Young arrived in Kengtung in 1901 and started a new mission field. Phak Ka Sai was the first Shan convert in KengTung and was baptized by Rev. Young on June 1, 1902.
Based on the beginning of KengTung mission field opened in 1901, Eastern Shan Baptist Mission Centenary Celebration was held in 2001.
Eastern Shan State Baptist Mission Centenary Celebration
March 29-April 1, 2001
KanNaLone Shan Baptist Church, KengTung
Theme:
Psalm 126:3 “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”
Psalm 116:12 “How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me?”
Preparation and Celebration
Under the leadership of Rev. Sai Stephen, the first meeting for the Celebration of Eastern Shan State Baptist Mission Centenary was held on June 12, 2000, at the home of the General Secretary at 7 PM. In attendance were Rev. Sai Seng Tip, Rev. Sai Philip, Rev. Sai Stephen, Sai La La, Aung Kyaw Oo, Sai John Thein, Nang Saw, and Htwe Yu Hein. The meeting lasted 4 hours. Various committees, such as welcoming and accommodation, food and meal, transportation, communication, program, record, registration, decoration, finance, report, health, security, and display room, were formed.
Key leader Rev. Sai Stephen unexpectedly passed away on July 12, 2000. The reformation of the new working committee was done on July 26. Rev. Sai Philip was selected to take over the place of the late Rev. Sai Stephen. Other meetings were held on September 27, October 27, December 27, 2000, February 1, 2001, March 12, and March 25. It was decided that;
Every family must pray for the occasion,
Men and women groups would pray every morning at 8 AM,
KanNaLone Church would raise funds of Kyat 5,035,400 within 8 months,
KanNaLone Church would donate 1,652 baskets of rice, 6 pigs, and 2 cows, and will buy 500 more baskets of rice.
Meeting with township officers would be done,
Prayer warriors were recruited.
Conveners of the committees were selected, such as;
Saw Joseph (transportation)
Daw Nang Saw (recording)
May San Oo (registration)
Daw Nang So Hlain (health)
May San Oo (culture and entertainment)
Sai Htun (electricity)
Eastern Shan State Baptist Mission Centenary Celebration was held from March 29 to April 2, 2001, at KanNaLone Shan Baptist Church, KengTung, Eastern Shan State, Myanmar. The ceremony began with about five hundred people from different Churches together marching towards the church building at 7 AM accompanied by traditional music, gong, mong, noke and doe dances. In the past, for more than one hundred years, Shan traditional music and noke-doe dances were prohibited by Shan Churches, considering it a Buddhist tradition. With the help of the cultural committee of block 5 (Buddhist block), this tradition became part of the celebration. The effigies of the first believer, Phak Ka Sai, and his wife, also accompanied the march.
Praise and worship, presentation of cultural dances, national costumes show, drama of the first arrival of American missionary and the first believer Phak Ka Sai, gospel music, children and youths’ presentations, seminary students’ presentation, Bible study, ordination program, honoring the serving ministers, baptismal services and evening open-air gospel preaching were the major events of celebration. The church building was overflowing with about three thousand people every day. Two tents were erected on both sides of the church, and TV sets were put on the tables outside the church for people to watch the program and listen to the message. Three 24-hour prayer rooms were set up at San Lu’s memorial hall. Young and old people prayed in the room continuously during the festival period. Showrooms were set up to show historical pictures of the past Shan mission activities. 136 young people from various Churches dedicated their service twenty-four hours a day during the festival.
Detailed program
29th March:
7 AM: Marching to the church hall opening gate. Rev. Ai Chein led the prayer, and Rev. Seng Tip cut the ribbon and opened the occasion at the gate. Sayama Thu Za Mon read scripture from Psalm 126:3, and Rev. Seng Tip gave a welcoming speech. After getting into the church hall Thanksgiving service began. A congratulatory message from Myanmar Baptist Churches Council was read by Rev. Saw Marge Gyi, from Myanmar Baptist Convention by Sayama May Maung Maung, from ShweLi Valley Shan Baptist Mission by Rev. Sai Thein Aung Kham, and Asian Outreach International by Dr. Sai Htwe Maung. Then, Sai La La gave a brief history of the Baptist Mission in Eastern Shan State. One hundred people sang Centenary Choir during the offering. Benediction given by Rev. Ai Chit, and the morning session ended.
1 PM: Opening of the showroom by Rev. Ya Kuk after reading Psalm 126:3 by Sayama Daw Aye Kyi.
7-9 PM: Saya Sai Baw Lu chaired the worship service by reading Psalm 116:12 and Rev. U Sai Hsin offered special prayer. Choir from BaMine was sung during offering. Centenary drama on the history of mission presented by youth fellowship led by Sai Tha Han. Session closed by benediction given by Rev. Ya Kuk.
9-10 PM: Dr. Sai Htwe Maung preached the gospel on an open-air stage with vocalist Nang Sara from NamKham and musician Sai Moe Naung from KengTung.
10-11 PM. Young people from the Myanmar Fellowship of the Blind presented special music programs.
30th March:
7-7:30 AM: Praise songs led by Saya Sai Kyaw Tint.
7:30-8:30 AM: Rev. Saw Marge Gyi gave a Bible study lesson.
10-12 AM: Htwe Yu Hein led men and women in praise and worship.
1-3 PM: Ordination service message given by Rev. Ai Chein. Four ministers were ordained.
3-4 PM: Praise and worship from different conferences led by Sayama Nang Myint Myint Pyu.
6-6:30 PM: Praise songs led by Saya Sai Kyaw Tint.
6:30-8 PM: Rev. Ai Chein gave the message. One hundred members Choir presented.
8-9 PM: Dr. Sai Htwe Maung preached the gospel at the open-air stage.
9-12 PM: The School for the blind presented special music.
31st March:
7-7:30 AM: Praise songs led by Saya Sai Kyaw Tint.
7:30-8:30 AM: Bible study led by Rev. Thein Aung Kham.
8:30-11 AM: Mass water baptism in NamKin River. 17 ordained ministers baptized 168 people.
11-12:30 AM: Praise and Worship led by Children and Youth group from KengTung, MuongYawng, TaChiLeik, Wa Youth, TaungGyi Youth, MICT students.
2-4 PM: Presentation from various Churches with songs and dances.
6-7:30 PM: Praise and worship led by Sayama Myint Myint Pyu and various Churches.
7:30-9:30 PM: Students from various Bible Seminaries presented music, songs, and dances. There was also a show of different costumes from different Shan races.
9:30-10:30 PM: Dr. Sai Htwe Maung preached the gospel on an open-air stage.
10:30-12 PM: Music presented by the school for the blind.
1st April:
7-7:30 AM: Praise songs led by Saya Sai Kyaw Tint.
7:30-8:30 AM: Bible study given by Sayama May Maung Maung.
9:30-12:30 AM: Worship and communion led by Rev. Sai Seng Tip. Message given by Rev. K.T. Du Lum.
1-4 PM: Honoring the ministers of the Eastern Shan State Baptist Convention.
4 Senior Ministers, 15 Ministers who served 25-40 years, 70 minister who served 1-25 years were honored. Message given by Dr. Sai Htwe Maung.
7-10 PM: Praise & worship. Rev. Sai Philip presented 21st Century mission planning. Rev. Saw Marge Gyi gave the message.
10-10:30 PM: Gospel preached by Dr. Sai Htwe Maung on open-air stage.
10:30-1 AM: Music presented by the school for the blind.
2nd April:
People are departing for their hometowns. About three thousand people attended the celebration every day. The celebration ended meaningfully, peacefully, and joyfully. We give thanks to God for His protection, provision and successful ceremony, Block 5, KanNaLone Shan Baptist Church, Pastor, Assistant Pastors, and Church leaders and Government officials, Rev. K.T. Du Lum, Associate Secretary of MBC, Rev. Marge Gyi, President of MCC and Secretary of Myanmar Bible Society, Sayama May Maung Maung, Director of leadership development, Rev. Sai Thein Aung Kham, Secretary of ShweLi Shan Baptist Association and Rev. Sai Htun Kyaw in their prayer, Bible study and encouragement, all Churches from Yangon, TaungGyi, MineKain, MuSe for their generous donation, letters of congratulation from Sayama Daw May Maung Maung as representative of MBC, Rev. Saw Marge Gyi as representative of MCC, Rev. Thein Aung Kham as representative of ShweLi Shan Baptist Association, Dr. Sai Htwe Maung as representative of Asian Outreach International and Rev. Seng Tip representative of Eastern Shan Baptist Convention, all the owners of the cars who allow us to use their cars without charge, U Sai Hsai, Pastor of Wan Yuet Church, and Sai Ye from BaMine Church for their contribution in writing Centenary Choir and leading in singing, Dr. U Hla Shwe, Dr. U She Kham, Dr. Daw Thein Thein Oo, Dr. U Kyi No, Dr. Khun Yae Aung, Dr. U So Naing and all the nurses from KanNaLone Shan Baptist and Calvary Baptist Churches who offered their services at the clinic, Sayama Daw Catherine Bu, the pianist from TaChiLeik Church, Saya Sai Kyaw Tint from Yangon who leads us in singing choruses.
Testimony from the celebration
There was fierce fighting between the Shan State Army and the Burmese Military on the border between Thailand and Myanmar two months before the celebration began. The border situation was very tense. KengTung is a border town. It was a military order that the Church must obtain permission from the authority to hold any gathering outside the church building. The committee of the celebration had applied for permission half a year before the event took place, but nothing was heard from the authority. Rev. Seng Tip was very determined to go ahead to hold the ceremony, whatever the consequences. The permission was given only one day before the celebration began on condition that the event must not go beyond 9 PM. By His wonderful grace, there was no interference.
The mass baptism of 168 people took place in a muddy, shallow river on March 31 and was an unforgettable moment. We had to walk for half an hour from the church through the rice fields to the river. About 15 pastors line up in the water to receive believers and baptize them, group by group. After coming back from mass water baptism, we met a girl on the street who was in tears because she could not get to the river in time for baptism, even though she had already registered for baptism half a year ago. She missed the chance because she had to take care of the children at home while her mother was away to the market. She was so sad for missing the opportunity to be baptized with friends. I asked her, “Do you want to be baptized today?” She said, “Yes. I registered my name a long time ago and have been waiting for this opportunity for months. I want it.” Then I talked to pastor Rev. Seng Tip. He was so willing to conduct a baptismal service for her at the same place at 2 PM on the same day. She was overwhelmed with joy when she was baptized alone in the river. So were we.
Eastern Shan Baptist Churches need a lot of money to hold this centenary celebration. They have to feed two meals a day to at least three thousand people every day for three days. When the occasion began they still in need of Kyat 4,000,000. By faith and prayer they went ahead. At the closing ceremony the treasurer announced that the total income for the celebration was Kyat 5,996,352 and total expenses was Kyat 3,965,055. They had surplus of Kyat 2,031,297 plus Kyat 1,000,000 extra donation from other Churches. What a miracle!
