Eastern Shan State
Mission to the Shan in Eastern Shan State is the most successful mission compared to Northern and Southern Shan States. The number of Churches and baptized members increased dramatically between 1988 and the year 2001. There are 8,500 baptized members in 70 Shan Churches with 87 full-time ministers, and 21 have graduated from the Seminary and Bible school in 100 years. Shan Churches in the East were able to form the Eastern Shan State Shan Baptist Convention on January 19, 1997. KanNaLone Shan Baptist Church, with its membership of more than 1,900, is the largest and strongest Shan Church in the whole Shan States. Most of the leaders from Eastern Shan Baptist Churches are open-minded and willing to learn and change for the betterment. Even though they are Baptist, they are willing to work with other denominations, Evangelical and Pentecostal groups. They use what they have, and they put into practice what they think is good for their Churches and missions. They have a clear vision and good ministry planning. They are dedicated to their work. They are active and alive. They have achieved their goal. I remember late Sai Stephen said to me in 1997, “I will take responsibility for planting 100 Churches in our Eastern Shan State. Ask ShweLi Valley Shan Baptist Mission to plant another 100 Churches in the North so that the goal of our 21st Century Shan Mission Project will be achieved in the year 2001.” Sai Stephen has gone to be with the Lord on July 12, 2000. He had finished the task in the Eastern Shan State before he went to be with the Lord. The number of Churches in Eastern Shan State grows, including other racial groups.
I have a hope that Shan Churches in Eastern Shan can be the big source and major force for the future Shan Missions if the leaderships are better equipped with proper and good training.