Where We Work:

Myanmar

MYANMAR EMERGENCY FAMILY RELIEF

Our Partner in Myanmar, President Martin Lalthangliana of the Lutheran Church of Myanmar, wrote us about the impact of the civil war and political unrest on church member families. Many have become displaced from their homes and have fled to safety. “Some of our member houses were burned down in Kalay region and some of our member families fled to India-Myanmar border and China-Myanmar border to take refuge there, (pictured here huddling in the forest). There is nothing much our church can do even for our member families. We need prayer and relief aids to help at least 200 of our families with relief packages. Each package will cost $67 including 23 kg ricebag, food and non-food items, and cash support.”

International news in the US recently echoed what our brothers and sisters in Myanmar are experiencing: the coup and civil war is destroying the middle class and driving thousands into poverty. They have faced a coup, civil war, a cyclone last May, attacks on churches near Easter 2023, and now this deepening crisis. ALWM is receiving gifts to help! $67 helps one family, and our goal is 200! Please pray for peace, freedom and provision for our brothers and sisters in LCM and visit alwm.org/donatenow and select MYANMAR EMERGENCY FAMILY RELIEF from the dropdown menu.

Support Myanmar Emergency Family Relief

Lutheran Church of myanmar (Burma)

The LCM archives say that ”a group of like-minded leaders from 3 congregations who were conceived by the teaching of Martin Luther prepared to start a Lutheran church body in 1995. After some years of preparation, the Lutheran Church of Myanmar was officially formed in 2000.

With a population of 55 million, Christianity first came to Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) this predominantly Muslim nation in 1722 by Catholic missionaries. The first Protestant missionaries arrived in the 1820’s, with famous missionary Adoniram Judson arriving as the first residential Protestant Missionary in 1831. The first Lutheran missionary arrived in 1878. Currently about 7% of the population is Christian, and 80% Buddhist.

In Oct. 2022 LCM President Rev. Martin Lalthangliana invited Pastor Bill & ALWM to partner with them to strengthen their ministry, and as a path to connecting with US Lutheran churches. Though familiar with LCM for many years, this was their first meeting. Pastor Bill will visit in person fall, 2023. Myanmar has been seriously impacted by a coup in Feb. 2021. More recently Easter week attacks on some of their churches, followed by Cyclone Mocha in early May that affected others, they persevere through many new challenges.

The Lutheran Church of Myanmar currently has 8 congregations, 2 preaching stations and 3 education centers. There are 7 ordained pastors, 3 assistant/probationary pastors, 4 missionaries, 5 lay leaders, 7 evangelists and church workers, totaling 26 Synod and local church workers, who oversee around 2000 members all over the country with a prospect of rapid growth in membership and mission expansion. The churches are in two districts. As they train leaders their vision is to reach out to other regions, with missionaries sent out already to four new areas. More than 83% of the population are in the 52 unreached people groups with little access to the Gospel.

Synod President Rev. Laliangantha wrote: “It is our hope and prayers to reach out to non-believers in Myanmar with the gospel, fullfill the great commission; and in wider scope, working with our Lutheran brothers and sisters around the world, to fulfill our worldwide mutual obligations.”

Prayerfully Consider partnership with our brothers and sisters in Myanmar.