Amidst significant challenges, the Living Hope Evangelistic Series in Myanmar has resulted in the baptism of 861 new believers, a testament to the ongoing commitment of the Adventist Church in the region. This series, which the Adventist Church in Myanmar (MYUM) organized, has been incredibly successful at navigating challenging situations and fostering spiritual development, which spanned from August 18-24, 2024, in various sites nationwide.
Myanmar has faced a period of difficulty that has made religious activities more challenging. The evolving situation in the country has led to increased restrictions on freedom of movement and assembly, impacting the ability of church leaders and members to travel and conduct evangelistic work. Despite these obstacles, the Adventist Church in Myanmar has shown resilience, adapting its methods while maintaining its spiritual mission.
Church leaders and members have found innovative ways to nurture their faith and share the gospel, including small group meetings, home-based worship, online services, and discreet ministry efforts. These strategies have been essential in sustaining the church's mission.
“I encouraged every church to actively participate in the 'Back to the Altar' initiatives, prioritizing daily morning and evening worship. Additionally, I urged all 248 congregations to conduct evangelistic meetings for the Second Wave Harvest Celebration in their respective communities, ensuring that every member is involved in sharing the gospel message,” said Po Po Hla, president of the Adventist Church in Myanmar.
To ensure that the Living Hope Evangelistic Series could be conducted without hindrance, MYUM diligently attended to all necessary permits and documentation. Regular communication with both regional and national authorities was maintained as part of the preparation process, ensuring that all legal requirements were met and the series could proceed smoothly.
"Given the circumstances, we had to relocate three times to hold this event, facing challenges in coordination. Securing permits and establishing good relations with authorities are crucial for religious activities. However, by God's grace, the harvest celebration was successfully conducted across five missions in Myanmar,” explained Teint Saung, Communication director of MYUM.
The series was conducted in two waves, with the first beginning in March 2024 and the second concluding in August 2024. Throughout this period, the entire country of Myanmar united in a collective effort to share the gospel, leading to the baptism of 861 new believers.
MYUM expresses profound gratitude for the opportunity to witness and participate in this mission work during such challenging times. The success of this series demonstrates that even amid difficulties, the church can thrive spiritually, anchored in faith and hope.
“I feel very happy after the conclusion of this program. I am grateful to the Lord for His leading,” said Hla.
Adventist Church leaders in the region view this as an opportunity to mobilize the church, inspire members with the joy of ministry, and encourage them to continue sharing the Living Hope in their respective areas.
The original article was published on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division website.