Over the last few weeks, we have been focusing on some of our mission partners. At 5pm, we support Overseas Council Australia, in particular the funding of a faculty member at Myanmar Evangelical Graduate School of Theology. For the past 3 years, we have supported Peter Thien, enabling him to complete his doctoral studies and return to the faculty of MEGST. We have recently been invited to support a new faculty member whose name is Stephen.

Myanmar or Burma is the largest country by geographical area in Indochina, with a population of apporximately 50 million. The culture is heavily influenced by Theravada Buddhism, and the country continues to struggle with ethnic tension. The military has dominated the government since General Ne Win led a coup in 1962 that toppled he civilian government of U Nu. The military junta calls the country ‘Myanmar’. They have been ruling since 1989 following elections they disallowed. Economic sanctions are in place by the USA and EU. This has placed a great burden on the general population. The government actively promotes the cause of Buddhism and has numerous restrictions on the church and bible colleges. Myanmar is one of Asia’s poorest countries with Christians facing real persecution. It is illegal to print or import Bibles translated into indigenous languages and foreign religious workers are not issued long-term visas. An example of the persecution include local civilian and military authorities arresting clergy, closing home churches and prohibiting services, and Christians imprisoned for their faith.

MEGST was founded in 1996 by the Myanmar Evangelical Fellowship.. There was an enormous problem of Christian leaders leaving Burma to get masters degrees but then not returning. MEGST provides quality education for MDiv level study, and in the future hopes to provide MTh level research degrees. This is a viable alternative for many who are now more likely to stay in the country and minister. The college owns ten contiguous apartments in one block which forms the basis of the college with library, lecture rooms, chapel and administration all housed together. They also have acquired twelve (small two-bedroom) apartments which house one faculty family each or eight or nine students. The current student body of 70 and faculty of seven full-time is expanding with five more faculty coming. With a very high demand for entrance to the college the student numbers will build to nearly 100 in the next three years.

Stephen & Khrih Lee write: ‘I grew up in a small town called Falam, Chin State, in the northwestern part of Myanmar. I have been teaching at MEGST since June, 2007. Particularly, I teach mission subjects which are: Biblical Foundations of Mission; Urban Mission; Church Planting and Church Growth; New Testament I and Ministry Internship. By the grace of God I have the privilege to take responsibility for the spiritual affairs in my college. The academic committee placed me to be the head of mission department in the academic year 2008-2009. Moreover, I have been supervising over 10 orphanages through MEGST. I have a strong determination to equip myself to be an effective mission instructor for the potential evangelical leaders in Myanmar churches. I am really excited to hear about the possibility of doing Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies in Sri Lanka. I am sure that this is the right place to do my post graduate studies for MEGST has a tradition of sending the faculty members only to Asian countries for their theological training. I am persuaded to do my Ph.D in Sri Lanka because the college will be affiliated with University of Wales, UK. If my application is successful I will be away for 3 years (minimum) or 4 years (maximum). I married Khrih Len on 5 May, 2007 as soon as I finished my MTh from SAIACS. Now we have a son called Joseph Thian Vum Piang. He was born on June 15, 2008. Hopefully we have a second baby in the coming September, 2010.

Please continue to remember the people of Myanmar in your prayers – and pray especially for MEGST, for Peter Thien and for Stephen.

In His grace
Paul Dale (Senior Pastor)