Myanmar’s military coup threatens church growth in the country, according to a Christian agency active there.
Since the putsch, vast numbers have been peacefully protesting in increasingly imaginative ways, from daily parades, to women dressed as princesses, to the three-fingered salute, to inexplicable car breakdowns blocking main roads. Now they barricade the streets close to where they live.
The amazing thing is how united the country is as it demands this request: Buddhists, Christians, and Muslims; Bamar and the various ethnic tribes, stand shoulder to shoulder now – which is quite remarkable given the nation’s history. But what impact has the coup had on churches in Myanmar?
Pastor Training International, which teaches pastors to preach the gospel, has been active in Myanmar for many years. Director of Training, Simon Percy, has first-hand experience of that work. He comments:
‘When democracy came in 2010, many church leaders started planting new churches in Buddhist and Animist villages and towns. But the Covid-19 crisis forced many out of their jobs, and churches and Bible colleges have been closed for long periods. Yet Christians often shared their meagre resources with others, which gave them openings to share about Christ. Many conversions and baptisms took place over Christmas, for example.
‘The coup threatens all that, however. Often those plants depend on large city churches. But many of their members are involved in the Civil Disobedience Movement, so they no longer get paid. The closing of banks, and disruption to the telephone and internet systems, as well as difficulties with travel, means the support those church plants receive has dwindled.
‘We pray that God would peacefully restore democracy in Myanmar so this important work may continue.’
