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History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

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Baptist mission among the <strong>Shan</strong> 91<br />

Eastern <strong>Shan</strong> State Baptist Association (ESSBA)<br />

Under leadership <strong>of</strong> Saw Kh<strong>in</strong> and Rev. John Po, “Eastern <strong>Shan</strong> State Baptist Association“ was<br />

formed dur<strong>in</strong>g 65 th Eastern <strong>Shan</strong> State Baptist Mission Celebration <strong>in</strong> KanNaLone from April 4-7,<br />

1968. On that day 218 people baptized. Eastern <strong>Shan</strong> State Baptist Association was a multiracial<br />

association compris<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>Shan</strong>, Wa, Lahu, Lisu and Kach<strong>in</strong> <strong>Churches</strong>. ESSBA held meet<strong>in</strong>g annually<br />

and sometimes bi-annually and sometimes tri-annually from 1969 to 1994.<br />

The First Executive Board Members (1968-1970)<br />

Sai W<strong>in</strong> (chairman),<br />

Saya Ai Chit (vice-chairman),<br />

Sayama Saw Kh<strong>in</strong> (secretary),<br />

Saya Sai Seng Tip (vice-secretary).<br />

There were 19 <strong>Churches</strong> and 1,507 baptized members <strong>in</strong> ESSBA <strong>in</strong> 1970.<br />

Six <strong>Churches</strong> were from leprosy villages.<br />

Board members (1970-1977)<br />

Chairman<br />

Saya Sai Seng Tip<br />

Vice-chairman Saya Ai Che<strong>in</strong><br />

Secretary<br />

Saya Sai Philip<br />

Vice-secretary Sayama Nang Sauk<br />

Treasurer<br />

Sayama Saw Kh<strong>in</strong><br />

Evangelism Dept. Saya Sai T<strong>in</strong> Maung<br />

Evangelist Saya Ai Chit<br />

Development<br />

In 1972 there were 24 <strong>Churches</strong> <strong>in</strong> ESSBA. In 1979 the number <strong>of</strong> <strong>Churches</strong> reduced to 17<br />

because two Wa <strong>Churches</strong> and one Kach<strong>in</strong> Church left the association and 4 <strong>Churches</strong> <strong>in</strong> MuongYa<br />

areas were out <strong>of</strong> communication because <strong>of</strong> communist <strong>in</strong>surgency. Church contribution from each<br />

Church to the ESSBA <strong>in</strong>creased from Kyat 1,235 <strong>in</strong> 1968 to Kyat 15,000 <strong>in</strong> 1981, Kyat 18,000 <strong>in</strong> 1986<br />

and Kyat 25,000 <strong>in</strong> 1988. For development <strong>of</strong> self-support<strong>in</strong>g program some <strong>Churches</strong> own rice fields<br />

and fishponds. It yield some pr<strong>of</strong>its for Church c<strong>of</strong>fer. There was also a piece <strong>of</strong> land owned by<br />

association to plant trees, mango and other fruits for association’s <strong>in</strong>come. It also provides job<br />

opportunity to members <strong>of</strong> the Church and earns some money for their liv<strong>in</strong>g. KanNaLone Church has<br />

one small electricity generator. It supplies electricity to some Christian homes and charges small<br />

amount <strong>of</strong> money s<strong>in</strong>ce the electricity supply from government is very irregular.<br />

ESSBA reported <strong>in</strong> 1988, “Eastern <strong>Shan</strong> State is lack <strong>of</strong> good qualified leadership. In many<br />

<strong>Churches</strong> there are no graduates from university level. The Church can only afford to support a pastor<br />

with Kyat 600 per month. The roads are so bad that travel is not easy. Dur<strong>in</strong>g ra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g season it is almost<br />

impossible to travel. Evangelistic trip can only be made dur<strong>in</strong>g dry season. Communication is bad. No<br />

postal service, no telephone, no telex available <strong>in</strong> many towns and villages. The fare for the bus is<br />

extremely expensive. Most <strong>of</strong> the pastors cannot afford to pay for bus fare to travel.” 5 <strong>Churches</strong> have<br />

been reorganized and re-communicated to ESSBA <strong>in</strong> 1989 after 20 years <strong>of</strong> separation because <strong>of</strong><br />

communist <strong>in</strong>surgency.

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