History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Baptist mission among the Shan 101
KanNaLone Church would donate 1,652 baskets of rice, 6 pigs and 2 cows and will buy 500 more
baskets of rice,
Meeting with township officers would be done,
Prayer warriors were recruited.
Conveners of the committees were selected such as;
Saw Joseph (transportation)
Daw Nang Saw (recording)
May San Oo (registration)
Daw Nang So Hlain (health)
May San Oo (culture and entertainment)
Sai Htun (electricity)
Eastern Shan State Baptist Mission Centenary Celebration was held from March 29 to April 2,
2001 at KanNaLone Shan Baptist Church, KengTung, Eastern Shan State, Myanmar. The ceremony
began with about five hundred people from different Churches together marching towards the church
building at 7 AM accompanied by traditional music, gong, mong, noke and doe dances. In the past, for
more than one hundred years, Shan traditional music and noke-doe dances were prohibited by Shan
Churches considering it as a Buddhist tradition. By the help of cultural committee of block 5 (Buddhist
block), this tradition became part of the celebration. The effigies of the first believer, Phak Ka Sai and
his wife, also accompanied the march.
Praise and worship, presentation of cultural dances, national costumes show, drama of the first
arrival of American missionary and the first believer Phak Ka Sai, gospel music, children and youths’
presentations, seminary students’ presentation, Bible study, ordination program, honoring the serving
ministers, baptismal services and evening open-air gospel preaching were the major events of
celebration. The church building was overflowed with about three thousand people every day. Two
tents were erected both sides of the church and TV sets were put on the tables outside the church for
people to watch the program and listen to the message. Three 24-hours-prayer-rooms were set up at San
Lu’s memorial hall. Young and old people prayed in the room continuously during the festival period.
Showrooms were set up to show historical pictures of the past Shan mission activities. 136 young
people from various Churches dedicated their service twenty-four hours a day during the festival.
Detailed program 101
29 th March:
7 AM: Marching to the church hall opening gate. Rev. Ai Chein led the prayer and Rev. Seng Tip cut
the ribbon and opened the occasion at the gate. Sayama Thu Za Mon read scripture from Psalm 126:3
and Rev. Seng Tip gave welcoming speech. After getting into the church hall thanksgiving service
began. Congratulatory message from Myanmar Baptist Churches Council was read by Rev. Saw Marge
Gyi, from Myanmar Baptist Convention by Sayama May Maung Maung, from ShweLi Valley Shan
Baptist Mission by Rev. Sai Thein Aung Kham and from Asian Outreach International by Dr. Sai Htwe
Maung. Then Sai La La gave a brief history of Baptist Mission in Eastern Shan State. One hundred
people sang Centenary Choir during offering. Benediction given by Rev. Ai Chit and morning session
ended.
1 PM: Opening of the showroom by Rev. Ya Kuk after reading Psalm 126:3 by Sayama Daw Aye Kyi.
7-9 PM: Saya Sai Baw Lu chaired the worship service by reading Psalm 116:12 and Rev. U Sai Hsin
offered special prayer. Choir from BaMine was sung during offering. Centenary drama on the history of
mission presented by youth fellowship led by Sai Tha Han. Session closed by benediction given by
Rev. Ya Kuk.
101 As reported by Rev. Sai Philip, General Secretary, Eastern Shan State Shan Baptist Convention, 2001.