History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Twenty-first century Shan mission project 132
Evaluation
We left this to Sai Htwe Maung to conduct in Shan and so the participants could freely express
themselves. Their written evaluations were most positive, as you will see from Sai Htwe Maung’s
translation attached. Late that afternoon Sai Htwe Maung came to our hotel, a little concerned. He said
he is not sure if the North will accept us next year as we are planning for LaShio in November because
of denominationalism. He also feels the North does not have good leadership. And Stephen has already
said he will be too busy this year to help arrange a GCI. There was definite conflict between the
leadership from the North and Sai Htwe Maung throughout the program. It seems some of the older
pastors from the North were not happy with our charismatic way of teaching. One phrase we heard
quite often was, “We are Baptists!” It seems they found Vincent’s exuberance he doesn’t need a
microphone! His AOGness and the way he prayed loudly for people almost offensive (we noticed it
didn’t stop them from coming to ask for prayer though). However they did enjoy Vincent’s teaching
and they liked him as a person. They didn’t like Franklin asking them to all pray out loud together or
me asking them to all sing a new song together etc. This was “not Baptist and was very confusing!” I
guess these are some of the occupational hazards of being the first outsider input in more than 100 years
of tradition.
As Franklin, Katie and I discussed it, we realized these comments probably came from just a
few. From the overall response to our teaching (and the multitudinous gifts we received), we believe
that GCI was a blessing and that much good fruit will come from the teaching. We felt it was an
excellent GCI, with real quality teaching, other than that on Youth Ministry. Sai Htwe Maung kept
commenting throughout the program how much better the teaching was this year than last. However, as
a team we learned lessons too in that we need to be more sensitive when teaching in a non-Charismatic
environment. As for Vincent we all feel he is an excellent communicator but maybe we need to take
him in to a more charismatic environment and “turn him loose.” That night, on behalf of the team,
Franklin asked the participants to forgive us if we had offended them in any way through our method of
teaching.
Dedication
The night of graduation a dedication service was held to pray for and send out six men who
during the course of the GCI felt God call them out to full-time ministry. Some of them will join in with
the Shan 21 st Century mission. Sai Htwe Maung needs another Sai Stephen in both the South and the
North to fulfill the vision! It is very meaningful for these Shan to commit themselves to full-time
ministry. It is definitely a step of faith and a willingness to sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel.
I cannot conclude this report without giving due credit to Sai Stephen for 12 months of hard
work to put together an excellent program. He thought of everything and was very detailed in
everything, including recording all expenditure etc. He is a very special person for the Shan. And, of
course, there is no one like our Dr. Sai Htwe Maung: tireless, talented in so many areas, so zealous for
the Lord and for his people, such fun to be with etc. etc. For our part we enjoyed this GCI very much.
We enjoyed the warmth of the people and their responsiveness to the teaching. We feel it was an
excellent GCI and trust it will be just the beginning of grassroots training among the Shan. To God be
the glory!
Speeches at graduation service
Dr. John Noi, 2 on behalf of TaungGyi Shan Church. “The participants have learned a lot and it
will be of great help to them in spreading the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are equipped with
new strategies. They are the up and coming gospel preachers. No matter what hardship or adversity
they face they will succeed by the help of God. The Holy Spirit will always help them. The Kingdom of
God will be successfully propagated in the Shan State and we praise the Lord. During these two weeks
2 Son of Ai Noi, the first Tai Khun convert.