History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Twenty-first century Shan mission project 160
what we have done.” Sometimes when they were gathering in a house for worship, the house was
stoned. When a young child went out to buy food he was slapped. Some make a comment “If you are
not a Buddhist you are not a Shan” and discriminate against them.
Difficult Church Planting
How can we plant a Church in such situation?
Zechariah 4:6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by
power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.”
1. Power of the Holy Spirit
It is vitally important to be filled with the Holy Spirit and His power and authority in planting Churches
among the Shan Buddhist. Even though they called themselves Buddhists, they also worship many
spirits. Spiritual warfare is unavoidable in daily work of evangelist, missionary and Church planter. I
myself have encountered three times in three weeks when I was in mission field. Some Church planters
loose the battle in spiritual warfare and have to retreat or abandon the field.
Shan Buddhists want to listen and know about true God and about life after death. But they would not
believe or accept Christianity easily at one meeting or one hearing without debate. They would ask
many questions, debate and challenge with their own belief. The most effective way of wining Shan
Buddhists is “showing miracle through the power of the Holy Spirit.” For instance, in one village, no
one wanted to become Christian because they were quite happy and satisfy with their life. But one day a
young lady was possessed by the evil spirit and she was out of control. She was very aggressive. No
body could drive the spirit out. Finally they called a young evangelist to come and drive out demon.
Evangelist prayed and cast out the demon. Immediately the lady ran out from the house and collapsed
on the ground lying motionless for a few minutes and then came round. She was completely released
from the evil spirit under their own eyes. After this miracle many villagers accepted Jesus. Jesus, before
crucifixion, has told his disciples to “cast out the demons” and again after resurrection, commanded us
to be filled with the Holy Spirit and power to cast of demons.
2. Dedication and Sacrifice
Mission work among the Shan is not easy. It requires great dedication and big sacrifice. Hardship and
danger are unavoidable. They must be strong and courageous. They must surrender and carry the cross.
If we only want to serve in well-established Church the gospel will never reach the Shan. The roads and
travel to Shan villages are difficult and dangerous. The jungles of Shan States are infested with Malaria.
Living standard is very low. If the American missionaries could stand those hardship and sacrifice in
our land and for our salvation how much more should we do for our own people. Christian workers
being seen by the Shan as “Introducer of Western Religion.” We face opposition from different angles.
If we are friendly to them we can easily have many friends. When we get friendship from the monks
and village leaders we can easily approach and preach the gospel to the people. Remember to make
friend with those who have authority over the village so that we can work peacefully.
3. Holistic Approach
Buddhist Shan love to give money, alms, and other offering to the monks and offer meals to the people
believing that this is good action to get good merit for future life. If we, evangelists, missionaries,
pastors, only preach the “gospel of love” to the people without showing our love in action for them to
see it is not easy for them to believe the gospel unless we prove by our action. Many missionaries to the
Shan were medical doctors and they evangelized the people through medical work and education. It is
quite successful when we offer medical, education, social and material help to them showing the love of
God in action. Feeding the poor, clothing the naked, healing the sick, casting out demons, preaching the