Chin Churches in USA Call for Collaboration in Mission Work
11 May 2011: A 38-member umbrella organisation of Chin Baptist Churches in USA (CBCUSA) has urged for ‘concerted’ efforts in working together towards the ‘spiritual and physical’ development of Chin people in Burma.
The newsletter ‘CBCUSA Authawng’ published early this month said the Chin Christian mission work is not only for spiritual but also for physical redemption and development.
It also stressed that only if we engage in mission works in Chinland then will the younger generation growing up in foreign countries understand the value of our land and people, adding: “Our works will remain in their hearts and they [younger Chin generations] will be able to live in a foreign land without losing their original identity.”
Within its seven years of establishment, CBCUSA has made enormous contributions toward helping Chin people across Chin State and other areas including Malaysia, India and other parts of Burma.
Rev. Dr. C. Duh Kam, Executive Minister of CBCUSA, told Chinland Guardian: “As a Christian organisation, we don’t limit ourselves to a particular area or region in terms of our mission work. We try to reach as far as we can to work with and for the Chin people across the globe as well as brothers and sisters in Christ who are in need of help.”
CBCUSA’s various involvements in cooperation with local communities and churches in Burma include constructions of orphanage, medical centre, road, garden and dam; relief assistance for victims of natural disaster, food crisis and fire; supports for Bible commentary translation and colleges; and promotion of Chin language through Christian literature.
The Women Department of CBCUSA has also been since 2009 closely working with Chin Christian Fellowship in Malaysia in what is known as ‘Chin Prison Ministry’ by visiting and providing pastoral services, mainly to women and children refugees in detention centres.
When asked about a working relationship with other Christian groups in neighboring countries, Rev. Dr. C. Duh Kam said: “We are now in the process of establishing communication with Lairam Jesus Christ Baptist Church in Mizoram State, India and of making an attempt to extend our mission works with Bawm in Bangladesh.”
CBCUSA also made financial contribtuions toward helping victims of recent earthquake in Japan, and of Nargis and Giri cyclones in Burma.
A collection is being circulated among Chin churches in USA in a bid to help victims of recent earthquake that struck Shan State in Burma, killing dozens of people and leaving hundreds homeless.
Initially formed as Chin Baptist Fellowship of America (CBFA) by Chin delegates from USA and Canada on 26 November 2004, CBCUSA adopted its current name at the third biennial conference of CBFA’s Board of Management held on 2 July 2010.
The youth department of CBCUSA has been actively engaged in strengthening Christian fellowship and understanding among the Chin youths through programmes including gospel teams and music concerts, and is now in full preparation of holding a youth camp in Dallas, Texas in November this year.
The Chin Baptist Churches USA, which has currenlty got a total members of 38 Chin churches from USA and Canada, is committed to working for Chin communities in North America to help establish churches, providing social services such as fund for holding a funeral and supporting Chin Christians to be united in Christ to carry out joint mission across the globe.
In October 2011, the Chin Christian organisation is set to officially accept four other churches into its membership at its Board of Trustees meeting.
It is estimated that there are about 20,000 Chins living in the US alone, with over 100 churches in North America, according to CBCUSA.
Van Biak Thang
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