Strings of Christian Gatherings Held to Strengthen Unity
15 April 2011: Christians of different denominations from Chin State have organised a series of gatherings in recent months in an attempt to forge a closer communication, and strengthen both social and spiritual relationships.
On Tuesday, the Tedim Religious’ Leaders Council was formed in a jointly organised meeting held at Faith Baptist Bible College in Tedim Town by 30 Christian pastors and leaders from Cope Memorial Baptist Church, Bethel Assembly of God, Evengelical Baptist Church and Roman Catholic (Myoma).
The Council is aimed to engage in putting more efforts to improve not only the spiritual but also social welfares of Christians in Chin State, according to the Lengtong Net news.
From 21 March to 3 April, another Christian gathering called ‘ZCLS Triennial Meeting’, led by Zomi Christian Literature Society (ZCLS), was held at Agape Mission Centre in Kalaymyo, with key guests in attendance including Dr. C. Thang Za Tuan, retired Deputy Director General of Ministry of Education; Rev. Dr. Pau Khan En, former Principal of Myanmar Institute of Theology; Rev Khoi Lam Thang, General Secretary of Myanmar Bible Society; and Rev. Smith Ngul Za Thawng, former General Secretary of Myanmar Council of Churches.
Another Christian event in Teeklui village in Tedim Township of Chin State saw the 4th Triennial Conference of Tedim Baptist Convention (TBC), where four pastors were conferred ordination. The next TBC Triennial Conference will take place in Lailo village in 2014.
On 25 March, the 50th Golden Jubilee of Tedim Chin Union (TCU) was held in Lanva village in Manipur State of India, where TCU founder Gin Za Kap Shoute opened the ceremony by unveiling the stone monument erected to mark the anniversary.
In an effort to find ways of improving understanding and cooperation among Zomi Christians across the world, a meeting is to be held in Singapore from 27-29 April. The agendas include a discussion for the forming and naming of an umbrella organisation under which churches and Christian fellowships in different countries are to join as members, and for its future movements.
It is a follow-up gathering to the initial meeting held by five selected Christian leaders at Panda Hotel in Rangoon on 6 December last year in an attempt to find ways of creating a channel for cooperation among the Zomis across the globe, according to Zomi Daily.
It is reported that the Zomi Community in Singapore will be hosting the upcoming conference. Some Christian leaders, alongside Stephen Vocal Band, are to continue their trips to Malaysia to meet with Zomi refugees from 3-5 May 2011.
Reporting by Salai Nyein Chan
