WRITTEN BY REV DR CHUM AWI
Introduction
To serve the purpose of the celebration of Chin Evangel Centennary in Burma, I want to limit myself to write a short sketch of mission history among various Chins who live in three major places within the Union of Burma today. Searching of the lost Chin souls was done by first the American Baptists and later by the Anglicans from Great Britain. The first pioneers from the USA were Rev. Arthur Carson and his wife, Laura Carson. They were helped by the Karen evangelists. Later, the Chin Christians organized themselves to carry out God's given task, i.e., to continue to evangelize their own brothers who never have never heard about the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSIONARIES TO NORTHERN CHINS
(1) THE ASHO-CHINS: They live in Ayeyawadi and Bago divisions of the Union of Burma. Rev. Carson and his wife started their mission works among the Asho-Chins in 1888. They chose Thayetmyo for their mission station. But, they moved their mission station to Hakha, Chin State, in 1899. Then, mission works among the Asho-Chins did not grow well. Most of them became Buddhists. They do not have a written established literature. Very few Asho-Chins became Christians. Many lost their souls as well as
their identity. Burma Baptist Convention has no works with these Asho-Chins. In 1996, while I was General Secretary of Zomi (Chin) Baptist Convention, we orga-
nized "JOINT MISSION PROJECT" between the ZBC and Ayeyawadi Asho-Chin Baptist Association. Then,we sent six missionaries from Hill Chin State. Local Churches, such as Hakha Baptist Church, sent some missionaries at their own program. There have been some converts since then. Today, young people of Asho-Chins are ready to become Christians. They invite and challenge you and me for the saving of their lost souls. For them, 1999 is the 111th year of the arrival of the Carsons to the land of Asho-Chins.
(2) THE ARAKAN CHINS (Now Rakhaing Chins):
There are several tribes of Chin people in the present Rakhaing State of the Union of Burma. In the 1880s, Rev. Willis Thomas was an American Baptist missionary to the Karens in Sandawway where many Asho-Chins live side by side with the Karens. This indicates that there were American Baptist missionaries who were working for the Asho-Chins. Unfortunately, many Americans died in this particular mission field because of malaria.The mission work was on and off.Local leaders continued the mission works.The Karens have been working among these Rakhiang-Chins since long time.Growth was very slow.The Kachin Baptist Convention also is sending its missionaries among these Chins.Today, Zomi Baptist Convention works hard among the Rakhiang-Chins.Moreover,local churches,such as Thlantlang Baptist Church,sent young missionaries to this area.
The mission and evangelization program in this area is a great challenge to every one of us today.These are approximately 15 Chin missionaries sent to this area by Zomi Baptist Convention.
(3)THE HILL-CHINS: When the Carsons moved their mission station from Thayetmyo to Hakha,Chin State, on March 15, 1899, the British administrators already were there for 10 years.Unfortunately, the British administration and jurisdiction were exercised only among the Chins in the Northern part of Chin State of the Union of Burma (Myanmar).The British empire was not extended into the Southern part of Chinland in those days. They called it "unexplored or unadministrative area". The Carsons dedicated themselves for education, evangelism, literature, agriculture, and other kinds of development programs. The Karen teachers and evangelists helped them in their programs. Dr. Tilbe, a friend of Arthur Carson,reinforced their efforts to establish their new mission field in 1900-1901. They were joined by a medical doctor, Dr. East and his wife in 1904. Dr. East was not only a physician, but also a real evangelist. Rev. Carson died in 1908 just after he finished creating a written language for the Chins in the Roman alpha-bet system. He was buried in Hakha. Rev. & Mrs Cope came to Hakha in 1910 to help Mrs. Laura Carson. But, in 1911 they decided to move to Tedim. There they worked hard for 30 years. Cope was dedicated for education and literature of the Chins. In 1911, Dr. Woodin and his wife came to Hakha as physicians of Hakha Mission hospital. Mrs. Laura Carson left the Chin Mission station in 1920 for good. She continued her husband's mission for 12 years. She was a strong woman! In 1926 Rev. Chester U Strait and his wife came to Hakha and worked there until 1941. When Rev. Cope died in 1938 in Hakha, Rev. & Mrs Nelson came to Tedim to continue Cope's works in Tedim. For Hakha Mission station, Rev. & Mrs. Johnson came to Hakha in 1947 and were forced to leave the mission field by the Revolutionary Military government of the Union of Burma. They worked in Hakha 26 years. In their time, Zomi (Chin) Baptist Con-vention was born. 1/10th tithes system was well established. Budget system in the Church and her organizations were also established.
HOW LOVELY ARE THE KAREN MESSENGERS!
The most loveliest people in Burma to care and nourish the souls of the Chins were Karen tea-
chers and evangelists who were employed by the American Baptist Mission Board in Chinland.
I post this page in fond memory of their works:
Introduction
To serve the purpose of the celebration of Chin Evangel Centennary in Burma, I want to limit myself to write a short sketch of mission history among various Chins who live in three major places within the Union of Burma today. Searching of the lost Chin souls was done by first the American Baptists and later by the Anglicans from Great Britain. The first pioneers from the USA were Rev. Arthur Carson and his wife, Laura Carson. They were helped by the Karen evangelists. Later, the Chin Christians organized themselves to carry out God's given task, i.e., to continue to evangelize their own brothers who never have never heard about the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSIONARIES TO NORTHERN CHINS
(1) THE ASHO-CHINS: They live in Ayeyawadi and Bago divisions of the Union of Burma. Rev. Carson and his wife started their mission works among the Asho-Chins in 1888. They chose Thayetmyo for their mission station. But, they moved their mission station to Hakha, Chin State, in 1899. Then, mission works among the Asho-Chins did not grow well. Most of them became Buddhists. They do not have a written established literature. Very few Asho-Chins became Christians. Many lost their souls as well as
their identity. Burma Baptist Convention has no works with these Asho-Chins. In 1996, while I was General Secretary of Zomi (Chin) Baptist Convention, we orga-
nized "JOINT MISSION PROJECT" between the ZBC and Ayeyawadi Asho-Chin Baptist Association. Then,we sent six missionaries from Hill Chin State. Local Churches, such as Hakha Baptist Church, sent some missionaries at their own program. There have been some converts since then. Today, young people of Asho-Chins are ready to become Christians. They invite and challenge you and me for the saving of their lost souls. For them, 1999 is the 111th year of the arrival of the Carsons to the land of Asho-Chins.
(2) THE ARAKAN CHINS (Now Rakhaing Chins):
There are several tribes of Chin people in the present Rakhaing State of the Union of Burma. In the 1880s, Rev. Willis Thomas was an American Baptist missionary to the Karens in Sandawway where many Asho-Chins live side by side with the Karens. This indicates that there were American Baptist missionaries who were working for the Asho-Chins. Unfortunately, many Americans died in this particular mission field because of malaria.The mission work was on and off.Local leaders continued the mission works.The Karens have been working among these Rakhiang-Chins since long time.Growth was very slow.The Kachin Baptist Convention also is sending its missionaries among these Chins.Today, Zomi Baptist Convention works hard among the Rakhiang-Chins.Moreover,local churches,such as Thlantlang Baptist Church,sent young missionaries to this area.
The mission and evangelization program in this area is a great challenge to every one of us today.These are approximately 15 Chin missionaries sent to this area by Zomi Baptist Convention.
(3)THE HILL-CHINS: When the Carsons moved their mission station from Thayetmyo to Hakha,Chin State, on March 15, 1899, the British administrators already were there for 10 years.Unfortunately, the British administration and jurisdiction were exercised only among the Chins in the Northern part of Chin State of the Union of Burma (Myanmar).The British empire was not extended into the Southern part of Chinland in those days. They called it "unexplored or unadministrative area". The Carsons dedicated themselves for education, evangelism, literature, agriculture, and other kinds of development programs. The Karen teachers and evangelists helped them in their programs. Dr. Tilbe, a friend of Arthur Carson,reinforced their efforts to establish their new mission field in 1900-1901. They were joined by a medical doctor, Dr. East and his wife in 1904. Dr. East was not only a physician, but also a real evangelist. Rev. Carson died in 1908 just after he finished creating a written language for the Chins in the Roman alpha-bet system. He was buried in Hakha. Rev. & Mrs Cope came to Hakha in 1910 to help Mrs. Laura Carson. But, in 1911 they decided to move to Tedim. There they worked hard for 30 years. Cope was dedicated for education and literature of the Chins. In 1911, Dr. Woodin and his wife came to Hakha as physicians of Hakha Mission hospital. Mrs. Laura Carson left the Chin Mission station in 1920 for good. She continued her husband's mission for 12 years. She was a strong woman! In 1926 Rev. Chester U Strait and his wife came to Hakha and worked there until 1941. When Rev. Cope died in 1938 in Hakha, Rev. & Mrs Nelson came to Tedim to continue Cope's works in Tedim. For Hakha Mission station, Rev. & Mrs. Johnson came to Hakha in 1947 and were forced to leave the mission field by the Revolutionary Military government of the Union of Burma. They worked in Hakha 26 years. In their time, Zomi (Chin) Baptist Con-vention was born. 1/10th tithes system was well established. Budget system in the Church and her organizations were also established.
HOW LOVELY ARE THE KAREN MESSENGERS!
The most loveliest people in Burma to care and nourish the souls of the Chins were Karen tea-
chers and evangelists who were employed by the American Baptist Mission Board in Chinland.
I post this page in fond memory of their works:
1. Thra Shwe Zan worked among the Siyins;
2. Thra Maung Kun among the Laizos;
3. Thra Maung Lun among the Zokhuas;
4. Thra Po Kun among the Tonzangs;
5. Thra Maung Kya among the Thantlangs
6. Thra Kyi Khin among the Hakhas; and
7. Thra Aung Dwe among the Falams.
CHIN CHRISTIANS SOUGHT LOST SOULS
In 1905 Pu Thuam Hang and Pu Pau Suan were baptized as believers in Christ. They were the
first fruits among the hill Chins. In 1906 Pu Sia Khaw in Hakha and Pu Thang Sin in Lumbang
were baptized as new believers. In 1907 there were 12 Chin Christians gathering together for
a meeting and it was called First Chin Baptist Association. Later in 1948, they were organized
as Falam Baptist Association, Hakha Baptist Association, and Tedim Baptist Association.
Again in 1953, these three associations agreed to organize Zomi Baptist Convention under the
leadership of Rev. S.T. Hau Go. He was a graduate with Master of Religious Education from
Eastern Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. The Tedims proposed the name Zomi Baptist
Convention while the Hakhas proposed the name Zotlang Baptist Convention. They decided
to open the Convention office in Falam, the then District Headquarters of the government. The
objectives of the forming of the Convention were:
1. Agriculture High School: This was never materialized due to insufficient fundings from the Mission Board. In fact, this was one of the most needed project for the development of the entire Chins. Today, Sloping Agriculture Land Technology, a sustainable technology for the Chins, is being introduced with the funding from Lutheran Church in Germany.
2. Mission Hospital: The Chins misunderstood the modern medicine during the first era of mission
works. Hospital was built in Hakha. It was burned during World War II. The doctors were on and off.
Even though the a sanction was given to the Zomi Baptist Convention, leaders did not come together to choose a location. The sacntion was withdrawn.
3. Theological Education: To train pastors and mission workers, Zomi Baptist Theological School
was established in Tedim in 1953, then it was transfered to Hakha, and then again in Falam in
1959. It became Zomi Theological College, a degree offering institution, during the administration of Rev. Dr. Chum Awi in 1983. It was recognized by Asso- ciation for Theological Education in South East Asia in the same year. A sister school was founded by Zomi Baptist Convention in 1984 in Matupi town. It is called Union Theological School.
4. Chin Hills for Christ: Since its conception, the Zomi Baptist Convention tried to evangelize their brother in the Southern part. This program was highly prormoted by Rev. Dr. Hre Kio during his service as Treasurer in the Zomi Baptist Convention. This was the forerunner of the Chins for Christ in One Century (CCOC).
5. Chins for Christ in One Century: Laymen like Col. Kim Ngin, Pu Khup Piang of Education Ministry, and Pu Lian Uk, a private lawyer and politician, who lived and worked in Matupi, Mindat, Kanpetlet, and Paletwa wrote to Zomi Baptist Convention office about the urgent need of evangelization among the Southern Chins. It was the time of Rev. Charles Hrang Tin Khum, General Secretary of the Convention. Mission secretary at that time was Rev. Dr. Cuai Sang. The motivation came directly from kachin State. It was the year 1982 when Kachin 3/300 - Three years-three hundred evan- gelist program was winding up. Rev. Khum attended their Winding up Program. When he returned from Kachin State, he was convinced that he must call a consultation seminar which later adopted Chins for Christ in One Century evangelistic program. It aims to bring the Good News of Christ among the Southern Chin brothers until 1999 which is the centennial of
the arrival of the Carson among the Chins. For the past 15 years young ministers and lay people dedi- cated themselves for the cause of the Lord. Then, the result was that almost all Chins heard the saving news of the Lord. They became followers. They orga- nized themselves as Associations. Thus, Kanpetlet Baptist Association, Mindat Baptist Association; Palet- wa Baptist Association; and Gangaw Baptist Association. The revival of local sending churches happened. There were new associations coming out of mother asso- ciations to be able to expand the Kingdom of God. Now, Zomi Baptist Convention has 25 associations.
6. Beyond Chin Evangel Centennary: 1999 marks the 100th year of the arrival of the Carsons which
means the arrival of the Godpel to the Chins. Many Chins all over the world are celebrating this auspi- cious occasion. After this celebration, their mission strategy will be extended to the Asho-Chins and the Arakan-Chins.
CONCLUSION: THE UNENDING TASKS
When Dr. East baptized Pau Suan and Thuam Hang in 1905, Rev. Carson made a report to the Mission Board. He entitled his report, "DAY BREAK IN CHIN HILLS". The day of the Lord is broken in the last century in Chin State. But, greater tasks are awaiting and chal- lenging all Chin Christians today. The tasks have to do with developments in the areas of moral upbuildings; education upbringings; making use of Sloping Agri- culture Land Technology as a sustainable technology; economic reconstruction; new spiritual pilgrimages; Sending of missionaries to Asho-Chins and Rakhaing- Chins; political transquility in the whole of Burma; unity among all Chins who live in Burma as well as who live in Bangladesh and India; and recreating a new language for all Chins. A century is gone. But it was just a reminder that the Chins need more strong faith in the Lord in order to continue to work on the tasks given to us by the Lord. These tasks are still waiting
for us!
Note: A century of Chin Christianity is just a reminder that all of us need to know "How lovely are
the messengers that preach us the Gospel of Peace."
God bless you all!
http://thanghlun.blogspot.com/2007/09/in-search-of-lost-souls-of-chins.html
