A BRIEF HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN CHIN STATE, MYANMAR

By Dennis S. Maung

INTRODUCTION
The beginning of Christianity in Chin State, Myanmar is rooted upon the labour of Rev. and Mrs. Arthur E. Carson. Subsequently the efforts of the succeeding Missionaries in Chin State were also the seeds and the soil for the sprout of the flowers and the fruits of spiritual life in Chin State. This small article will mostly and mainly be reiterated on the efforts of the American Foreign Baptist Mission in Chin State, Myanmar. The most significant history of Christianity in Chin State is founded upon to the works of early American Foreign Baptist Mission and the Karen native missionaries. Other denominations such as Roman Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodist in Chin State were also rooted upon the labour of foreign missionaries.

I. THE ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST MISSIONARY TO CHIN STATE, MYANMAR.

Rev. Arthur E. Carson (1860-1908)

Rev. Arthur E. Carson and his wife Laura arrived in Hakha, Chin State, Myanmar, on 15 March 1899 not long after the annexation of Chin State by British colony in 1886. In fact, the Chin people were autonomous under their own chieftains from the beginning. They had not been subjected by any external forces in all means until the British annexation. Unfortunately the British colony occupied the whole Burma in 1886 and the Chinland was fallen under the rule of British emperor. Fortunately the British colony granted the Chin State and her people to enjoy a certain extent of their own freedom under legitimated Chin Regulation Laws. The Chin State was one of the remotest areas in Myanmar and the people living over there were poor and backward. However, the people were truthful, honest and courageous. They were Animists in religious belief, family oriented and peace loving with integrity in social life and freedom lovers in politics. The hard labour of the first missionary Rev. Arthur E. Carson and his wife Laura Carson was great blessing for the Chin people. The Chins were shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ and were converted into Christian faith. Carson, by the help of Dr. Tilbe induced Chin literature in the form of Roman alphabet. The pioneer missionaries built schools and health care centers in different parts of the Chin Hills. The Chins were educated in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and in liberal arts education. The well beings of the Chins were taken care of in many different ways. Health care centers were erected in different places. As the result of the good services of the missionaries, the Chin people currently are committed Christians with globally qualified leaders and able to reclaimed their own rights and freedom by all means. The Chin people should give credit to the missionaries for introducing life changing Gospel of Jesus Christ into the Chin State.

II. THE ARRIVAL OF OTHER MISSIONARIES

1. Rev. Dr. Erik H. East, and his wife Emily J. East, the medical missionaries arrived in Hakha, Chin State on 21 March 1902 and back to the United States in 1910 to attend their health. His significant work was the existent of Hakha Baptist Association Headquarter building.

2. Dr. Harry. H. Tilbe and his wife Clara were not a designated missionaries to Chin State but they worked in Burma proper. They arrived in Hakha in 1902 to take over the mission work during the furlong of Dr. East. They went back to Burma proper when Dr. East returned from the USA. He was expert in linguistic.

3. Dr. J. H. Cope and his wife Elizabeth Cope arrived in Hakha, Chin State on 21 December 1908 and moved to Tedim after two years stayed in Hakha. He served in Chin State for 30 years. He was honorary Inspector of schools during his days in Chin State. He died on June 11, 1938 and entombed in Hakha.

4. Dr. Woodin came to Hakha to help medical works of Dr. East and served for 5 years and moved to Bhamo.

5. Dr. Chester Strait and his wife Florence arrived in Hakha on 05 April 1926 and served in Chin State for 15 years. He opened Bible Schools, translated New Testament into Hakha dialect and published 325 Hymns. He brought paddy seed and planted in Hakha. It was great success.

6. E. O Nelson and his wife arrived in Teddim on 02 December 1939. He opened Bible School in Teddim after World War II in 1947-50. His great contribution was bringing apple seed and grew in Teddim.

7. The last missionaries to Chin State, Robert G. Johnson and his wife Elizabeth Johnson arrived in Hakha on January 29, 1947. The Johnsons were so dedicated for the Chin people in all means that they completed the stone building of the great Baptist Church in Hakha.They were forced to leave Burma by the military regime in 1966. The missionary era in Burma was coming to an end and the national Church life and mission with national leaders
was taking place.

III. THE NOBLE SERVICES OF THE KAREN TEACHERS

The Chins greatly owed the teachers of the Karen who accompanied the missionaries to Chin State. The Karen teachers were professional teachers and preachers. They not only teach the liberal arts lessons in the residents or in the schools but also sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every single ones they met. They were great heroes for the Chin people as they climbed up the mountain tops and they walked through the valleys across the whole Chin
State. They were most effective first native missionaries in Burma. They were finally ordained into the ministry of the Lord. We, the Chin Christians highly honoured them and prayed for them that the golden crown be shared to them in heaven. They were:

No Name Year Place
1. Thra San Win 1900 Hakha
2. Thra Shwe Zan 1902 Khuasak (Tedim)
3. Thra Po Kho 1901 Tedim
4. Thra Maung Gone 1906 Laizo (Falam)
5. Thra Po Aye 1906 Lumbang (Falam)
6. Thra Maung Lun 1906 Zokhua
7. Thra Maung Kya 1904 Thantlang
8. Samo Gyi Ghine 1902 Hakha
9. Thra Aung Dwe 1915 Hakha; Falam
10. Thra San Tun 1920 Laizo, Falam

IV. THE FIRST CHRISTIANS IN CHIN STATE

The first Christians in Khuasak, Tedim were baptised by Dr. East on 11 May 1905. They were Pu Pau Suan and his wife Pi Kham Ciang and Pu Thuam Hang and his wife Pi Dim Kho Cing. In the following year Rev. Carson baptised Pu Shia Khaw from Hakha on 01 January 1906 and he also baptised Pu Thang Tsin on 05 September 1906. Seven persons from Khuasak village also were baptised on 01 February 1906. Pu Suan Vung and Pu Hen Za Kap from Tutim village, Tonzang township, were baptised by Dr. East on on 17 February 1906. There were 29 Christians in Chin State by the end of 1906.

V. THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH WAS PLANTED

The first ever in the history of Chin Christianity was giving birth among Siyin tribe in the Khuasak village, Tedim township on 17 February 1906. It was typically Baptist Church. Thra Shwe Zan, a Karen teacher, teaching in the American Baptist Mission School in Khuasak was the first Pastor and with Pu Thuam Hang and Pu Pau Suan were the first deacons. There were 11 members in the first Church. They were:

1. Pu Pau Suan
2. Pu Thuam Hang
3. Pi Kham Ciang
4. Pi Dim Kho Cing
5. Pu Lam Suan
6. Pi Vum Vung
7. Pu Tun Lian
8. Pi Khup Vung
9. Pu Son Tun
10. Pu Thuam Tun
11. Pi Thang Nei
This little Church was the bright star of the Chin people as a whole for the transformation of the Chin society would be on her shoulder to bring the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, to bring education for all and clinical services to the entire Chin State.

VI. THE FIRST EUCHARIST IN CHIN STATE

High emotion of feeling was flaring up as the first Eucharist was celebrated in the first Church on 18 February 1906. Dr. East, filled with unspeakable joy in tears was the celebrant of the Holy Communion to partake the flesh and blood of the Redeemer Lord Jesus Christ together with the new converts. He prepared the cleanest table linen he ever had and covered the elements of Eucharist on the table. He dressed in the best clothes he had, to show respect to his Lord and Saviour. It was the day that the Chin Christians come together at the feet of the Son Jesus Christ in one faith. Remembering the love of God through the blood of Jesus Christ and recognising the agony of our Saviour on the cross. The whole Chin State and the whole Chin people were brought to God since the first converts were gathered together as redeemed congregation of God. It is, therefore, the Chins today are the chosen people of God. As our fore fathers were faithful, we will also be faithful to God and to each other. The blood of Jesus Christ has been cleansed us all to be the change-agents of God in this world.

VII. THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH IN CHIN STATE

Two years after the first convert Shia Khaw was baptised on January 01, 1906, other converts were also baptised and then second Baptist Church was planted by 12 members on 12 February 1908 in Hakha. The first pastor was Rev. San Win, a Karen teacher who accompanied missionary Carsons in 1899. They worshiped in a small class room. The founders of the second Baptist Church in Chin State, Hakha were:

1. Saya Shia Khaw
2. Pi La Khu
3. Pu That To
4. Pu Ngeih Ling
5. Pu. Sang Ling, Rev.
6. Pu Tum Tlik

7. Pu Tum Kir
8. Pu Chan Duai
9. Pu Huat Ling
10. Pi Ttial Pam
11. Saya Phir Thang
12. Pu Chia Khawm

VIII. THE MISSION OF OTHER DENOMINATIONS IN CHIN STATE

1.Roman Catholic Church in Chin State

The Roman Catholic mission arrived in Chin State on 1891 but was not materialised due to the British government’s policy and finally withdrawn from Chin State. Father Andrain and Fr. Alexis started their mission in Mindat in 1934. The Franciscan Missionary Sisters opened their dispensary in 1936 and got some converts. The mission was extended in Nyaungpintha and Tonzang in 1937 by catechist Maung Tun Yin and Fridolinus Maung Ba Maung. The Roman Catholic Church then was increased in number in Chin State.

2. The Anglican Church
During the Anglo-Burmese war in 1824-1826, the army chaplain of Sir Com Bell introduces the denomination in Burma. The United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (USPG) worked among the Burmans, the Karens and the Chins. The Bible Churchmen Missionary Society started works in Arakan State among the Khumi Chins before WWII. Their work was successful after the war in 1852-1857 that their members increased up to 500. They extended their work in Kyaukpyu and Paletwa in 1932.

3. The Mara Evangelical Church
Rev. Reginald Arthur Lorrain founded the Lakher Pioneer Mission in 1905 by the help of the individuals who had love and concern for the Mara people. The Lorrains left London in 1907 and based their mission in Saikao (Tlosai) on 29 September 1907. Their work was blessed by God that the first Lakher Mara Church was planted in 1914 at Saikao (Tlosai). The Christ Church in Myanmar Mara area was established in 1930. Then on the Mara Evangelical Church in Chin State (Myanmar side) was organised and grew into many Churches with the Headquarter in Sabawngpi, Thantlang township today. The Lakher Mara Church was converted to Lakher (Mara) Independent Evangelical Church in 1960 then on in 1967 the name was changed into the Mara Independent Evangelical Church based in Saikao. The Church was divied into two as Mara Independent Evangelical Church (MIEC) and Mara Independent Church (MIC) in 1970. Eventually the two Churches united into Mara Evangelical Church in 1987. Lorrain induced the Mara script in 1908 and translated the whole Bible in 1956. The MEC became a member of the WCC in February 01, 2001.

4. The Methodist Church in Chin State
The Methodist Mission was divided into trwo as the American Methodist who are in lower Burma and the Wesleyans who are in Upper Burma. The Rev. Nicholson opened headquarter in Tahan in 1952 and spread the mission to Hualngo in villages later on. In 1953 Tahan Area Council was formed by 5 circuits. The Hualngoram area’s circuit headquater was set up in Rihkhawdar and the Fellowship of Chin Hills Methodist was formed in 1969 being designated as Falam District.

5. The Independent Church in Burma-Chin State
The root of the ICC was to be traced back to the revival movement of the Mizo District in 1935 as they broke out in dancing, falling on the ground, speaking in tongues etc.. that the people around them could not lightly accepted. This phenomena reached Hualngo area and branded them as Indepent Church in Chin State.

6. The Presbyterian Church in Chin State The Baptist Church members who admired dancing during the worship became the ICB (Independent Church of Burma = Independent Church of Chin State) and joined the Mizoram Presbyterians. Later on under the leadership of Rev. Thankap in 1956 Januray 05, 1029 believers from 12 villages became Presbyterian Church of Chin State.

IX. THE EARLY BIBLE SCHOOLS IN CHIN STATE

The first Bible School in Chin State was opened by Dr. Strait in Hakha on May 1, 1928 with 13 students. The teaching medium was Hakha Chin language. The first graduates on January 31, 1931 were: 1. Ca Luai; 2. Kham Khaw Kai; 3. Tun Ngin; 4. Lalhrima; 5. Leng Kham; 6. Lian Thang; 7. On Khaw Kai; 8. Tai Tam; 9. Thang Lian; 10. Than Sai; 11. Than Kap; 12. That Nawn; 13. Za Ling. The second Bible School in Chin State was opened by Rev. Franklin O. Nelson in Tedim on 02 June 1947 with 35 students including 3 female students. The graduation ceremony was held on 22 October 1950 and only 20 students including 2 females were graduated. Unfortunately the school was closed down right after the first graduation until Tedim Baptist Theological School was inaugurated in 1970s. The third Bible School in Chin State was opened by Rev. Robert G. Johnson in 1948 in Hakha with 32 students. All of them were graduated on October 01, 1950. The school was closed down right after the graduation until Chin Christian College (Chin Christian University) in 1980s.

X. THE BIRTH OF CHIN HIILS BAPTIST ASSOCIATION AND ZOMI BAPTIST

CONVENTION

The Rev. Arthur Carson proposed the formation of the Chin Hills Baptist Association on 25 March 1907 in consideration of distant locations of the converts such as Hakha, Falam and Tedim. The idea was that the gathering of early Chin Christians together from different areas in worship, singing and praying might motivate the unbelievers to become Christians in the areas. It was the real break down od racism amongst the Chins. The Chin Hills Baptist
Association was founded in 1907. Due to different in dialect the Local Association were formed as Tedim dialect group in 1927, and Falam and Hakha dialect groups in 1929. Thus the Tedim, Falam and Hakha Baptist Associations were born. The three Baptist Associations became the Chin Hills Baptist Association. It was organised for the prime purpose of evangelising the whole Chin State. They raised fund and bought properties and built centers and Churches. They also trained Pastors and sent evangelists to different parts of Chin State. It eventually was the birth of Zomi Baptist Convention. The Zomi Baptist Convention was established in 1953 at Saikah village, Thantlang township during the General mass meeting on 5-7 March where Rev. Sang Fen from Zokhua was elected as the first President.

 

XI. THE CHIN BAPTIST CHURCHES AND HER MISSIONS TODAY

After 63 years of existence by the name of Zomi Baptist Convention, the name was changed into Chin Baptist Convention in March 2013. The Chin Baptist Convention at present grew up to 29 Baptist Associations and 6 direct affiliated local Baptist Churches. The total members are about two hundred thousand with 1309 Pastors. The Convention has many different departments and mission programs as:
1. Youth Department
2. Women Department
3. Christian Education Department
4. Christian Service and Development Department
5. Evangelism and Mission Department
6. Ministers Council
7. Men’s Department
8. Finance and Property Department
9. Theology Education Department
10. Chin Shalom Mission

The Chin Baptist Convention is a member of Myanmar Baptist Convention, Myanmar Council of Churches, Asia Pacific Baptist Federation, Christian Conference of Asia, World Baptist Alliance and the World Council of Churches. The Chin Baptist Convention is the leading mission enterprise in Burma Baptist Churches today. One remarkable program was Chins for Christ in One Century (CCOC) started in 1983 and concluded in 2000. The CBC spread the good news to all over Chin State and converted the people into Christ. The well trained Evangelists and Pastors had confronted many different trials and temptations during their labours. Finally the victory was won in Christ and for Christ throughout the Chin State. Afterward the mission was shifted to Chin Baptist Mission and sent missionaries to the untamed and unreached areas in Myanmar like Yaw Regions, Pakukku District, Chindwin Areas and to other unreached regions of Myanmar where strong Buddhists are resided. As of today, the Chin people are the most populous Christianity in Myanmar of 90% Christians within its population. It is indeed the Chins are the chosen people of God to bring the Gospel to their neighbours’ countries like China, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Laos and Bhama Buddhists. May God be glory. This Convention also is an advocacy for Peace and Reconciliation within the Chin Indigenous Ethnic people as the Chin State and the Chin People is composed of many different clanic backgrounds and languages. The Chin Shalom Mission is working especially for Chin Nation Building. The mission organised conferences regardless of different ideologies over various political parties, philosophy and concepts. It is also gearing toward the National Sovereignty of the Chin State as Autonomous Region and Sovereign Country in the world. Baptist denomination is matters most in Chin State with regard to belief and Nation Building. Let God help the Chin people and the Chin Country to excel in proclamation of the Gospel and to
lead the people around them into Godly life.

References
Johnson, Robert G. The History of the American Baptist Chin Mission. (2005)
ZTC. Chin Church History. (2007)
CACC. Chin Sining Tuanbia. (2006)
CBC. 22 nd General Assembly. (2016, Hakha, Chin State)