KACHIN BAPTIST CONVENTION
I am presenting about the Kachin Baptist Convention in brief. My purpose is to introduce to our friends far and near about our Convention and its holistic ministry among Christian churches and Communities in Myanmar.
1. Background History of Kachin People
2. A Short History and Formation of KBC.
5. Organization and Affiliation
6. Departments and Committees.
1. Background History of Kachin People
Kachin forefathers elders (from age to age) tell younger generations that a group of people (Kachin) moved down slowly from Tibetan plateau (the so called Majoi Shingra Bum) to Western China and then to northern Myanmar in about ten century AD. They stopped in some fertile places such as Mahkum Madam (Mahkum Gang-China Boarder) Mali Hku Majoi, Chyai hku Majoi, and Hkrang Hku Majoi living there for some centuries. Manau Dance had been celebrated in Chyai Hku and Hkrang Hku Majoi. Manau dances usually celebrated for fraternity, prosperity, Victory, and for farewell among the brothers and close relatives.
They departed a new people who have their own literature and Bible to different part of Northern Myanmar, Northeast India, And Yu Nan Province in China. And Northern and Eastern Shan State after Manau Dance at Hkrang Hku Majoi.
Their religion was Nat Worshipping (animism) but they believed in the Creator God, the God of Omnipotence, Omniscience and Omnipresence. They called upon this God in time of great need. They called this God “Hpan Ningsang, Chye Ningchyang” (Creator and Omniscience God).
The major changes took place (in their life) when the British occupied Kachin land and when Christianity was accepted by the people. The six ethnic group of People Rawang, Laovoh (Maru), Lachid (Lashi), A Zi (Zaiwa), Lisu and Jinghpaw belong to Kachin nationality. We use Jinghpaw as our common language. There are about one million Kachins in Myanmar.
2. A Short History and Formation of KBC
The American Missionary Eugenio Kincaid who worked in Prome (Pyay) was the first missionary who met Kachin people in Mogawng in 1837, on his survey trip to Hugaung area and Eastern India. He was strongly touched when he saw Kachin people, so he wrote to the mission society in America to send missionaries to Kachin land.
The first American missionary to Kachin people was Albert J. Lyon. He went to Bhamo (Manmaw) in 1878 to work together with Karen missionaries and Dr. Josiah Cushing, the missionary to the Shan People in Taunggo area. Lyon suffered from malaria (black fever) and died on March 15, 1878, one month after his arrival. Then William H. Roberts came to Bhamo in 1879 January 12. He accomplished great mission work among the Kachins. Karen missionaries - Bo Gale, Shwe Lin, S’Peh, Ko Hte and others worked along with the American missionaries. Because of their effort, seven Kachins had been converted and Baptized at Bumwa in 1882, March 19 as the first fruits. The Roberts opened the first primary school in
Dr. Ola Hanson came to Bhamo in 1890 December 22. The missionaries tried their best to introduce (Create) Kachin writing (Literature) using Burmese alphabets but they found difficulty to have correct pronunciations for some words. Therefore, Dr. Ola Hanson used Roman alphabet in Creating Kachin Literature. It was successfully completed and accepted by the government in 1895. Then Dr. Ola Hanson compiled a Kachin-English dictionary and translated hymnal and the Holy Bible in Kachin. Now Kachin become a new people who have their own literature and Bible.
Another twenty four American missionaries and over twenty Karen Baptist missionaries had been in Kachin field serving the Lord. They opened mission schools, hostels, hospitals, health centers and other development programs. All these activities stopped because of the nationalization program of the Socialist Government in 1963 - 64. Church Leaders from Bhamo, Myitkyina, and Northern Shan State met in Bhamo in 1910, February 18 - 20 and formed a committee called “Ninghtan Hpung” which later known as Kachin Baptist Convention. They had their business meeting annually.
The Golden Jubilee where the translated Holy Bible was handed over to Kachin Leaders by Dr. Ola Hanson was celebrated in Bhamo in 1927 March. The Centennial Jubilee was celebrated in Myitkyina in 1977 December 22 - 26. During the centennial celebration 6213 were converted and baptized. 3/300 mission (300 young dedicated missionries serving for 3 years) started in 1978. There are 99% Christian after the 3/300 mission. And then Kachin Literature Centennial Jubilee in Aung Pinle, Mandalay in 1995, December 31 - 1996 January 2. Kachin churches greatly suffered during the civil war in 1962 - 1994.
The KBC as a Baptist Convention holds on the Baptist Belief. We believe the Bible as the word of God and Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of the world, who was crucified for the sin of the world, and resurrected on the third day. We believe in the Trinity.
4. Our Aims and Objectives
(1) To have unity among the Churches affiliated to the KBC to serve Jesus Christ with one accord.
(2) To lead our people (churches) on wholistic mission.
(3) To share the gospel of Jesus Christ to Christians and non Christians inside and outside KBC areas.
(4) To stimulate and coordinate evangelism.
(5) To assist in consultation and planning of various ministry programs.
(6) To promote Christian literature (writing, translating, and publishing books).
(7) To have affiliation with Myanmar Baptist Convention and Myanmar Council of Churches, and to have fellowship with other Christian denominations to help one another.
5. Organization and Affiliation
The Convention’s highest Power is in Quadrennial Mass Meeting. We have Board of Management meeting held annually and Executive Committee Meeting held twice a year. These are to fulfill the Convention’s policy and programs between one Quadrennial Mass Meeting and another.
There are Fifthteen Baptist Associations affiliated to KBC and 329 Local churches in the Associations. The Associations and each address are as follows:-
(1) Bhamo Zone Baptist Association
(2) Myitkyina Zone Baptist Association
(3) Shan State Kachin Baptist Association
(4) Hka Hku Baptist Association
(5) Puato Baptist Association
(6) Htingnai Baptist Association
(7) Waimaw Baptist Association
(8) Sama Baptist Association
(9) Keng Tung Baptist Association
(10) Nogmung Baptist Association
(11) Lower Myanmar Kachin Baptist Association
(12) Mungmau Baptist Association
(13) Uru Sengmaw Baptist Association
(14) Chi Hpwi Baptist Association
(15) Kutkai Baptist Association
Departments and Committees
(1) Finance and Property Department
(2) Christian Education Department
(3) Evangelism and Mission Department
(10) Theological Committee
(12) Healing Ministry Committee
(14) Community Development Department
(15) Hanson Memorial Press Committee
(16) Peace and Reconciliation Committee
(17) Board of Trustee, Kachin Theological College
(18) Leadership Development Committee
(19) Audio- Visual & Communication Department
(20)The Consortium of Kachin Bible Schools
Ref: Adapted from Brochure of Kachin Baptist Convention, [http://kbckachin.com/Page/KBC%20Bro.pdf
