Under the direction of local leaders and church planting evangelists, the Church of the Nazarene is starting schools and churches in eastern Myanmar.

In December, Pastor Ro Ding Liana and missions coordinator Saya Tana began investigating potential church planting options in cooperation with both villages and evangelists in eastern Myanmar. Bumpy bus rides, hundreds of flies, chickens, and pigs met the men as they landed in the villages. Just one month later an agreement was signed that launched the thrust to the east.

Eastern Myanmar has recently seen an emphasis on education, including a literacy program started by the government in 2015. However, many villages still do not have schools. Some of these villages have requested Nazarenes to start elementary schools and churches. 

Joining this trend, Liana was inspired to open a new house church in his home this month that will also serve as an extension of Southeast Asia Nazarene Bible College.

There are promising signs already. 

“New Christians have remained strong in spite of attacks from local villagers,” Liana said of those who have been served by the new house church. “Our new believers are strong in their faith.”

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific