The Baptist Mission has been started in Myanmar since 1813 by the first
American Missionary couple Rev. Adoniram Judson and Mrs Ann Judson.
Adoniram Judson was born in August 9,1788 in Malden, near Boston in
Massachusetts. He earned his B.A degree in 1807 and M.A degree in 1850
from Brown University. After receiving the call of God to be a
missionary, he studied theology in Andover Theological Seminary then
married to Ann Heseltine at Bradford in February 5,1812. He was
appointed as an Eastern Missionary by American Board of Commissioners
for Foreign Mission of the Congregational Church in September 19, 1811.
He was ordained on February 6,1812 and after 13 days from ordination
they were sailing for Asia from Salem harbor by a Caravan ship together
with Mr. Samuel and Mr. Harrier Newell. Finally they embarked at
Calcutta, India on 17th June 1812. However, due to rejection of stayed
permission by the British authority, they left from Indian and sailing
to Penang, Malaysia and finally embarked at the Yangon harbor on July
13, 1813 by a schooner Georgiana.
Judson was an educated and committed missionary who had strong faith in
God and his wife was a school teacher who was kind to others and
sociable to the Burmese community. They stayed with felix Carey, son of
William Carey of India. After one year later, the two couple was
sponsored by American Baptist foreign Mission Society due to stop
sponsoring by the congregational Churches of America.
The first thing that they did was learning the Burmese literature and
culture to be compatible with local the local people. After three years
later, Rev. A. Judson wrote a Burmese Grammar(1816), and then he wrote
an English-Burmese Dictionary in 1949. Besides, he translated Burmese
Bible from the original test in 1837.
Judson's the so-called "Zayat" ministry was started on 25th April 1819
near Shwedagon pagoda. After three months of evangelization, the first
convert Maung Naw accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord on 27th
April 1819. Ann Judson died in October 24, 1827 at Kyakkhami and Rev A.
Judson died on 12th 1850 at the age of 62. The present MBC was organized
as Burma Baptist Missionary Convention by American Baptist Missionaries
on December 15, 1865. The American Baptist Mission Carried out the
mission works in Burma until 1967. After leaving all foreign
missionaries, the local Baptist leaders and Churches have been carrying
on the mission works as their best till date. Today, MBC is become the
biggest Christian denomination with the totla number of 1.5 million
members. There are 4,722 local Churches and 9,116 ministers who are
serving the Lord in various ministries in different places under 18
member conventions and two direct affiliated Churches which are located
all the country.
MBC is also a full active member of WCC, WACC, BWA and APBF and making
mission partnership with other Christian organizations such as Tearfund ,
EED, Dikonia, Samaritan pulse and Southern Baptist Union of Denmark,
Japan Baptist Union, O.C Resource (Singapore) in the near future. For
the Glory of God MBC has been inviting new mission partners to cooperate
with and collaborate in the variety of mission programs and projects.
There are 82 full time staff who are laboring tirelessly and
enthusiastically for the Lord and His people.
Introduction
The Evangelism and Missions Department of the Myanmar Baptist Convention
(MBC) was established in order to continue the missionary work of Jesus
Christ that has been handed down to us by our forefathers.
Aim
With a focus on Jesus Christ, the church will be the basis of all our activities.
Vision
-Every believer to be a witness.
-Holistic Mission
Objective
-Revival of all 4929 Baptist churches in Myanmar through mobilization of
the different language and regional conventions to bring about a
holistic missionary church.
-Awareness raising and trainings will be given so that every believer
will be a good steward who are able to witness effectively in their
communities.
-Build up a solid "prayer movement".
-Missionary work to be carried out in country as well as abroad.
Slogan
"Missionary Church - Witnessing member"
-All churches to send out missionaries.
-All members to be good witness.