Oakland Baptist church offers lifelines of aid and community to Burmese young people
VALLEY FORGE, PA (05/12/2025)—As of April 2025, the situation in Myanmar (also known as Burma), which operates under a military regime, has become a full-blown humanitarian and political crisis. Since the military took over in a 2021 coup, the country has been in turmoil. Armed resistance has spread, and violence has escalated. Even after an earthquake struck in March 2025—and the junta promised a ceasefire—the military continued launching deadly attacks, including airstrikes and shelling that have killed civilians.
Young protestors had been taking to the streets in Myanmar as a show of resistance against the current military regime, but escalating violence by the ruling junta is now forcing many underground or to flee the country for safety. (Composite of images by (left) Gayatri Malhotra and Vic Alcuaz, both courtesy of Unsplash.
People on the ground report violence: villages burned, people tortured or killed, and a climate of widespread fear. Millions have been forced to flee their homes, and more than 20 million are in desperate need of aid. The junta’s tactics have been described as “scorched earth,” with reports of beheadings, rape, and torture. Many young people have fled overseas. One of the institutions that provide support to those escaping the crisis to the United States is Oakland Burmese Mission Baptist Church, a longtime partner of American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS).
It has received grants through the Burma Refugees Task Force to support newly arrived refugees—including Karen, Chin, Kachin, and Karenni communities—in the San Francisco Bay Area. The church has also played a key role in organizing local Burmese congregations for in-person gatherings. In February 2019, it hosted a leadership training event funded by ABHMS through the Alliance of Asian American Baptist Churches Council.
With ABHMS support, Oakland Burmese Mission Baptist Church currently serves Burmese youth in the Bay Area by nurturing their spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being. Newcomers receive a warm welcome from the congregation, along with care packages and transportation assistance to help them settle into their new community.
Thanks to this project, second-generation, American-born Burmese youth have a rare opportunity to reconnect with their cultural heritage through meaningful interaction with peers from Myanmar, fostering mutual understanding and solidarity. The church currently serves approximately 40 young adults: 20 born in the U.S. and 20 born in Myanmar.
“The Oakland Burmese church is like a second family to me,” said Seng Ing Tsawm, a student from Myanmar. She came to the U.S. alone to study—a big dream for her and her middle-class family. She had no friends or relatives here, but by the grace of God, she connected with members of the church. When she arrived around midnight, a doctor from the Oakland Burmese Church drove two hours to pick her up at the airport and found her a place to stay for the first few days. “I almost cried that God gave me this miracle,” she said.”
Regular fellowship activities strengthen social connections, while Bible studies encourage spiritual growth. Personalized counseling supports those dealing with trauma related to the pandemic or the military coup, whether they were born in the U.S. or immigrated more recently. “Sometimes, the youth gather at my home, and we cook together, eat together, and talk, if they have anything they want to share,” said Rev. La Hkawng Maraw, the associate pastor at Oakland Burmese Mission Baptist Church.
Scholarships ease financial stress, allowing young people to focus on their studies and career goals. For many students on visas, being enrolled in school is essential to remaining in the U.S. “We offer them scholarships, especially for first- and second-year students. Scholarships help them pay tuition,” said Maraw. For Seng Ing Tsawm, the scholarship was vital during her first months in the United States. “It was a big help to me, because early on, I didn’t have a job, and I hadn’t brought a lot of money … that scholarship was truly a great help.”
“As we expand our ministry into a sanctuary for Myanmar migrant youth, we are committed to a strategic approach—systematically organizing assistance, events, and activities,” added Maraw. “Through innovative programs and compassionate outreach, we aim to create a nurturing environment where the aspirations of these young individuals can thrive, guided by faith and community support.”
Oakland Burmese Mission Baptist Church offers vital support to young people escaping the crisis in Myanmar, providing a range of resources from basic necessities to emotional and educational aid. Your contribution can directly impact their lives, offering hope and a path to a brighter future. To support this crucial work and help these young individuals rebuild their lives, please consider donating to ABHMS through our convenient online donor portal.
By Rev. Dr. Anna Piela, ABHMS senior writer and associate editor of The Christian Citizen
