Chin Baptist Association of North America holds youth conference for reconnection
VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 12/8/21)—More than 250 youth and young adults, along with the Chin Baptist Association of North America’s (CBANA) church leaders, gathered Nov. 5-7 for a conference at Epworth Forest Conference Center, North Webster, Ind. The Rev. Florence Li, American Baptist Home Mission Societies national coordinator of Asian Ministries, offered greetings and a word of encouragement.
After more than 1½ years of attendees with limited personal interaction, the three-day conference was intended not only to re-connect second-generation young people and local churches in the United States but also to remember the Chin people in Burma (Myanmar) who are under attack by the military junta. Attendees hailed from 39 churches across the United States.
Workshops included “Christian Youth & Politics” by the Rev. Dr. Hre Mang, “Heart Motives” by the Rev. Dr. San No Thuan, “Building Relationship with God” by Pastor Albert Hum, “Youth and Community Engagement” by Saya Justin Thang and “CBANA Mission” by the Rev. Dr. Ci Lian Kap. The Rev. Sa Tin Lal, general secretary of CBANA, spoke about brutal attacks—including setting houses on fire—by the military junta against the Chin people in Burma. Thousands of young people have become internally displaced, hiding in the jungle, with some being enlisted for defensive training against the military.
On Sunday, the Rev. Thang Moi, secretary of the youth department, preached on “How to become a Constructive Person.”
At a dinner gathering, Li, along with Rev. Lal, the Rev. Dr. Biak Lian Thang, chairman of CBANA, and the Rev. Daniel Hrang Peng Ling, vice chairman of CBANA, discussed the Chin grassroots movement that advocates for the Burma bill, which calls for restoration of the federal democratic union in Burma. Eager to meet with the Burma Refugee Commission to express their concerns, they ask American Baptists to advocate for their support.
American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.
