Yangon, Myanmar: The Church of the Nazarene recently held the third Pastors’ Conference from 18-22 September 2023 at the Myanmar Life Hotel in Yangon. This year’s theme was based on Matthew 4:19, which challenged every participant to commit to becoming disciples of Christ and making disciples.  

More than half of the participants attended this conference for the first time. This is a testament to the growing missional church planting and disciple-making movement happening in this country. The first Pastors’ Conference was held in 2017 with 47 participants. In 2018, there were 76 participants. This year, despite the impact of COVID-19 and ongoing political unrest, over 223 pastors’ and church planters from four districts and three pioneer areas came to attend this gathering.

The five-day event was filled with inspiring and motivational messages from the speakers.

• Dr. Bill Kwon – Southeast Asia Field Strategy Coordinator, shared on contextualized discipleship for Southeast Asia.
• Dr. Min-Gyoo Shin – Senior Pastor – Sangamdong Church of the Nazarene, preached about sanctification and Nazarene identity.
• Rev. Dan Balayo and Leody Tan Echavez III  spoke about compassion as a lifestyle.
• Dr. Myungmuk Jeong – Senior Pastor of Onnuri Church, taught about preaching as pastoral communication.

Other highlights during the event were the First Women In Leadership Conference and the launching of Pastor’s Kids Discipleship.

Rev. Rama, District Superintendent of Myanmar Southern District, shared that the Pastors’ Conference is a great opportunity for creating a strong Nazarene identity among new pastors and new pioneer areas. Additionally, the conference offered a space for worship and fellowship among pastors and their spouses, as well as the children of pastors.

Rev. Vula also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be part of this gathering. “I have been serving the Lord through the Church of the Nazarene. Now, I am over 60 years old. I thank the Lord for allowing me to witness this conference in Myanmar. As I look back on our founding leaders such as Dr. Robin Seia, Rev. Pianglawma, Rev. S. Neihkhuaia, and Rev. Sathanchuanga, I’m sure that they would be very happy as well if they were here.”

Southeast Asia Field is thankful to the partners – Dr. Shin Min Gyoo (Sangamdong Church), Dr. Myungmuk Jeong (Onnuri Church), and the Asia-Pacific Regional Holistic Child Development ministry who made this event possible.

God is moving in Myanmar. Pray that God will continue to raise up pastors and leaders to continue this movement through the people of this country.