On 8–9 January, 2026, a significant milestone quietly unfolded in Toungoo, Myanmar. Pastors, lay leaders, youth representatives, and ministry partners gathered for the First Myanmar Southeast District Assembly.
While the event was marked by celebration—singing, reports, and prayer—it was also a moment of profound relief and gratitude. This gathering is a testament not only to organizational growth but to a faith that survived the fire.
“We Thought the Door Was Closing”
To understand the magnitude of this day, one must listen to the voices from the ground. Pastor Maung*, a church planter in the Bago region, remembers how different things looked just a few years ago.
“When the troubles began in 2021, and the roads were blocked, I looked at my small congregation and felt fear,” Pastor Maung shares. “We had no money. We could not travel to the city for training. I thought, ‘Surely the door is closing on our ministry.’ But God showed us that the Gospel does not stop at a checkpoint.”
He continues, “We started meeting in small groups. We shared what little rice we had. When we couldn’t travel, we focused on our neighbors. We found that people were hungry for hope because everything else around them was shaking. Today, seeing us become our own district… it is like seeing a harvest in a field we thought had dried up.”
From Pioneer Soil to District Life
In 2020, the areas now forming the Myanmar Southeast District—primarily the Karen and Bago regions—were still considered pioneer fields. Churches were young, leaders were emerging, and resources were scarce.
Then came 2021, when Myanmar entered a prolonged season of civil conflict. Daily life became a struggle against instability, economic hardship, and restricted communication. Yet, as Pastor Maung’s testimony reveals, the mission did not stop.
Local believers continued to plant churches and disciple new believers. Pastors were trained through local Course of Study programs and Chapman International College (CIC) extension centers. Faith moved forward—even when the cost was unseen.
A Strategic Shift: The Lydia EDC Strategy
The growth witnessed in Toungoo was not accidental. It began in 2020 when the Southeast Asia Field intentionally launched the Lydia EDC (Evangelism–Discipleship–Church Planting) Strategy in partnership with Jesus Film Harvest Partners (JFHP).
As part of this Spirit-led initiative, the Field leadership strategically designated the Bago area as a new focus for pioneering. They invested deliberately in leadership training, evangelism teams, and discipleship pathways. This rapid multiplication of preaching points and new churches reflects what happens when God’s people align vision, strategy, and generosity.
Today, that faith has taken visible shape:
- 20 Nazarene churches (6 in Bago, 14 in Karen)
- 800+ members actively participating in church life
- 6 ordained elders and 11 district-licensed ministers
- Numerous preaching points reaching new communities
A Phase II District: Growing Toward Maturity
The Myanmar Southeast District is being established as a Phase II District.
In the Nazarene polity, this is a critical turning point. It means the district has moved beyond the “pioneer” stage of total dependency. It signifies that the district now has enough local leadership, established churches, and financial stewardship to begin governing itself more directly, while still partnering with the Field for guidance. It is the bridge between being a mission field and becoming a fully self-sustaining regular district.
This formation is also a testimony to shared strength. The Myanmar Southern District provided critical support in “birthing” this new district—standing with leaders and sharing resources. It reminds us that new districts are not born in isolation, but through the faithful cooperation of the wider Nazarene family.
Historic Leadership for a New Chapter
The First District Assembly was historic for another reason: the appointment of Rev. Naw Pa Saw Wah as District Superintendent.
She is the first woman to serve in this role in Myanmar. Her appointment reflects the Church’s commitment to recognizing Spirit-filled leadership—both men and women—especially in pioneering contexts. Under her leadership, the district has found the courage to move forward amid uncertainty. Her story stands as a testimony that God raises the right leaders for the right time.
Looking Ahead: Vision 2030
As the Myanmar Southeast District looks toward 2030, its leaders are not resting on this success. They are pressing forward with bold goals:
- Establishing 50 churches
- Raising 50 discipleship groups
- Conducting 150 salvation training sessions
- Preparing 20 ministers for district licensing
- Preparing 20 ministers for ordination
A Call to Prayer
The Myanmar Southeast District and the Southeast Asia Field humbly invite the global Church of the Nazarene to pray:
- For Protection: For peace in Myanmar and for the safety of pastors like Maung living in conflict zones.
- For Perseverance: That leaders would not grow weary as challenges from 2021 persist.
- For Roots: That new believers would grow deep in theology and faith.
- For the “5 by 30” Vision: For the 11 pioneer areas across the SEA Field, at least five will mature into organized districts by 2030.
Faith Confirmed
This First District Assembly belongs not only to Myanmar but to the global Nazarene family—especially to those who prayed and gave when the outcome was unseen.
Faith became action. Action became fruit. And to God be the glory.
*Name changed for security.
