Myanmar, Southeast Asia Field: This last January, at the age of 70, Rev. Dr. Robin Seia retired after serving for 30 years as the District Superintendent for the Church of the Nazarene in Myanmar. His story is one of faith, commitment, and dedication to his Lord!
Dr. Robin Seia
Born in Kalaymyo in 1944 to a Buddhist family, Robin accepted Christ as his personal Savior at the age of 17. While this created quite a stir, it would eventually lead to his mother accepting Christ, followed by his entire family.
In 1964, at the age of 20, Robin travelled to Chennai (Madras), India, to pursue further Christian education and it was while there that he read the book, “Why I am a Nazarene.” Robin never forgot this introduction to the holiness message of the church.
Returning to Myanmar in 1969, Robin worked for the Evangelical fellowship of Burma until 1981, when following the recommendation of Dr. John Stott from London, Robin left Myanmar and headed to Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, where he studied until 1984.
“I will never forget Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene,” shared Dr. Seia. “The first Sunday that I walked in the door, they welcomed me in an incredible way. There was a man there by the name of Dr. Herald King. Here I was, a foreign student, a stranger, but Dr. King picked me up every Sunday, he treated me like a son.”
Church of the Nazarene Headquarters in Myanmar.
In 1984, Robin returned to Myanmar and in cooperation with Dr. Donald Owens, who was serving as the Asia-Pacific Regional Director, the Church of the Nazarene was officially registered.
Today in Myanmar, after 30 years of work, Dr. Seia leaves a legacy of 22 established churches, more than 2,000 members, and a Bible College which graduates 5 or 6 students every year.
Southeast Asia Nazarene Bible College, Myanmar.
The Asia-Pacific Region and the Global Church of the Nazarene, wishes to take this opportunity to extend our appreciation to Dr. Robin Seia for his lifetime of commitment and service to his Lord and the church. God has used him greatly!
—- Submitted: Rev. David Phillips – Field Strategy Coordinator, Southeast Asia.
