These are historic times in Myanmar (Burma). On November 8, the country peacefully held its first contested election in 25 years. I had the privilege to be on the streets observing a number of different polling stations, with citizens lined up to cast their votes. Aung San Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), won a landslide victory. There is a lot of joy and hope in the air for the first time in a very long time.

Here in this Myanmar context, where only about 5% are Christian, Faith, Hope, and Love Global Ministries prepares current and future pastors and Christian leaders for a lifetime of ministry. To maximize our presence, we collaborate with leaders at a number of different schools and institutions. We're also distributing my book The Spirit-Led Leader: Nine Leadership Practices and Soul Principles

in Burmese throughout the country, with nearly 1000 copies already sold. 

At Myanmar Institute of Theology, I'm currently teaching New Testament Theology for 96 students, Pastoral Ministry for 84 students, and the book of Romans for 15 students. I n addition to teaching theological students, every week I speak at various churches, minister at chapel, conduct leadership seminars at other seminaries, and provide spiritual life coaching for seminary students.  In every situation, I see God at work bringing students and parishioners closer to God, giving them new insights, and leading them to deeper levels of faith and commitment to Christ.

Speaking at the Lai Baptist Church, Insein, Myanmar

One mission to the Burmese has seen 5000 individuals come to faith in Christ over the past six or seven years.  From these new converts, about 150 have already become highly motivated missionaries themselves, eager to take the Gospel to their own people. I was invited to participate in their training. I spent parts of two days teaching on Spirit-led leading and on how to nurture one's own spiritual life as a foundation for missionary work.

Missionary training-Can you find me in the photo?

  I was particularly struck by their level of dedication to Christ, their missionary service, and knowing Scripture. Often when I asked them to turn to a biblical passage for us to read together, many would simply recite it from memory!  

Many have had to pay a great price for their new relationship to God through Christ, often being rejected by their families and forced out of their homes. They really know what it means to pick up their cross and follow Jesus.

When I step back to reflect on why God has called me here, the answers are becoming more and more clear. At MIT, I continue to meet a critical need for advanced level teaching in both New Testament and Christian Spirituality for hundreds of students. More broadly, God is using me to preach and teach the Gospel in fresh and very needed ways in a wide variety of contexts. 

Everywhere I go, I sense a great hunger to hear a message that gives hope to ordinary people, who want to follow Christ but are burdened by their own sense of guilt and shame over their sins and failures. I present the magnitude of God's love and grace for sinners who put their trust in Christ, and explain how any of us can learn to listen to the voice of God and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Over and over again, God takes this message right to their hearts. I see tears in their eyes and relief on their faces. In their voices, I hear hope and new energy to love and serve God with their lives. More than any other reason, I believe this is why God has sent me to serve in Myanmar at this time.