In early January, 50 Bible instructors and scholars from most of the major seminaries and colleges in Myanmar came together in Yangon. We met for two days for the first annual meeting of the newly formed Society for Myanmar Biblical Studies (SMBS). I was given the honor and privilege of delivering the keynote address. My paper was entitled, "Responsible Biblical Interpretation: Honoring the Interrelationship between Exegesis, Theology, and Preaching." 

The creation of SMBS has been over a year in the making and has come about largely due to the efforts of one of MIT's Old Testament professors, Thomas Cung Bik, the first president of the society, and his enthusiastic leadership committee. (Thomas is pictured to the right.)

From the perspective of Christian leadership development, I am thrilled to do everything  I can to support SMBS, whose goal is to promote biblical scholarship throughout Myanmar. The participants (current and future professors) will be key influences in the training of future pastors, who will serve three and a half to four million Christians in thousands of churches throughout Myanmar. 

2020 is off to a roaring start in all our other ministries here in Myanmar as well. Every day is filled with  teaching, preaching, mentoring, and meeting with key leaders from Myanmar Baptist Convention and Myanmar Institute of Theology. This month, I've been  teaching 175 students each week, in three subjects, New Testament Theology, Homiletics, and the Apostle Paul. Every other Sunday, I'm preaching at my church (New Life International Fellowship), alternating with pastor Hideki Ui as we preach through the book of Philippians (January-March). Saw Newton is busy translating materials into Burmese and Karen. Thane Htut Pan and HtetPaing YeMaung are assisting me in my NT Theology classes. Many others are key partners and collaborators with us as we plan for significant upcoming workshops outside of Yangon.

Thank you for helping to make it possible for our team here to serve Christ and advance the Kingdom of God in so many important ways. If you have not done so already, please join our support team of financial givers and prayer partners. The opportunities keep expanding. We need your help to keep the mission going and growing. Thank you.