Myanmar (formerly Burma) has been dominated by religions other than Christianity for centuries. Currently less than 4 percent of the population is considered Christian, but the Nazarene denomination continues to grow in the area.

Burmese Nazarenes began reaching out to those living in Myanmar's Mon State in 2006. After eight years of planting seeds, there are now four organized churches and four home churches.

One of these Burmese Nazarenes is Pastora Ruth. Every Saturday, Ruth travels to Ywar Tan Shey, where she reaches out to more than 30 children in the area by providing Bible lessons, games, and other activities.

Another Christian who attends Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene had a heart for the children in her community. She prayed and shared her thoughts with her pastor. Together they stepped out in faith without any outside funding to establish another home children's ministry to nurture the future of God's church in this area.

"I was very surprised and encouraged to visit two more houses of local Nazarene members where they too had opened their homes for children's ministry," said Bill Kwon, Church of the Nazarene country coordinator for Myanmar. "All of these Christ followers have the same passion to reach out to children. God is blessing their homes and ministry. I am reminded of the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000, with just five loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 14:13-21). In Mon State, Jesus asked the local church members what they had. They gave what they had and God is surely blessing and multiplying."

Kwon will be in the U.S. from June 15 to July 30. To schedule a visit, click here.
--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region