[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”125764″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]7/19/2021 Myanmar (International Christian Concern) – As a nation, Myanmar is struggling. The pandemic had already crippled Myanmar’s economy, leaving many extremely vulnerable. However, on February 1, the military staged a coup and overthrew the democratically elected government. The coup resulted in a political crisis that threw Myanmar’s economic situation into further chaos.
Many have lost their jobs and are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. In addition, prices of food and other necessities within the country have skyrocketed due to the high cost of fuel and the lack of reliable transportation in the country.
Christian pastors within Myanmar are especially struggling. Many churches remain closed due to the pandemic, and many congregants lost their jobs, resulting in sources of church income drying up. As a result, many pastors and missionaries struggle to put food on the table for themselves and their families. Some of them had to move into their relatives’ houses where they could get food.
In 2020, the Myanmar Baptist Churches Union (MBCU) requested support from ICC for its pastors serving at churches in rural areas or financially weaker churches. Last April, MBCU again asked for further help from ICC for a wider geographic area that included more pastors and missionaries who needed help.
With the support of ICC, 96 pastors and missionaries received one month of food supplies in June. This support was a massive help for the pastors since they continue to struggle financially. Their country is dealing with economic collapse and lots of infighting between the military junta that now controls the government and pro-democracy groups.
Leaders in MBCU received the money from ICC via wire transfer, used it to purchase food supplies, and then traveled via bus to the remote villages to bring the supplies to the pastors.
The general secretary of the MBCU expressed his gratitude for ICCs recent donation to the pastors and missionaries in the organization.
In a video statement to ICC, he said, “We praise our Lord for the gifts that the pastors from Myanmar Baptist Churches Union received. These pastors are serving in different parts of the country during this challenging time for the church. We would also like to express our thanks in the name of Jesus Christ to the donor organization, International Christian Concern.”
He continued, “Our churches have been doing missions independently, and they have to sustain themselves. Therefore, the churches needed more resources to support their missions work and their pastors. These churches have been struggling to support their pastors even before the pandemic. When the pandemic broke out, many churches stopped their worship services. This means that many of them could no longer support their pastors. It was during this time that ICC stepped in and helped us out. This is the second time ICC has helped us [in 2021]. For that, we are so thankful to ICC and its donors. We pray that may God bless you more and use your more. Thank you, ICC!”
For interviews, please contact Addison Parker: press@persecution.org.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
