Agape Myanmar Mission is a small group of Burmese believers in south San Diego with a BIG HEART for mission. The church's mission and vision state: “To give the Myanmar/Burmese People a New Hope and Life in Jesus Christ by using Holistic Ministry: Education, Literature, Development, and Outreach Projects, Training for Trainers, and Planting Churches.” This is Agape’s strategic way of fulfilling the Great Commission.
It was not a surprise the automatic response by Agape Mission when an earthquake with a 7.7 magnitude rocked Burma and neighboring Southeast Asia countries, including Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, March 28, 2025, according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake flattened entire communities, and the death toll continues to rise as people remain trapped under rubble. Myanmar’s deadly earthquake death toll count started from 150 and now exceeds 3,600 as of April 7, 2025. According to the experts, the casualties can reach up to 10,000.
It was an honor for me to meet, visit, and speak on Saturday, April 5, 2025, during the weekly Bible study of Agape Myanmar Mission, San Diego. I was asked by Pastor Silas to share my testimony on my ministry experience in San Diego and around the world. The best part of the Bible study was during the prayer time, followed by a fellowship. I was moved by the way each Burmese believer prayed to God. I could feel the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Each one fled their Country due to persecution and life-threatening hardship.
During the Bible study, I learned an interesting concept about the Burmese family dynamic, Burma’s religious diversities, and the Country’s political climate. Myanmar officially recognizes 135 distinct ethnic groups, which are categorized into eight "major national ethnic races." These include groups like the Bamar, Shan, Karen (Kayin), Rakhine, Mon, Chin, Kachin, and Karenni. According to Pastor Silas there were at least four (Rakhine, Mon, Chin, and Karenni) out of eight tribal groups represented during the 6:30 PM Bible study.
Burma is a religiously diverse country, with Theravada Buddhism being the dominant faith practiced by approximately 88% of the population. Buddhism deeply influences Burmese culture, traditions, and social norms. Christianity is practiced by about 6.2% of the population, primarily among ethnic groups like the Chin, Kachin, and Karen. Around 4.3% of Burmese people belong to the Islam religion, primarily the Rohingya, Burmese Indians, and Malays. Source: Co-Pilot.
Each believer in attendance of the Bible study has friends or families affected by both natural and man-made disasters. Myanmar (formerly Burma) has faced a long history of challenges, including civil war since 1962. In addition, the Burmese people suffered due to political persecution persisted against ethnic minorities like the Rohingya. Lastly, Burma’s location is susceptible to deadly natural disasters such as the Cyclone Nargis in 2008, which killed over 140,000 people.
Silas Thiang, Pastor of Agape Myanmar Mission, shared his burden about reaching the Burmese people for Christ. Thiang pleaded, “I would like to update you on the Earthquake in Myanmar. By the grace of God, my family, relatives, and mission partners are safe in the country, but their houses were destroyed, and there was a lot of destruction, deaths, and injuries, and they need a lot of humanitarian assistance. We are raising funds to help as much as we can with food items, clothing, medicine, first aid kits, Mosquito nets, and the Gospel through our mission partners in the affected areas.
The people of Myanmar have been suffering for so long under the military dictatorship, civil war, and natural disasters. This is the best opportunity to show love, compassion, kindness, and hope in Jesus Christ. I believe that through this event a lot of Myanmar Buddhist people will come to know the living God and His free gift of Salvation in Jesus Christ. Please keep praying for Myanmar and help us with whatever you can.”
For more information and help
Website: www.agapemyanmarmission.org
Pastor Silas Thiang, pastorsilas77@gmail.com
Cell: 619-279-6376
Any assistance to the Agape Myanmar Mission is greatly appreciated.
We must continue to share the gospel from the home front in San Diego and beyond our border such as the Country of Burma. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” Mark 16:15 NLT
