WordPartners’ Fall 2023 workshops in Myanmar were successful and well received despite an increasingly challenging training environment. Fuel shortages affect daily life throughout the country. The local government closed the Bible translation center where we have met for many years. Then, the day our trainers arrived, a militia movement (Operation 1027) began in the northern part of the country. Several of our local partners were delayed due to the fighting and transportation issues where they live.
In spite of the growing confusion in Myanmar, the Lord blessed our three trainings. All of the trainers remain committed to the workshops as they look forward to graduation. Our first Fall 2023 workshop was a study of the Psalms with our Core Training team.
By God’s grace, the team continues to grow. The men originate from different language groups, denominations, and political contexts. Three of our partners are in danger areas. Others are closer to safer regions in the south where our workshops take place. Despite differing backgrounds and contexts, they are united in their passion for equipping pastors to preach God’s Word with God’s heart.
Despite differing backgrounds and contexts, they are united in their passion for equipping pastors to preach God’s Word with God’s heart.
While our team remained in Yangon, some of the pastors trained a larger group in 2 Timothy. One of our trainers marveled at the Lord’s kindness, “I am amazed by their response and thankful that our good Lord has kept them safe.”
Lord willing, this Core Training team will graduate in February and become “training partners.” Training partners are pastors who have reached a certain competency and trustworthiness in training others. Reaching this milestone will allow us to continue equipping and supporting these men as they train more pastors. This will be especially important if we are hindered from entering the country for a time.
As our 2024 workshops begin in Myanmar, please pray for our trainers and local partners as they work through Ephesians and Genesis. Please also pray for peace and stability in Myanmar so that churches can be planted and the gospel message can spread (1 Tim. 2:1-4).
You can read our previous report from Myanmar here: God’s Providence in Myanmar’s Chaos
