The Story Behind the Burmese Christian Baptisms

FACE TO FACE

Connections sat down with College Church member Emmanuel Tahear, a long-time activist for the immigrant and refugee church.

Emmanuel is both a missionary and ministry associate for missions at College Church. As a missionary for 25 years, Emmanuel has a clearly defined mission when he meets people. “My mission is to reach out to them on Christ’s behalf,” explains Emmanuel. “Ever since I came here from Ethiopia, I have been working with different ethnic groups.” These groups have included Sudanese, Liberian and Arab immigrants.

“In fact, I have been working with the Liberian church for ten years now,” Emmanuel recalls. When the Burmese church first began meeting at Compass Church (then Wheaton Evangelical Free Church), Emmanuel was involved, willing to preach or do discipleship training. He has also served the Vietnamese church in similar ways.

As a ministry associate for missions at College Church, in pre-pandemic times, every Thursday morning, Emmanuel had a coffee/teatime for the refugees in the ESL classes held at church. “We did this to get to know them, and once a month, we had a table with Bibles in different languages to give away.” Emmanuel said. “We also had an international fellowship once a month. We would gather to worship, and I would bring a short message.” Emmanuel’s hope is that this would turn into an international church.

About 11 years ago, Emmanuel met a group of Burmese believers at World Relief. They asked him for help. “They were meeting in a home for worship,” he pointed out. “Thirty of them, and I asked why they didn’t look for a place to meet?

“At the time the Evangelical Free Church was one of my supporting churches, and I asked if the church could host them.” About two years into helping this small church, Emmanuel made a discovery, “I found out how many different tribes and languages exist in Burma. About 30 of them in the Chinese language groups.” That was eight years ago, and the Burmese church now gathers at First Presbyterian Church in Wheaton. Emmanuel and the pastor of the church, Menar Chai, have become partners in the gospel over the years.

“They are planning to buy their own little church,” shares Emmanuel. “They are now more than 70 adults and up to 100 when the children are counted. With COVID-19, they have been meeting by Zoom. And the children and youth have been struggling to connect with each other.”

This was the cue for the summer Bible study Emmanuel had with the children and teenagers. “The pastor asked me for help,’ relates Emmanuel, “and I said as soon as the church was open, I would ask for a room. We began the study in July with about 20 youth, and the parents were so glad to have something for their children.”

He soon discovered that though the young people went to church, they struggled to understand the teaching, done in a language they didn’t speak. Emmanuel also discovered that they were not all followers of Christ. Ever the evangelist, Emmanuel took the time to clearly explain the good news of Jesus. As a result of hearing the gospel, eight of the students accepted Christ, and Emmanuel began to teach them about what it means to follow Jesus. At the end of each class, Emmanuel would ask if anyone wanted to accept Christ. “The first week, there were three students, the second week five.”

Of that eight, six of the young people were baptized at College Church in the evening outdoor baptism service on August 2, which included 15 children and students from College Church. “The parents were so glad,” Emmanuel reports. “I am planning to meet with these young people on Saturdays. My goal is to have these young people be a part of the Sunday service here, and then they can go to their parents’ church in the afternoon. I don’t want to take them away from their church, but to work with them.”

The Burmese congregation continues to search for a church building. The church raised $9,000 at a dinner in November and has another $139,000 in savings for a church. Until the day comes, the church will meet at First Presbyterian Wheaton.

“Pray as they look for a church building,” urges Emmanuel. “Also, pray for deeper relationships with the eight or nine ethnic churches around us. My goal is to have a monthly prayer gathering for these churches. Pray for the children and students to grow spiritually.”

Emmanuel’s final prayer request reflects his heart and love for these growing congregations “And pray for wisdom for me as I walk alongside these congregations.” Emmanuel’s walk is one worth joining as we proclaim the beautiful gospel. The following young people are part of the Burmese church and were baptized by their pastor, Menar Chai:

Lala San

Steven Cangmah

May Yupa Yati

Peter Naing

Joshua Thang Solomon Thang

Daw We Paw

About the Author | Emmanuel Tahear

Emmanuel Tahear and his wife, Adu, are College Church missionaries with SIM Culture ConneXions. Emmanuel has a heart for reaching Muslims and Muslim-background belivers. He also serves with Burmese and Vietnamese churches.