Early in 2020 Myanmar was hit by a double-strike: first the coup, then the covid.
And now, through 2022, and still living with so many restraints, the preaching movement seems to be making up for lost time. As I went through the reports and the facebook updates, I counted six training seminars already this year — and it isn’t even September yet.
One of the things that captures me is the way these photos demonstrate what we are trying to do and to be, under God’s good hand, in the work of Langham Preaching: nurturing learner-centered, indigenous, grassroots, heart-language movements of biblical preaching. Each word is evident in these photos — and photos like these could be replicated from a few dozen other preaching movements around the world.
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| There are only five of the six because, in true grassroots fashion, I couldn’t find the sixth one (San Poy Hla) on the map! — but it is over near Kyauktaw in Rakhine State. |
We thank God for all that he is doing through Sein Kyi and Ruby Ti, together with K. Pung Ram and Paul Naw Aung — and all the others in the team.
nice chatting
Paul
PS: I once asked my father-in-law if I had married his favourite daughter (assuming, of course, that I had!) — and his response was “I have four favourite daughters”. It is a bit like that for me with Langham Preaching. And yet, given the trauma that the people of Myanmar have endured for a period longer than the (biblical) Exile, they will always have a special place in my heart. I haven’t visited as much as numerous other people that I know — but, boy, have I had some fun writing blogs.
Here are my favourites, roughly in order…
PS (2): Another photo from Myanmar, added later…
About Me
the art of unpacking
After a childhood in India, a theological training in the USA and a pastoral ministry in Southland (New Zealand), I spent twenty years in theological education in New Zealand — first at Laidlaw College and then at Carey Baptist College, where I served as principal. In 2009 I began working with Langham Partnership and since 2013 I have been the Programme Director (Langham Preaching). Through it all I've cherished the experience of the 'gracious hand of God upon me' and I've relished the opportunity to 'unpack', or exegete, all that I encounter in my walk through life with Jesus.
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Praise God! May He continue to grow His work. Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Thanks, Heather — hope you are travelling well
Paul
Could I be so bold as to add another word to your descriptors? Intergenerational – I loved to see the heads (plural) of grey hair and the young boy in the photo featuring the man in a royal purple shirt!
I am wondering……how do you see the word "learner-centred" being expressed in those pictures? To my untrained eye, they look more like learners focussing on the sage on the stage, but I don't know the contexts – are those up the front actually fellow students? I'm curious.
Thanks, Rachael
The 'intergenerational' feature is well-spotted — and important. It emerges in another way when we have to keep reminding people that we are not just about training pastors, but preachers (many of whom are 'pre-pastors' and much younger). I always admire the older ones who come, as it takes a lot of humility and patience to enter the learning space again — or, even for the first time.
In terms of 'learner-centered', it is not easy to convey this in pictures, I guess. So much of it happens at the level of design beforehand and in the learning space it is probably better captured with video than photo. The smaller/table groups is a key ingredient, although that can service just as readily the sage on the stage. The one photo that hinted at it would be the one of the two men holding the paper, the fruit of their own work, from among the learners.
Hope you are well
Paul
Aha! Yes, you knew the context and could see what I couldn't. Thanks for explaining.
Paul your work with Langham Preaching, as well as all your teaching in various places is amazing. I love the stories you relay about your work. You are truly a person who spreads the Word of God and the Gospel. Well done good and faithful 'servant', it touches one's heart to see all the different people you meet on your travels. Keep up the blogging, it is so interesting.
Thanks, Anne — you've always been such an encouragement.
Those are such kind words (and thanks for telling me who 'Unknown' is … 🙂 )
best wishes — Paul