A call to all Victorian Baptist churches and communities of faith to participate in Stand with Myanmar Appeal by joining MYANMAR SUNDAY on Sunday APRIL 30th and beyond, when we will pray for, advocate and raise funds for the people of Myanmar, particularly those of the Karen, Chin and Kachin states.

Prior to the war, the Baptist church in Myanmar was the fastest growing church in the world with 1.7 million Baptists. But the last 2 years, since the military coup in February 2021, have been horrific.   Myanmar has been rocked by violence, oppression and instability.  The economy has collapsed, here are shortages of food, fuel and basic supplies.  Families have been forced to separate, churches continue to be damaged and several prominent Baptist pastors have been arrested and remain in prison. The military continue, not only to use brute force on anyone who has pressed for peace, but also release bombs that have decimated entire villages.

Since the coup more than 3000 people have been killed and 16,000 people detained. Almost 1.6 million people are displaced within Myanmar and 1.1 million refugees and asylum seekers from Myanmar live in refugee camps on the Thai and Indian borders and within other towns in Thailand and India. Other families still in Myanmar have fled their burned villages and are hiding in the jungle.

Within the BUV, 56 (16%) of our church congregations originate from different ethnic groups within Myanmar.  These churches are both supporting their local congregation members and families and communities back in Myanmar.  We encourage churches and individuals to join together to help our brothers and sisters in Myanmar who are facing ongoing hardship and are in urgent need of emergency relief supplies.

 3 WAYS YOU CAN HELP 

PRAY 

• Click here for a Prayer Guide for your individual or church prayer time
• Attend or Livestream the National Day of Prayers for Just Peace in Myanmar service at Collins St Baptist Church on 30^th April at 5pm – click here for details

GIVE
All funds raised from Victorian Baptists will be directed to Baptist Mission Australia who have secure channels for the distribution of funds to each of the Chin (including Haka Chin), Kachin and Karen states.  Funds raised will be used for

• Emergency supplies – Food (rice), raincoats, warm clothes, blankets, plastic for shelter (tarps), mosquito nets (ideally camouflage), portable water treatment, winter boots
• Medical supplies
• Educational supplies for children’s ongoing schooling in jungle areas

ADVOCATE

• Write to your MP to express your concerns – click here for a letter template you may like to use detailing the “asks”.
• Click here for a document with tips for writing to your MP